RACE WEEK!!!!!!

So it is Race Week!!! Ironman Louisville is this Sunday and everyone is ready to go!! So. . why do I post a picture of a trail covered in snow in the middle of nowhere? Because this is where it all began. It began last winter with getting up at 5:55AM on a Saturday morning and wanting more than anything to go back to bed, but knowing that getting outside in the 15 degree weather, with snow/ice on the ground and 30 mph winds would only make August 30th that much better.



I got asked a question today about my swimming in the winter time and how much I have to swim to maintain. . that sent my mind into think mode (scary, I know). Well, to give that question a straight answer, I probably need to swim 1-2 days a week in the winter time to maintain. BUT!!!! I have 20 years of swimming under me, where the usual triathlete does not. .



I think the offseason training is different for everyone. I know for me last year (winter) was about keeping the weight OFF!!! That might seem funny, but my method of operation the previous two seasons heading into January weighing in at 220 lbs and then spending the next 5-6 months trying to get down to 190 or below. Well, this past winter, my goal was to put no more than 10 lbs on, so when I hit November/December the weight went up to 194, but nothing above that. It was easy for me to get it back down to below 190 for the early spring months and I believe this more than anything has allowed me to have a great 2009 season so far. (although it isn't quite over yet). 185 as of right now. . .



So, I guess the answer, how much to maintain. . is different for everyone. Focus on your limiters, what are you NOT good at? Do you need to swim better? Do you need to have more strength? Run better? Bike better? Keep the weight off? I think most of us would answer yes to all of that. . although be honest and pick 1-2 of those things that are your GREATEST WEAKNESS and work on those.



For me. . . I will tell you after Ironman. . till then, my mind needs to focus on that and the BIG BREAKFAST the day after. :)

Taper Time. . .

I was told to put an update on my blog so some people will have something to do when they get bored, so here are some thoughts.

For those that don't know, Taper is a word used by athletes (or people who call themselves athletes, like me) to describe a period of time that you reduce your volume and mileage in order to rest the body for the A race. This time around that race is Ironman Louisville, scheduled to take place on August 30th.

For a lot of people, they love Taper time. . it is a time to kick back, relax, stress out, relax and then stress some more, all before the big race. As for me, I don't really enjoy Taper that much, oh, I do enjoy the extra time to be with Amy and Kloden and being able to get some extra stuff done, but I always feel like I should be working out, or like I am skipping a training session.

I am the type of person, that LOVES to train. I have a secret too. . I could really do without the races. Now don't get me wrong, I do love to race and test the mind and body, but there is just something about getting outside and training or getting a good session in. It is hard to describe, but it is one of the best feelings in the world.

Like 2 weeekends ago, when I met up with a bunch of guys and we hammered out a 1 hour swim, 6 hour bike and then a 1 hour (cough. .. .45 min) run.
BUT. . for now I am in taper mode, where the longest workout left is 3 hours for later this week and most days this week only have 1 workout per day. .. or if they are two workouts then they are shorter sessions. Yes, for me, Taper is a love/hate relationship.

Oh yes. . I also signed up for Ironman Coeur D'Alene in 2010, it will probably be my last Ironman for a while, so I figured might as well go back to where it all started in 2007. Although in 2007 it was suppose to be a 1 and done type of event. . and there I will be in 2010 for Ironman #4.

Focus after that will be qualifying for Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Florida. Either for 2010 or 2011. . .still in negotiations with Amy with that one. :)