There's the taper and there's the OA taper. As you know. It sounds like you're forcing the taper and beating yourself up. You know you can't Ironmind the fatigue away. Shut off your head and the bod will follow. I know, easier said than done. You've done the work, you're a vet and you'll jump start the fitness pre race. It'll be there. You have time. I'm really rooting for you. Remember Coach Kunu!
Day off today for me. Stomach issues started yesterday...not sure, but prolly nerves. Busy morning with extra stuff to do, bike in shop.....fatiqued.....need I say more.
We don't deal with Hurricanes in MN...thank goodness...seems kind of scary
Hey hey, while the work still feels pretty intense, I gotta say that it must be taper because the hard stuff actually feels good! Stuff must be resting if you can turn it on at a moments notice. I spent 5 days in CO for work and ran/swam every day, by the third day of swimming I finally could, the first day was awful (altitude), second day less awful and third day actually pretty strong. I find that running in altitude is awesome and we had spectacular weather the whole time, amazing sunrises make for a color show over the mountains that is truly awesome. Back in humid, flatlandia, had a great brick this morning, 3x6min at z4 on the bike and I actually could power it up, unlike last week where I was crying in my aeros, and then the brick - out at z4 back at z2 and I did it, actually a little better, 15 min at 7 min/mi and then 15 min at 7'30 and pretty comfortable. Don't get me wrong, I was ready to stop but was going into thinking, z4 off the bike? ha! and then, as with everything in EN, I did it. All through the OS I did the same thing - started out thinking 'there's no way' and then doing it. There's that whole work works thing again.
@Leigh - thanks for the foam roller advice, I've told myself that these last couple weeks have to be all about staying loose (or getting loose) and rollin', rollin', rollin'....
I did NOTHING yesterday! Well...training wise. I did finally make a packing list and download about 6 weeks of rides from my Joule. I did alot more work than I thought I had. How nice! So tonight I shall download about 2 months of run data from my Garmin. It's very, very unlike me to not immediately download all the data right after a workout and analyze every little detail. Well, not this Race Prep. The Joule download was like opening a Christmas present and getting a nice pat on the back and boost of confidence in the work I've done. Figuring that the Garmin download tonight will be cutting into the Thanksgiving turkey and finding out it's a big, juicy steak instead (I don't like turkey). Bike to be disassembled, packed, and shipped tonight.
Kate and Kathy: Hope you are both feeling better soon!
Leigh: Thank you for the reminder! Hydration and compression hose after those sessions really helps too.
Chris: Great to see that vid resurface--very timely!
Sleep soundly and rest smartly, my friends---it's almost party time!
Ironically, I have never used special needs for anything, but am volunteering there this year so look for me race morning when dropping off you bags. If we haven't meet just look for the Zoot logos ;-)
As others said ...
Drop off for both Bike and Run are at the captial square.
You will put you RSN bag pretty much exactly where you will get it during the run... about mile 13.3 on the Northeast corner of capital square (east side of the road). During the run, if you want your bag you can yell to them when you are at mile 12.9 as you pass it on the way to the turn around. This way someone will have it ready and waiting for you when you get back there in a few minutes.
Typcially the BSN drop off is on the same street but the west side, you put it in the box for your number. I have also seen it on the side street that is on the way to T1. All boxes get loaded onto some trucks and are put out on Paoli just south of bruce. On the second loop you will be at around mile 58-60 when you pass here.
On Monday ... the boxes and bags are get piled up next to where the expo was. I look for about 2 minutes and if I see my bag (because it is still in the numbered box) I get it and if not I give up as it is not worth the effort to me.
Matt- you must be pretty excited to have another ENer joining you at Kona! It will be nice to have so much support out there!
Can someone remind me (again) where those two descents are on the bike course? Rich always talks about going out and riding the climbs, but I don't really care as much about practicing that part during race week as I do about feeling comfy on those descents. I'd like to ride for 60-90 min on Thursday and I'm thinking I can get the descents and the climbs done in that time without actually hopping back into the car too much- cause I think they are all pretty close together.
