@Michele -- I thought the arms were fine -- until I swam yesterday. They are not sore, but just kinda floppy and uncooperative.
Is this the part of Ironman training where everything hurts? I think my hair hurts. Mixing it up a bit because of schedule and doing a super-sized brick run and then making tomorrow's brick bike intervals + swimming.
Oh yeah...forgot about the pink visor. No problem. You bring it, I'll wear it. Anything to support the girls who have supported me all year!
Yesterday's speed session in the pool was awesome. A total of 1200 yards of all out sprinting really felt good. Definitely $$$ in the bank! Today's 6 x 500s were a different story. I felt good and they went well but a much different place mentally. I was well below IM pace and felt comfortable so it gives me confidence I can hold that in the race, just need to keep my mind in it and stay focused. Will find out this weekend at the Madison OWS race how it should go down.
All of this riding lately with Matt A has me pretty sure I'm due for an FTP bump. I think I know where my FTP should be but I kind of feel like I should validate it with one last test for the year. So I'll get out tomorrow and drill it. Hope it's an "on" day for me.
rode 20 miles on Sunday and then nothing since then, blah.! so nothing to report. it did cool down to high of 96 today and so when I do get out to train the next few days I think I will enjoy that. haven't figured out when I will do workouts as family schedules/school stuff going on m. we had a recent race on sat and that lake temp was 90 degrees! so 74 sounds cold to me. in fact in Nashville it was just 90 and that felt cool, with it being overcast. anyways some back to school errands after I just did housework this morning and a trip to grocery store... so prolly no tng today. m
6x500 done! Though to be honest rather do endurance sets than speed sets Michele envious of your OWS!! Great job and u did 8??? What r u crazy girl doing more than necessary on the last week of pain!!! Hahah would love to get in the OW just a real pansy about swimming alone....with fish and possibly SNAKES
Nemo-swimming 2.4 island to island sounds heavenly...hope u get to do it....please post picture I need to visualize myself somewhere other than the pool.....yup gettin real tired of the 25m pool....good thing i swim with a group of elderly peeps...today one gentlemen said I must be an olympian Gotta love that!
Think I will skip the FTP tomorrow since I raced on Sunday and it was 41 minutes at .99 of FTP....so figure my FTP hasn't changed much from Sunday til Wed. Though from Sundays race do think my vDot went up! Not sure I want a new one though cuz then I will have to train at faster intervals
Today's swim was .... long. Got through the sets but it was challenging mentally to stay focused. I'm looking forward to the fpt test just to validate where I'm at. I have to say the race has been on my mind lately. It's not to the point where I'm dreaming about it or laying awake but it is concerning. I feel like I need more time to train.
I'm with you Eric, feel like it's coming too soon and yet I'm really tired. My swim today felt rather long also and the outdoor pool was cold. Have been having really weird dreams too, some race related some not, overtired? Good luck on the FTP test, I'll be there with you in the pain cave tomorrow morning bright and early!
Bike was brutal this morning, and I did not even do the test. Run was in pea soup, which meant it was going to suck and it did not disappoint. OTOH, I really enjoyed the 6x500. 400s and 500s are some of the favorite distances. Time flew by, and I was done w/ the main set before I knew it. I love to swim (do not mistake that for meaning that I'm any good at it. ) I always feel so rejuvenated after a swim--unlike any other sport. Glad to end on a decent note today.
2:30 coming up for me tomorrow. Think I'll drive into Boston tomorrow to do what I call a "Run Around the Chuck," i.e. the Charles River. Think a change in scene might be just the thing to perk up that run.
Hang tough everyone! This is week is feeling very hard to me, but I'm doing the best I can.
