Well, it’s done. As of today my training and fund raising for Ironman Florida are complete. Since May 11 I’ve logged 2,445 miles and over 240 hours of training. Through donations by generous folks like you I’ve raised $5,500 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. The work has been done and now all that’s left is a race.

At 6:15 on Saturday morning I’ll take off swimming straight out into the Gulf of Mexico. It will be the beginning of what I expect to be a fantastic day. As of now the forecast looks spectacular. The only remaining wild card at this point is a blister on one of my toes. I’m hoping it’s 100% and ready to go come Saturday.

I want to take this chance to say thanks to every one of you for being part of this
journey. I honestly would not be stepping up to a start line without you. From donating, to helping with the kids, to simply encouraging me along the way, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done. Throughout race day thoughts of your selflessness will help get me through the hard hours I’m certain are coming.

To Denver, thanks for being my Hero. I realize I do a lot of crazy things simply by choice but I know that you have to live with some stuff that you didn’t choose. You are truly inspiring and I sincerely hope that the dollars raised eventually lead to a cure for NF. Until a cure exists keep being strong and inspiring folks to help find one.

To Jason and Katy, thanks again for introducing Sarah and I to CTF. While I have Couch and Kurt to thank for introducing me to triathlon, I officially have you guys to thank for introducing me to Ironman. If it were not for you I probably would still be thinking about doing my first. And now here I am doing my second and I completely blame you (again). I couldn’t ask for better folks to train with. You guys are awesome and I’m thankful for the friendship that’s developed over the past few years. Best of luck on race day.

To the rest of Team Denver (Kody, Chandler, and Couch) thanks for sharing the journey. You guys continue to be an inspiration. I’ve enjoyed the time we’ve spent training and getting to hang out. You guys are gonna kill this race.

To the extended CTF team, it’s been great getting to know all of you via Facebook.  I look forward to finally meeting you and to seeing a ton of blue kits out on the course race day.  You’ve put in the hours.  Now go out and enjoy the day.

To Coach Bob, thanks for getting me here. I feel more than prepared. Once again I fully expect to do something I previously though impossible and I owe it largely to your training.

To Sarah, Jackson, and Morgan, thanks for putting up with hours and hours of training. I promise no Ironman next year (at least no full ones). You guys have been more than supportive and have done it generously and graciously. I love you guys.

To Mom, Dad, Melissa, Pat, Aiden and Eli, thanks to you guys as well. You have gone above and beyond time and time again. I’m blessed beyond words to have such a great family.

As always, I’m thankful that God continues to bless me with good health and the ability to do insane things to my body.  To Him be all glory.

I’ll post a few times between now and race day.  We’ll be leaving Texas on Tuesday and hopefully arriving in Florida Wednesday afternoon.  Stay tuned.