@Chris--you've made me feel better before and put my head on straight, and now you've done it again! So funny, and so true. Thanks. I was totally forcing it, but not now. Thing about Ironmind is, not only does it get you to "do," it also makes you strong enough to "not do." That's where I'm at. Ommmm.....
1. the vent: When I'm tired, I just know I can't do a workout, and last night was exhausted (from work), so I thought i would scrap the swim-run, and just go at it in the morning, when I'm more fresh. Well, that didn't work out, cos the swim was hands-down my worst workout ever. it took me about 60 mins to do an OWS of less than a mile!!!!. I was struggling. no form, no concentration, no NOTHING..... I was hoping the run would go better, but afte i started, I just could not move my legs for some reason. move, i would say, but they would not.... 10 mins into that run, I decided to scrap it, and not struggle. looked at that video chris posted on my way to work, and was laughing the whole time!!!! Thanks man.....
2. Nemo: there's a video out there about the whole course, with a commentary. I personally found it useful when i checked it out before the Tri-rally we had in July.http://www.simplystu.com/category/Video . If you want to do 60-90 mins of riding, you can start off in Mt Horeb, and then ride for 60-90 mins, you will probably get most of the hills and descents. there's a slow climb to Mt Horeb, with a small portion of it being steep. Also, there a descent into Verona which you will also be missing. not sure if that helps
@Nemo - there are three three descents I consider worth visting: Garfoot, Timber Lane and Shady Oak. I personally think all of them are fun and no big deal but I have dont them a ton. Timber Lane is by far the fastest and has a sharp left at the end, I have gone off the road many times here. The other two are longer, but not as steep and have gradual turns.
My suggestion is to (If your support crew is very accomidating) have him drop you off at the first section of Garfoot and pick you up at the bottom of Shady Oak. He can cut across Mineral Point road and make it in no time, even continue on and get something to eat and then head back to get you.
You then ride the Garfoot rollers, do the descent, take it easy from there is old sauk, do the old sauk climb and timber climb, take it easy to the end of timber lane, do the descent and the next few turns, climb midtown and do the Shady Oak climb.
You are basically doing about half of the loop (20 Miles) and you get the three biggest climbs and three biggest descents. Perfect to once again dial in how easy you need to go on the way up and get a refresher on the descents.
FWIW, if you are new to IM I feel the meeting is worthwhile. It will take no more then 45 minutes of your time and I believe it is well worth that time. If you have done other WTC/NAS races, skip it.
The offical dinner on the other hand is a waste in my opinion. Typcially Theresa and I get dinner on our own prior to the meeting, and then walk over to the meeting.
@Nemo - there are three three descents I consider worth visting: Garfoot, Timber Lane and Shady Oak. I personally think all of them are fun and no big deal but I have dont them a ton. Timber Lane is by far the fastest and has a sharp left at the end, I have gone off the road many times here. The other two are longer, but not as steep and have gradual turns.
My suggestion is to (If your support crew is very accomidating) have him drop you off at the first section of Garfoot and pick you up at the bottom of Shady Oak. He can cut across Mineral Point road and make it in no time, even continue on and get something to eat and then head back to get you.
You then ride the Garfoot rollers, do the descent, take it easy from there is old sauk, do the old sauk climb and timber climb, take it easy to the end of timber lane, do the descent and the next few turns, climb midtown and do the Shady Oak climb.
You are basically doing about half of the loop (20 Miles) and you get the three biggest climbs and three biggest descents. Perfect to once again dial in how easy you need to go on the way up and get a refresher on the descents.
PERFECT!!!! That's exactly what I was trying to pull together. Thanks!
Also agree that if you are a first timer, the IM Athlete Meeting is pretty cool and heck, you spent $500 you might as well get a free show (they play video and really pump up the crowd). They don't take attendance though, so there really isn't much "mandatory" about it. But skip the meal- it's just aweful.