Edited to add--I feel I need more time too. But here's a quote I put up in the women's forum, which has a lot of merit:
Sebastian Kienle before Challenge Roth: “Well, I don’t feel really perfectly prepared, but you know, if you feel perfectly prepared, then it may as well be the case that you did too much."
heading out to do my run, feel quite fat actually, this could mean that I have plenty of glycogen on my bod or it could mean that I will be even slower! the eating out foods don't disappear very easily! very dark and very early here. taking the dog and some lights. needed to be back a bit earlier so got up earlier. hope for a nap! anyways got some new music on IPOD, yes will only use one earbud! haven't ran since Saturday. amazing how sluggish and blah you feel and I don't like tapering either btw!! weight is back up.... while crying in Walmart getting stuff for college son, I opened up a package of choc raisins, small mints, AND mustard pretzels! true story... ate them while shopping for his dorm room, anyways , looking forward to a "thinking" run as school starts for youngest two tomorrow and if you wanna know the truth I get blue about all of that. I like summer! m
Did the FTP test this morning and am quite pleased, especially given how hard the last several days have felt. New FTP by 6 watts to 185 with a new w/Kg of 3.6, pretty darn happy with that plus the intervals were executed well IMHO - 180 watts for the first 20 min and 192 for the second. My old FTP ws 179 so I held just above that for the first interval and then stepped it up and really pushed the last 5 minutes. Suggests there's some good endurance in this body that didn't exist at the start of my Nov OS!! To coin a phrase, work WORKS!!
Longest (and last) run of the season tomorrow. Good luck to all.
Mojo is back!!! What a world of a difference from last week at this time!
Yeserday:
Nailed 30/30s very easily hitting the targets and recovering at 210 Watts ... realized that less than 2 years ago my FTP was 209! Finished with 24' at .87
Brick run felt great and included 2 miles at HMP
Masters was cancelled, but I swam on my own and everything just click. WU was under my target IM pace and every interval i did was under the target time. 3000 SCM in 45:39!!!
Today - sorry this is long, but it was a very eventful run:
It was dark and raining when I got up at 4:40 and even I wanted to stay in bed instead of running
WU was slow and my form just didn't feel right
I was actually cold, but sweating from the humidity at the same time (rain had stopped after about 10 minutes of running)
Did a few strides to attempt to get my form right and instead got some horrible stomach cramps and GI issues (Guess the Deep Dish Pizza for dinner last night was a bad idea, who knew).
Ran to the closest park and found out they closed the park district bathrooms on 8/15 as summer sports session is over
Made it home and ran directly to the bathroom to take care of business
Felt better but not good afterwards, did another mile to WU again
Attemped the first 2 miles at HMP and came up about 10 seconds slow, PE was more like TP and then I realized was pretty dehydrated due to the GI Issue/pit stop and I was not drinking enough as it was cool out.
Took in some water and perform drink and then managed to complete the second 2mi HMP interval a few seconds faster but still about 7 seconds slow.
Of course ultra type A me was getting pissed off, however I noticed during the 2nd interval that my normally quit and traffice free route had a TON of traffic and there were 5 helipcopters hoovering in one spot close by. (I live by an airport so I don't notice planes and helicopters as they are always around)
So I ran that way for my recovery and a major road was completely blocked off by police. I cut through the neighbor hoods and made it to an accident site to see a car literally wrapped around a tree right in front of me.
Suddenly, my GI issues and poor performance were no longer even a though as I watched them air lift the driver out and I was VERY quickly brought back to reality and realized just how lucky I was to be safe and out running (something I love to do)
The rest of my run was totally different, the clouds cleared, the sun came up, and I ingored my watch and just ran for the enjoyment of running while slowly picking up the pace by feel.
I actually ended up running the last 5 miles at only 10 seconds slower than my MP but more importantly, I felt great at the end of the run and wanted to keep going but had to get to work. The last mile was actually faster then my HMP intervals!
18.38 miles in 2:00 - not my best run, but pretty good everything consider and I'm more than happy with it.
I'm looking forward to hearing about everyones long runs tomorrow.
I keep saying pinch me b/c I'm so excited, and can't believe I'm actually at this point in the training. 2:30 run done, and it went well. As I said on FB, Steady Eddie today. Did some pace work, but mostly just kept ticking over the miles. The time (mostly) went by pretty quick, save for those small blocks of time that seem to take 3 hours to pass. You know those. But it's done. I did well, and I'm happy with how these LRs have gone.
