Pre-race is a condition that is lasting far too long. It’s kind of like being pregnant. As your due date looms thoughts of just getting it over with increase. At least races always happen on their due dates which is more than can be said for the arrival of a baby. Anyhow – I still need to pack but I’m saving that for a bit and writing this, instead.

Uno – The Ironman 70.3 Championship race is going to air on NBC on April 12. Here, for your viewing pleasure is a trailer.

If you tossed your hat in the Kona Lottery ring be sure to watch because the names of those chosen will be scrolled across the screen.  The fun begins at 4:30 EST.

2 Peas in a Pod–  My health care insurance “provider” and I use that term loosely since right now they provide me with a way to spend a lot of money for insurance I can’t really use, did something spectacularly idiotic the other day.  Imagine that.  They used an automated phone message and sent a glossy, expensive mailer describing a FREE language service they offer for non-English speakers – in English.  Way to reach out to your target audience, idiots!

Three Amigos – I’ve been fretting about my weight lately.  I know, I know I am not SUPPOSED to do that because it makes my daughters think  I am being neurotic and stupid but I do it so I’m writing about it. Anyhow, my weight seems to have taken on a life of its own and the number on the scale just keeps getting bigger.    The other day I realized that my dark jeans seems like they fit really well and then I remembered that when I was at IMCDA last year I kept complaining about how big my damn pants were and how they kept falling off – so much so that DPRwas about really to throttle me.  So when I realized the dark jeans fit I panicked and then I had a thought. I reached around the back where a leather patch should be and there was none.  Different pants.  Different size.  Smaller.  No worries.  PHEW!  I’m still annoyed with my weight but I’m not going to deal with it until after Saturday.

Quatro – more fun with advertising.  I caught an ad the other day for a men’s hair color product called ‘Touch of Gray’.  It combs over gray selectively leaves enough to keep you swaggering around with that distinguished look.  The last line of the commercial, uttered by Mr. Only-Gray-Enough-To-Look-Distinguished was, “Now I look like I know what I’m doing and can still do it!”  with the hot babe winking at him from across the room. Subtle, non?  No. 

  Then there was an ad for the Schick Quattro Shaver for women that handles all of your hair removal needs.  It passes over bushes in various shapes with various shaping needs, the last of which is in the shape of a triangle.  So very subtle. 

Lastly– I’m out of here tomorrow. I’m doing a little memorial/tribute run tonight to support the family of one of the fallen police officers who died at the hands of a parole violator with some automatic and semi-automatic guns in his possession. Tragic.

I’m feeling okay about this race but just okay. This post is sort of emblematic with me dodging the reality by distracting myself with other stuff.  I’ve trained more than I trained for Vineman and I’m stronger but this is a harder bike course so I don’t have a good sense of how well I can do. Whatever it is will be fine. I’m fortunate to be able to do this at all. I’d like to say that I’m satisified with that but I’m not. I’m already afraid of failing myself on this one. I’ll just have to channel that fear into some speed and have the best race I could possibly have. I know I’ll have you all cheering me on and that helps – believe me – it helps a lot!