Ford Ironman Louisville is 4 weeks from today. At this point on August 29, 2010, I will hopefully be running. Actually, I had better be running 2 minutes from now at the latest or my day will be over!
Well, I have officially survived the longest of my Ironman training workouts, and I'm not dead yet! I did a 20-mile run on Thursday, and yesterday I did a 6-hour bike ride! I covered 105 miles which has me feeling semi-competent. I do not expect to be able to maintain that kind of pace in Louisville given that there hills are rather hard to come by in The First State. I have been trying to tell myself that while I don't get the practice I need on the uphills, I also don't get the relief of the downhills. This thinking is flawed, and I will probably be cursing every uphill on the course...and maybe some of the downhills.
This week is a recovery week and then it is 3 weeks of tapering. I am a bit relieved because I will have a bit more time on my hands to do things like sleep and not be super irritable. At the same time, I know I will start to get nervous as I do every time I run a marathon. My endurance base has been built, for better or worse. Did I do enough? I am not sure. I think I have done enough to finish, which truthfully is my goal. I sure hope I did because I really don't know if I will ever do this again. People tend to roll their eyes when I say this, but Ironman training is no marathon training. This has been an all-consuming process, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to go beyond the limits of what I thought I could do, both physically and mentally...but I digress.
I feel pretty good about the swim, if only I could decide what to wear. I am thinking swimsuit, but I am debating wearing tri-shorts and a tri-top to minimize changing. I am hopeful that I can relax in the water and not go too hard...it will be the beginning of a long day. The run will be what it will be. I will certainly not be trying to break any land speed records. If I have to run/walk, I will. I plan to treat the marathon of the IM as I treat the International Friendship run...minus the costume, of course.
I feel happy! I feel happy! Four weeks to go. I almost can't believe it.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
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Go Gina! Wear a Tri-suit! It will work fine under a wetsuit, on the bike and during the run. Changing is a pain. Have a wet and dry washcloth for T2. Wash your face and sunglasses, then dry them off. You will feel a lot better. Make sure you have a good fueling plan and then stick to it. Cola works well at about mile 20 (run) and on. Dont be afraid of Mr. Hurl. Good Luck!!! Have fun!!! Introduce yourself to at least 1 other person and wish them luck! There will probably be at least 1 time when you will be really down-just keep moving forward. Eat and hopefully you will get through this stage as quick as possible. Just KEEP MOVING FORWARD!
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