I taped my quads (pink), wore my compression shorts, my pink visor and had my hand-helds for fluids, my E-grips, and my silly band cow on my wrist.. At one point I actually started cracking up thinking, I must look like I'm in a Halloween costume. What must most people think? Not that we care, but it is humorous.
did my mile repeats yesterday, and I must say, I'm defintely learning how to pace. 2st at 7:49, 2nd at 7:46, and 3rd at 7:39 ;-) only if i could turn back time, and do my 5K TT at a decent pace, instead of going all flat out, and crumbling after mile 2...... I guess, Im living and learnign
Nemo- looking forward to hearing how island hopping is gonna go
stellar job everybody; your reports are carrying me through my workouts!!!!
now, I'm just dreading my 1st EVER FTP - I don't how that will go (from what you guys have been saying, doesn;t sound fun!!!!) will post again after FTP is done
I'm so glad to see how when your training is going and that you are at this point as well. You have truly done an amazing job of handling what life threw your way, keeping your head up and doing the best with it. I can't wait to see you in Madison.
BTW, any requests for a sign on the course or for me to yell anything to you during the race?
M- I love summer too!! Can relate to sending kids to college. We brought our oldest to WestPoint in 07 at the mere age of 17! Very, very tough day for mom I cried a lot. He lasted 3 semesters and is now home. 2nd born going to CC and living @ home. So I still have 5 at home....like it, yet I will be ready to send them when they want to fly : 
Nemo- waiting for my Zoot compression tri shorts!
Heather- 3.6 w/kg...wowsers u r amazing!
Matt- glad u enjoyed the run today especially afte viewing the accident. We are all fortuante to have our health and be able to do what we love to do. thanks for the reminder
LP-Wore purple cow this am- FTP went up...go figure 2.5 done...yeah for u!!!
I'm so glad to see how when your training is going and that you are at this point as well. You have truly done an amazing job of handling what life threw your way, keeping your head up and doing the best with it. I can't wait to see you in Madison.
BTW, any requests for a sign on the course or for me to yell anything to you during the race?
Thanks, Matt! I know I don't have the numbers to back me up like I did in '08, but this race is going to be fantastic no matter the time on the clock. I am putting my nose down, and doing the best I can every single day. It's really gratifying. The fact that doing WI was almost snatched from under me for what could have been a truly horrific outcome for Keith, has made all this even sweeter. I am truly grateful, and so happy to be able to be there with all of you.
Re a sign at the race...LOL! This is not something I talk about, but at races I am most comfortable blending into the great sea of anonimity. My personality is a little more quiet than this whole thing is shaping up to be. Yikes--the thought of ANYONE even looking at me at mile 18 gives me the shivers. But then I tell myself it's my EN friends, and it's nothing to worry about, just great energy to feed off. But no sign is OK with me.
@Heather--that is FANTASTIC!!! Way to rock it. Super job. BTW, PM me your addy if you don't mind. Chica presents for all, and one needs to come your way.
@Kathy--nice new FT bounce for you too. You've been working so hard and dedicated. Deserved, to say the least.
Long run is done. Very much looking forward to an easy swim/recovery run tomorrow before Friday's RR. My legs need it!
Solid run for me. I have a hilly 8 mile loop that I do twice (once each way). First loop was just under midday between MP and LRP per the plan. Second loop my plan was bomb the downs and steady/controlled on the ups. Gave me 25-30' between MP and HMP and balanced out the loops pace wise. A world of difference from the last 2.5 run where I was just dying from start to finish in the heat/humidity. This go around was just flat out fatigue and sore legs.
Just checking things of my weekly list on this end. FT done, long run done. next up: RR Friday, Saturday off (my friends are throwing a state wide amazing race for 10 teams so no idea what's in store for us other than some good laughs and fun!), and then Sunday Walden + Monday's run at the pilgrim park place (total brainfart on what that's called right now ).
Good luck to all of those testing today and those who aren't, hope you have solid rides!
WOW, great work from everyone on the FTTs and the long runs! Very inspiring for sure!
Matt- I'm the opposite of Linda- Shout my name, cheer for me, hold up my name in neon lights! I'll take whatever I can get. Now I might wanna punch you in the nose at that point, but even if I do- it's only 'cause knowing you are there is making me continue forward motion!
