Just Finish

Panama City, Florida

Florida has been on my mind for nearly a year now.  I finally made it today and this is the view that greeted my brother and I as we touched down tonight.

It was interesting on the plane.  I'd say that about half of the passengers at least looked like they were competing in the Ironman this weekend.  There were all types of people...older, younger, male, and female, but they all had a couple of things in common (besides the Ironman backpacks and associated gear/swag).  They had on running shoes and they looked ripped!

It was also pretty cool that I saw and recognized Mirinda Carfrae--a professional triathlete and Ironman World Champion--on our flight.  She is going to be doing the race as well!  I guarantee she'll probably be twice as fast as I will be!  

I thought that I was in halfway decent shape for this race, but now I'm not so sure.  I guess when you spend as much time as you need to spend for this type of endurance race, you get that lean, fit look.  I'm not so sure anyone would have mistaken me for an Ironman competitor if I hadn't been wearing an Ironman sweater and toting an Ironman St. George backpack.  (Several people on the flight, however, and the girl at the rental counter booth asked if my brother and I were twins though!)

Brothers and seatmates--but not twins...

It's fun to be here with with my brother.  It would be great if I could keep up with him so that we could do a chunk of the race together.  Doing the marathon portion of Ironman St. George in 2012 was one of the highlights of my life.  It would be great if we had a chance to do it again on Saturday.

Dinner tonight was at a Southern style pit bbq place.  Maybe I was just hungry, but it was good!  I attacked my plate with a vengeance and cleaned it up so that there was not a single crumb left.  I had the pulled pork.  My brother had the brisket.  We both agreed that I got the better end of the deal.  The bbq sauce was outstanding as well!  (Sorry, no pics of dinner because my phone was almost out of juice and the food just didn't last that long!)

I can't wait to see the course tomorrow.  I don't have any big goals for this weekend.  My only goal is to just finish the race!

7 Things to Do Instead of Shopping on Black Friday

Traveling this weekend?

Thanksgiving Weekend is probably one of the most nightmarish times to have to travel.  You really don't have a lot of time to get where you have to go and throngs of people are all seemingly trying to get to the same place that you are (at the same time).

Then, once you get there, you may or may not find yourself with some significant downtime.  Plus, the last thing that I want to do on Black Friday is brave more crowds to buy more crap.  So, here are 7 things to do instead of shopping on Black Friday...

#7 - Play Basketball

• Your dad is desperate to get a game in with all the brothers and brothers-in-law.  When you show up try not be intimidated by the fact that, at 6'3" tall, you are the shortest person on the court.  Make sure to get your sister's 6'8", 270 pound, ex-college basketball player boyfriend on your team--it's really going to improve your chances of winning.  When you score on a nice move to the hole, be sure to throw that same sister a bone and point to her since she's the only one cheering and you want to stay on her good side!  Be glad that, even though you are nearly the oldest person on the court, you can still run up and down the court (and make a shot or three)!

#6 - Read

• Pull out that novel you bought at Costco six months ago.  Notice for the first time that this book wasn't written by "Dan" Brown (author of The Da Vinci Code)--it was written by "Dale" Brown.  Realize that though you really don't get the premise of the novel, you need to do something to keep your mind occupied.  Plow through its 400+ crappy pages in a single day and pray you can find a recycling bin somewhere once you're done since you're fairly certain that no one you know is going to want to read that book.  Regret that you didn't get someone you know to give you a recommendation for a decent book for this trip.  Accept that you are likely going to end up breaking your Black Friday resolution (see below...)

#5 - Wander Around Walmart

• You came here to get a prescription filled, but first the pharmacist is "out to lunch" and then--once they get back--they have trouble tracking down the correct DEA control number for your doctor.  Too bad your doctor is on a plane and won't be around for 3 hours or so.  Pass the time by wandering the aisles and making fun of everyone shopping Walmart for "door-buster" deals.  Feel very proud of your resolution to NOT spend any money on Black Friday, until you look down and see yourself holding a book in your hand that you suddenly NEED to buy (because the one you finished earlier was that bad!).  Rationalize your purchase by telling yourself that at least it's not a gift for someone else!  Because, under the fine print of your resolution, it's okay to shop for yourself, just not for anyone else...yeah, somehow that doesn't sound right.  :-/

Blown Away...apparently there's not enough wind in Oklahoma.

#4 - Listen to the Radio

• You don't know a single station, but the radio is randomly set to a country station.  Marvel at why you've never heard some of these songs back home.  They're really pretty good.  Remind yourself to look into getting XM radio when you get back home.

#3 - Sleep

• You are on vacation, so this is probably a good time to catch up on your ZZZZs.  It makes no sense to try and rush out in the middle of the night as well to get trampled by your fellow looters deal seekers. 
• But, I digress...back to the sleeping arrangements.  Too bad your sister just moved into her beautiful new house, so no extra guest beds.  Be glad you had the foresight to bring a camping pad, a pillow, and plenty of blankets.  At least there's lots of space on the floor in the guest bedroom to spread out!

#2 - Be of Service

• When you walk in the door and your sister asks where you've been because she needed you to pick something up from her house, offer to run and pick it up anyway.  You don't have anything else really going on anyway.  Pray that you can find the right Tupperware container of caramel in her fridge.  You're not really sure what it is or what she's using it for, but based on her performance in cooking dishes for Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, you know she's on a roll.  You do not want to derail that train.
• UPDATE:  Turns out that caramel was for some pumpkin cheesecake that your sister made while trying out a new recipe.  It tastes as good as it looks!  Thanks Ray Ray!  :-)

#1 - Be Grateful

• It is Thanksgiving Weekend after all and you didn't have to go out shopping all day with your mom, your wife, and/or your sister on Black Friday.  They will be fighting the crowds all day and when they roll in and show you what they bought, you still won't be sure what it is or why they (or you) need it.