Wow. I’m here. On the starting line two days before the gun. Sitting in a cafe where I can see semi-famous boats and people I’ve only known thru their own online logs of their journeys that brought them here.

I’m thinking back on all the ups and downs since I got the crazy idea to enter this race back at the wooden boat festival last september, and there’s one constant that stands out.

My wife, Ellen.

She’s put up with the obsessing, the bills, the risk. She’s an anxious person at heart, and I know it hasn’t been easy on her. I just want to take pause to recognize, and thank the most important woman in my life. You’re not in the boat with me (because you’d be terrified), but baby I can’t imagine doing it without you.

I love you.