"Forever Junior"

I once had to e-mail some money to one of Claudette's siblings and as the verification question I asked them to confirm their dad's first name.  A day or so later Roo got a call asking for clarification on the question because they couldn't seem to access the money.  Apparently they had tried every variation of "Junior" they could think of without success!!

Yup!  Even his children thought his name was Junior.  I think Leon never lasted beyond the delivery room.  And of course you would be right in speculating that his fathers name was Leon as well, and in fact two more Leons followed Junior.  His son, known simply as Leon, and his grandson who of course is "little" Leon.

When the priest used his proper name throughout the service I was tempted to shout out a correction but managed to control myself.  Regardless of what the priest said, or regardless of what they write on his monument, regardless of what the death certificate says, to everyone who's life he touched, he will be "Forever Junior".

Here is an incomplete list of things I remember about my father-in-law.  Incomplete because the memories come back over time, and I'm sure I'm gonna have many more over the coming days/weeks/months as we celebrate his life.

He loved all animals but none more that his precious horses.
He loved humour in any form.
He disliked government in any form.
He was a brilliant man.  Although a simple farmer, well spoken and well written in two languages.
He loved playing cards.
He was exceptionally good at math in his head.
He loved to teach.
He loved to learn.
He loved children, specially the little ones.
He believed in his God, and wasn't afraid to say it.
He believed in truth above all.
He liked to argue....me too!
He never hedged his bets...if he was in, he was in!
He assisted in the raising of nine remarkable children.
And perhaps above all else, he lived life one day at a time!

I could go on, and of course I could probably even remember a few things I didn't like as much.  There's not point in it however, and if I were honest with myself, that list would be a whole lot shorter than my own list of shortcomings.

So I will leave it at this.  I will miss you Junior.  You never failed to treat me with respect. Today I celebrate your life and as you move on to join your precious Rachelle (his daughter), I take this opportunity to thank you for leaving your precious Claudette behind to continue to teach me the things you taught her. I give you this solemn promise, that every time she argues with me, I will think of you. :)

Good night Junior.  See you at the track!

And the animals loved him as well.  Check out the little butterfly that's making the trip with him.

"We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.'---Chuch Palahniuk

Love

Peter

"Not so Quick"

I thought that I was gonna close out my estate trustee work once and for all this coming friday.  NOT!  Hard to fathom how some people think, but it is what it is.  At least I can put the files away until the spring when the saga will continue, and in the meantime I can feel sorry for myself.  Also NOT!

I am dragging my ass a bit, but I think that's okay as well. Its been an emotional month and of course it continues with the funeral this week.  Crazy, but I'm really looking forward to the visitation and the actual funeral as it will be a chance to reach out to others and try to have a positive impact during a sad time.  I think I'm good at that.

Not working out is hard as well but I am committed to my sabbatical for some time yet.  I don't thank there's any other way.

And that's it for today.  Today's quote comes from my sister/friend. I love it!

"Be nice to all who suffer. From anything."---Gail Perry

Love

Peter

"Still Here"

Just idling my engine.  I know that's bad for the environment but I'm afraid that like many of the cars I owned as a young man, if I shut it off completely, it won't start again.  I suppose that like many of the farm tractors of my youth I could park at the top of a hill and let it run down to start it, but that assumes a manual transmission, and I'm afraid my stick shift years are behind me.

So I'm just gonna idle a bit longer.  I tried running this past Sunday and it was all I could do to complete 5 kms at a 6 minute pace!!! Wow!!!

We're gonna be putting Leon Regnier Junior to rest over the next few days which will provide more opportunity for me to rest as well, and on top of that I'm sure the family interaction will recharge my batteries.  I am so blessed to have not just a large wonderful clan of my own, but I can share Roo's boisterous group of 9 as well.  Amazing really.  I'll tell you a bit more about my father-in-law over the next few days, but for now suffice it to say that he always did the best he could with what he had.

Talk to you soon.....you too Junior...

....and this makes sense to me....

"To be idle requires a strong sense of personal identity."---Robert Louis Stevenson

Love

Peter

It Was a Long Drive to Fuddy's House

And it wasn't really a long drive, it just seemed that way to Kylie.  Ky is an animal lover and this was her first experience with a chinchilla.  

It's basically a big rat with very, very, very, very soft fur.

