Peter- We all have moments of severe self doubt. Situations we commit ourselves to personally and professionally and find there is no backing out. No half steppin’.The fact that you have come this far says a lot about you. You will of course finish the race, but I know it will mean a lot less to you if you don’t reach your pre-set goals. No one wants to disappoint others or themselves. Expectations are as always the double-edged sword of life. As hard as this may sound try to trust yourself on this one. You have done as much training as you were willing to do, even if you could have done a little or a lot more. Mentally you know you can do this. I suppose you could have over trained too right? Got injured along the way and had to bow out perhaps? No. You are here at this moment and as ready as you are going to be. Seems like up to now these things seem to work out for you my friend so keep focused and positive. To quote one of my favorite movies…. “…for what it’s worth….. you’ve made a believer out of me”.

Good luck and be safe!
KC

Peter– You. Are. An. Ironman-Busting-Dominating-Ninja! Training and all that… “stuff” aside, you WILL cross, and you will also be able to celebrate with a real Coke made with soda and not high-fructose corn syrup. You’ve done enough! And if I were volunteering at the Cozumel Ironman as I would be volunteering at the Ironman in Tempe Arizona (seriously buddy, you don’t have to travel so far is all I’m saying) I’d be one of the volunteers standing there with a blanket to catch you at the end, if you needed that blanket holding, catching volunteer. Happy Turkey Day, and major “kudos” that you’re doing the ultimate turkey trot — for my greatest achievement will be determining the moment to switch from mimosas to poinsettas as I watch the parade. Happy racing, buddy!

Pete,

You’re an inspiration man… I know you’re gonna do great!

- Chris

Please understand the following:
1. We don’t care who finishes before you.
2. We don’t care about Thanksgiving. (I don’t particularly like Turkey anyway.)
3. We chose to be there just like you chose to do this. (We’ve never missed any of your performances at school:)
4. We know how important “finishing in time” is to you. More important to us is YOU! The fact that you are doing this is amazing!
5. I truly believe that everyone who is doing this on Sunday experiences self-doubt and fear. I know you’ll feel better once you get to Mexico. The anticipation is always worse than the actual experience.

Now – put your mind to rest and go back to sleep.

Peter I’ve only known you since “Ironman Training”

1st – A wonderfully honest and open post.

2nd – If you didn’t have doubts in the small quite hours of the morning I would be having my doubts about your ability to finish… Over confidence has it’s own pitfalls, even more so for a first timer.

3rd – One is never sure if enough is enough till it’s done… My first Marathon the thing that carried the day was in my head, pain is delt with in ones head. Be strong, your mind-set is good.

4th – No you can’t fake it … But the man I’ve got to know doesn’t seem like a faker or an idiot.

I hope you’ve had some sleep by the time you read this. Some doubt is good, too much is indulgent. If I can learn to walk again and run 26+ miles you can finish on Sunday!

I think doubt is a good sign. It means you (and your body) take this very seriously. And you will run a serious race. And all those times you didn’t push yourself to the brink of collapse meant that your body knows it can trust that you know what’s best for it, and you’ll be able to push yourself thru. So proud of you already!

Peter,

You’re trying and for that, you are my hero. And because of that, you’ll always have this one amazing thing that no one can take away from you. You might not finish, but YOU TRIED! Don’t even think about whether you will finish while you’re out there. Go out there and soak up every second of this experience and have as much fun as you possibly can while torturing the hell out of yourself.

And once again, you are my hero for doing this!

Y’know, Peter, you are a driven guy. But let’s just assume for a minute that you DON’T do it. What happens? You feel like crap for a while. You treat your blisters. You get a massage. You eat, you get hugs from your family & friends.

Then you get up the next morning and you eat breakfast, you work, you travel, you laugh with friends, you go on.

This is a goal you’ve set yourself. There are two possible outcomes. One, you achieve. One, you don’t. You won’t die if you don’t. You’ll be disappointed in yourself. That’s a feeling. It’ll pass.

Ironmans are hard. I have a friend who’s done the Lake Placid one a couple of times. I marvel at his dedication. And you know what? Whether or not you finish “in time”, isn’t the work you’ve done to get here just as valuable?

Did you miss a run or two? Not go swimming? Oh dear. How many did you do? Accept what you’ve done, accept its implications on Sunday. Then move on.

