Ready for Lake Placid?

"Are you ready for Lake Placid?" -- I must have heard this question a dozen times over the past few days, from a partner who is also doing IMLP, from another partner who is up in Lake Sarnac race weekend, from my mentor group, from random people at yoga, from, well, everyone.  So am I ready?  Honestly, I have no idea.  The best answer, is probably "define the word ready." 

On a sliding scale, I am significantly more prepared for IMLP than I was for either Louisville in 2008 or Arizona in 2009 but that's not saying much as my preparation for both of those races was less than consistent.  On the other hand, I'm not as prepared as I could be.  Two major issues stick out: (1) I'm still 10-ish pounds over race weight, so I'll be going about 30 seconds per mile slower than I am ultimately capable of; and (2) my back injury in May/June cut my run volume down and I don't feel my run is where it could have been if I was able to get all my running volume in outside rather than in the pool (I know pool running can be beneficial but I'm not a person who had years of consistent miles under my belt so I feel like pool miles aren't quite the same as road miles). 

That being said I have several positive things going for me:

1. I'm at my lowest weight since I started participating in triathlons.  This is a good thing because in the words of Mark Cavendish I can feel proper sorry for myself having to haul my fat arse over the mountains.
2. I've done the training.  Since January I've biked over 5,000 miles and ran almost 800.  Those are pretty big numbers for 6-ish months of training.  I should be able to comfortably ride the 112 miles and run the 26.2.  I may not have speed, but I have endurance.   
3. I now know I can run (or at least I can run 13.1 miles).  At both IM Louisville and IM Arizona I walked the 90 % of the marathon.  That's not happening here.  I know I can run off the bike.  I may not be fast but I will be running.
4. I know 100 or so people who will be racing, volunteering or spectating.  Why does this help?  Peer pressure.  If I know I'm going to see people out on the course cheering for me, I know that I better be running and not strolling.  Knowing others are watching can be a huge motivating tool.  Plus I'll be wearing my QT2 kit and I don't want to be a blemish on the brand.
5. I have plans (both a race plan and a fueling plan).  There is no thinking involved on race day, I simply follow the plans. 

Now, what can go wrong?  Everything but hopefully I'll be able to mentally hold it together, hit my targets and finish strong.  I think finish time will be meaningless in determining whether this race will be a success.  I think the real determining factor will be whether I follow my plan and execute the way I've trained to execute.  So am I ready?  Well, I'm ready as I'll ever be (for this particular race).