Out of Words

 
Seems odd not to have some great story to share or lessons that were learned this week.  I am just about out of words.  In 1 week from today I will hopefully be close to crossing the finish line at my second Ironman.  The taper has been on, and although I have not put in a lot of time this week, my body feels tired.  Hopefully a few more days of rest will do the trick.

I surrounded myself with support this week making time for a few social gatherings with triathlon friends to help shake the jitters out.  The first hurdle was prepping and sending my bike off to Chattanooga ahead of me.  There is something unsettling about handing your bike off to a total stranger who is going to load it onto a truck and you trust that it is going to be waiting for you at the transition in another state.

Once those nerves were eased, I took a final open water swim where I get to share a ride out with seasoned Ironman veterans who enjoy sharing their stories and tricks of the trade that they have learned along the way.

A lot of finals this week including final long run, final ride on my racing bike, final track workout out, final open water swim and final time hanging out with my triathlon club at our local race.

What do people say to a triathlete who is about to get on an airplane and conquer their second triathlon.  The most common questions are:
1.  Are you ready?
2.  How is your taper?
3.  Have you got your race plan all worked out?

And the only thing I can say is
1.  READY OR NOT
2.  I AM TOO TIRED TO GO THROUGH TAPER TRAUMA
3.  AND I HAVE NOT COMMITTED TO ONE STRATEGY BUT AM TRYING TO BRING AS MANY OPTIONS with ME for race day including clothes and nutrition and mental strategies (tricks to pull out of my hat)

It truly has not hit me what I am in for next Sunday.  I know that I am going to swim, bike and run 144.6 miles in 15-16 hours in conditions that could be anywhere from humid, sunny, cloudy, windy or wet.  I cannot really imagine what that is going to feel like in 7 days.

I am certain when I step into the Arena at the AWAY game in Tennessee for a few days of triathlon celebration, it will be filled with triathlete camaraderie and inspiration with moments of euphoria to despair.  This is the grand finale to my 50th birthday party and I can cry if I want to, but hopefully most of the tears will be of joy and I will come out on the other side a stronger, better person.

Until then train, rest, and compress!  See you at the rolling start at the Tennesse River!
 

PIS: PRE-IRONMAN SYNDROME

  
Having trouble sleeping at night,  experiencing extreme mood swings, feeling bloated, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, brain fog, delusions or night sweats or nightmares?  Are you training for an IRONMAN?  You may be suffering from "PRE-IRONMAN SYNDROME" or "PIS". 
 

Unable to self medicate with excessive swim, bike or runs to calm your self down, then TRI IRONOL.  Take 2 tables every 4-6 hours or up to 4 doses a day until your race.  Check with your doctor if you have any other underlying medical or sports-psychiatric conditions.


This condition is temporary.  It will pass as soon as the cannon goes off on race day.  Until then, surround yourself with other PIS Sufferers if that helps or in extreme cases put yourself in IMIT (Ironman in Training) Isolation if your conditions worsens.  This only happens once an Ironman, but remember this before you stand in line or wait by the phone to sign up for your next.

To Do Lists

Preparing for 2 separate events in 2 separate locations can be a tricky thing while keeping your head above water.  My husband and I are 2 weeks away from the races we have been training for over the past year.  After a week of  pumping the brakes so to speak with a 15 mile long run, 5 hour bike ride with my TRI Club, and 3000 meter open water swim in our local lake, the main work is nearly done and rest and recovery are knocking on my door.  It is time to make the TO DO LISTS which will be great to occupy the tapering triathlete's time and wandering mind.

First things first, my best friend Scottie went for his TUNE UP last week and he needs to get ready for drop off to take the trip to Chattanooga.  He will drive in a big truck with many other shiny fast 2 wheeled friends along with a bag full of gear and we will meet up in the Ironman Village.

LIST NUMBER 1 is ALL ABOUT THE BIKE!
1.  Practice changing tires
2.  Put new tires on bike
3.  Clean bike up
4.  Inspect bike and take back to shop for any last minute adjustments if needed
5.   Prepare for Tri Bike Transport Drop off on Wed by 5pm.
       a)  Remove Pedals
       b)  Pack Gear Bag
       c)  prep tubes and CO2
6.  Contact TBT with questions regarding pick up and return

Even though the race is 2 weeks away, it is time to gather all my gear together since I am sending a bag with Tri Bike Transport.  I will use the detailed list in the Athlete Guide as a checklist to make sure I have everything needed for race day.

