"All Checked In"

I was the first guy in line!  Yup no shit!  Some 2500 participants, and I was first.
This is what greeted me.
Number one is a mystery step, which I never did discover
Can you guess what number 4 is all about?

And while it certainly wasn't my plan to be the first one there, I was indeed quite early, and I think the weather kept people indoors a bit longer this morning.  Eleven degrees and raining!  Holy cow!  They promise rain all through the weekend, with thunderstorm on Sunday.  I'll have to be a bit careful on my bike??  Game on!

After the welcome sign there was the special door, which you weren't even allowed to peak in.

Then at just a few minutes after 10 am, they threw it open to this scene. 

Sorry about the lousy cell phone pics but you get the drift.  The reason I wanted you to see this is because when I walked through the door, everyone in the room stood up and cheered!!!  I almost passed out with the sudden adrenalin.  I think there's probably about 50-60 volunteers working the scene.  What a cool, cool, moment!  I wished that Roo could have been there to share it, but they don't allow spectators in the room for congestion/confusion reasons.

So things are well here.  My nerves settled a bit after check in, but now in late afternoon they're back on the burner.  It's probably gonna be up and down like this for the next 3 days, and I already know that I'm gonna hate 4 am on Sunday.  

Oh well.  Such is life.  I am grateful for all the people who are coming to experience it with me, although it would still be just a wee bit better if Elly were here.  Trust me when I tell you that I know I could settle down if I had her to talk "life" with.  Next time we'll make it work Elly....my promise!

But without her wisdom to guide me, I'm just gonna try to focus on myself.  I know that Elly would tell me that I deserve to have a good day, without wrestling the demons that often besiege me.  I want this race to be special, and I think it's possible, but only if I truly relax.  Game on!

"If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything."---William Lyon Phelps

Love

Peter