I think it is important to note that I am really nervous right now. Even though this Ironman will be #10 for me, I am still beside myself with worry. Will I wake up on time on Sunday? Or, even sleep at all the night before the race? Will I flat on the bike course? A fate not to be tempted because I have tubular tires, and only carry foam in case of flats; basically I am out there riding on a wing and a prayer. The upside is that Lake Placid is stunning. There is so much history here that a girl from SoCal can really appreciate. For example, I visited John Brown’s home and resting place yesterday on my run. John Brown was an abolitionist, a fine Yankee indeed. In essence, I feel very American here.

Also, there is an exceptional air up here because of the Olympic history swirling around. Obviously, the town is teeming with fit athletes in town because of the Ironman, but the Olympic spirit is another kind of reverence that I cannot explain, but I feel it, and plan to take a big swig of it on Sunday.

I have been here before, but this time feels different. It’s like that feeling when you go back to your elementary school classroom as an adult, and everything feels smaller. Obviously, the classroom hasn't changed, you have. I was 24 years old the last time I was here and utterly overwhelmed by the magnitude of Ironman. At the time, I had tunnel vision for qualifying for Boston, but something awoke in me that day, and I knew I would race among those athletes someday.

Twelve years later that someday, is this Sunday.