I'm actually thinking about getting dinner (hopefully with many of you) and then maybe go out to see a movie. Something to totally take my mind off Ironman for a few hours. Kris and I saw The Hangover before she did IMLou last year and I'm pretty sure it was a good distraction for her! I made a note to myself to do the same on my next turn.
okay let me think about this Friday night dinner, I might be weird but I like this dinner, horrible food but I love the rah rah and bringing my best friend and thought she would like to feel the energy. I have always gone.. and to the athlete meeting too. now I might skip the meeting if I feel like I know everything I need to know, but not sure about skipping the rah rah dinner. you solo train all year, a lot and then when you walk into that banquet tent and see thousands of people, it just seems pretty neat and it hits you. at least me anyways. I love that video "140.6" and I love hearing Mike Reilly. I know I am a nut. I like the Monday lunch too for the same reason.
thanks matt for course recon, I will have my friend Cindi drive me like you described. please think carefully, I have never seen the course, would you add anything else? I will be riding the course on Thursday. m
thanks matt for course recon, I will have my friend Cindi drive me like you described. please think carefully, I have never seen the course, would you add anything else? I will be riding the course on Thursday. m
Hi m!
I do think your friend Cindi would love the dinner. And if it revs you up, go for it.
I finally got through the EN WI course talk and Rich was specific about parts of the course the strongly recommended we ride:
County Road J and Garfoot Road--Part II (whatever that means)
Corner at North Birch Trail to Old Sauk Pass
Drive Shady Oak to get a feel for it
Ride hill on Midtown Rd.
Also, if you haven't seen this, this is a great video that takes you through the entire course in 30 minutes.
I think that was it, although I was taking notes and folding laundry at the same time. So if anyone has more specifics, please chime in.
Linda- everything in the list of spots Rich recommends you see is in that 20 mile section Matt is talking about. I would recommend you drive the whole thing if you haven't seen it before, but you only really need to ride the stuff in that 20 mile section. There is one other little turn that I personally might do just to get comfy that I won't drop a chain (the right hand turn from County G onto Rt 92)
Marianne- I plan on riding/driving the course on Thursday with Joe and would LOVE to ride it with you. Let me know when you'd like to head out on Thurs. My original plan was to swim in the morning and do the ride in the afternoon. But I can swap that. Just want to be sure I'm at registration at 1:00 (when Michele starts volunteering).
Oh- FYI- Colleen Caper gave me this tip back in 2008. Highly recommend you hit up registration early on Thurs if possible. Most of the "locals" (folks driving in from Chicago and the like) will be getting there in the afternoon/evening or hitting it up on Friday. So Thursday around the lunch hour is one of the quietest times for registration.
IMWI folks: If you have not ridden or driven the course, I will be driving a friend of mine on Friday at some point. He lives here in Minnesota but has not been about to get out there and ride the course. We talked and I convinced him that there are some technical parts that he will want to know about beforehand. So that he won't have to focus on the map/driving/observing, I'm driving the course for him. If any of you want to tag along, sign up now. I can take a total of 7 people counting me. The three in the back will be a little squashed but you will fit. If you want to send me your cell phone number I can text you the time on Thursday. My guess is that it will be in the afternoon since Luke gets to Madison on Friday and has to check in. Gotta get done before the dinner too. I'm shooting for 1:00 or 2:00.
Again I echo Matt's sentiments, if you were going to ride a strategic section of course start at the Garfoot rollers, do the steep Garfoot descent then hit the big climbs on Old Sauk. As always we are just doing TACTICAL recon, don't kill yourself out there.