But know that you can do it.

I am just in awe of all your training and dedication (even if it’s only 80%!).

Even if it takes you 18 hours, we’ll all consider you an ironman. But, I’m thinking you’ll at least break 14.

As my Dad wrote in my 8th grade autograph book, “Try was never beaten.”

Peter – I find myself saying this a lot lately but listen to your mother.

None of us would miss this for the world and certainly not because of Turkey which, as far as I can tell, no one really likes ;-).

We are there because you are important to us and the journey you are going to embark on Sunday is truly monumental. Heck, what you have done to date in training for this is truly monumental. So you have missed a few training sessions, so be it, I will guarantee you almost everyone in Sunday’s field has missed some trainings. Its the nature of a beast that takes months and months to train for. People get sick, people have kids, people have jobs, sell companies, spend to much time in airplanes…you name it.

As you say, the answer will come on Sunday BUT just for trying to do this and for all of the training you have already done, on top of everything else you do every day, you are already a winner. Know this and believe it.

Now, get as much rest as you can, finish packing (try not to forget anything important :-)), fly safe, do a few practice swims and wake up on Sunday knowing that you are going to give this race your best. That is the most important thing you can do.

My favorite training partner never raced ‘faster than he could thank every volunteer.’

Has been my race day motto too.

Have more fun than anyone out there!

You can’t redo or undo anything in the past so there’s no point in beating yourself up about it. All you can do is move forward. Maybe the goal shouldn’t be to finish — maybe the goal should be to do the best you can. I know you WILL do the best you can — so therefore, you’ll be a winner no matter what.

Best of luck! Beth S.

Peter,

It sounds like you have a mild case of the imposter syndrome and you feel like the VC exposed you. SO WHAT! Now you’ve been exposed that you are a larger than usual Triathelete.

VC don’t have to be kind. They have money and business expertise and more money. But that doesn’t mean he was an expert in being a triathelete.

You may have only done 80% of the training. But the important thing is you realized where a shortfall was in your schedule. We all have 24 hours in the day, and to me, it pretty much seemed like you maximized yours more than 98% of the country (possibly world) on a regular basis. Oh, and the fact that you stopped to recognize heros walking down the street (e.g. cadets walking to the WTC) and other people doing great things is more of what is needed in the world. We don’t need more rude people. We need more people with more drive and a soul that cares.

Thank you for your chronicles, I believe they have helped many people. I know they have helped me.

Wasn’t it you, just the other day, Peter, who wrote about how much more the body can do, than the mind THINKS it can do? Don’t think… just do it. Of course you have moments of doubt, but you have put in the miles — enough miles — and you just need to keep going, come race day.

This is a great open and honest post, and serves to show that even the most successful of us has our moments — if we didn’t, we wouldn’t be challenging ourselves. Anyway, Peter… cheering you on from afar over here!

Fear is a great motivator. Every athlete I’ve known uses it as fuel. You will to.

Get out there an kick some ass! You’re going to crush it in 16 hours and 59 minutes or less!! And remember numbers 3 and 4 in your “What’s Your Dream” post. Good luck and safe travels!

Peter:

Great post (and thanks for Trismarter.com the shout). First off, listen to your mom. She knows.

Second, as your coach, I set up a plan for you knowing that there would be times that you would not be able to get in all of the training. Think of it as a built in cushion. Assuming you got in 80% of the work, you’re in good shape (literally!). Remember the key big workouts, and know that those sessions are the ones that you have already proven that you have what it takes to get to the finish line.

I won’t lie to you: Ironman is a tricky business, and anything can happen. There are no guarantees. But you have it in you to do this thing! YOU OWN THIS RACE!

PS – If we are ever together and you see this a-hole from Austin, point him out. I’ll take care of the rest.

Hi, Peter — although we only met once (at an FPRA conference in Boca), I know from running only a short distance with you that you can absolutely do this! What’s more, when I had my own night of self doubt just a few weeks ago before the NYC Marathon, your posts played a huge part in inspiring me to finish! The man who jumps out of planes, the man who starts HARO, the man who never wakes up in the same city twice and still finds time to train — yes, you’re the man, and you can do it!

