Five Days!!

I'm starting to get a little excited - finally able to refocus my mind from moving to Ironman.

The big day is almost here!

Long it will be, but have no fear.

You have put in miles and miles

And will finish amidst numerous smiles.

The hard work is over and done.

Now is the time for nothing but fun.

May your spirits be high throughout the day,

And may nothing come along to stand in your way.

Ironman is as much about the journey as the destination,

And you will be rewarded for all of your determination.

Hand-in-hand we will all head in,

Eagerly treading water as we wait to begin.

At 7am the cannon will blast

But be sure not to go out too fast.

The water will run over your face,

As you are now committed to the race.

Town Green Park will seem so far away

But keep those negative thoughts at bay.

2.4 miles will be over before you know it,

And you will start to realize your thoughts of Iron are truly legit.

On to the bike, for 112 miles you go,

Be sure to give your friends a very loud “Yo!”

Your legs will get tired and your body will get hot,

But think of giving up?  You certainly will not!

The humid sun will shine down bright

But will not deter you in your fight.

Once your 112 mile ride is through

Only a marathon stands between Ironman and you.

Your feet will never be so happy to touch ground,

And a new love of running you will have found.

Look around you and take it all in,

“I’m really doing this” you’ll think with a grin.

Three loops on the run, round and round,

Not a lonely spot to be found.

Your family and friends will be cheering for you,

Along with random strangers you never knew.

Thank them all, the volunteers too!

As they are all out there just for you.

One final stretch through Market Street

Is all you have left to ask of your feet.

You can see the lights, you can hear the roar.

A few more steps to go and you will soar.

Into the finishers chute you go,

Feeling greater than anyone else will ever know.

Raise your arms high above your head

As your fear of the day has just been shed.

You are finally there – the finish line.

Now the time is yours to shine.

When you dare to cross to the other side,

The person you once were is left behind.

What can never be taken away

Is the fact that you became an Ironman today.