Last Thoughts Before I Become An Ironman....

Hey Guys,

     I cannot put into words the INCREDIBLE experience I have enjoyed since I have been here in Louisville! I will try to surmise briefly and then I need to get some sleep.

     The road that has led to me just getting here to Ironman has been nothing short of a miracle and blessing to me and my family. I will not and cannot possibly put into words the grattitude and appreciation I have for every single person that has ever sent a message, made a call, a text, or has sent prayers or words of encouragement to me or on my behalf, I know they are far more than I can count and deserve! My wife and youngest son,  Austin are here with me and I am so thankful they are, this experience would not be the same without family here. So, here is what has gone down since just arriving in Louisville...

     I check in and find out from a friend that I am a "Featured Athlete" on www.Ironman.com , which was amazing. Next, last evening there was a welcome dinner and we learned that "The Voice Of Ironman" Mr. Riley himself was the MC for the evening. After dinner he begins to talk about how lives are changed training for Ironman and then proceeded to ask everyone who had lost 30 pounds training for Ironman to stand... A bunch of people stood up. Then he said 40 pounds keep standing, 50 pounds and only a handful remain, 60 pounds and only three people were left standing. Mike Riley tells us to come to the stage, in front of thousands of people... So myself, one other guy who had lost 70 pounds, and a gal who lost an incredible 125 pounds! So then he comes to me and asks, if I asked 140 pounds, would you still be standing, I said, yes... 150? I say yes.... 175??? I say yes.... HOLY CRAP he syas, how much weight have you lost??? I said 200 pounds, and I cannot tell you how incredible the cheers from these thousands of people was. He also gave me an incredible body scan scale, the best of the best, and I won a year supply of Crunch Time Granola, cookies,  and goodies!!! How awesome, they are so dang good! I had a bunch of cool people and well-wishers run up to me to shake my hand on the way back to my table, and it was an amazing evening, to say the least. 

     This morning (Saturday) started with a brief 1 mile run and 20 minute ride and everything is in order. I checked my gear in turned in my transition bags and had the pleasure of meeting and having a wonderful lunch with Duane & his wife from this message board on OH. It was really great to meet them. Afterwards, we drove the bike course, and all I can say is... "Oh Boy!!!" There are hills, hills, and more hills... This is going to be a very good challenge! I have had a cold since I arrived and have not made mention of it in hopes that it will clear up by the morning, which I am confident it will.  We had a great dinner with our friends Lori & Anthony at Jason's Deli and am now here in the room ready to get a few ZZZZZ's before the big day. 

     I have one main goal tomorrow.... To finish strong!!! If I am 100% and stick to the plan, I will be in around 12.5 hours or so...If not, I will finish before midnight, it doesn't really matter... I will be an Ironman one way or the other. The support I have recieved from all of you, my friends, family, co-workers, etc... has been absolutely amazing and I could not have been here without all of you. Please know that as I am working hard out on the course, struggling, sweating, and enjoying every  minute of it, the kinds words that all have spoken to me will carry me through... In closing, I am doing this for ME. However, in doing this for me, to prove to myself that I CAN do anything I put my mind to, I do it for YOU too! If I can do this, YOU can too, if that's what you want. Whether it be a different personal goal other than being an athlete, other than doing something that few people do, know that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! I will race hard and will give my all, and I will hollar at you all after I have officially been dubbed "IRONMAN". Oh yeah... This is on www.Ironman.com on the Louisville race updates from last nights dinner...

The biggest loser ...
Anyone who has done what Dan Benintendi (pictured here left with Mike Reilly) has done over the last few years could hardly be described as a "loser," but he did win himself a Tanita Body Composition Monitor and a year's supply of Erin Baker's cookies last night.

Benintendi has lost 201 pounds during his journey to becoming an Ironman. It was when he reached 400 pounds that Benintendi's wife told him she was sick of living life as a single mom with a husband who was always too tired to help out.

"I decided to make the choice of health over food," he said.

Health has led him to competing in his first Ironman tomorrow. Good luck, Dan!











 

Dan,

I hope you have a great race and enjoy the day!  Can't wait for the race report.

 Very cool story, and if all is going well by the time you read my response you will be an ironman!!!!  I hope the day brings you everything you hope and I look forward to next June when both Chad and I join you as Ironmen after CdA

Dan,

You've had an incredible journey leading up to today.  Enjoy the rewards of crossing that finish line!

Cassie