70 days to Ironman..and 6 days to focus

I know a lot of people that freak out about birthdays. Women worry about getting older. Some women get enough plastic surgery to try to look like a teenager while others age with grace and beauty. My mother is one of those who is aging with grace and beauty on the outside...and fighting the aging process kicking and screaming on the inside. She is always a lady and always so poised and elegant.

Me, on the other hand. I am unique. When a doctor says you won't see 40, being 46 is a celebration of 6 years you didn't think you would have. From that moment, I have vowed to live like I was dying. Every day is a special gift with so many possibilities. Don't get me wrong. Like everyone, I have my share of crummy days that make you wanna scream and pull your hair out but even then, you can see the good in another day.

So, as the clock ticks down to Ironman, and I start to getting VERY nervous, I am looking forward to spending my birthday in a place where I will be writing my own little bit of history. Im going back to Panama City for almost a week.

For 3 of those days, I will be alone. I will be there to train and just clear my head. On Wednesday I will do another long ride. On Thursday a long run and then Friday some swimming. Then the weekend will be full of short early morning workouts before the sunrise and before my friends and my husband even wake up.

I want to sit out on that beach and invision this race in my head. I want to see myself exiting the water strong and determined and UNDER the cut off. I want to walk the stairs and go into the parking lot where transition will be. I want to see in my mind's eye a transition to the run and a mini celebration of accomplishing that cut off...and finally..seeing the finish line and finally attaining one of the most difficult goals in my life. I know this is all just a mind **ck but .. hey...I got the condo for free (I have a friend who owns a unit at the Boardwalk and gave it to me for that time) so why not use it. I asked for vacation a long time ago during my birthday so I have the time off...so why not take some time for me to get my head straight...all on my 46th birthday,

So if you are up that way and see the short stocky chick pedaling or running the Ironman course, say hi. I might be starving for some company until my friends and hubby arrive on Friday!!!