We’re set.

We’ve checked in, dropped off our bikes, our biking gear, and our run gear.

We’re with the kids and family that made the trip to support us.

We’ve bugged my brother Gavin and his wife Michelle for the last time with questions for which we had no answers.

We’re ready to eat our last big meal of pasta and chicken.

We’re ready to get to bed early.

We’re ready to hydrate.

We’ll be up at 4:30 am to eat our breakfast and get our wetsuits and swim gear and “extra supplies” down to the lake by about 5:30.

This has been a pretty amazing experience so far, and I only expect that it will continue to be amazing as we get through the race tomorrow.

To Tina – you’ve helped get my body to where it is (though I’m not 100% sure exactly where, to be honest). You’ve been a vital part of me getting this far and I can’t thank you enough for the improved flexibility and for helping me sort out my various ailments over the past 6 months and especially the past three.

To Gavin – in addition to being a great brother, thanks for being the inspiration that got me into this in the first place. If you hadn’t done IM Lake Placid in 2005, we wouldn’t be here now, and I wouldn’t have lost that 25 pounds.

To Michelle – thanks for putting up with our endless questions and for all your support as Kathryn and I get deeper into this sport.

To Mom and Dad – thanks for everything you’ve done for us over the past year as we have trained. You came to our house so many times to watch the kids in the early morning so that we could swim or run or bike – it helped us immeasurably. Actually, no, we can measure it – without you doing that, we wouldn’t be here now.

To Aunt Sandra and Uncle Richard – thanks to you, too, for all your help with the kids and your patience with our ever-changing schedules.

To Kaitlyn, Kyla and Kampbell – thanks for always loving us and for understanding (sort of) what Mommy and Daddy are doing. We’ll spend a lot more time together soon! We love you!!

And finally, to Kathryn – I definitely couldn’t have done this without all your love and support. You make me a better person. Throughout this last year as we started training and then quit and started again and quit again, and then finally saw it through until now means more to me than you know. I love you, and know you will be amazing tomorrow.