clipped the toe nails, and hung the IV

Well well..... from this point there is nothing I should be doing that takes any stress or energy. So I'm not....

At my friend's house in Chanler, just outside from downtown Tempe. Arrived around 5pm last night. (didn't realize I would loose an hour until I had already left.) So I was behind by an hour. 

When I got there we all took off for an early dinner. Pasta of course....   Then we came home, unloaded the car and relaxed with some old IM vid's to pump us up for the morning swim. 

I slept pretty well last night, and woke up feeling good for the most part. So we had some breakfast and headed out the door. After check-in  did a swim for about 20 min. Easy. Good thing I remembered the neoprene cap. Felt a little chilly but with the cap. no sweat! (good for tom...)

We changed into some bike stuff and headed out for a little spin around the run course. Really wanted to see some of the surrounding area and get a gage for where I will be mile- by mile basis. (visual mostly)

Checked our bags in and did some shopping. (really wanted to get a pair of compression tights and socks. SALE!!!!) they feel good to wear  when chilin'.

Upon arriving home, I made us some "Aaron Clousing's World Famous Sandwitches" and we enjoyed watching the Cal vs Stan game.... 5:10 to go with Cal up by 21. Looks like the starts are lining....(at least for this Bear!) HA!

I hooked Mike and I up to IV lines. 2L and nearly 45 min later, we have been continued sipping on the remaining V8 and Power Drink Endurance Form (somethng.... )

I have done everything to follow my pre-race plan. Checked the bike in and transition bags this morning. (check)  

Morning bag prepared..(check)

Drinking gatorade...(check)

Feet up??? (eh.. in 5 when I am finished..)

Truth is I feel great. I don't even care anymore what my time will be.. Cal just won!!!! HAHA

Axe is back in 'B' town!!! Bitches!!!!

Now where was I?

Ah yes, My race....    I am feeling energized. Whether or not I will sleep tonight will be a dark question. Usually not much.  But I am in a good mind frame. Which is of most importance. 

I really appreciate all of your emails and text's and of course the phone calls!! 

I will be thinking of each of you-TRUST ME there is enough time to do that...

After talking with my friend today during all of this I can truly say my thought to define this race will always be; "My definition of a hard worker comes with saying I am an Ironman...."

Wish everyone good luck!

More soon.  A-Train... ( I'm liken it JK )

last, of what I consider a run...

Okie dok.. Well things are in motion whether on not I can stop it. I talked to my buddy Mike today and he informed me that the temp is cooperative, the wind is dying down, and the race course is callin our names!
Today was a light easy 7 mile run/ jog. Had to pull back quite a bit. Wanted to go!
Really had a hard time pulling back. Did alright but it was a good learning lesson for the race. I am sure that it will be similar race day. (wanting to go and feel like I have to hold back)

Tomorrow will be a stretch day and easy 30 min jog.
Wed. Swim easy 2000m.
Thurs. 1 Hour spin. Easy just getting the legs to stretch out and listen to those beautiful race wheels 'click' under the frame....
Friday I will be departing in the early AM. AZ here I come!
Sat last brick.
Sunday race!
More soon.

Last week.

Well today was a nice relaxing day on Balboa Island. Took the daughter and wife for a leisure stroll for an hour, fast paced walk to stretch the legs. Funny thing, really haven't done much low intensity exercise like that lately. Was actually taken back that the HR didn't even rise above 100! Guess I'm conditioned?

Ready as can be.

Well, Thursday was a rest day. Friday went as scheduled.
1hr bike, 1 hr swim (easy), 1 hr bike. Skipped the run though. Felt good just didn't want to push things. So I spent the time stretching and getting things in order to take the bike to Edge. Also, took a 1 1/2 hr nap! AHHHHH Felt so refreshing.

Well it did finally occur to me, I'd better spend the remaining days resting. I have had some good council from Jeff who has reassured me again, and again that I am ready. Hmm, you think he's done this before? Or better yet? Felt the same way? Amazing how no matter how confident we are we always have those little voices that can make us feel so different. I was asked the other day at the pool how did I feel; and the thought came to me. 'You know Aaron, no matter how much training you do in the next couple of days, your not going to improve your endurance, your only going to wear yourself thin.' 'So, CHILL OUT!'
Being a type A+ person is hard even for me to be around too sometimes!