PS- Matt, lovin my new Zoot recovery tights :-)
My long run is tomorrow and right now the weather isn't looking great. Scattered T-Storms, 80 degrees with 85% humidity. It's not gonna be pretty. But doesn't really matter, the only thing I really need to worry about is keeping the calf in good shape. So I'll wear my compression sleeve and take it easy, no intervals for this gal. Then back to the recovery tights and a massage scheduled for after work!
If we have anything close to reasonable humidity and temps on race day it's gonna feel like a party!!
BTW, any requests for a sign on the course or for me to yell anything to you during the race?
Unlike Linda - I will take all the yelling and screaming at me that I can get, especially come mile 18 on the run! Something along the lines of "Run Faster" is good.
@Nemo and Heather - Don't worry, I'll be out yelling at everyone the best I can. You will see me both on the bike and run, but you will get a much better reaction out of Theresa as she is an outstanding spectator.
As background on my comment to Linda - when I ran Boston this year it was the first race I have gone to on my own. P and Maura made me feel like family, and Linda and Keith amoung many other ENers were awesome as well. Linda made me a huge sign that said "MANCONA SLOW DOWN". It was great to she them on the course and have the reminder to slow down as it was only mile 10ish of the marathon. I just wanted to offer to return the favor to Linda if there was anything she wanted.
For those of you that are racing ... I suggest you take some time and decide if you want to get updates from people on your current position in you AG. Then make it very well know if you want updates or not. Keep in mind that ironmanlive.com is notorious for being in accurate but at least the updats can give you some insight and possible motivation (just don't trust them 100%) until after the race.
I personally do not know until during the race if I want to know or not... depends on a ton of factors. However, I do sign to let Theresa know as I am approaching her if I want an update or not.
Linda made me a huge sign that said "MANCONA SLOW DOWN". It was great to she them on the course and have the reminder to slow down as it was only mile 10ish of the marathon. I just wanted to offer to return the favor to Linda if there was anything she wanted.
I remember that- it was awesome! Like a giant yellow sticky note reminder! What a special place this is that you can travel accross the country by yourself to do a race but still feel like you are doing a hometown gig.
@Hasan- good job on the intervals! You are faster than you realize.
@Matt- Scene of trauma- always makes me grateful for what I have. As a new nurse, 23 yo, working trauma, I closed my first body bag on an 18 yo. Knew then and there that I wanted to make the most of my life and never regret anything. A reminder never hurts.
I did the FTP test and BRick run. Haven't downloaded but I know I did not change. It was still a good workout though. Next up-- LR tomorrow.
For those of you that are racing ... I suggest you take some time and decide if you want to get updates from people on your current position in you AG.
I just saw Barb Spitler's post about an ear ache 11 days out from IMLOU. Tracy Wood also got bronchitis right before IMLP. Just a friendly reminder to really pay attention to your diet now, and try your best to load up with good clean food--espcially immune boosting choices. We're cruising now, and all doing well, but taper is the time when your immunity drops, believe it or not. Try to hedge your bets of not coming down with something at the last minute. No guarantees, but it's another piece of the puzzle to put into place--says mom.
I just saw Barb Spitler's post about an ear ache 11 days out from IMLOU. Tracy Wood also got bronchitis right before IMLP. Just a friendly reminder to really pay attention to your diet now, and try your best to load up with good clean food--espcially immune boosting choices. We're cruising now, and all doing well, but taper is the time when your immunity drops, believe it or not. Try to hedge your bets of not coming down with something at the last minute. No guarantees, but it's another piece of the puzzle to put into place--says mom.
Thanks, Mom. Is Octoberfest considered good clean food???
Matt -- Cheer loudly! Have blinky Vegas signs! And I only want updated if I'm going to miss a cutoff, or, you know, hail or ninjas are coming and I should prepare myself.
Diet. Yes. Okay. No more cheeseburgers. Blueberries.
Good bike interval day for me! And new pain cave baptized in sweat.
Way to get it done, long run folks. I'm looking forward to puttin on the headlamp and getting mine done tomorrow.