Some other important notes though, first I don't think anyone mentioned it who did RR#2 out there but between the IMWI camp and RR#2 they dumped new chip seal onto the section of Garfoot rollers. At least I'm pretty sure thats where it was. When I rode it a few weeks ago it was not at all smoothed out into an asphalt like finish, in fact it looked and felt a *lot* like fine gravel. I rode the downhills screaming fast when I was out there but I talked to a few people who were freaked out by the chip seal and rode it very slow. Let's hope it's been compressed some. The same actually could be said for quite a few sections of the course, there was some fresh gravel right towards the start of the loop too. It was really nice and compacted where car wheels would go, but other than that it looked pretty messy.
Secondly, that right turn from County Road G to Rt 92 got me nearly every time in training. There is a fast downhill section on G then you come to a stop sign and a complete 90 degree turn up a short but very steep incline. Every time in training I would fly around that corner, try to down shift like crazy as I saw the stop sign and then have a horrible shift as I came up the incline, dropped my chain there once. On race day it should be better because you won't have to actually stop at the stop sign and wait for traffic, but you want to be smart about that corner. Again, there are a few other tricky corners where you either turn into a steep ascent or descent so keep on the lookout ahead and at the very least try and remember them on the 2nd loop.
Thinking about the course reminds me of a Coelho quote:
Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.
Thanks for all the input everyone. Not having been on this course--esp. because I had planned on it and expected to know it--is throwing me a little. I go from being excited to terrified. I have to do recon in some way shape or form, hoping that will settle me down. Heck, I ride nothing but hills here all the time, but I've got my brain-knickers in a twist about all this.
ditto to what Linda said, thought I would be there to have it scouted.
yes "tactical" recon..... my idea of a scout trip is taking pics and putting some good memories out on the course, I have said this in the past, but I need good karma on the route! smile. I ride with my emotions and senses and everything else!... so yes I ride it easy and normally still sluggish. Cindi is driving me too... point to point.. so Thurs morning, that is my #1 reason for driving up there on WED is to see the course and get quiet about it! Yes I will register then too. I hate showing up for Thur dinner (like at LP) and everybody talking about the course or "have you registered" and I haven't. so sounds good about riding the course Thurs morning. m
edit: Nemo, in my Element I will have me, Cindi in front seats and my bike in back, room for one more bike but no more peeps, so if Joe drives you and you don'thave a bike rack?? Fiona can fit in my element, just a thought. my other AR friends are driving so have a way to fit in their bikes when they head out.
Thanks Marianne- depending on what the rental car looks like I might just take you up on that offer! Linda- join Marianne and I on the Thurs recon ride. I may not know the route like a local, but I feel I do know it well enough to be a decent "tour guide" to point out all the spots you need to pay attention to.
I just thought I'd take a moment to blame all of my problems on the taper. Abnormal (to me) mood swings, was really down all last weekend for seemingly no reason, then back on top of the world. You guys may have hit this a little earlier than me, but have been having the hardest time getting to sleep at night and keep waking up in the middle of the night.
Swam monday, did the run yesterday, bike + brick today, 'long' run + swim tomorrow, run and swim on Friday. Not quite the actual plan but having to stick to masters swim schedule. Even though I shift the days around, sticking to the prescribed volume pretty religiously. Have been really looking forward to the ride and brick tonight, need some sort of quality workout to help me sleep.
Trevor- you aren't alone. I feel all out of sorts as well, and moody too. The taper doesn't always feel good!
Since Fiona is packed for FedEx, I got to ride Hobbs the road bike today. Oh my, how I've missed Hobbs! I'm looking forward to spending some quality fun time with him after IMWI!
I figure if coach Rich and coach Patrick are wearing pink speedos, then I'll be willing to wear some of that special Pink nail polish to show my Chica soladarity (at least on my thumbs so I can see them when in my aero bars, to remind me we are all in this together)
If anyone has any to spare, maybe I can borrow some at the team dinner. (My 3 kids won't be making the trip so I don't have to worry about freaking them out !!)