Really excited now to be taking part in this race. A little concerned that the wind is back in AZ. Talked to my friend Mike today and he told me that it was windy again and sent me a pic of a flag/ starched.......... ug.
OK, well, really don't care about the time any longer. Just want to feel good during the race. I am totally prepared to feel miserable. I am aware that the bod will not feel great the whole day, and pain will be felt. Ok, a lot of pain will be felt. But I am fortunate to be able to feel pain, see wind, and race!

Thanks to all of you who have been supportive. In my mind I feel blessed knowing each one of you. You constantly ask how the training is going, and when my competition is. (Nov 23 again) It is motivating for me to not only talk about it with you, but awesome I have friends who care.
Each one of you will be there as I put in the time in fulfilling my goal!
I promise to give my best effort.
And to those who are also competing in the IM AZ 08'. Good luck! Just one thing....Stay off my ass. I know I leave a rather large pocket of air behind me, but drafting is illegal. Fair warning; Occasionally I throw open GU packets as grenades, and large squirts of Gatorade over the shoulder..... never know what aid station I will start. Not too deadly until mile 4-6 of the run. (get's real sticky... and annoying...)
Cheers all. More to come soon...

Okie dok..

Ok so since Monday, I have slept. Stretched, Iced, and Hydrated.
Tuesday was a easy 1:15 hour spin on the trainer. 1/2 easy with the other 1/2 at IM pace. Felt good. Wanted to open it up a bit, but resisted the temptation. Was advised by a buddy to keep it down. Right JK? As for Today went for a small trot (6.5 miles) felt good, nice and easy. HR was there and kept in good control.

So recently Jeff and I have been exchanging a ton of info back and forth about this IM. Again, Thanks JEFF!! For those who don't know who this gut is, let me introduce him. He is a friend of a friend who has been involved with Ironman in a much more serious level. He lives in Colorado, trains like a psycho, and kicks probably any ass I see around here who think they are the shit. (most all of NB). The thing I like about getting to know Jeff is how willing he is to help anyone that is willin' to ask. He is a family guy and an incredibly humble with his approach to things. {PS he recently named me A-Train. When I asked him why? He responded that I am big like a train and when I start going I'm hard to stop. Or something like that.} Anyway, when the 39th overall placed athlete from the Ironman World Championship gives you a nick-name for whatever reason; it's a complement.
Tomorrow is a rest day.
Friday 1Hr bike to the pool/ 1 Hr swim/ 1 Hr bike home/ 30 min trot on the treadmill
Then take the bike to EDGE for tuning.
More Later.....

Atypical Monday....

Well today I was able to get my normal WO in and get treatment by my ART guru Dr. Saddik!
Iced my legs for 1/2 hour and drank my Endurox. I feel good. Actually, now I feel great! I just got an email from a friend of a friend, who I now consider a 'friend' Jeff Keil. His words were put in a way to help me understand small things about my race. They are not things that most people would consider important, however, when you are getting ready for an Ironman and a more experienced, much faster Pro Athlete gives you advice? Ya.... Like I said, great.
I am already doing the small things he council ed me about from several weeks ago, but these were just small highlighted segments to keep me from making mistakes that can add up to a great deal of lost time. Again, THANKS JEFF!

As for other news, things are peachy! Kayden had her 4 week appointment with the MD and things look fab! He told us that we could start taking her out on small trips and outings. Nothing too crowded of course, but at least it is a step in the right direction. Kristin's doing well, just ready for me to shut up about this race stuff. Got to give it to her. I know that when I focus on something I breath it. I obsess about it. I analyze it. Then I talk about it. And then I talk about it some more. Then I'm looked at in a way that tells me to change the subject. Sorry babe.

Otherwise, like I said, peachy!!!

"Wealth consists not of having great possessions but in having few wants." --Epicurus

What I was smiling about...... My favorite pic.
Maui 2007 Honeymoon