Comments
@Michele -- I thought the arms were fine -- until I swam yesterday. They are not sore, but just kinda floppy and uncooperative.
Is this the part of Ironman training where everything hurts? I think my hair hurts.
Mixing it up a bit because of schedule and doing a super-sized brick run and then making tomorrow's brick bike intervals + swimming.
Yesterday's speed session in the pool was awesome. A total of 1200 yards of all out sprinting really felt good. Definitely $$$ in the bank! Today's 6 x 500s were a different story. I felt good and they went well but a much different place mentally. I was well below IM pace and felt comfortable so it gives me confidence I can hold that in the race, just need to keep my mind in it and stay focused. Will find out this weekend at the Madison OWS race how it should go down.
All of this riding lately with Matt A has me pretty sure I'm due for an FTP bump. I think I know where my FTP should be but I kind of feel like I should validate it with one last test for the year. So I'll get out tomorrow and drill it. Hope it's an "on" day for me.
6x500 done! Though to be honest rather do endurance sets than speed sets
Michele envious of your OWS!! Great job and u did 8??? What r u crazy girl doing more than necessary on the last week of pain!!! Hahah would love to get in the OW just a real pansy about swimming alone....with fish and possibly SNAKES 
Nemo-swimming 2.4 island to island sounds heavenly...hope u get to do it....please post picture I need to visualize myself somewhere other than the pool.....yup gettin real tired of the 25m pool....good thing i swim with a group of elderly peeps...today one gentlemen said I must be an olympian
Gotta love that!
Think I will skip the FTP tomorrow since I raced on Sunday and it was 41 minutes at .99 of FTP....so figure my FTP hasn't changed much from Sunday til Wed. Though from Sundays race do think my vDot went up! Not sure I want a new one though cuz then I will have to train at faster intervals
Rock on team!!
WOW that really is a big change. Oh please let it keep dropping!!!
Today's swim was .... long. Got through the sets but it was challenging mentally to stay focused. I'm looking forward to the fpt test just to validate where I'm at. I have to say the race has been on my mind lately. It's not to the point where I'm dreaming about it or laying awake but it is concerning. I feel like I need more time to train.
Keep up the good work everyone.
I'm with you Eric, feel like it's coming too soon and yet I'm really tired. My swim today felt rather long also and the outdoor pool was cold. Have been having really weird dreams too, some race related some not, overtired? Good luck on the FTP test, I'll be there with you in the pain cave tomorrow morning bright and early!
Mixed day.
Bike was brutal this morning, and I did not even do the test. Run was in pea soup, which meant it was going to suck and it did not disappoint.
OTOH, I really enjoyed the 6x500. 400s and 500s are some of the favorite distances. Time flew by, and I was done w/ the main set before I knew it. I love to swim (do not mistake that for meaning that I'm any good at it. 
) I always feel so rejuvenated after a swim--unlike any other sport. Glad to end on a decent note today.
2:30 coming up for me tomorrow. Think I'll drive into Boston tomorrow to do what I call a "Run Around the Chuck," i.e. the Charles River.
Think a change in scene might be just the thing to perk up that run.
Hang tough everyone! This is week is feeling very hard to me, but I'm doing the best I can.
Edited to add--I feel I need more time too. But here's a quote I put up in the women's forum, which has a lot of merit:
Sebastian Kienle before Challenge Roth: “Well, I don’t feel really perfectly prepared, but you know, if you feel perfectly prepared, then it may as well be the case that you did too much."
Got the Brick done this morning and I'm sitting in my new recovery tights. Why did I wait so long to get these- they feel awesome!
Did the FTP test this morning and am quite pleased, especially given how hard the last several days have felt. New FTP by 6 watts to 185 with a new w/Kg of 3.6, pretty darn happy with that plus the intervals were executed well IMHO - 180 watts for the first 20 min and 192 for the second. My old FTP ws 179 so I held just above that for the first interval and then stepped it up and really pushed the last 5 minutes. Suggests there's some good endurance in this body that didn't exist at the start of my Nov OS!! To coin a phrase, work WORKS!!