He belongs to our niece Maisie, and the good news is that when we leave here (Fergus) tomorrow, Fuddy is staying behind.  Phew!

And that's it!  Home tomorrow!  

"It may be that the satisfaction I need depends on my going away, so that when I've gone and come back, I'll find it at home."---Rumi

Love

Peter

"We're going to visit Fuddy!"

Tomorrow that is, and then home on Saturday.  I have had enough inactivity actually. It's making me real tired.  Time to go home and fix something.  And I'll explain "Fuddy"tomorrow, but for now please know he's supposed to be really soft.  We shall see??

"You never get tired unless you stop and take time for it."---Bob Hope

Love

Peter

"Still Reeling"

Today a man screamed at me for a minute straight, first in French and then in English.  But understanding the language wasn't necessary to get the gist of the venom this man was spewing at me.  After he was done screaming, he proceeded to punch my motorhome.  My granddaughter was seriously frightened, and I was quivering with anger by the time he was done, and yet managed to say not a word.

And why was he screaming?

I had in no way affected his life, or that of any other person in this entire universe, and yet he carried so much anger in him I was in shock.  Just this moment I came to the realization that he must have been under the influence, or having some kind of psychotic episode.

What did I do?

I inadvertently went the wrong way down a 50 metre section of lane way in a Costco parking lot!!!  No one was even going the other way!

I had to tell you about it to get it off my chest.  Phew.

I think I met 3000 wonderful people in Quebec in the last week, and one not so wonderful.  I need to remember that.

We are back in Ontario this evening perhaps a half hour south of Ottawa.  One we get back home I'll get you a few pics of the highlight of out trip, our Ziplinng experience.  Watching Kylie fearlessly heave herself backwards off the platform, and then fly through the air for more than a kilometre was beyond description!!

And Elly, unfortunately there is very little to be found on paralympic athletes.  Lets try again. 

"You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger."---Buddha

Love

Peter

"Meet Eric"

Last evening I was sitting in my rental car at a small park lot waiting for Roo and Ky to come back from their run/ride when I noticed a man pull up at the other end of the lot in a very high tech hand cycle.  He rode it over to a vehicle and much to my surprise opened the rear hatch, and while still sitting in the bike, hauled a wheelchair out of the vehicle.  He then effortlessly hoisted his body out of the recumbent cycle, and plunked it into the wheelchair.  Of course he did all this without any assistance from his legs, which were clearly just dead weight.  He then proceeded to swing the bike up into the back of the vehicle while still sitting in the chair.  When he first arrived my mind was quite busy with some "poor peter" thinking, and I suddenly knew I had to go talk to this guy.

Of course approaching someone just to talk becomes a potential problem when English is not the common language, as the conversation may be vey short.  Fortunately between my smattering of French, and Eric's reasonably good english we managed to communicate.  I told him that I had been sitting there bemoaning my ironman experience and that seeing him so routinely deal with the lack of functioning legs inspired me to come over and talk to him.  He was a very modest 44 year old with arms as big as my legs, who puts about 200 kms per week on his hand cycle!!

We chatted, and eventually Roo got back, and we chatted some more with the help of her very good french, and we learned many things about Eric Gauthier.  Most notably we learned about his incredibly positive outlook on life.  He damaged his spinal cord in a snowmobile accident as a young adult, but has remained extremely active ever since.  Turns out that he is this Eric.

Yup!  Eric has been on the Canadian Paralympic Team for 20 years, and has represented our country at the last 4 olympic games as a wheel chair sprinter. He declined the opportunity to go to Rio in 2016 cause he's just tired of the training regimen.  Pretty cool eh?  I just knew I had to go talk to the guy!

And whether it was the positive interaction with Eric, or just the passage of time, I already feel a bit better.  I also think it helps that I really knew all along that it would have taken a small miracle to complete the race.  It was pretty undeniable that over the last 3 to 4 months I was deteriorating, not progressing.  Not to start the race would to me have been a failure, but not completing makes it just another tough workout.

Besides....I'm already making plans!!  Dream on!!

