11 am, June 25th

June 25th at 11 am. 11 am, June 25th. June 25th at 11 am. Paul had reminded me and Dian muliple times that this is when IM CDA registration opened.

While Coeur d'Alene hasn't sold out as quickly as other Ironman events in the past, it has become quite popular and we wanted to ensure that we all got in.

The day before registration opened I received a text message from my favorite friend and colleague Chris letting me know that he had a surprise for me, but that he would share it with me the following day. What was he up to?

The morning of June 25th consisted of a flurry of emails between me, Paul and Dian regarding registration. All three of us had signed on with Torsten Abel as our coach and were incredibly excited to make the Ironman commitment official by registering for the event.

While attempting to work awaiting the 11 o'clock hour, Chris came into my office and said, "I'm in."

"In for what?"

"Ironman."

I cannot even begin to describe how overcome I was with excitement and joy that Chris was going to join in the madness. If I hadn't been at work I would have knocked him over as I jumped over my desk to hug him. I couldn't think of a better group of people to train for Ironman with. Chris, Dian, Paul and I were all training for Vineman 70.3 together with the GGTC HIT program at that point and I knew how much fun we were going to have.

Shortly before 11 am registration opened and Chris, Dian and I officially registered. Paul waited until it was actually 11 am, and then registered as well.

Registration sold out in a record six days.

Thereafter the madness of locating Ironman Week accommodations began, and Dian found a home perfectly situated in Coeur d'Alene for us for the week.

Now if someone else could just do the training for me...