It wasn't peanuts...

My bad memory cost me today. In my haste to get out of our "crap-tastic" hotel room, I left behind my Ironman watch on the night stand. If that wasn't bad enough, I also remembered I forgot to pack my wetsuit.

Not surprisingly, I had a terrible sleep last night and started the day off tired. I wasn't the only one, for the two hour car ride to Lake Placid, Alice slept. I looked over in jealousy.

As we drove, I realized I need to rest. I have to remember I'm racing on Sunday. I also have to make up for yesterdays late night of driving and bad sleep. I kept telling myself, "rest is primary, everything else is secondary".

We lucked out getting into the Best Western hotel on short notice. It is DIRECTLY across from the race expo and finish line. You can't get a better location, unless you decide to sleep in the transition tents. Another benefit is the rooms are nice and I no longer have to sleep with my clothes on.

I was a little nervous about making sure I got to Lake Placid and registered in time. The cut-off was 4 pm and I was cutting it close getting there at 2 pm. An auto failure could have screwed things up. During the last hour of the drive to Lake Placid I was aware of the remaining distance and was calculating how long it would take me to get there on my bike if my truck broke down.

Today it dawned on me that I'm becoming an Ironman veteran. That epiphany came to me as I was selectively looking at Ironman clothing. I didn't find anything that looked great or I didn't have already with a different Ironman race logo on it. I decided not to buy anything and hoped the finishers stuff will be better.

For lunch, we ate before we got to Lake Placid. We went to an Italian restaurant and I had salad and pasta with garlic and olive oil. I'm really trying to eating clean. I keep reminding myself about China and St. George. I don't want food poisoning and I don't want to get the "sh*ts" on the run.

However, I did slip. Last night I had a small McDonald's soft ice cream cone and today I had the same. We then went shopping and I had some peanuts and pretzels. On the good side, I also ate a lot of cherries. For dinner, I really didn't know what to eat. I'm so scared of screwing up by eating the wrong thing. I don't want any regrets.

I ended up going with a meat sampler. Chicken, steak and ribs. I wasn't hungry and didn't eat much. Tomorrow, my plan is to eat very normal and as healthy as possible. I really want this race to be one without food related stomach issues.

I may go to the FREE pancake breakfast tomorrow morning. A couple of race volunteers told me about it. The second person that told me had eyes the size of "flap-jacks" and said, "Your welcome to come to our FREE pancake breakfast" and handed me a ministry leaflet.

She was so calm and all loving in her approach and looked deeply into my eyes as she spoke. I could tell she drank a keg of "Jesus juice" all by herself. I started laughing to myself, she reminded me of the "Bright and Shiny" religious cult people in the funny movie "Bubble Boy".

I have nothing against religion. Okay, I lied, I do, but that's a different story. But on the religious zealot meter, I find those in a "ministry" tend to be more enthusiastic than regular "church goers".

I know if I do go to that breakfast, those pancakes will be made from "love in their hearts". I'm sure they'll be good. Even if I have to sit through a few Psalms or hold some hands and sing kumbaya, I'm sure it'll be worth it. In terms of a pancake breakfast, I think the quality and service from a ministry will be hands down better than any other religious organization. If I don't sleep in, I'm pancake bound.

Weather wise, I'm a little worried. It's been overcast and cool lately. For Sunday's race, they say it's going to be cooler, cloudy and possible rain. I was hoping it was going to be sunny and hot. My feeling are if you're going to do an Ironman, why not make it Epic.

Plus, it helps slow those fast guys down.

Taper Rest Day - No training.