It is now 8:15pm the night before the race. In less than 11 hours, I'll be in the water and on my way.
My mind is a jumble of thoughts and emotions. I just had dinner with 4 of the members of Team Meloy - Meyer and some friends from college. Throughout this process of preparing for this race, I've been consistently reminded of the caring support I've got from so many special people in my life. My "team" will have just as long a day tomorrow as I do, yet they will selflessly not receive any of the glory of crossing the finish line. I'm humbled by their love and support.
I can do this. I know I can. I've done the training. I've worked on the nutrition. I've worked on the visualization and the mental toughness I will need to get through the hardest parts of the day.
Right now I cannot think of any goal that has been as important to me as this is. I'm not sure why that is. Perhaps it is because all my life things have come fairly easy to me. I've always worked hard, but I've never had to truly struggle to reach a goal. Training for tomorrow has taught me that there are some things for which I must struggle.
No one knows for sure what tomorrow has in store for me. I know, however, that I now have the strength and peace of mind to handle whatever comes my way.
In advance of tomorrow, I thank many people:
- My team of friends and family who will be out on the course to provide me with the external motivation to keep me going. They've come from as far away as California to be here, and I am so thankful for their presence, not just here at the race, but also in my life.
- My coach, Kevin. He has helped get my body and mind ready for this in a way no one else could.
- My massage therapist, Konrad. The weekly massages during the last part of my hard training not only relaxed my body, they put my mind much more at ease and kept me sane.
- My colleagues and friends who have shown interest in my training and racing for the past year. They've held me accountable which, in turn, made me a faster and better competitor.
- Meyer. He's been my rock for the past 11 years, and has had to take a back seat to my training and racing for the past year, without complaint. I'll never be able to thank him enough for everything he's done for me.
And now.....it's bedtime.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday Recap
I seem to be updating in the morning, so I figure I'll just recap the previous day.
Woke up with a horrible stiffness in my neck. The beds and pillows at the hotel leave a lot to be desired. We got ready for the day, grabbed a bite to eat, and headed up State Street towards the capitol. We did a little tour of the capitol building since Meyer is a major political buff.
By the time we were done with the capitol, it was time to head to Monona Terrace (the center of all things Ironman) and check-in. The check-in process was incredible. I'm somewhat of an "event logistics geek" and I marvel at any event where every detail is thought through and well-planned. Ironman takes the cake.
Even though the check-in went smoothly, it still took about an hour, including a shopping trip to the Ironman store. Oh yes, I loaded up.
After a quick bite to eat for lunch, we retrieved my bike from the transport company. I was one of the first in line, so it went very quickly. We took Baby Blue back to the hotel, changed clothes and went for a little run. It was great to have Meyer run with me. We did a little of the run course, including one of the big hills that I'll have to do twice on Sunday. It wasn't as bad a people have made it out to be.
A relaxing rest of the afternoon (shopping for Badger t-shirts for Meyer) and dinner at the Brathaus (right next to our hotel) led to being in bed by 8:30.
A good day.
Woke up with a horrible stiffness in my neck. The beds and pillows at the hotel leave a lot to be desired. We got ready for the day, grabbed a bite to eat, and headed up State Street towards the capitol. We did a little tour of the capitol building since Meyer is a major political buff.
By the time we were done with the capitol, it was time to head to Monona Terrace (the center of all things Ironman) and check-in. The check-in process was incredible. I'm somewhat of an "event logistics geek" and I marvel at any event where every detail is thought through and well-planned. Ironman takes the cake.
Even though the check-in went smoothly, it still took about an hour, including a shopping trip to the Ironman store. Oh yes, I loaded up.
After a quick bite to eat for lunch, we retrieved my bike from the transport company. I was one of the first in line, so it went very quickly. We took Baby Blue back to the hotel, changed clothes and went for a little run. It was great to have Meyer run with me. We did a little of the run course, including one of the big hills that I'll have to do twice on Sunday. It wasn't as bad a people have made it out to be.
A relaxing rest of the afternoon (shopping for Badger t-shirts for Meyer) and dinner at the Brathaus (right next to our hotel) led to being in bed by 8:30.
A good day.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
We're There
Yesterday was the travel day. We flew out of Salisbury (which, in my opinion, is the greatest airport to fly out of. We arrived 40 minutes before our flight, parked about 75 feet from the terminal entrance, took about 3 minutes to check in, and spent about 10 minutes waiting to go through security. Normally, it would take only a minute to go through security, but a flight before us had been delayed so they had to go through first.)
After a layover in Philadelphia (terrible airport for food), we landed in Milwaukee late in the afternoon. We picked up the rental car and were on our way. A relatively quick stop at Mom and Dad's was made to drop off their Team Meloy t-shirts and to pick up some things I'd ordered and had shipped to them. And finally, we made it to Madison.
Driving into the city and reaching the campus created a certain giddiness in me. It felt like going home.