Peter, I did my first Ironman 3 years ago and had every single doubt that you listed. It’s normal. I’m also here to tell you, though, that none of it matters. First, it’s GOOD to be a little undertrained at the start line, and way better than even 1% overtrained. Second, nothing else matters except that you believe you can handle what the day throws at you. Your family will be as tired as you when the day is done(really) but they’ll have a blast (really). beyond that, know that you can endure. Flat tire? Know you can change it. Bad spot mentally? Know that you have a good nutrition plan, that you’ve stuck to it, and that it will pass…and keep peddaling or running until it does. Picture your worse fears, and then picture yourself handling them…because you can and will. No I’M day is ever 100% perfect, so know that when things pop up, you can handle them. That was even a mantra I repeated during the day: “I can handle this” Not sexy, but it worked. I finished and so will you. Good luck…get out there and do this!

Hate to say it, but I always enjoy reading that someone else has the same doubts as me prior to their IronMan. I’ve started and finished 3 IronMan’s and I’m signed up for IMWI 2011 – so you would think that those thoughts would go away – not so much. Every year I go through the same mental gymnastics – did I train enough, weather, nutrition, why did I signup again…

Sounds like you’ve done the work and now get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. I’m not good on advice as I’m just a “hope to finish” IronMan – but just enjoy your day. Race day hype will make up for any of those days that you didn’t get your swim/bike/run in.

Have fun and enjoy the finish….

Peter:

Mastering a physical challenge is a whole different ball game (for me at least) in that when you do conquer it, the feeling is indescribable. I can’t WAIT for you to feel that feeling on Sunday!! You can do it!

You have a trainer, have prepared all year, will eat properly before the race! Your trainer wouldn’t say you were ready if you weren’t! At least in my experience, trainers are painfully honest. :)

Completing a physical challenge is ALL mind over matter! Trust me!! When you start to feel tired or about to give up, let your mind take over. In doing so, you will surprise yourself and get a whole new surge of energy that will take you to the finish line.

I’m in agreement with Jasmine and Coach Lee and countless others. Listen to your Mom. :)

You can – and will – do this, the same way you achieve every other great thing in your life. One step at a time, one foot in front of the other, with a lion’s heart pushing you forward.

…and I’d take the Jellybean sponsorship over some crappy-tasting protein concoction company any day of the week. ;-)

Celebrate life with every step, stroke, and pedal when you’re in Mexico this week. Plow right over the “shouldas.”

You. Are. Amazing.

–Tanya

Check back to the list Nancy Shankman made. It says everything you need to encourage you. And one more note: You inspire everyone else. So, no matter what, you win!

Peter, I am far from an athlete, but from what I know of Ironman’s and what I know about you I do have a thought to share with you.

I don’t think that the human body was really meant to compete in these types of events. That means that once you have reached a certain level of physical conditioning, the real battle to finish is in your mind. You have obviously done a lot of physical work, and I have no doubt that you have the conditioning required to complete this event.

So, the battle is all in your mind. This is a goal that you have set for yourself, and you will be able to complete it. Don’t let fear and doubt creep into your mind. Focus on crossing the finish line, on the sense of accomplishment that you will have, and the rewards that doing this will bring to you.

As Rob Scheider would say, “YOU CAN DO IT!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2HcRl4wSk

Peter – you are having the same feelings that every athlete has when they are about to compete. It’s perfectly normal to feel this way. And most other athletes have answered the same way. “I’ve done the best I could, given the constraints that were in my control”. That’s a positive affirmation of your training, and your race prep, and is a very powerful mantra for race day! Remember it, and recite it to yourself as you get ready to start. Ironman training is a lot like saving money for something really important to you. On race day, you get your reward! The Ironman is a test of emotions and mental discipline as much as a physical endurance test. A suggestion, that helped me through my first, is to focus on what it will feel like to hit the finish line and hear Mike Reilly call out your name. Really visualize the moment, see the line, heard the words, and let that carry you through the race. No mattter what you can visualize, the reality will be 1000 times better!

Hi Peter. First? I hope you got some rest after writing this fantastic piece. Melissa DelGaudio shared it with me and I’m really glad she did. I hope my thoughts help.

Your first question? Can you do it? YOU know you can do it. I think what you are really asking is; What does the day hold in store for me? Will I be able to overcome [insert some really undesireable and uncomfortable thing]?

