Thursday, July 19, 2007

The post before Ironman USA

Added: If you are at Lake Placid this Sun, look for me. I will be in an orange jersey, blue bike and black helmet. My number is 280. It's time to smile and kick butt!!

Yesterday, I picked up my bike yesterday from my local bike store. They fixed my gears problem. I rode for 40 min. Switching all the gears and none skipped. Perfect. I was planning to swim but some kid decided to puke in the pool. I figure something was up when I drove into the community pool and everyone was coming out.


Last time I stayed up to 1 am packing. There is a lot to pack. Race gears, back up gears and my normal clothes. A bit nervous. I have to remind myself that Sun is just one long training day.


I had an interesting thought yesterday. I was looking back all the 'tough' sessions I had throughout the years. In all these tough sessions, as 'suffering' as they might be, I enjoy them.

Grinding up Hockley Valley....fun.
Running 3 hr with a 6 hr brick the day before...fun.
Swimming open water...fun.
Jogging in the cold...fun.
This Sun at Ironman? FUN.

I love to include a few pics but my camera ran out of battery.

I will end off with an email I just sent out earlier today:

Hey guys and gals,

Just to give a final shout out. I am all pack and ready to go.
Tonight after work I will be driving to Lake Placid.

This Sun at 7 am, me and 2000 others will be swimming 4 km, bike 180 km and finish it off with a marathon (run 42 km). My goal is to have fun and finish. My family and Len will be there as well. I am very fortunate to have you to support me. I can't do this on my own. There is definitly no I in Ironman. If not for your encouragement (and at times, butt kicking ), I wouldn't even be at the starting line.

It was two years ago that I decided to do an Ironman. Throughout these years, I learnt a lot about myself. More importantly, I know what persistence means...or shall i say, ignorance...(perhaps it is two side of a coin :) )

You guys probably know of my bike accident two years ago and 3 weeks ago flipped over and tore my shoulder. What can I say...I never make it easy :)

If you have nothing to do on Sun and is sitting in front of a computer.
Go on
http://www.ironmanlive.com/ and track my progress. My race number is 280 and I will be doing Ironman USA (also known as Lake Placid).

I am racing with race4kids.ca. We are a team that raise money for kids with cancer. It was great to give back considering that I had cancer when I was 11. I am proud to be wearing one of their jersey and making a change in a kid's and his/her family lives.

All in all..if u don't hear from me next week and forever. I will be chilling with the allegrators by Lake Placid..

Note: There are NO allegrators at Lake Placid :)...The movie definitely portray a different Lake Placid.

Cliff Tam

51 comments:

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
elaine s said...

good luck!

Trisaratops said...

Cliff--been thinking and praying for you--enjoy your race day. You have worked so hard to get here and are really an inspiration! The hard part is over--now it's time to just believe in yourself.

Enjoy your day, and remember, you are ready for this.

Brent Buckner said...

Be safe and have fun!

brendaj said...

Have a wonderful time out there...we'll be thinking of you Sunday!

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

Wow, Cliff. It is time. You have been so dedicated throughout your training - I have no doubt you are ready to rock IMLP. Enjoy every minute of it!! I'll be thinking of you, praying for you, and tracking you online, my friend! Go get'em!!

JC said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JC said...

Let's try this again.

GOOD LUCK CLIFF!! I'll be following you from oregon on a family reunion, but thinking about you the whole time. You are going to rock that course. I can just feel it. Enjoy every minute of it.

Unknown said...

Safe travels and the very best of luck Cliff. Enjoy!!

Unknown said...

good luck, cliffy! we'll be cheering for you in o-town, utah!!!

Donald said...

Go Cliff! You can do it. Have fun!

SingletrackJenny (formerly known as IronJenny) said...

Go Cliff!!!!!!
You ARE an Ironman. Absolutely. Have fun - I know yours will be the best smile at the finishline. Take it all in - it's an amazing day.
God Speed!
Jenny

qcmier said...

Have a great race. Enjoy it!!!

Anonymous said...

Best of luck to you! I'll be at Lake Placid, cheering on a friend and volunteering at an aid station.

Anonymous said...

Have a great race! We want to hear all about it when you get back!

E-Speed said...

good luck Cliff! Can't wait to read about the race!

AddictedToEndorphins said...

Good luck--This now is just icing on the cake. I can't wait to hear about it! Have fun!

Mike said...

Go get 'em Iron-Cliff!

Rae said...

Good luck!!! You are going to do GREAT tomorrow!

Unknown said...

Go Cliff!! WoooHooo

Mike said...

Looking forward to the race report Cliff! Kick Ass out there!!

Unknown said...

Cliff, way to get that swim done, sore shoulder and all! (Can you tell I'm athlete tracking??)

BuckeyeRunner said...

and he is thru 56 miles on the bike

Brent Buckner said...

You're making it your day - Go Cliff!

Brent Buckner said...

Off the bike and out of T2!

T2 time of 5:17 - so moving along smartly!

Unknown said...

You're on the run!! Go Cliff!

Unknown said...

Go Cliff!!

Trisaratops said...

GO CLIFF GO!!

You're on the run course...thinking and praying for you! :)

Unknown said...

Cliff, the run's more than halfway done! You go!!!

TriDaddy said...

Way to go Cliff! Bring it home!

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

You've got it, Cliff...I'm watching...you're almost done with the run - way to go!

Jennifer P said...

Was thinking about you all day and hope everything went well. Just checked in on IM live and you're out on the run. Look forward to the RR!

BuckeyeRunner said...

Just watched you finish!!!!!

Congrats IRONMAN!!!!

Unknown said...

You are an IRONMAN!!!

TriDaddy said...

Congratulations!!! Ironman!!! Great run too!!

Bolder said...

YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!

unbelievable.

i am SOOOOOOOO proud of you!!!

Rae said...

WAY TO GO!! You were so consistent!! We've been tracking you ALL day and are so proud and happy for you! You are an IRONMAN!!!

qcmier said...

Way to go Cliff!!! YOU ARE AN IRONMAN!!!

Trisaratops said...

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYY!!!

Congratulations, IRONMAN!

LBTEPA said...

GO IRON CLIFF!! CONGRATULATIONS!

Mike said...

Iron-Cliff!!!
CONGRATS- looking forward to your race report!

Unknown said...

Cliff, way to go!!!

Jennifer P said...

You ARE an Ironman! What a super marathon!

SingletrackJenny (formerly known as IronJenny) said...

Way to go Ironman!!! Solid race all day...
Jenny

Carrie said...

Cliff the Ironman!!!! What a great journey it has been to see you get to that finish!

Thomas said...

Congratulation, Ironman. How does it feel after all that training?

TriBoomer a.k.a. Brian said...

Congraulations on completing IM USA. I was following you and your friends online all day. Woot!

Stay tuned...

nickt said...

congrats! This will stay with you forever.

TriShannon said...

Congratulations Cliff!!!!

Phil said...

Good job Cliff. I checked in during the day, and had a big smile when I saw that you were out of the water. I was watching the finish line feed in the evening, and just missed you crossing by about 2 minutes!!

George Schweitzer said...

congrats buddy! You rock!