Longest (and last) run of the season tomorrow. Good luck to all.
Mojo is back!!! What a world of a difference from last week at this time!
Yeserday:
Today - sorry this is long, but it was a very eventful run:
I'm looking forward to hearing about everyones long runs tomorrow.
I keep saying pinch me b/c I'm so excited, and can't believe I'm actually at this point in the training. 2:30 run done, and it went well. As I said on FB, Steady Eddie today. Did some pace work, but mostly just kept ticking over the miles. The time (mostly) went by pretty quick, save for those small blocks of time that seem to take 3 hours to pass. You know those.
But it's done. I did well, and I'm happy with how these LRs have gone.
I taped my quads (pink), wore my compression shorts, my pink visor and had my hand-helds for fluids, my E-grips, and my silly band cow on my wrist.. At one point I actually started cracking up thinking, I must look like I'm in a Halloween costume.
What must most people think? Not that we care, but it is humorous. 
nice job everybody.
did my mile repeats yesterday, and I must say, I'm defintely learning how to pace. 2st at 7:49, 2nd at 7:46, and 3rd at 7:39 ;-) only if i could turn back time, and do my 5K TT at a decent pace, instead of going all flat out, and crumbling after mile 2...... I guess, Im living and learnign
Nemo- looking forward to hearing how island hopping is gonna go
stellar job everybody; your reports are carrying me through my workouts!!!!
now, I'm just dreading my 1st EVER FTP - I don't how that will go (from what you guys have been saying, doesn;t sound fun!!!!) will post again after FTP is done
keep it coming, peeps
Nice Work Linda!
I'm so glad to see how when your training is going and that you are at this point as well. You have truly done an amazing job of handling what life threw your way, keeping your head up and doing the best with it. I can't wait to see you in Madison.
BTW, any requests for a sign on the course or for me to yell anything to you during the race?
M- I love summer too!! Can relate to sending kids to college. We brought our oldest to WestPoint in 07 at the mere age of 17! Very, very tough day for mom
I cried a lot. He lasted 3 semesters and is now home. 2nd born going to CC and living @ home. So I still have 5 at home....like it, yet I will be ready to send them when they want to fly : 
Nemo- waiting for my Zoot compression tri shorts!
Heather- 3.6 w/kg...wowsers u r amazing!
Matt- glad u enjoyed the run today especially afte viewing the accident. We are all fortuante to have our health and be able to do what we love to do. thanks for the reminder
LP-Wore purple cow this am- FTP went up...go figure
2.5 done...yeah for u!!!
Hasan- Good luck with FTP!!
Thanks, Matt! I know I don't have the numbers to back me up like I did in '08, but this race is going to be fantastic no matter the time on the clock. I am putting my nose down, and doing the best I can every single day. It's really gratifying. The fact that doing WI was almost snatched from under me for what could have been a truly horrific outcome for Keith, has made all this even sweeter. I am truly grateful, and so happy to be able to be there with all of you.
Re a sign at the race...LOL! This is not something I talk about, but at races I am most comfortable blending into the great sea of anonimity.
My personality is a little more quiet than this whole thing is shaping up to be. Yikes--the thought of ANYONE even looking at me at mile 18 gives me the shivers. 
But then I tell myself it's my EN friends, and it's nothing to worry about, just great energy to feed off. But no sign is OK with me. 
@Heather--that is FANTASTIC!!! Way to rock it. Super job. BTW, PM me your addy if you don't mind. Chica presents for all, and one needs to come your way.
@Kathy--nice new FT bounce for you too. You've been working so hard and dedicated. Deserved, to say the least.
Rock on, errbody!
Long run is done. Very much looking forward to an easy swim/recovery run tomorrow before Friday's RR. My legs need it!
Solid run for me. I have a hilly 8 mile loop that I do twice (once each way). First loop was just under midday between MP and LRP per the plan. Second loop my plan was bomb the downs and steady/controlled on the ups. Gave me 25-30' between MP and HMP and balanced out the loops pace wise. A world of difference from the last 2.5 run where I was just dying from start to finish in the heat/humidity. This go around was just flat out fatigue and sore legs.
