As I finish packing for Ironman I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for their love and support. The running in the middle of winter with StayFit. The bike classes on Wednesday nights. The cold (and sometimes lonely) swims at Klineline and the great times at Vancouver Fit on Sundays has brought me to where I am now. Without all of you, I wouldn't be ready to embark upon the final part of this journey.
If you would like to "check in" on my progress during the race go to Ironman.com and follow the directions on how to track an athlete. My race number is #1289.
Again thank you one and all for everything. I hope to report back soon as an "Ironman".
Randy Wells

Good Luck Randy...You know we're all cheering for you, you have trained so hard for this...
goIRONMAN!!!!

good luck Randy, you are going to do great!!! We'll be rooting for you from here!

Go Randy ! Go Randy !
Have a great time, enjoy the moments. I'll be anxiously awaiting your race report.

And kudo's to you, Angela - I'm on your heels regarding support. In many respects this is your event as well.

Rick's and my thoughts will only be for you on Sunday Randy. Best of luck on one of your greatest challenges.

Kathi

Randy,
I know you'll do well and enjoy the final test of this journey you have set out upon. When the going gets tough, just remember our conversation about the marathon portion of it. "...even if you max out the time on the swim, T1 and the bike, you'll still have 6.5 hours to finish the marathon."

Go get it big guy!! We're all pulling for you!!

Doug

Randy,

You CAN and WILL complete this ironman. Anything can happen on race day but I guarantee you're the only one that thinks there is even a sliver of a chance you won't make it. We are all certain you will not only complete it but likely with a very respectable time as well. Just don't forget to ENJOY it. I was reading your blog last night and the other day you posted a write up someone had submitted regarding the Ironman experience. As he said, it will be over with before you know it, so don't forget to sit back and enjoy the day that you've trained so hard for. The hart part is over with. All that training, eating, resting, training some more, blood, sweat, tears, COLD, rain, etc. That's behind you. Now you just have to complete the ironman. That's the easy part! (now if only I could take my own advice! ). It's amazing how hard it is for most of us to taper, it makes us all mentally ill! In my opinion its the hardest part of training. Long story short, you can be an ironman, you will be an ironman and we'll all be cheering from home for you! When I'm on my bike on Sunday doing the 100 mile watermelon ride and thinking about how tired and sore I am, I'll think of you and what it would be like to swim before that, and run a marathon after that!!!! Then I'll suck it up and keep spinning!

Angela,

Huge thanks to you for being the amazing spouse you obviously are. It takes a lot to support your spouse through all those months of training, dealing with the roller coaster of emotions, being the kick in the butt when he neeed it most, listening because you knew that's what he needed when you really had many things you might have wanted to say, picking up the slack in all the life duties while he's off training.....I know I've thanked Byron a thousand times for all the support he's given me in my training and it's never enough. So, here's a thank you from yet another person.....you rule and he couldn' t have done it without you!

Marion

It's almost time! My thought are with you tonight RANDY!!!!! I wish for a very restful sleep for you tonight, lots of energy, confidence and positive thoughts for tomorrow. You will do awesome. You know you can do this! I can't wait to track your progress tomorrow. As soon as I get home from the Century ride I'll be checking in on you!!!

Marion