LIST NUMBER 2 is all about the GEAR
NUTRITION:
1.  Replenish Nutrition Stock:  Need more Osmo and Ginstinger Gels
2.  Prepare race nutrition:  Divide into bike and run bags.
GEAR:
 
1.  Plan what gear I will use and gather gear for swim, bike and run.
2.  Swim:  wetsuit, speedsuit, swimsuit, cap, goggles, glide, towel, disposable clothes
3.  Bike:  helmet, glasses, computer, bike shorts, bike shirt, bike shoes, socks, bra, glide, CO2, tubes, tools, nutrition, baggies for nutrition, hydration, water bottles, sunscreen, chamois cream
4.  Run:  top, shorts, glide, shoes, dry socks, reflective tape, race belt, nutrition, hydration, water bottle, hat, sunscreen
5.  Other:  Road ID, extra clothes, socks, rain gear, sweat shirts, special needs bags

LIST NUMBER 3: FINALIZE TRAVEL PLANS
1.  Confirm Air Reservation
2.  Confirm Hotel and Car Reservations
3.  Pack regular suitcase and carry on
4.  Get necessary directions

Get everything in order for our son who will have his grandparents caring for him as they try to step into the role of parent, cook, chauffeur, task master.
LIST NUMBER 4:  PREP THE HOME FRONT: 
1.  Put emergency contact list and travel itinerary together
2.  Write up daily schedule for school and after school activities
3.  Stock refrigerator
4.  Arrange transportation to and from activities

Time to get head in the game
LIST NUMBER 5:  MENTAL PREPARATION
 
1.  Relaxation and Rest:  quiet body and mind, yoga, breathing, movies
2.  Mobilization:  Keep body loose with stretching, rolling, compression, massage, gentle, shorter workouts
3.  Mental training:  Mental practice/rehearsal, planning for getting through rough patches
4.  Race strategy:  Study course and athlete guide, prepare strategy for nutrition, transitions, pacing

It is time to turn the alarm clocks off, get extra sleep, and hit the refresh button.  There is plenty to do to fill up the hours that were filled with long swims, bikes and runs and finally get to the big celebration in Chattanooga.

CHEERS TO THE TAPER and for the CELEBRATION AWAITING US AT THE END OF THE LINE..........CHOO CHOO!

Home Stretch: Let the Taper Begin

I am thrilled to announce Peak Week is coming to an End.  I will kick off my taper with a rest day and tire changing practice.


Mission Accomplished this week including 19 mile long run, 5000 yd long swim, and 108 mile bike ride (6:20).  Let's just say they were all hard earned, none came too easy.  I incorporated more hills to prep for the IM course on the run and had to run/walk the last 2 miles.  Track work seems to be paying off with the start/stop for run/walk and a slight improvement in speed.  I did the long swim in a pool and played brain games making rhymes every time I swam across the pool to help me keep count.  I stayed local for my longest bike ride and accomplished my time goal with an overall ave of 17 mph.  My cadence was good and I was able to work at the top of my power zone 2/bottom of zone 3 longer, but I still slowed down at the end.  It was a hot day despite starting at 4 am.  I stopped every loop to refuel and pour ice down my jersey.  The last 8 miles my feet were on fire and although I was overheated, I still went out for a short run after the ride.  I decided I did not need to push in a few extra minutes or miles as I could save "enduring more pain" for race day!

It was not an easy week, but I was motivated to get the work done so I can begin the home stretch.  Taper is not as easy as it sounds.  It is a gradual process of strategically maintaining fitness and giving  your body a rest in order to reach peak performance on race day.  The upcoming week will include a 15 mile run, 5 hour bike ride/1 hour brick run and a 3000 yd open water swim.  One more busy week, but relief is on the way!

The heated debates and discussions about the Inaugural Ironman in Chattanooga are cooling down and people are coming together supporting one another on how to overcome the additional constraints of a late start and long bike course.  Locals are reaching out and providing information about the town for us triathletes who are coming from out of town.

It is time to focus on the little details like equipment, nutrition, what to pack and how to pack it.  My bike will have a tune up this week and I will start to work on race strategy for the swim, bike and run.  There has been a lot of sharing of information by the local about the course that has been helpful to know more what to expect.  The thought of being in a new place and having no idea where I am in the middle of a river or riding and running through strange rural towns could add a new element of excitement, exhilaration or just plain old fear.

It is hard not to compare your performance and fitness level from previous races.  I feel that I have gained some strength and fitness over the past month, but how it will all come together on race day is a bit much to comprehend.  I do remember my first Ironman when I started the swim, finally believing that I could DO this and hopefully that same feeling will return when the cannon goes off on September 28th and the current sweeps me down the Tennessee River.

I am still battling some very stubborn Achilles pain and my massage therapist is pulling out all his tricks to help release the restrictions in my soft tissues.  I can't say it is a pleasant experience, but hopefully I can get to the start with less pain.

It is very difficult to turn the mind off right now and get some very needed sleep.  Intense training really plays tricks on your body and mind.  I am so HAPPY and RELIEVED to get to this point.  I want to say it is all down hill now, but the truth is there will be a lot more hills!  HERE WE GO...entering home stretch....3 weeks to go until RACE TIME!  LET's CHOO IT!