The final leg, the very wet US Open, and a day for dads

I pretty much acted like I deserved some kind of day of doing nothing. I started the day by having coffee and bagels with the paper and all four of us at the dining room table. That, by far, is my favorite thing to do. We chatted about the movie we saw yesterday, how good the french toast bagel was, and whatever it was that Sports does on a Saturday night. No thoughts or talk of a triathlon. Went to see my folks before lunch. More Sunday talk and off to our favorite restaurant. I had the pulled pork and a couple of IPA's. Good stuff. Hardly the meal of any athlete. We visited with Missy's parents to watch some golf. That was fun with no running water (funny story for another time. Just ask and I'll tell it to you sometime). Barely a mention that there was some great feat of endurance only 6 days away. I did get to tell my dad why I think he's the greatest one on the planet. I told him he ALWAYS made himself available to me as a dad and that, above any other quality, is what I hope to come close to in fatherhood myself. That quality should be considered by any dad who might read this. Thanks, Dad.
My point here is that some of my own training and a whole lot of encouragement from you soldiers in the Big Tone Tri Army is what got me here. This will be my last post before the race. I plan on 3 days of workouts, 2 days of rest, and one of complete fun and accomplishment for all of us. To remind you all, I know I will be one of over 2000 people to complete a triathlon in Philadelphia Saturday morning and I will not set any records. But my goal of being a triathlete and teaching our two daughters to set goals and reach them, no matter how far out they seem, is the most important thing of the day!
For a few thank you's; Mom and Aimee, thank you for all the constant posts. As I have said, I read them always and sometimes more than once. It has made a bigger difference than you will probably ever realize. For all the non-posters but true readers, your comments of "I read the blog today. Great job" or "I just caught myself up with the website. Keep it up" have added fuel to my fire. For my Missy, you complete me (no sappy Jerry Maguire jokes here, please). You defintiely propel me through everything I do. And lastly, Sports and Bean. More than anything, I hope to inspire you to be the greatest you can be and that is defined not by money, trophies, or conquests but getting out and just making a difference in the world. No matter how small or large. I've always got your back.
I will update after the event and hope the story will be grand! Remember, they call the person who finishes the triathlon last a triathlete.
Go Big Tone.