Preparing for the Ironman …

Another early start to the day on Friday, and once prepared and packed, it was into lake Placid for the start of the big event…Registration for Joseph’s Ironman competition http://ironman.com/events/ironman/lakeplacid?show=tracker&race=lakeplacid&year=2012#axzz21CiKrYpS Having finally managed to get somewhere to park, it was wandering along the streets to the local high school, for a nervous competitor to sign in, and get allocated his race number , along with collecting his bag of swag…. then back out into Lake Placid for the real preparation…Lunch and a ‘Big shop’ at the Price Chopper supermarket !

We eventually arrived back at ‘Heartsong’, via a circuitous route (we got lost !), viewing the scenic countryside of mountains,lakes,rivers and forest, alongside the ski areas of Whiteface mountain http://www.whiteface.com/summer/facilities/mountain.php . Then it was time for a training ride on some of the bike route for the race, which actually goes past ‘Heartsong’, Joseph and Luke charging away,on their race machines http://www.cervelo.com/en_us/bikes/2012/p2/ whilst I followed in the rear on my Boardman bike, which Luke had brought from new York for me (thanks !). I didn’t stay out too long, leaving the others to charge off, and returned, having also tested out the hill lower down from us.

The athlete’s went off for the pre-race briefing, whilst the rest of us prepared a giant BBQ for later, slightly delayed for their return, so BBQ ‘ing  in the dark, and an early’ish night.

Saturday morning me and Joseph were out quite early, and into Lake Placid to get the bike serviced,at the speciality mechanic areas, then out to the swim area –Mirror Lake http://www.lakeplacid.com/do/boating/mirror-lake for Joseph to have a training swim, whilst Jotown remained on ‘guard duty’ ..then that fine tradition- the Big breakfast, whilst waiting for the bike to be finished, and ready to check in , which it was eventually, and after checking  all his gear in, ready for the race, it was back to Heartsong, and watching the highlights from the Tour De France, with Bradley Wiggins, ex-village resident of Jotowns home, leading into Paris tomorrow !

So, all that was now left to do, is…some decoration of the property, now festooned in British and English flags, with the Americans joining in.. ready for the big day tomorrow

A very early start is called for – 4 a.m.!!, and probably a late finish – so I may not be in touch for a while! You can follow Joseph’s progress by putting his number into the website, starting at 7 a.m. New York time, or 12 noon UK..