Twas the Night Before Ironman

'Twas the Night before Ironman and all through Tempe town
athletes were preparing to lay the gauntlet down.
Their bikes were all racked and gear set to go
for tomorrow would be race day and time for the real show.

Each were soon nestled and snug in their beds
with visions of the finish line running around in their heads.
I, in my lucky race shirt, and Buzz all aglow
wanting and waiting for the start whistle to blow.

Soon it will be race time and the day underway
hours and hours pacing each mile marker away.
"Don't eat the paste" and "Stay in your box"
I giggle just thinking about Brandenburg's wet socks.

It's certain to be hard and undoubtedly tiring
but surely having supporters will be extremely inspiring
Yes, the day will be long and the miles will be tough
but each of us have prepared, we've got the right stuff.

We've fought tirelessly through the blood, sweat and tears
and had many chats to calm our worst fears
yet uncertainly still lingers for all we cannot see
but anxiously anticipate all we thought it would be.

Tomorrow will be gone as quickly as the months past
Pushing and hoping our energy does last.
Tonight as we sleep and continually chant
inspirational quotes and ignoring "I can't"

I'll start race day thinking thoughts to make it through
racing like I know I have trained hard to do
I'll countlessly recount the words "Yes, I can"
and I'll patiently wait to hear those words "You are an IRONMAN"!

Good luck to all of my buddies. I am nervous, I am excited but most of all, I am hungry for it!