This is it!!

Dearest Family & Friends

Can it be!?! It’s ‘GO TIME’…again! Yup, this Sunday, June 25th, Mike and I will attempt our second IronMan finish at IronMan Coeur d’Alene in Idaho! And that’s the first goal, to finish 140.6 miles in somewhere under 16 hours 59mins. Hopefully, we’ll finish well under the time limit, but the first goal is always ‘just’ to finish! Reaching the finish line at the end of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run is such a blessing. We always carry the memories and dreams of those who are unable to compete with us. Those passions help to keep us moving forward when our bodies just want to stop and lay down.

pas-sion, n. 1 : the degree of difficulty one is willing to endure to accomplish the goal
So what are your goals? What is your motivation? Do you have Passion?

So often we are asked, “why do you do this?,” and the bottom line is, we have a passion for it! And what is that passion? There are so many responses to that question. We have a passion for the group we are training with. Many are self-less, willing to sacrifice of themselves to help in the pursuit of finding a cure for cancer. We have a passion to be a part of something positive in our community. We have a passion for swimming, biking, and running (I guess that one is pretty obvious!) as it reminds us that we are alive and healthy. While we know that we can’t cure cancer by doing an IronMan, we do know that by being a part of a team of people who are passionately working together with focus, determination and heart we will find a cure. That’s what IronMan is all about. It is about being a part of something much bigger and more powerful then yourself. Together with focus, determination, and heart we can move mountains to find a cure…and that is what creates our passion.

As we leave for Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday we will carry each of you in our hearts. Each one of you has contributed to our being able to take this journey. We will recall the many inspiring stories you’ve all shared with us during the long stretches in the saddle and during the marathon.

We cannot thank you enough, our friends and family, thanks to all of you who’ve supported us through this journey and who contributed to finding a cure for cancers. It’s great being part of the team with you!

We do however, have one final request to ask of your…please be praying for us on Sunday and send us all the warm, fuzzy vibes you’ve got! Pray for safety throughout the day, no tummy issues, no flat tires on the ride, lots of smiles and light feel on the run, and most of all to have fun and enjoy the experience of IRONMAN!!!

If you have some free time next Sunday, you can check-in on our progress throughout the day on www.ironmanlive.com. Here are our race numbers for your added convenience:

Mike: 590
Dana: 2064

Looking forward to the adventures and challenges ahead! Go Long, Go Team, and Go Strong!

Blessings & Love,
Mike and Dana

(Oh and check back here throughout the week...i hope to blog some of the journey to CDA!)