The Triathlon Approacheth!

Well, after a year of training and, yes, the requisite blood, sweat, and tears, my triathlon is in just a few short days.

I am doing well--a few weeks ago I had bit of a panic attack as the reality struck me and I began to think, "What the
heck have I gotten myself into???!!!"

I have since mellowed out with my new mantra, "It is what it is..." :o)

My swimming and biking are now at pretty acceptable levels. I am challenged by the run but figure if I hit my goals on the first two, I can walk the last one if I have to and still be pretty happy.

Several peple have indicated an interest in coming to cheer me on. While that would of course be awesome, please
know that I will NOT be offended if you decide to stay home. I know what it's like to be a spectator at Dan's races--4
hours of sitting around just for 4 minutes of cheering!

My race starts at 8am, though I will not be in the first wave (that's only for the elite athletes!), so I may not actually
start until 9 or 9:30--I don't really know. You can probably watch my entire swim, which I think will last about 45
minutes, but then when I'm off on the bike, I will be gone for about 2 hours until you see me again. That will be
followed by the run, which will be somewhere between an hour and an hour and a half, at which point I will crawl
across the finish line weeping! :o)

After the event there will be a spaghetti dinner, live music, and other fun stuff.

That said, I would still love to have my loved ones around me, so if you DO feel inspired to come, here are the details:

The big day is THIS Saturday, August 16.

The race centers around Lake Arrowhead Park in Luray, Virginia. We will swim in Lake Arrowhead and then get on our bikes, which will be in the transition area in the grass. We will head out on the country roads, come back to the park to unload our bikes, and then head out again for the run.

To get to Lake Arrowhead from the Washington, DC area, take I-66 West toward Front Royal. Around the town of
Marshall, take Route 55 to I-340 South. Continue on I-340 to Luray. When you get to I-211, take a LEFT (East),
then turn RIGHT at the next street, which is Collins. When Collins ends on Main street, turn RIGHT. After a few short
blocks, you can then do what the locals do and turn left to drive through the grocery store parking lot to Reservoir
Rd., or you can keep going and LEFT onto Reservoir at the light (Note: I don't think it's actually called Reservoir right
there--it might be Fairview or something else--but it's the light right at the end of the grocery story parking lot.)
Follow the signs to Lake Arrowhead. (Note: You can take I-211 directly from I-66, but it takes much longer--pretty
drive, though!)

Here are some Google links that might be helpful--you can also just Google Lake Arrowhead yourself):

Click here to see the town of Luray showing the intersection of Collins and Main (which is also Business 211).

Click here to the one zoomed up of the park itself (don't worry--after you get on Reservoir, the signs will take you to Valleyburgh).

You may like the maps the triathlon people put together better (though I didn't, obviously, or I would have sent you
there first). Click here for the links.

If all else fails, call Dan's cell phone: 703.314.3937

(Don't call mine--I'll probably be running around like a chicken with my head cut off! :o)

You may want to call Dan when you get to the park so he can let you know where he and the kids are picnicking, as
well as point out my black speck if I've already started racing.

OK, I think that's it. If you have any questions you need answered before Saturday, please call me--I have NOT been
very reliable with my email lately. The number is 703.921.9015.

BTW, I have no idea what the parking situation will be with 500 participants plus spectators. Carpooling is a likely a
good idea, so if you see someone's name on this list that you recognize (and you think you can stand to be in a car
with them for 2 hours each way), please contact them. We will be heading out on Friday and staying in a motel, so
I'm afraid we won't be able to take on any more passengers.

One more thing...

The weather in Luray is expected to be low 80s with a 50% chance of rain--perfect for me, not so good for you. Bring an umbrella!

Well, that's it. Have a fantastic week, and I'll see you on the other side of the brick wall! :o)