"Labelled and Identified"

And these guys seemed to know my colour scheme.  Wow!  Yes, today was official sign-in, and race kit pickup. The only part they got wrong was the silly blue swim cap which you have to wear.  I won't even show you a picture of it because it is so ugly!  But check this all out!!

My nice glittery, holographic ID bracelet with my official number.

My helmet number which, against the rules, I "cropped" a bit to avoid covering the vents in my helmet.

My small bike number which is supposed to go on your stem but I put it on my aero water bottle instead.

 My primary bike number which was tricky to get on just right but I did okay.

My beautiful personalized bib.  Last time I was here they gave you one with your first name and one with your surname, and you could choose to wear either, or both.  The reason they provide 2 is because you need one on the back for your bike, and then on the front for the run.  Necessary if you pin them on, but I just wear a belt and slide it around...most people do.  Also this year, both bibs had only first name...strange?

But the most special little surprise of all.  The 30 year commemorative, red, white, and black timing chip, ankle strap.  You could give them 5 bucks for it, or choose to use your own.  Five bucks it is!!

I think it's all very hilarious.  It's like the gods are watching over me.  Either that or it's Mary and her angels again.?  Whatever the cause I'll take it!  Game on!

And all that pretty colored stuff is just fluff anyway isn't it?  What does it all matter in the big picture?  Squat!!

But I'll tell you what does matter.  I had a revelation this morning.  I figured out why I do this!!

I was brushing my teeth at the sink when it hit me like the proverbial ton of bricks.  We had just come back from the race site after going through the whole sign-in process.  I was feeling pretty pumped about being part of a pretty elite group of people.  Despite some continuing nerves I am extremely excited to be here.  I am proud to be healthy and proud of my efforts to get myself that way.  Just generally feeling pretty damn good!

But guess what?

I never woke up that way.

And guess what?

I often wake up not feeling that way.

But guess what?

Almost every day I get out of bed at a reasonable time.

And guess what?

 Usually within a half hour I get that way!

Yes my friends.  I do this to fight the everlasting battle with the big demon!!

Depression!!

And guess what?

It works!  I win almost all of the battles, and I am definitely winning  the war.

And that's why I do this.

And until I discover another strategy, and I very well may, I will continue to do this.  Perhaps only every 2 or 3 years but I will continue.   I think it's worth it, don't you?

(workout today,  ate a giant waffle with fresh fruit and lots of whipped cream)

....this one is hard to buy when you are in the midst of depression but I think it's true...

"You largely constructed your depression. It wasn't given to you. Therefore, you can deconstruct it."---Albert Ellis

...and perhaps I'm not an idiot after all...

 I don't think anybody's continually happy, uh, except idiots, you know. You know, you have to have little moments of depression."---Rube Goldberg

Love

Peter