Just checking things of my weekly list on this end. FT done, long run done. next up: RR Friday, Saturday off (my friends are throwing a state wide amazing race for 10 teams so no idea what's in store for us other than some good laughs and fun!), and then Sunday Walden + Monday's run at the pilgrim park place (total brainfart on what that's called right now
).
Good luck to all of those testing today and those who aren't, hope you have solid rides!
Matt- I'm the opposite of Linda- Shout my name, cheer for me, hold up my name in neon lights! I'll take whatever I can get. Now I might wanna punch you in the nose at that point, but even if I do- it's only 'cause knowing you are there is making me continue forward motion!
PS- Matt, lovin my new Zoot recovery tights :-)
My long run is tomorrow and right now the weather isn't looking great. Scattered T-Storms, 80 degrees with 85% humidity. It's not gonna be pretty. But doesn't really matter, the only thing I really need to worry about is keeping the calf in good shape. So I'll wear my compression sleeve and take it easy, no intervals for this gal. Then back to the recovery tights and a massage scheduled for after work!
If we have anything close to reasonable humidity and temps on race day it's gonna feel like a party!!
Unlike Linda - I will take all the yelling and screaming at me that I can get, especially come mile 18 on the run! Something along the lines of "Run Faster" is good.
As background on my comment to Linda - when I ran Boston this year it was the first race I have gone to on my own. P and Maura made me feel like family, and Linda and Keith amoung many other ENers were awesome as well. Linda made me a huge sign that said "MANCONA SLOW DOWN". It was great to she them on the course and have the reminder to slow down as it was only mile 10ish of the marathon. I just wanted to offer to return the favor to Linda if there was anything she wanted.
For those of you that are racing ... I suggest you take some time and decide if you want to get updates from people on your current position in you AG. Then make it very well know if you want updates or not. Keep in mind that ironmanlive.com is notorious for being in accurate but at least the updats can give you some insight and possible motivation (just don't trust them 100%) until after the race.
I personally do not know until during the race if I want to know or not... depends on a ton of factors. However, I do sign to let Theresa know as I am approaching her if I want an update or not.
I remember that- it was awesome! Like a giant yellow sticky note reminder! What a special place this is that you can travel accross the country by yourself to do a race but still feel like you are doing a hometown gig.
@Heather- 3.6 w/kg is tremendous. Congrats! You are rockin'. A lot of hard work got you there.
@Linda and Leigh- Good job on the LR. You are that much closer to taper! No more 2:30 runs ahead.
@marianne- hugs to you. Real comfort food there.
@Hasan- good job on the intervals! You are faster than you realize.
@Matt- Scene of trauma- always makes me grateful for what I have. As a new nurse, 23 yo, working trauma, I closed my first body bag on an 18 yo. Knew then and there that I wanted to make the most of my life and never regret anything. A reminder never hurts.
I did the FTP test and BRick run. Haven't downloaded but I know I did not change. It was still a good workout though. Next up-- LR tomorrow.
@Michele - Thanks, I hope it translates into something/anything on raceday
@Matt - age gp ranking?!?!?! that made me laugh. It doesn't make a difference in my case anyway!!!! who do you think i am, the MANCONA? ;-)
-hb
I just saw Barb Spitler's post about an ear ache 11 days out from IMLOU. Tracy Wood also got bronchitis right before IMLP. Just a friendly reminder to really pay attention to your diet now, and try your best to load up with good clean food--espcially immune boosting choices. We're cruising now, and all doing well, but taper is the time when your immunity drops, believe it or not. Try to hedge your bets of not coming down with something at the last minute. No guarantees, but it's another piece of the puzzle to put into place--says mom.
Matt -- Cheer loudly! Have blinky Vegas signs! And I only want updated if I'm going to miss a cutoff, or, you know, hail or ninjas are coming and I should prepare myself.
Diet. Yes. Okay. No more cheeseburgers. Blueberries.
Good bike interval day for me! And new pain cave baptized in sweat.
Way to get it done, long run folks. I'm looking forward to puttin on the headlamp and getting mine done tomorrow.