It’s absolutely normal to be questioning EVERYTHING right now. Over the next couple of days, you’ll derive some answers and you’ll move on in the “process”. If you didn’t ask these questions now, I’d worry. These questions, thoughts, feelings of anxiety, and doubt are all signs your mind and body are ready. And it’s right on time.

What’s next? Focus, plan, and channel your energy. You’ll define reasonable expectation and logical solutions to the “what if’s”. Trust your Coach and trust your plan. Why? Because now, it’s what you’ve got.

Enjoy the day. Sure, it’ll be unpleasant at times. You’re going to learn a lot about yourself out there, though. Come race day? You and 2500 of your closest friends will be drawn into the great abyss with quiet confidence, a little nervous chatter, and fixated, distant eyes … then … BOOM! Thrashing. :)

Race smart and see you on the other side.

Think of the 140.6 miles as a victory lap after months of training. I’ve done a few IMs and few things in life compare to the rush of emotions (both ups and downs) that you incur during that day (especially during the last 100 meters).

Get a funny song stuck in your head, smile whenever you can, and keep moving forward.

Travis

“Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time” — Steven Wright

We’ll Peter, you’ve certainly got a lot of fans pulling for you. Some of them are lawyers! :-)

If I might offer a quote, beside being careful about the water, it would be this:

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”

Kudos to you for being the running man while the rest of us eat Turkey.

Peter!!! You’re going to rock the Ironman…. You’ve inspired me to THINK about getting off the couch and training for a half-marathon! Thank you :}
Good luck! (And tell those reeeeeeeeeeeally skinny athletic competitors of yours that the 210 pounds just means that you have storage for extra energy…)

What an awesome post.
There are moments in our lives where all of us doubt whether we are full prepared for an upcoming challenge. That’s what insomnia is really all about, isn’t it?

Looking forward to your recap of the race now.

I will never complete an Ironman for health reasons – but I have such an amazing respect, call it awe, for the many friends I have that do them. (I see Hyde already weighed in above.)

But I do have one friend who went through something very similar with the weight question right before his first one. He was in *great* shape. His shape just didn’t happen to look like the one of the guy in green & blue in your photo. In fact, it was closer to yours. That was right before his first Tri. Now? He’s much closer to green/blue guy. But that’s because now he’s got half a dozen Ironmans under his belt. Your VC ‘plane pal’ was judging a book buy it’s cover. If he knew you? He’d know that you have the one thing that really makes or breaks triathletes: tenacity and drive.

Have a great race Peter. And enjoy Mexico with the family :)

Is this the last Ironman that is ever being held to the end of time? Are you having surgery in a few weeks that will render you unable to use your arms or legs?

How about — instead of putting all of this pressure on yourself — just go, do the best you can, and have fun. Maybe by the end of it, you figure out that you hate doing Ironmans, and you never want to do one again. Maybe you enjoy it, so you use this first one to establish a baseline that you’ll improve upon in the next one. What you shouldn’t be doing- is stressing yourself out, for the sake of stressing yourself out.

For a certain small percentage of the population, Ironmans are simply another way to combine fun and fitness.

Fun and fitness.

Fear and self-doubt.

Which of those do you want it to be Peter?

I’m not going to drop any cheesy quotes. Do your best Peter, I know you’ll give 100%!

The reason you do it, is because you’re not sure you can do it.

I’m thankful that middle-of-the-night questions don’t have to be end-of-life questions, and that the most important things don’t depend on whether or not we’ve done enough. Best of luck in your Ironman, and may you finish strong!

Peter –

So many other people have said it here: you will prevail. Your coach says your training schedule was built with the knowledge that there would be lapses. So? You’re human. But you’ll have your own mental toughness going for you in Cozumel. You do things that the rest of us wouldn’t dream of doing. You’re already an ironman; all you’re doing is demonstrating it for us. Go do what you have to do, and do so knowing that you have our full support, friendship and love. Your mother is right (about everything except turkey – I love turkey!); memorize what she said and think about it when the going gets tough. I’m proud to call you my friend.

Hey There Buddy,

I am convinced you can do it, but it is entirely about the last 13 miles. The swim is first and really not that much cardio, so slow or fast, you will finish that, The bike is loooooooooooooooooong, but it is rolling, just keep rolling again slow or fast. The first 13 is tough, but by then you have the all the blood flowing and that bike-run transition on the legs is tough, but you will establish a groove eventually and those 13 will pass. Just make sure to preserve and protect your weakest link.

