480

This is the last pre-race post.  I was hoping to have a bunch of posts written and set to post over the next few days but not enough time.

If you're hanging around a computer on Sunday or have a phone with internet, you can track my progress online at http://ironman.com.  I'm not exactly sure how it works, but there should be a link on the homepage allowing you to follow live commentary and/ or track a competitor.  I'm bib number 480.

Feeling focused, I'm ready (and excited!).

Thanks to all for the support, we'll speak again early next week.

Lucky 100

Celebrating 100 posts on this blog!

And, I'm happy to report (fingers crossed/ touch wood) that I broke through the congestion this afternoon.  Feeling rough this morning, game time decision to sleep in and switch today's morning swim to tomorrow. Drowsy through the day and doubting my abilities for the weekend, all of a sudden it started to clear up!

I took advantage, headed for 45min run.  The legs were sluggish at first but once we got moving it felt great!  Back on top and feeling positive for the weekend, let's hope I don't have to report anymore downturns!

5days 8hrs

Throat better but has moved to a stuffy nose.  Again, nothing that will prevent me from finishing, but it's not about finishing, it's about doing it under 11.5hrs.

More rest and vitamin C, and I should be better in the next couple of days.

The question is, do I stick to the training plan?
Tue - Swim 3500m, Run 45min easy effort
Wed - transition session, Bike 45min to Run 15min
Thu - Swim 30min easy, Bike 60min easy
Fri - Run 40min easy
Sat - Bike 15min easy, Run 20min easy

We'll see how I feel tomorrow morning (but I wouldn't bet against sticking to the plan).

Ironman at it's best

I spent Sunday watching these.

The IronWar 1989, Dave Scott and Mark Allen (if you don't like triathlon, at least you'll appreciate the style: mullets mustachios and all)

Hawaii Ironman World Championship 2010, Macca is a true entertainer

Less than 1 week

That's right, and I'm all excitement!

Live and Learn
Woke up Friday feeling better, 45min cycle and 30min run, of course I was feeling great afterwards.  But, once sat at my desk, the tiredness struck.  Struggled a bit through the day, headed home, quick dinner and off to bed.  I had the sense to cut training short on Thursday, but not enough to sleep in on Friday.  Ok, lesson learned (hopefully).

The Weekend
Saturday morning, my throat was at its worst, but I was feeling better and 2hr bike and 30min run cleared the throat right up.  Post training, straight to bed, 60min sleep and woke up refreshed.  Off to the cycle cafe to watch Cadel Evans become the first Aussie to take the Tour de France and back home for rest and early to bed.

I rose on Sunday feeling good all around, slept in until 7, 60min cycle on the turbo trainer then into the sun for 60min run.  Both felt incredibly strong, I can't wait for next week.

The Dilemma
To go hard or stick to the goal time?  The more tapering progresses, the stronger I feel and the more I question if beating 11hrs and 30mins is too easy a target?  'Surely if all goes to plan, I'll be closer to if not under 11hrs.  Do I push the bike harder?  Or, save it and start the run strong?'


These thoughts take me back to my first marathon in LA where my target was 3hrs 30mins, roughly 8min miles.
- first 5miles, 'This is great, feeling strong, 7.15min miles, let's bank the time now, I may need it later.'  
- miles 6 to 15, 'Wow, not a matter of hitting 3hrs 30, but by how much will I beat it?!?'
- somewhere around mile 19 a mix of jog/walk, 'Can I finish? Won't get 3.30, but have to finish'
- last 6miles still a jog/walk, 'Definitely underestimated this, lesson learned for next one.'
- stumbled across the line at 3.45, not bad for a marathon debut, but duly noted the marathon demands more respect

Reliving that day and not to show any disrespect to ironman, I'll stick with the target time, 11.29.59, no more, no less.

And down

What would this roller coaster ride be without a few bumps at the end?

Around 4pm, I started feeling sick: light headed, bottomless stomach and dry and scratchy throat.  I went for a quick walk, some fresh air, then sat back down at my desk and started taking on fluids, 'after all, I still have to train today'.

Feeling better a few hours later, I headed out ready for a swim and run session.

At the pool, 900m in, I stopped for a brief break, and it hit me again.  I noticed my soar throat and negative feelings surrounding my body.  A split second later, I was out of the water and had decided to call it a day, 'The main point of the next 10 days is to first rest and second keep the body moving.  You'll be fine to skip this session, get rest and get the body moving again tomorrow morning'.

Now 9pm, having laid in bed for the last 90mins, feeling a bit better, dinner time and back to sleep.  Tomorrow morning will start a better day,

Feeling good

As the miles fall, my performance rises.  The last few sessions have been some of the best and my energy levels are rising exponentially day-by-day.

Random Updates
- I've stopped using the heart rate monitor: (i) by now I know where my heart rate is relative to effort, (ii) the monitor is correct about half the time and (iii) it drives me nuts when it gives incorrect readings.
- Calf still improving, but not perfect and a return visitor to the aches & pains section, my back is tightening up again.  I think this is the result of this weekend's swim, even more time with the foam roller
- Reducing calorie intake in-line with lower training volume, avg. daily intake around 3000-3500, not easy after constantly eating every day for the last 8wks, but I've been disciplined so far.
- Time to start race visualization
- Hard to believe there's only 3 more swim sessions before race day!