Comments
@LP,
There's the taper and there's the OA taper. As you know. It sounds like you're forcing the taper and beating yourself up. You know you can't Ironmind the fatigue away. Shut off your head and the bod will follow. I know, easier said than done. You've done the work, you're a vet and you'll jump start the fitness pre race. It'll be there. You have time. I'm really rooting for you. Remember Coach Kunu!
Day off today for me. Stomach issues started yesterday...not sure, but prolly nerves. Busy morning with extra stuff to do, bike in shop.....fatiqued.....need I say more.
We don't deal with Hurricanes in MN...thank goodness...seems kind of scary
Chris, that was Hilarious!!!!!!!
Hey hey, while the work still feels pretty intense, I gotta say that it must be taper because the hard stuff actually feels good! Stuff must be resting if you can turn it on at a moments notice. I spent 5 days in CO for work and ran/swam every day, by the third day of swimming I finally could, the first day was awful (altitude), second day less awful and third day actually pretty strong. I find that running in altitude is awesome and we had spectacular weather the whole time, amazing sunrises make for a color show over the mountains that is truly awesome. Back in humid, flatlandia, had a great brick this morning, 3x6min at z4 on the bike and I actually could power it up, unlike last week where I was crying in my aeros, and then the brick - out at z4 back at z2 and I did it, actually a little better, 15 min at 7 min/mi and then 15 min at 7'30 and pretty comfortable. Don't get me wrong, I was ready to stop but was going into thinking, z4 off the bike? ha! and then, as with everything in EN, I did it. All through the OS I did the same thing - started out thinking 'there's no way' and then doing it. There's that whole work works thing again.
@Leigh - thanks for the foam roller advice, I've told myself that these last couple weeks have to be all about staying loose (or getting loose) and rollin', rollin', rollin'....
Have a good one!
Bike to be disassembled, packed, and shipped tonight.
Kate and Kathy: Hope you are both feeling better soon!
Leigh: Thank you for the reminder! Hydration and compression hose after those sessions really helps too.
Chris: Great to see that vid resurface--very timely!
Sleep soundly and rest smartly, my friends---it's almost party time!
As others said ...
Drop off for both Bike and Run are at the captial square.
You will put you RSN bag pretty much exactly where you will get it during the run... about mile 13.3 on the Northeast corner of capital square (east side of the road). During the run, if you want your bag you can yell to them when you are at mile 12.9 as you pass it on the way to the turn around. This way someone will have it ready and waiting for you when you get back there in a few minutes.
Typcially the BSN drop off is on the same street but the west side, you put it in the box for your number. I have also seen it on the side street that is on the way to T1. All boxes get loaded onto some trucks and are put out on Paoli just south of bruce. On the second loop you will be at around mile 58-60 when you pass here.
On Monday ... the boxes and bags are get piled up next to where the expo was. I look for about 2 minutes and if I see my bag (because it is still in the numbered box) I get it and if not I give up as it is not worth the effort to me.
Can someone remind me (again) where those two descents are on the bike course? Rich always talks about going out and riding the climbs, but I don't really care as much about practicing that part during race week as I do about feeling comfy on those descents. I'd like to ride for 60-90 min on Thursday and I'm thinking I can get the descents and the climbs done in that time without actually hopping back into the car too much- cause I think they are all pretty close together.
@Chris--you've made me feel better before and put my head on straight, and now you've done it again! So funny, and so true. Thanks. I was totally forcing it, but not now. Thing about Ironmind is, not only does it get you to "do," it also makes you strong enough to "not do." That's where I'm at. Ommmm.....
1. the vent: When I'm tired, I just know I can't do a workout, and last night was exhausted (from work), so I thought i would scrap the swim-run, and just go at it in the morning, when I'm more fresh. Well, that didn't work out, cos the swim was hands-down my worst workout ever. it took me about 60 mins to do an OWS of less than a mile!!!!. I was struggling. no form, no concentration, no NOTHING..... I was hoping the run would go better, but afte i started, I just could not move my legs for some reason. move, i would say, but they would not.... 10 mins into that run, I decided to scrap it, and not struggle. looked at that video chris posted on my way to work, and was laughing the whole time!!!! Thanks man.....
