Aisle get there

The countdown clock is well and truly ticking - 15 days and counting!
I'm now down to planning the minutiae of the day - what will I eat,  what will I wear, where will I stay the night before etc. It struck me this week that I've spent longer preparing for this race than I spent planning our wedding, I think that only took 4-months, I also think getting married was a lot cheaper. OK, so it was 16-years ago, but my bike shoes and run shoes definitely cost at least double my satin slippers; my wetsuit and probably even tri-suit cost more than my Monsoon bargain wedding dress. When it comes to the reception - my bike cost more! You probably think I'm joking....I'm not! Don't get me wrong, there is no comparison on levels of importance. I knew I could walk down the aisle and say: "I do" and be happy for years to come. I'm not sure, without all this meticulous planning, that I can run down that red carpet and hear the immortal words: "Maria Dye - you are an Ironman."
I read Andy Holgate's blog this week, the guy who wrote the inspiring: Can't Swim, Can't Bike, Can't Run book. He's also doing IMUK this year having been given an honorary slot. He commented on how much he was determined to enjoy the day, this will be his 6th Ironman. I want to enjoy the day too. It's a strange concept to be looking forward to something so much and wanting it to be over just as much!
I have had a good read of my athlete's information pack. I've turned down the pre-race party tickets and decided I'm unlikely to need the post-race awards ceremony tickets. After looking at last year's results and doing my own maths, I don't think I'll be taking a first or second place in my age category and going to the World Champs in Kona, Hawaii!
You pay a premium to enter an Ironman race. It is a well-marketed brand and there are loads of other iron-distance races out there. Before I entered, I'd researched every available race in the northern hemisphere, but I kept coming back to Ironman. Why? Because I'm only going to do this once and when I finish I do want to hear someone telling me I'm an Ironman as I cross that finish line. I want to enjoy the 'big event' atmosphere. It's a bit like doing the London Marathon instead of your local 26-mile race. I want to hear the cow bells ringing & read the graffiti messages on the tarmac as I climb up Sheep House Lane; I want to hear the national anthem as I plunge into the murky waters of Pennington Flash. No, it's not glamorous, but it's gritty and northern ... just like me!

I am really excited. I also getting nervous. The hard work really is behind me now. The biggest question hanging over me before I started this is answered. I never really worried about whether I could complete the distance on the day (But that's probably because didn't think about it!) I was more concerned with whether I could hack the training. They're two separate things - the training and the race. It's a well known adage but getting to the start line of any event is an achievement. Thirty weeks is a big ask. But I've asked and I've got the answer. Have I done enough? God I hope so. But I can put my hand on my heart and say that I couldn't have done any more. If a job's worth doing and all that...
This week's 4k loch swim was, well, long is the best word for it. Credit goes to the three pals - Lesley, Morag and Michael who accompanied me, not to mention Morgan who kayaked alongside with his GPS to log the exact distance. I'm not sure I could be that good a friend if called upon. I'd already calculated exactly how far I'd have to cycle from Lomond Shores if I was to do the full distance. It was a sobering thought as I slowly ploughed my way down the last kilometre that I'd have to cycle to Carlisle then run 6-miles south of Penrith!
And on that thought, I'm just going to pour a glass of wine to wash it away.