And to end my visit with Eric he pushed his wheelchair over to the drivers side of the vehicle, hauled himself in, hauled the wheelchair in after him, and drove away!  He never waved goodbye.  :)

"The only disability in life is a bad attitude."---Scott Hamilton

Love

Peter

"This above all- to thine own self be true'

"And it must follow, as the night the day.  Thou canst not then be false to any man"

Some times the right person, says the right thing, at the right time.  I have met my friend Gail exactly two times in person, and yet somehow she seems to know me as a sister might.  She sent me this Shakespearean quote this morning and I latched on to it like a lifeline.  She also knew that it was from Hamlet, which of course I would have no idea of, not having paid any attention through my 4 1/2 years of high school.

And like I said....exactly what I needed to be reminded of this morning.

I need to be true to myself.  On this particular day I need to admit my near overwhelming sense of loss.  I don't want to belabour it, and I am determined to not let it spiral down into self pity, but like all losses, it needs to be grieved.  I think that telling you about it will help me to move through that phase, and allow me to focus on what's next.

Before I go there however I need to tell you the immense satisfaction I got out of Brett and John's success.  While I take no direct credit for their accomplishments, I do trust that in some small way I inspired them.  Congratulations to both of them!!

But back to the way I feel today.  None of it I'm particularly proud of, but despite that. or perhaps because of it, I need to air it.

It feels like I have worked ceaselessly for 3 straight years without any payoff.  I feel jealous of all those people who walk around this morning with the finishers hat and shirt.....including Brett and John!  I feel disappointed that others can't celebrate my success, most notably my honey, my children, and my grandchildren.  And most of all I feel dumb for not managing my body better over the past year.  I suppose it's my A type personality, but I tend to believe that all problems can be solved with the right plan.  And finally, and most of all.....I'm mad!!!!!!

And before you  tell me that all of these things are just feelings, and that they can be changed, please know that I already know that.  I still think it's important that I acknowledge them so that I can move forward without the baggage.  As much as I want to keep up  a brave face, I fear that if I pretend too much, it will eat me from the inside.  That's why I choose this vehicle to air things a bit.  Hope you don't mind.

And referring back to the quote, this idea of Bill's that if I'm honest with myself I can not be dishonest with you, seems of value to me.  If I'm honest about my own shortcomings, my own insecurities, it somehow precludes me from blaming the rest of the world, or worse yet, those immediately around me, for my own weaknesses.

As to where I go from here. and what part Ironman will play in my future, I am still uncertain.  In the back of my mind there is this ceaseless voice that tells me I still have to correct my failure.  But I think the best way to deal with that voice is just to think about getting healthy first, then perhaps doing some  shorter triathlons, and then once I feel right, create the "perfect" IM training plan.  The thing I find ironic about that idea, is that I feel very qualified to coach someone else, but I'm afraid that for the last year at least, I have failed miserably at coaching myself.

At least for now I also intend on maintaining a blog of some kind.  Of course it will have to be a new one with a new title that has some relevance, and a theme reflective of the next part of my life.  That may take me a day or two to come up with....hmmm....

And Gail's quote is from some obscure little play called Hamlet.  The character (Polonius) is giving advice to his son and in this particular fatherly rant he shares some other useful wisdom.  I liked these lines especially.

"Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice;
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment."

"Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel"

And what amazes me is that I never paid attention to this stuff in grade 11, because I find the words such wonderful puzzles now.  I also find them inspiring.

And speaking of inspiring, this evening I met the person who provided me with my first reason to stop whining about how I feel, and get on with the rest of my life.  You'll meet him tomorrow.  

....and this one's for you Gail....

"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none."---William Shakespeare

Love

Peter

"Wish Me Luck"

Que sera, sera.

Dream on!

You should be able to find live results here.  Just type in the race number and search.

Peter   2140
John    1972
Brett    2060

Love
Peter

"Two More Sleeps"

Or one and a half I suppose.  I wish they would start these things about 10 a.m., cause that would suit my style a whole lot better.  I hate...and I mean hate getting up in the dark.  But they have this thing about ending the race at the stroke of midnight and so I don't think they're gonna make any adjustments on my accord.  And I suppose I'll be grateful for the 17 hour limit before the day is out.

I'm feeling a bit more relaxed today and yet just as uncertain at the same time.  I suppose maybe it's the realization that I have truly done everything that I could expect of myself, and the whole deal is in the creators hands now.

