Cannot believe I will be attempting my first Ironman triathlon in just 4 weeks. It is, no doubt, going to be a daunting task. Thankfully I have the bestest coach and an awesome team to train with. Ironman training and the culmination in the race is somewhat like pregnancy culminating in child birth. You attend Lamaz classes, read books, consult the doctors, follow the diet, go on a month-to-month regimen, and do everything you can to prepare for the big event, but no one can ever tell how painful the labor will be and whether it will be a natural birth or a C-section. The first time the Mom holds her child (you cross that finish line), she is overcome with emotions. Family and friends are there to celebrate and you are happy they are there. Even with all the happiness, the Mom is probably thinking, "No way in hell I am going through this again!" Basically, by doing an Ironman, it is the closest a man can get to experiencing pregnancy. I can go on with the analogies but you get the point - it's HARD... and COMPLICATED.
Temperatures in Bay Area are soaring to high 90s, which makes me worried about the conditions on race day. Heat is a major wildcard for me. On the bright side, I get all these hot days to heat train, so I have no excuse. But seriously, it can make or break my race since my body doesn't handle heat very well. Consuming a LOT of fluids and electrolytes is the key.
I just got back from a long training ride and a T run. SO glad I got the ride in before 10 AM; it's smoldering out there right now. The Oly tri tomorrow is in the Sahara of California. It will basically be a swim in the jacuzzi, bike ride in the Sauna, followed by a walk. Nuf cribbing. Actually, it won't be that bad early in the morning. That's a great incentive to go fast and get done with it. I am hoping I will be recovered by tomorrow.
What follows, it two BIG 17 hour weeks of training followed by 2 weeks taper, and I will go in induced labor on July 27. I don't know if I will be able to finish, but I will try my best with the aim of crossing that finish line without crawling or ending up in ER. If the heat gets the best of me, no shame in that; I WILL come back and fight another day.
Temperatures in Bay Area are soaring to high 90s, which makes me worried about the conditions on race day. Heat is a major wildcard for me. On the bright side, I get all these hot days to heat train, so I have no excuse. But seriously, it can make or break my race since my body doesn't handle heat very well. Consuming a LOT of fluids and electrolytes is the key.
I just got back from a long training ride and a T run. SO glad I got the ride in before 10 AM; it's smoldering out there right now. The Oly tri tomorrow is in the Sahara of California. It will basically be a swim in the jacuzzi, bike ride in the Sauna, followed by a walk. Nuf cribbing. Actually, it won't be that bad early in the morning. That's a great incentive to go fast and get done with it. I am hoping I will be recovered by tomorrow.
What follows, it two BIG 17 hour weeks of training followed by 2 weeks taper, and I will go in induced labor on July 27. I don't know if I will be able to finish, but I will try my best with the aim of crossing that finish line without crawling or ending up in ER. If the heat gets the best of me, no shame in that; I WILL come back and fight another day.
