This is the last weekend before Steelhead. Today was Part 1.

On my schedule today was a bike-run brick. My schedule and distance was not matching my friends today. Being alone training today was good and bad. I realized how much I appreciate my partners and enjoy my time with them. The flip side was the confidence that I gained being out by myself. I rode 30 miles on the bike followed by a 30 minute run.

For my hydration today , I used some water and NUNN mixed with water. I had Shot Blox. I felt it went well. I need to sit down this week and finalize my plan for the Half.

I did get alot of motivation today when I stumbled across 2 triathlons on TV. Escape from Alcatraz & IronGirl Las Vegas were back to back this afternoon.

Part 2 will be tomorrow. The plan is an 8-10 mile run follwed by a swim. This is the last big pre-Race workout.

Waddling through the weekend........

I just got this Xlab Wing for my bike. It is in about 50 million pieces but I am excited to get it put on Sugar.

Speaking of Sugar- Friday when I was riding, I hit something hard when crossing a bridge. My front tire immediately went flat. I replace the tube and rode on Monday night. It went bump-bump-bump in a nice rhythm . My wheel is bent. Great 10 days before the race. I hope this is not a sign. I am lucky to have several friends offer me replacements so I will be OK.

It would be so nice if things would go smoothly now.

Update: Steelhead

Triathlon Cut-off times

Swim: 9:47 AM Bike: 1:02 PM Run: 4:32 PM

Athletes will NOT be allowed to continue on the course after these times!

Waddling and bumping along.............

TAPERING

According to my traing plan, the taper has begun. The problem is that I am not quite ready to taper. I did not complete my last long bike ride. I think 1 more long run would be good also. Besides maybe another swim in Lake Michigan and I might be ready.

I am trying to figure out what I need to do this weekend. How many miles to ride and how many miles to run? Is it too late for 1 more long bike? Is 50 too much to ride or back down to 30 with a run? My marathon training this week calls for a 12 miler but I was thinking of tapering to an eight. Am I making your head spin because mine is?

I found this quote on the web:
The Perfect Taper by Mark Allen
"By race day you should be so bored with sitting around that you are bursting at the seams to get out there and be with 1500 other people racing! "


This is my dog Jerry. My plan is to be just like him most of next week!

Waddling and trying to taper...........

PLAN B

Again the weather changed the plans for the weekend. Saturday I awoke to lightning and thunder at 4am. I popped on the TV and checked the radar. It was going to be raining for a long time I could see. I fell back to sleep until the alarm went off at 6am then rechecked the radar. Game over for the biking this AM. I fell back to sleep again.

I did things around the house for most of the day waiting for a break to ride. It never came so I headed to the trainer and rode with the Tour again for 90 min. Not the ride that I wanted but a good workout.

Sunday's game plan was an open water swim at Ohio Street Beach. It has a marked one mile course. Again during the night, I awoke to lightning and rain. The radar was turned on to see a quick moving storm. I met with Iron Snoopy, Moose and Ronda at 7am and we headed to the city.

Ohio Street Beach

As I was putting on my wetsuit, my nervousness kicked in high gear. Ronda explained where I needed to swim and sighting. The water was cold (63 degrees). Thank heaven for wet suits. As I waded into the water, my heart was bumping 100mph. I began to swim and was surprised at how clear and calm the water was. There was no panic for me. I got into a rhythm. My sighting was bad and found that I was heading toward a boat out in the lake with no one around me. I corrected my direction and tried to pay more attention to where I was at.

I knew that I was swimming slow but I felt confident. So I looked to my left and saw Snoopy who told me the turn around was just ahead. I went around the 1/2 mile buoy and headed back down the shoreline. I was met at the 1 mile mark by Snoopy and Ronda. What a great feeling. My longest open water swim and great friends for support.

With less than 2 weeks until Steelhead, I guess it's time to start trusting in my training. A few more big workouts then the taper begins.

Waddling after the weekend............