It’s the last 13 where you earn your stipes – that is the test! My recommendation on these is, look up at the stars, it will be dark likely, and thank God that you are alive. Realize that you have it better right now than 1/2 of the earth and you can survive and push on to the end. Just be thankful, be appreciative. Go down the list of every single person you have known and be thankful for there love and there goodness. That takes some time and it enriches you. This is the time to rise up, to transcend the discomfort and begin accepting the fact that this race is yours if you want it, if you can just numb yourself into an appreciative state of believing, of faith, and keep pushing – the clock will take care of it. With the passing of time you WILL complete it. This is where the ability to transport your mind to other places, to reflect on your life and on who you are. This is the time when you can begin to relish in the fact that the glory can be yours – is going to be yours, that the new you can emerge as someone who can triumph and no one can ever take it from you. I wish you the very best my friend. You will be a new man – stronger, more able to give – making an even bigger difference!

POWER TO YOU!!!!!!!!!

You decided to do this. You trained to do this. You will do this. And whether or not you finish in 17 hours or finish at all, you are an Ironman. Make no mistake about that. Very few people undertake a challenge like this. Having followed your triathlon adventures over the past year, I am sure you will have a great race and continue to inspire the rest of us.
I’m not going to wish you luck in Cozumel because you’re ready and you don’t need luck.
Instead, have a wonderful time and be so proud of what you’ve accomplished and what you are about to accomplish on Sunday!

You’ve GOT this. Truly.

Can’t wait to read about your race.

From one Ironman to a future Ironman…I just want to say a couple of things…

1. When all else fails out there…smile. Even if the hairs on your head hurt and you’re miserable…just smile. It’ll change your entire mentality. And it’s infectious…spectators, other athletes and volunteers will return the gesture and the entire atmosphere will be uplifted. [Something you'll want around the 130 mile mark.]

2. At some point during each discipline…stop what you’re doing and soak it all in, even if it’s only for 5 seconds. You are doing some extraordinary. And that’s worth savoring.

3. After 2.4 miles of swimming and 112 miles of biking and you’re on the marathon…your legs will fight you at some point. So stop running with your legs and start running with your heart. And you’ll find yourself a mile from the finish line wanting to start your day all over again before you know it.

Remember, the hard work is done. Race day is simply your reward. Enjoy every moment out there.

You’ve got this.

xo
Barb

‘Believe’ is a strong power. One can use this power for the positive or the negative. You want to win your race? Then you have to believe in the positive power. Hope you can learn to remove the curse of your fear and doubts from you before the race and come out triumph. Good luck with your ‘fight with yourself’.

I don’t think you can do it Peter. I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT! This will be mind over matter. I don’t know what your favorite food is. But where you are probably has some yummy lobsters for after your race! And beer and margaritas! And this is the one case where if you make it in less than 17hours you would be 100% forgiven if not encouraged to do several body shots of tequila with the person of your choosing..even if they do not know you! LOL And you will also be forgiven if you break your rule of no drunk tweeting! LOL

Cheers and will be thinking of you. Can’t wait for the great news!

Peter,

Your post has touched us all. You have a gift — bringing together this unknown (to each other) group of people to cheer you on, a virtual community that cares — and feels.

I’m not an athlete, so I can’t offer any advice in that realm. All I can say is that we believe in you! You’re our Santa Claus of life dream achievement. And that’s true regardless of when you cross that line. The way you’ve trained, shared the frustrations, hope and excitement…those are the gifts of inspiration that you have *already* given to us.

Big hug to you Peter!

Peter,

First of all, you have an awesome Mom. Her comment brought tears to my eyes. With that kind of support, there is nothing you can’t do!

Second, I have run several marathons and several Minneapolis-to-Chicago bike rides and I have always fudged on the training. Not because I wanted to or tried to, but because life has always gotten in the way some. I think they design them expecting that folks won’t do the full deal. Those that do the full deal are either amazing or just don’t have a lot going on.

Third, your mind can carry you when your body wants to stop. Worse case scenario you get 80-85% through (since that’s how much training you did) and your body wants to quit. You could will yourself through 15-20% of the Ironman with minimal training (even with 20 extra pounds).

So go get ‘em! I can’t wait to hear about it!