I swam a bit yesterday and found a problem with my goggles but I think my spare pair are gonna work okay.  Today I went for a short ride (15 kms) and a little walk/run (2 kms), and quite frankly felt sluggish during both.  I'n not fretting over it though, because it's too late to change anything now.

And I appreciate all the words of support and guidance.  I want you to know that I really am entering this thing with an open mind, although I can understand why it may seem I'm being a bit negative.  I believe in possibility thinking, and in line with that I say "Dream On"

You have to dream before your dreams can come true."---Abdul Kalam

Love

Peter

"Forgot to Post"

Sorry.
Talk to you later.
Love
Peter

"Choices"

Question:  If I were to leave this earth next monday would I prefer to be remembered as the guy who finally conquered the Tremblant Ironman course, or simply as a decent man who added value to the world?

Answer:  Both!

I think it's the very idea of not having a choice that scares the crap out of me.  After all, if I finish the race on Sunday I will be able to rest on my laurels, but if I don't, I will still have tons (well actually tonnes since I'm Canadian) of work to do in order to become the decent man I referenced.  And while some that love me may argue that, the reality is that I am the only person who can make a fair assessment, and I know my shortcomings all too well.

To compound the whole thing I don't know which of the initiatives will prove the most difficult.  If I have ever undertaken anything in my life with less confidence than I have going into this race, I certainly can't remember it.  And as to becoming a better man, it's not about confidence at all, but rather about courage.  It may mean making difficult decisions, and/or, changes in my life that I don't want to make

I suppose there could be a third choice.  Fail in the event, and then also neglect to make personhood improvements.  For now I'm still shooting for both!  We shall see.

Brother John arrived today with his lovely wife Linda, and other brother Brett gets here tomorrow with his better half, little sister Teresa  It occurs to me that if I don't finish the race these two men will provide an opportunity for me to become a better man immediately.   All of my life I have had great difficulty being happy for the success of others.  Always there is an element of jealousy when some one else does well, especially if it's someone stealing my thunder.  After Sunday I will no longer be the only Ironman in the family!!! I need to be proud of them, and I need to promote their moment in the sun.

Tomorrow is check in day, and the nerves are starting to set in.  After that bit of line standing is done I will probably feel a bit more relaxed for a day or so, and then it will start to build again.  One thing I shouldn't have to worry about is freezing my proverbial nuts off, as they are predicting 28 degrees, with little chance of rain!!  I'm probably gonna be whining about the heat!!

And that's all I got for today.  I'm gonna take Gail's advice now and go find Kylie at the playground....

Love
Peter

"Settled In"

At Tremblant that is.  To the same spot, in the same park!  Three times lucky?  I don't feel much like blogging however, as I mull over why I'm here again.  It will probably become clear over the next few days, and then I'll tell you about it.

Love
Peter

"East of Kingston and no wifi. Ttyt Love Peter

"Lets get this show on the road"

As promised, a pic of our new wheels.

Pretty eh?

And while I know it's just a material possession thing, I still like driving it around and parking it in places.  

And as to why I'm taking it to Mont Tremblant, I looked back to September 29th of 2008 when I set off on my first adventure.  Other than location,  the answer still works.

"I am doing this because I can! I am grateful that I can and so I intend to celebrate by doing so. I am doing this because it will be a great adventure. A whole year of intense workouts in 3 disciplines. I am doing this because the event itself will be a great adventure. Claudette and I will probably take our RV out to the beautiful Okanagan and make it a well deserved(at least for Claudette) vacation. I am doing this because Claudette thinks I should, and that in itself is a good enough reason for me. I am doing this for the very resaon Elly asks the question; as a motivator to be the fittest kindest person I can be. I believe that it has already done some things for me in this regard. And last but not least I am doing this because Pete Townsend and Roger Daltry asked the question "Who are you?" or more specifically in the lyrics of this great tune..."who the fuck are you? I am doing it to find out who I am, no pun intended. The first line in the song after the intro says and I quote..."woke up in a Soho doorway, a policeman knew my name. He said you can go sleep at home tonite, if you can get up and walk away". Thats why I'm doing this. To prove that I can get up and walk away. I don't mean from the physical challenges that tore me down in the last year, but rather from the self pitying, dependant, depressed person that I had become as a result. I am doing this because I want to get up and walk away, so that I can sleep at home tonite. Some people can't and/or don't!"

We shall see what happens, but for sure we won't know til we get there!  Whatever it is will be good!

"Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window."---Peter Drucker

Love

Peter

"Close Enough"

While the plan to get up at 4 didn't quite come to fruition I was in the pool by 7:15, and my mini Ironman went quite well.  I used all my race gear, and even packed it in bags to simulate race day.  I tried the strip naked and get dry tactic, and indeed it is a very slow process.  No matter how dry you think you are, damp skin and skin tight tri suit's just don't slide together well.  I think it took an extra 3 or 4 minutes which seems like forever when you're doing it.  Of course that's peanuts in the big scheme of things.  Like I said, the weather will make that decision for me come race day.  Everything else felt really good and I actually felt a little energy on the run/walk portion.

We are pretty well packed up, and at the very least I think I have everything I need for ironman day.  I'm starting to get excited, and somehow I'm not really feeling any pressure.  I think just the idea of getting away from home for a few weeks is adding a sense of relief.  No beneficiaries, no insurance people, no contractors for nearly 2 glorious weeks.  The kids are really excited as well which helps, and Roo and I are committed to giving them a great first experience in our new motorhome.  I promise you a picture of it before we head out.

And that's it for today.  Life is good!

swim 100 metres, ride 18 kms, run/walk 5 kms

I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.'---Kurt Vonnegut

Love

Peter

"oops"

Gotta get up early. Talk to you tomorrow.

Love
Peter

"I Shall Not Freeze!"

I was gonna start this post by telling you that I have very few expectations from this race, but that wouldn't be quite accurate.  Don't get me wrong, there is a very good chance that I won't be able to finish it, and I've come to terms with that.  Before you start thinking I've gone all negative let me elaborate a bit.  Over the last 6 months I have had so many instances of dizziness and near fainting, both during and after relatively easy workouts, that to deny the likelihood of that happening on race day would be naive.  Even today, for several hours after my nice leisurely 4000 metre swim, I had several dizzy spells triggered simply by standing up.  Why this is I don't even care right now, cause it is what it is.

And while I sure don't like the idea of not completing, I also think it's prudent to consider the possibility.  I have so many rich and interesting things in my life that to depend on one day for my feelings of well being would be kinda dumb.

But....like I said....I still have expectations.  Above all else I expect to give the very best I have to give on that given day! I ain't quitting at the first sign of problems, and as a matter of fact I remain confident that I will get at least as far as last year.  I also know myself well enough to know there is some risk that I continue past the point of a healthy decision, so I will get advice from my wife as the day wears on.

Another significant expectation I have for race day is that I don't freeze my proverbial balls off.  While I still may be cold in the lake, I am determined that beyond that I will be dry and warm. I will leave the final decision til game day but I am seriously considering doing something I have never before done in a triathlon of any distance, and that is to completely change my clothes before getting on my bike.  I would simply wear a speedo under my wetsuit, and then towel off and change into a nice dry tri suit in the tents.  I really believe that while it may not have been the primary problem last year, I do believe it exacerbated the issue.

And amongst a whole bunch of other stuff that I expect for the days leading up to and including  race day, I expect that you continue to expect the best out of me as well.  Please continue to believe that I will successfully complete my first ironman in Quebec, but regardless of results, rest assured that "I shall not freeze!"

swim 4000 metres, 1:30:15

And after reviewing about 200 quotes I finally settled for this one.  A perfect one liner!

"If you expect the blessings of God, be kind to His people."---Abu Bakr

Love
Peter

"Damn!"

I'm sure there's gonna be lots more of these moments over the coming months, and every one of them is gonna cost me some money.  Try as one might, there are things you don't even remember you have until the day comes that you go to use it.

 I'm sure I've told you how long lasting the batteries in my bike are, and as such I charge them about twice a year.  This is the first time since I got my new machine that the need arose.  Guess where the charger is.....or rather was?  Yup! In the RV....the old one that is.

One hundred and twenty bucks later!!  Damn!! That wasn't the worst of it though.  The initial panic that set in was way worse.  I didn't know for sure if I could get one locally by the weekend, but the nice man at To Wheels in London came through big time.  He actually robbed one from a bike he's getting ready for  customer, and will simply replace it for the guy asap.  Thanks Mike!!

And it was another busy. busy day of preparation.  Aside for shopping for all the stuff we don't have any more....the stuff I knew about....I also got my bike all spic and span.

