Ironman World Championship 70.3-here we come!

I guess the old addage of "ask and you shall recieve" may hold true in this situation. Although i am a triathlong purist by nature, I definatley think the opportunity i've been afforded doesn't necessarily "ruin" the sport for the other purists out there.
A little background---
After the NYC triathlon, the winner Aaron Scheidies and I were chatting and he mentioned he was trying to get into the Ironman World Championships 70.3 (the championships for 1/2 Ironmans, where Hawaii is for the full Ironman). I said to Aaron.."how cool would it be, you the short course guy, me the long course plodder, meeting in the middle--sortof-- and putting on a good show. We can show how competitive blind guys can be."
Shortly after i wrote a letter to the directors at Ironman, stating this same notion...never REALLY figuring they'd go for it. You see, the 70.3 Worlds require qualification, much like Hawaii, but as a Paratriathlete we don't have any method of qualifying. Hence we are left to ask for a spot to the race.
Fast forward to a couple weeks ago...still no word from Ironman and i was getting LAAAZZZYYY, for me anyways. I figured that if the opportunity was given to me, to compete, i didn't want to be too much of a slug; so i gave Ironman one more email request, just to check on the progress or lack there of, in regards to a possible invite. Again i really didn't think anything would come of it, afterall Ironman gave me a HUGE gift last year with an invite to Hawaii, which i am still extremely hounered to have received.
Well, as mentioned off the top, ask and you shall receive!! Ironman called me at home last week to "officially invite you to compete in the 2009 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 on November 14th. We at Ironman are inspired by you and Aaron and all paratriathletes..."
Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.....were the thoughts crossing my mind:
1) i'm not nearlly trained enough, how much time do i have?
2) i totally didn't think they'd do this, so now i have to see if i can even afford to go
3) is Syd going to be available to come with me?
4) should i go? am i just going to embarass myself? etc. etc.

I told Ironman that i'd need the weekend to "ask my guide if he can go", but realitically to work out all the above questions.
Good news:
1) Syd said he's good to go
2) C Different Foundation offered to help with expenses (www.cdifferent.org) these guys are dedicated to assisting visually impaired athletes compete
3) I discovered i have 8 weeks (7 now) to train, and i think i can definately train enough to have a decent race
4)Should i go? Will i embarass myself? This was a larger issue; if i am going to simply race Aaron, well then perhaps i may embarass myself. Aaron is in peak form for lots of racing this year, and i am NOT in peak form, as this year was very sporatic with training. Although i did get to race a few times. I am looking at the bigger picture, and i simply use the reasons which i gave to Ironman, for why i want to race:

To me, having Aaron and I race in Clearwater (Florida, the location of the race), means garnering respect as athletes and competitiors. Not feeling like side shows, feel good type guys, etc. Don't get me wrong, i absolutely hope to inspire others in our situation that anything is possible, and that when faced with a challenge, take it head on and find a way to get the job done.
However, i often say that last year when i toed the line in Kona, Hawaii; i was seen as a fellow age grouper, a fellow competitor, a potential threat? (i knew i wasn't, but others don't), they have a general respect for you. When you toe the line tethered or riding a tandem, a bit of that general respect is lost. You are not really seen as a threat, a competitor, an athlete. YES, you are respected becasue you are out there "giving it a shot", but read any of Aaron's article, and get the vibes from my articles....we want to be in the mix.
I've been racing for 11 years now, and just because my bike got longer and heavier, and i've found a new frined in a bungee cord, doesn't mean that i still don't want to RACE!
This is my motivation for Clearwater, to RACE, to race myself, to race Aaron, to show the world and all other paratriathletes and visually impaired athletes, that you CAN aim big, don't be ashamed to strive to be competitive. You train just as hard, want it just as badly.
So, that being said, I'm off to Clearwater with Syd, racing another World Championships, and hopefully spreading a message of "yes you can!".
When faced with a challenge, form a plan, work hard, keep working hard, then work a little harder still (as sometimes more effort is needed then the average person), then go out, have fun, execute your plan, and keep perspective. No matter what the outcome, win or lose, life goes on, and just be thankful that you are out there moving forward; becasue no matter how competitive you are or how much you really do want it...finishing what you start, at any speed, is really what it's all about!
Get out, enjoy the beautiful weather. Til next time....see ya!