Kona - Day Four - Ironman Eve...

For those that want to follow the Ironman tomorrow, my information is as follows: Bryan Payne, race number is #759, 45-49 age group.

The race starts at 7 am Hawaii time / 1 pm Eastern Time Zone / 12 noon Central Time Zone

There's a few online options on how to follow the race and me.

Ironman.com

1. Athlete Tracker and put in bib #759 at http://tracking.ironmanlive.com/tracking.php?race=worldchampionship&year=2010

2. Watch the race unfold "live", there will be an all-day streaming webcast. You can find it by linking on to http://kona.ironmanlive.com/

And, via "Track My Athlete"

You can track me live via a gps devise I'll be wearing. With a Web browser and iPhone you can track via http://www.trackmyathlete.com/vemap.aspx?name=033899 or with a Handheld PDA/Blackberry/Palm you can track via http://www.trackmyathlete.com/pda.aspx?name=033899

I found some old photo's from my last visit to Kona in 1988. Alice and I were married that year and the Ironman was part of our honeymoon.

I "loved" being here and experiencing the Ironman 22-years ago and this week it hasn't disappointed. It may even be better. Now all I need to do is cross that finish line and that will be the last little piece of magic that will "capture lightening in a bottle for a second time".

I don't think I can be any more ready for Kona than I am now. I feel I'm going into this race with "no regrets", other than a "stress induced cold sore" and weighing 3 lbs more than my Ironman Lake Placid race. Minor stuff and as "Coach Gord" says, the extra weight will help riding through the wind.

I've done all the required training, I've eaten relatively healthy and have not drank any beer for the past couple of weeks. I've slept well, I've gotten into the Ironman Spirit and "I'm looking forward to racing". All that's remaining is spending the afternoon and evening resting in my hotel room.

This morning I was up at 7 am, after a "solid sleep". Before I went to bed last night I said to myself, "you are going to have a good sleep and wake up completely rested". I learnt that technique at a workshop and it worked. I woke up feeling great with no back tightness.

Before I did my pre-race bike and run, my standing resting heart rate was 53 bpm. If it's like that tomorrow morning, I'm going to have a good race.

I'm still stressed and today may be the worst of it. My cold sore is blowing up and simple questions from Alice or Reid make me irritable. As much as I try to "chill", it's not working. The only thing that is going to relax me is crossing that finish line.

This morning I did my pre-race bike and run early, then had breakfast and walked around the town a bit and went to the outdoor expo. There was NOT a lot of athletes out and about. I assumed most are "holed up" and resting in their hotel or condo. My plan was to rest after gear check in and go for an early dinner of pasta in olive oil and garlic.

I was in the first wave allowed into the transition area to drop off our gear, between noon to 2:30 pm. It is one highly organized event with over 5000 volunteers. The transition is beautiful, fully carpeted and the bikes aren't "hung" on metal racks. Instead, they are wooden racks that the back wheels fit into and the bike stands up nicely.

As I was walking my bike into the transition, Dave Anderson, a blog follower, said "hi". I didn't realize it was him until I had to go back into the transition a second time because I forgot to put the Captains Hat in my run gear bag. It was still on my head. He said "hi" again and this time introduced himself. We chatted for a while, great guy. The plan is to together after the race for beers, he owes me a "pitcher" for a bet he lost.

Before I packed my gear into the bags, Alice, Reid and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some Ensure, Beer, Salty Snacks and water. A pre-race axiom is the saying, "you should race like you train" and that's what I'm doing. To load up on salt, I bought some Salt & Vinegar Chips, Taco Chips and Sunflower Seeds.

I've posted often that "I can't believe I qualified", almost in an undeserving way. It's not that I know I don't deserve it, that's quantifiable. It's likely I would have qualified at St. George if I didn't have stomach troubles and I did qualify at Lake Placid, arguably one of the most competitive fields, making it a tougher place to do it at.

I guess, why I can't believe it because I remember where I was four years ago as "a fat and unhappy person". I find it "surreal" that I'm here. My initial goal was to lose weight and get in shape, it was "never" to get to Kona. It wasn't even a "fantasy".

I'm also thankful that my "blog buddies" who set me straight about "deserving to be in Kona". In retrospect, I did earn my spot and do deserve to be here as much as the next guy. Looking back, "I have put in a LOT of training". I even remember asking myself during many long training sessions how many guys in my age group were putting in similar training volumes.

As time went on and I started doing well and placing higher and higher in the results, I attributed it to "my training volume". I knew my progress was a direct result of my commitment to "get out that door and not mail in any workouts".

The disbelief I have is that "even me, never an all-star athlete and someone with a party-lifestyle, can make it to Kona". In light of the blog comments, I agree, I do deserve to be here, "I've worked my ASS OFF!!!"

Those 6 and 7 hour indoor trainer rides were the toughest thing I think I've ever done in my life. Real character builders.

I've often said, "If I can do it, anyone can do it" and it's true. From a physical DNA standpoint, I'm not a "natural triathlete" and if anyone else puts in the time and miles that I did, they too will get to Kona, eventually.

The one personal characteristic I am proud of is my "mental strength" to train hard and not miss workouts. The second personal characteristic I'm proud of is my ability to "have fun, party and enjoy life to the fullest".

I also want to say that the support I've gotten from my "blog buddies" has been great. I think I have the best blog followers on the planet. When I get off the rails and need a "hug" or a "smack" they are their to deliver it. There has been many a time that I've done a workout because it was harder to have to write about missing a workout than actually doing it.

In many ways, I feel my "Journey to Kona" is not just mine. I've never felt alone. In many respects I feel it's my blog followers journey as well. From day one, I've felt the "cheering" from the sidelines, that people are living vicariously through me and want to see me succeed.

There hasn't been one training session since starting the blog that I've felt alone. Even though I primary train alone, I've always felt my blog readers were with me. In the beginning, it was only John Barclay following and he kept me honest and posting on time, or I'd hear about it.

Without getting too mushy, "I'm dedicating tomorrows race to my blog followers", even C.C. You have helped me in so many ways that you weren't aware of, nor intended, and I want to return the favour.

During tomorrow's race from the beginning to end, I'm going to celebrate this race with you in mind. For those I know, or see your avatar regularly, I'll be visualizing you. For those who I've never met and "watch from a far", I'm going to draw from your spirit.

When you check in and see where I am, consider "me" you. I'm going to try to give it my best and "give you the race of your life". It may not be my fastest race, but it will be the best race I have in me for that day".

I HOPE it's uneventful and we have a "great race". However, if the world falls apart and I'm limping along, it will be "you" limping along and I guarantee you, "you will not surrender".

YOU WILL CROSS THAT FINISH LINE TOMORROW!!!!

Pre-race Bike -19:02 / 8.96 km / 28.25 km avg

Pre -race Run - 15:08 / 2.68 km / 5:38 per km pace