Well, the day is nearly here! Can you recall back to college? Do you remember ever waking up one morning and walking to class and remembering on the way that you have an exam that you forgot to study for? Panic runs through your mind, but then you realize there is nothing more you can do, and you just have to do your best? Well, given my lack of preparation for this race, that is kind of how I feel. So, am I ready? No! But, I'm going to do my best and see what happens.
The weather was beautiful yesterday, but looking to be strong winds tomorrow, which would not be so good. The forecast keeps changing, though, so we'll have to wait and see. Thursday saw record winds, with a gust clocking 51 mph at the Phoenix airport!
We had a great time yesterday with Pastor Steve and Angie Zwart. Heather showed them around the Ironman village while I rode my bike for awhile. We also had a great Ironprayer service, led by Stan Smith from FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). I had an opportunity there to share my testimony from last year's Ironman Arizona race. It was pretty cool. We were also blessed to hear testimony from a guy that lost the use of his right arm due to an accident involving a drunk driver, and now he is competing in his first Ironman and giving God all the glory! We also heard from local Minneapolis pro John Shelp, who had a great testimony for God.
3-time Ironman champion Heather Gollnick (I'm expecting her to win this race as well for the female division) also gave a great testimony about how she uses the entire Ironman race to pray. Pretty cool. Then, Pastor Scott Benefield from Albuquerque, NM, closed out the service.
I swam half the course yesterday and felt OK. I also rode 25 miles in some decent wind gusts and felt pretty good, averaging 22 mph. Hopefully I feel the same on race day.
Prayer requests:
- Winds!! Pray that they are calm (or at my back the whole day!)
- Health - pray that my Infinit Nutrition formula works, as I haven't been able to try it yet and won't do so until race day
- Wetsuit - my wetsuit bib strap is nearly broken - I tried to repair it yesterday, but am not sure how good it is; Please pray that it doesn't break during my swim, which would not be good!
- Mechanicals - please pray for no mechanical problems on my bike
- To God Be the Glory - Please pray that, no matter what happens, God's name will be glorified above all! Hopefully it will be glorified more by me finishing strong!
Thanks so much for partering with me in this adventure!
Oh - I almost forgot to mention: Janus Charity Challenge update: We have raised over $150,000 for the crisis pregnancy centers! PTL!
Also, you may track me online at
I am wearing bib number 88.
Find more information about the race at
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