SIDE SALAD - Everything crunchy is good.

"YOU GET SO FEW DAYS LIKE THIS IN LIFE"

Time: 7:59 p.m.
Place: Albany, N.Y.

Alan: I'm finally here. Six friends were here to meet me at the state capitol. I can't believe how the whole thing worked out. Of course, I'm going to go tomorrow and find out someone stole my car, but...

Seriously, though, every little detail worked out. The timing worked out so well.

You get so few days like this in life that everything you wanted to happen falls into place the way you planned and expected it.

I feel fantastic. I'm a little tired, but it's a beautiful night. It's scary when things work out.

Training at 1 in the afternoon in Florida was just unbelievable. Biking up and down hills here was no big deal. After Florida gets through with you, you can do anything and go anywhere. It's a wicked state in which to train.

Right now we're just drinking sodas and chatting. It's a day I'll cherish forever. It's a unique thing, like college graduation. Things are happening so fast, you're almost overwhelmed. All of these people who have entered my life at different phases all came together to support this.