Ironman Dreams
In just 2 short weeks, i'll be getting ready for bed in lake placid NY. my bike will be racked already, my gear bags and transition bags will be packed. i'll be anxious and excited and nervous. i'll know i should go to sleep, but my body and mind will fight it.
even if i sleep, i will be having ironman dreams.
my training this time around has me prepared for a great race. i have really cut back on swimming of late. this is for no good reason. but my form is good, and i've done several long open water swims in the wetsuit. i don't tire out, i glide long and easy, and i don't plan on "racing" the swim. last time i swam 1:05 and anywhere around that number i will be happy. a few short swims in the next 2 weeks should cement that.
i feel much stronger on the bike. my long ride was 122 miles, plus a few other 100+ rides. i also rode the full 112 at lake placid a few weeks ago, prior to the paving. my first loop was done at the same speed i raced it in 2007. i feel strong on the climbs, and hold a steady pace on the flats.
i had a few issues with wheels this year. a MAJOR speed wobble nearly threw me off my bike at 49 MPH about 2 months ago. it was on a loaner rear wheel since my own wheel had a cracked rim. i've since got my new wheelset, and fought the "fear" of going really fast as i've gotten back up over 44 mph again. i truly thought i was going to die as i fought to get the bike to stop during that wobble. i really don't know how i didn't crash. but i'm much more "aware" of my body, weight distribution, and handling while descending now than i ever was.
rode my last long ride, a solo 100 today, spending most of it aero and at a good pace. i felt strong and finished in 5:42. i think, with good conditions, a sub 6 hour IM ride is in sight.
and though i had mixed results on runs at some races this year, (notably a 5 mile run and 8 mile walk at the harriman half IM), i also set 2 back-to-back PRs at half marathons, first 2:03, then 2 months later a 1:56 (in lake placid, after biking 112 the day before!). i've run 15 and 17 miles, my transition runs lately have been steady and i'm nothing short of thrilled with the possibility of actually having a good IM run.
the big sad note to all this is my wife christine, training going perfect all year long, crashed 2 weeks ago biking. she ran 20 miles the day before, but now has a pelvis injury. she's back on the bike on flats but still having pain walking and we're hoping she feels better in time for the race, but will really miss a whole month of training. i'm just hoping that she can get that finisher medal... she really earned it. as a great runner, she may have passed me on the run in her first IM. that is really my biggest stress going into the race. we're letting things heal with time, and really just hoping she feels better by race day. stay positive.
but i'm ready for a great race and a fun day. i'm looking forward to the comraderie and the volunteers. it's an amazing event.
and until then, i'll be having ironman dreams.
happy taper everyone... see you up in placid!!
even if i sleep, i will be having ironman dreams.
my training this time around has me prepared for a great race. i have really cut back on swimming of late. this is for no good reason. but my form is good, and i've done several long open water swims in the wetsuit. i don't tire out, i glide long and easy, and i don't plan on "racing" the swim. last time i swam 1:05 and anywhere around that number i will be happy. a few short swims in the next 2 weeks should cement that.
i feel much stronger on the bike. my long ride was 122 miles, plus a few other 100+ rides. i also rode the full 112 at lake placid a few weeks ago, prior to the paving. my first loop was done at the same speed i raced it in 2007. i feel strong on the climbs, and hold a steady pace on the flats.
i had a few issues with wheels this year. a MAJOR speed wobble nearly threw me off my bike at 49 MPH about 2 months ago. it was on a loaner rear wheel since my own wheel had a cracked rim. i've since got my new wheelset, and fought the "fear" of going really fast as i've gotten back up over 44 mph again. i truly thought i was going to die as i fought to get the bike to stop during that wobble. i really don't know how i didn't crash. but i'm much more "aware" of my body, weight distribution, and handling while descending now than i ever was.
rode my last long ride, a solo 100 today, spending most of it aero and at a good pace. i felt strong and finished in 5:42. i think, with good conditions, a sub 6 hour IM ride is in sight.
and though i had mixed results on runs at some races this year, (notably a 5 mile run and 8 mile walk at the harriman half IM), i also set 2 back-to-back PRs at half marathons, first 2:03, then 2 months later a 1:56 (in lake placid, after biking 112 the day before!). i've run 15 and 17 miles, my transition runs lately have been steady and i'm nothing short of thrilled with the possibility of actually having a good IM run.
the big sad note to all this is my wife christine, training going perfect all year long, crashed 2 weeks ago biking. she ran 20 miles the day before, but now has a pelvis injury. she's back on the bike on flats but still having pain walking and we're hoping she feels better in time for the race, but will really miss a whole month of training. i'm just hoping that she can get that finisher medal... she really earned it. as a great runner, she may have passed me on the run in her first IM. that is really my biggest stress going into the race. we're letting things heal with time, and really just hoping she feels better by race day. stay positive.
but i'm ready for a great race and a fun day. i'm looking forward to the comraderie and the volunteers. it's an amazing event.
and until then, i'll be having ironman dreams.
happy taper everyone... see you up in placid!!
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Comment by jim warshauer on July 12, 2009 at 10:02am -
You sound pumped and ready!!!!! go get 'em. And most of all remember your advice to me.... HAVE FUN!
GOOD LUCK JOHN!!!
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