2. Nemo: there's a video out there about the whole course, with a commentary. I personally found it useful when i checked it out before the Tri-rally we had in July.http://www.simplystu.com/category/Video . If you want to do 60-90 mins of riding, you can start off in Mt Horeb, and then ride for 60-90 mins, you will probably get most of the hills and descents. there's a slow climb to Mt Horeb, with a small portion of it being steep. Also, there a descent into Verona which you will also be missing. not sure if that helps
My suggestion is to (If your support crew is very accomidating) have him drop you off at the first section of Garfoot and pick you up at the bottom of Shady Oak. He can cut across Mineral Point road and make it in no time, even continue on and get something to eat and then head back to get you.
You then ride the Garfoot rollers, do the descent, take it easy from there is old sauk, do the old sauk climb and timber climb, take it easy to the end of timber lane, do the descent and the next few turns, climb midtown and do the Shady Oak climb.
You are basically doing about half of the loop (20 Miles) and you get the three biggest climbs and three biggest descents. Perfect to once again dial in how easy you need to go on the way up and get a refresher on the descents.
I have to ask this...anybody going to the "mandatory" meeting Fri pm??
Nope. Ironvibe freaks out my race qi.
No. I expect to be raising a water bottle with the likes of you instead.
The offical dinner on the other hand is a waste in my opinion. Typcially Theresa and I get dinner on our own prior to the meeting, and then walk over to the meeting.
PERFECT!!!! That's exactly what I was trying to pull together. Thanks!
Also agree that if you are a first timer, the IM Athlete Meeting is pretty cool and heck, you spent $500 you might as well get a free show (they play video and really pump up the crowd). They don't take attendance though, so there really isn't much "mandatory" about it. But skip the meal- it's just aweful.
I'm actually thinking about getting dinner (hopefully with many of you) and then maybe go out to see a movie. Something to totally take my mind off Ironman for a few hours. Kris and I saw The Hangover before she did IMLou last year and I'm pretty sure it was a good distraction for her! I made a note to myself to do the same on my next turn.
The rest of my family arrives Fri 545ish. We are heading to dinner from the airport. Probably Monty's or The Brass Ring.
okay let me think about this Friday night dinner, I might be weird but I like this dinner, horrible food but I love the rah rah and bringing my best friend and thought she would like to feel the energy. I have always gone.. and to the athlete meeting too. now I might skip the meeting if I feel like I know everything I need to know, but not sure about skipping the rah rah dinner. you solo train all year, a lot and then when you walk into that banquet tent and see thousands of people, it just seems pretty neat and it hits you. at least me anyways. I love that video "140.6" and I love hearing Mike Reilly. I know I am a nut. I like the Monday lunch too for the same reason.
thanks matt for course recon, I will have my friend Cindi drive me like you described. please think carefully, I have never seen the course, would you add anything else? I will be riding the course on Thursday. m
Hi m!
I do think your friend Cindi would love the dinner. And if it revs you up, go for it.
I finally got through the EN WI course talk and Rich was specific about parts of the course the strongly recommended we ride:
County Road J and Garfoot Road--Part II (whatever that means)
Corner at North Birch Trail to Old Sauk Pass
Drive Shady Oak to get a feel for it
Ride hill on Midtown Rd.
Also, if you haven't seen this, this is a great video that takes you through the entire course in 30 minutes.
I think that was it, although I was taking notes and folding laundry at the same time.
So if anyone has more specifics, please chime in.
Marianne- I plan on riding/driving the course on Thursday with Joe and would LOVE to ride it with you. Let me know when you'd like to head out on Thurs. My original plan was to swim in the morning and do the ride in the afternoon. But I can swap that. Just want to be sure I'm at registration at 1:00 (when Michele starts volunteering).