Swim tomorrow morning, and then more prep.

"It's not true that life is one damn thing after another; it's one damn thing over and over."---Edna St Vincent Millay

"Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit."---Elbert Hubbard

Love
Peter

"Still Laughing!!!"

I was at my local drug store looking for creative days to put some weight on Kylie (more about that later). and while I was there I also checked my blood pressure (119/73 all good), and then wandered around a little bit.  I don't know why this caught my eye because it's not an aisle I spend much time in, (not yet) but I can tell you I did a monstrous double take!  See  if it hits you the same way?

I actually drove all the way home but then went back to get this picture just for your viewing pleasure.  I guess the sign is advertising for their points card somehow, and this one just wasn't strategically well located.  I'm still chuckling.

As to Kylie, we need to get her up to 75 pounds so that she can do the zipline in Mont Tremblant, and we're looking for creative ways to surreptitiously add a few.  We need close to 10 total and we're about 3/4's of the way there with soft weights around her abdomen and ankles.  I'm looking for some comfortable, soft, heavy things we can stick in the pockets of her cargo pants.in case you got any ideas.

And while I wasn't working on this problem I was out enjoying the day on my bike.  My 90 kms was slow and uneventful but that's okay.  What's not okay is the fact that it left me more tired than I would like.  I need to be real gentle from here on in.

And I really only have two workouts left anyway.  On thursday I need to swim at least 3000 metres, preferably 4000 for confidence, and then on Saturday I will try to do a mini Ironman with all the race day gear.  I even want to simulate the event as to pre-race meal, and start time.  We'll see if I can get my butt out of bed at 4 am??

Oh, and I think I finally made my last momentous race day decision!  Which socks to wear!  I think??

ride 90 kms

"I don't believe in the after life, although I am bringing a change of underwear."---Woody Allen

"You can tell a lot about a person from his underwear."---Rachel Bilson

Love
Peter

"Day Two"

Got my little swim in, and it felt okay.  It's evening now however, and I can tell that I still have some recovering to do.  I think lack of sleep is a big part of the problem.  One day at a time!

My next workout will depend entirely on the weather.  It needs to be a bike ride of at least 60 kms, but probably 90 would be better.  I will try tomorrow if the skies look clear enough, and the distance will be determined entirely by how I feel.

Other than my swim today I generally worked on trip preparations.  I don't know if I told you or not, but we bought another motorhome.  Of course along with the motorhome itself, all the contents that we had accumulated over the years also went up in smoke, so Roo and I are gradually rebuilding out little escape world. Dishes, blankets, towels, games, lawn chairs etc.  It is an advantage having done it all once before because we won't waste money on the wrong things, and as a matter of fact we are stocking it primarily from our own cupboards, and from the local thrift shops.

As to the motorhome itself, we really like it a lot.  Again, being more experienced, we knew what we were doing this time. I also gotta tell you that the fantastic people at Forest City Motorhomes came through big time.  Not just did we get a great deal, but they helped us with the insurance company on the vaporized one.  Thanks Rick and Gary!!

And that's it.  I hope to have a good nights sleep, and continue my progress towards Ironman tomorrow.  I hope you sleep well, as well.

swim, 1300 metres

"Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes."---Oscar Wilde

Love

Peter

"I'm Back!"

Due to popular demand, which in my case means three people.  That's probably as high as my rating has ever been, other perhaps than the day in grade 11 when I told the principal to eff off in front of a good portion of Arthur High's enrolment!  Ahhh....the memories.

I'm only back briefly today but I intend on posting every day from here on in.  That ain't much of a commitment mind you, cause D-day is 2 weeks from today.

As to what it will bring I have very few expectations at this point.  I have been sick as a dog and done nothing for 6 days now, and while I'm starting to recover, it's going very slowly.  Needless to say my 3 week taper plan has gone completely out the window.  All I'm hoping for now is a complete recovery by race day, and the hope that I don't lose too much fitness in the interim.  Tomorrow, I'm gonna try a little swim, and then go from there.

The really important thing I think is to get my head on straight in my remaining time.  It's hard to look forward to an Ironman with confidence when a walk from the parking into Lowes necessitates a little sit down as soon as I get in the door!  That was 2 days ago.


"Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work."---Ralph Marsten

Love
Peter