Send Sweet Baboo your best energy.

I talked with Sweet Baboo last night. He drove the bike course, and said that it was pretty hilly. 112 miles of hills. Silverman is apparently supposed to be the toughest Ironman course in the world. He slept well and long on Friday and was hitting the sack early last night when I talked to him. He's planning on having a long day of hard work tomorrow, but he feels really good. He's got no aches or pains, no sniffles, none of the "pre race hypochondria." He's ready.


He's worked for it, too. For the past 2-3 months he's done century rides every weekend, and during October those were extremely hilly, up here at a mile above sea level. He's gotten all his long runs in including lots of hilly runs. He's been at the gym when it opens at least three times a week, getting in his 3000-4000 meter swims.

His legs, especially his upper legs, look like trees. Not saplings. Trees.


It would be an understatement to say that I'm proud of him. When I met him he was an earnest guy with a great smile who flew through college from his freshman year to his final year of doctoral coursework in 6 years.

However, taking 5 and 6 classes a semester while working took its toll - he'd had to neglect his own health. He'd gotten heavy and with that came discouragement and no small amount of self-loathing.


Sweet Baboo has never been anyone to do things "sorta". When he does them, they are done fully and robustly, and involve thorough preparation and planning. I mentioned how hard he worked in college. Before that he was in the Marines for 6 years, and after meeting me, he courted me with the same determination. Once his mind is made up, that's it, there's just the steady, quiet and dogged effort until the goal is reached. When the job gets done, it's done completely, with excellent results.

He also doesn't take compliments very well. When I tell him what a great husband he is, there's an awkward silence, and then he says something like, "well, that's as it should be." Now he has a new compliment he's getting used to; it goes something like this: YOWSA. The other day, I told him, "Hey, nice a$$." I think he blushed.


Living with the Baboo is always an adventure. We didn't just take up camping for a few months, we were completely outfitted from REI and hiked up mountains. We didn't just get a row boat, he carefully researched just the right two-man kayak so that sometime in the not-too-distant future, we could do an adventure race, or something.

That's right. Adventure race. Stay tuned.

--> See that sky behind him? That's an approaching storm. He paddled until the oar broke to get us to shore.

In some ways I suppose we compliment each other, his intensity and drive help offset my laid-back, " hey, 'tsall good! attitude" and vice versa.

It's no surprise that while some guys are losing weight by dieting and running 1-2 times a week, other are doing a bit of weighlifting, that my husband is doing the Silverman, his fourth Iron distance triathlon in 14 months.
I'm proud to know him, and not just because he's an Ironman. He's my best friend. He just also happens to be my husband. Silverman doesn't have live athlete tracking, so I'll go about my day and check the website occasionally to see if anything's been posted. Meanwhile, send good thoughts and well-wishes his way!


I've got nothing to give him for this. I can't wish that I could give him my legs or strength, because he's much stronger than I. All I can do is blow a kiss toward Henderson, Nevada.

Here's a description of the course: http://www.silvermannv.com/race_details/full_course_description.php

Bike profile:

Run profile:

And now, I'm headed out for my long run. We'll see if my tendon is healing or not.

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