Oh- FYI- Colleen Caper gave me this tip back in 2008. Highly recommend you hit up registration early on Thurs if possible. Most of the "locals" (folks driving in from Chicago and the like) will be getting there in the afternoon/evening or hitting it up on Friday. So Thursday around the lunch hour is one of the quietest times for registration.
Again I echo Matt's sentiments, if you were going to ride a strategic section of course start at the Garfoot rollers, do the steep Garfoot descent then hit the big climbs on Old Sauk. As always we are just doing TACTICAL recon, don't kill yourself out there.
Some other important notes though, first I don't think anyone mentioned it who did RR#2 out there but between the IMWI camp and RR#2 they dumped new chip seal onto the section of Garfoot rollers. At least I'm pretty sure thats where it was. When I rode it a few weeks ago it was not at all smoothed out into an asphalt like finish, in fact it looked and felt a *lot* like fine gravel. I rode the downhills screaming fast when I was out there but I talked to a few people who were freaked out by the chip seal and rode it very slow. Let's hope it's been compressed some. The same actually could be said for quite a few sections of the course, there was some fresh gravel right towards the start of the loop too. It was really nice and compacted where car wheels would go, but other than that it looked pretty messy.
Secondly, that right turn from County Road G to Rt 92 got me nearly every time in training. There is a fast downhill section on G then you come to a stop sign and a complete 90 degree turn up a short but very steep incline. Every time in training I would fly around that corner, try to down shift like crazy as I saw the stop sign and then have a horrible shift as I came up the incline, dropped my chain there once. On race day it should be better because you won't have to actually stop at the stop sign and wait for traffic, but you want to be smart about that corner. Again, there are a few other tricky corners where you either turn into a steep ascent or descent so keep on the lookout ahead and at the very least try and remember them on the 2nd loop.
Thinking about the course reminds me of a Coelho quote:
Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.
Thanks for all the input everyone. Not having been on this course--esp. because I had planned on it and expected to know it--is throwing me a little. I go from being excited to terrified. I have to do recon in some way shape or form, hoping that will settle me down. Heck, I ride nothing but hills here all the time, but I've got my brain-knickers in a twist about all this.
ditto to what Linda said, thought I would be there to have it scouted.
yes "tactical" recon..... my idea of a scout trip is taking pics and putting some good memories out on the course, I have said this in the past, but I need good karma on the route! smile. I ride with my emotions and senses and everything else!... so yes I ride it easy and normally still sluggish. Cindi is driving me too... point to point.. so Thurs morning, that is my #1 reason for driving up there on WED is to see the course and get quiet about it! Yes I will register then too. I hate showing up for Thur dinner (like at LP) and everybody talking about the course or "have you registered" and I haven't. so sounds good about riding the course Thurs morning. m
edit: Nemo, in my Element I will have me, Cindi in front seats and my bike in back, room for one more bike but no more peeps, so if Joe drives you and you don'thave a bike rack?? Fiona can fit in my element, just a thought. my other AR friends are driving so have a way to fit in their bikes when they head out.
Swam monday, did the run yesterday, bike + brick today, 'long' run + swim tomorrow, run and swim on Friday. Not quite the actual plan but having to stick to masters swim schedule. Even though I shift the days around, sticking to the prescribed volume pretty religiously. Have been really looking forward to the ride and brick tonight, need some sort of quality workout to help me sleep.
Since Fiona is packed for FedEx, I got to ride Hobbs the road bike today. Oh my, how I've missed Hobbs! I'm looking forward to spending some quality fun time with him after IMWI!
I figure if coach Rich and coach Patrick are wearing pink speedos, then I'll be willing to wear some of that special Pink nail polish to show my Chica soladarity (at least on my thumbs so I can see them when in my aero bars, to remind me we are all in this together)
If anyone has any to spare, maybe I can borrow some at the team dinner. (My 3 kids won't be making the trip so I don't have to worry about freaking them out !!)