Our hotel is nothing special and actually leaves a lot to be desired, but the location is perfect. We're about 1/2 mile from the race site, and our second-floor room overlooks State Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare that is the main drag between the capitol building and the center of campus.
We made a quiet night of it, just taking a short stroll around some of the campus, since Meyer has never been to Madison. Of course, we hit Langdon Street (fraternity/sorority row), the Union (and the unusually quiet Union Terrace) and Bascom Hill (the site of many scenes in the Rodney Dangerfield movie "Back to School.")
Lots of good things planned for today!
After a layover in Philadelphia (terrible airport for food), we landed in Milwaukee late in the afternoon. We picked up the rental car and were on our way. A relatively quick stop at Mom and Dad's was made to drop off their Team Meloy t-shirts and to pick up some things I'd ordered and had shipped to them. And finally, we made it to Madison.
Driving into the city and reaching the campus created a certain giddiness in me. It felt like going home.
Our hotel is nothing special and actually leaves a lot to be desired, but the location is perfect. We're about 1/2 mile from the race site, and our second-floor room overlooks State Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare that is the main drag between the capitol building and the center of campus.
We made a quiet night of it, just taking a short stroll around some of the campus, since Meyer has never been to Madison. Of course, we hit Langdon Street (fraternity/sorority row), the Union (and the unusually quiet Union Terrace) and Bascom Hill (the site of many scenes in the Rodney Dangerfield movie "Back to School.")
Lots of good things planned for today!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Exactly 1 Week
Exactly one week from right now, the starting gun will go off. The current temperature in Madison is 46. Brrrrrr. The forecast also calls for scattered thunderstorms Wednesday through Saturday and a 40% chance of rain on Sunday.
C'mon Mother Nature. Throw us a bone.
C'mon Mother Nature. Throw us a bone.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
#100
This is my 100th post. I can't believe that I started this blog nearly a year ago, and I also can't believe that Ironman is only 8 days away.
This morning I was up at 5:00 to get a six-mile run in before going to see Meyer do a 5k race. I spent part of my run on the boardwalk and going along the beach. With the sun peeking over the horizon, the waves gently rolling in, and a slight breeze off the ocean, it couldn't have been a better morning to run.
At the 5k, for which Meyer shaved over 2 minutes off his previous race time, were a couple people who've done an Ironman and were giving me all sorts of wonderful encouragement. I love the running/tri community here.
I'm still in that nervous-scared-excited triangle, which I figure I'll be in right up until the starting gun, but it isn't affecting my training sessions so I'm going to just keep plugging along for the next week.
This morning I was up at 5:00 to get a six-mile run in before going to see Meyer do a 5k race. I spent part of my run on the boardwalk and going along the beach. With the sun peeking over the horizon, the waves gently rolling in, and a slight breeze off the ocean, it couldn't have been a better morning to run.
At the 5k, for which Meyer shaved over 2 minutes off his previous race time, were a couple people who've done an Ironman and were giving me all sorts of wonderful encouragement. I love the running/tri community here.
I'm still in that nervous-scared-excited triangle, which I figure I'll be in right up until the starting gun, but it isn't affecting my training sessions so I'm going to just keep plugging along for the next week.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Separation Anxiety
Baby Blue is gone.
My bike, my friend, my companion for many solo rides over the past 9 months is now at a bike shop in Philadelphia awaiting transport to Madison.
I dropped her off this morning at the shop and was literally shaking when I handed her over to the bike tech there. Suddenly, the Ironman became very real. It's almost here.
Driving back home, I realized that the race has now become all-consuming. I can hardly think of anything else.
I already miss Baby Blue. I hope she has a good trip. Would it be too much for me to sleep with her pedals under my pillow?
My bike, my friend, my companion for many solo rides over the past 9 months is now at a bike shop in Philadelphia awaiting transport to Madison.
I dropped her off this morning at the shop and was literally shaking when I handed her over to the bike tech there. Suddenly, the Ironman became very real. It's almost here.
Driving back home, I realized that the race has now become all-consuming. I can hardly think of anything else.
I already miss Baby Blue. I hope she has a good trip. Would it be too much for me to sleep with her pedals under my pillow?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Last Long Ride
The alarm was about to go off yesterday morning, but I nabbed it with 2 minutes to spare so Meyer wouldn't wake up. It was, after all, 4:00am.
I was out the door and on the road (driving) to Newark in the dark. With my last long ride, I needed to get a few hills in, so I'd mapped out a 34-mile loop that included some rolling hills, long steady inclines, and some flats.
I was on the bike by 6:40. What an awesome ride! While it rained lightly during the first part of the first time I did the loop, it was cool and calm. I was lucky in that the park where I'd parked the car has a porta-john, so after 34 miles I was able to have a pit stop. I reloaded my bars, gels, and bottles and headed out again. And when I finished the second loop, I did it all again.
Upon finishing the third loop - and 102 miles - I loaded up my bike...and put on my running shoes and took off for a 30-minute run. The legs were a little wobbly at first but I soon hit my stride...and the the University of Delaware campus. I had no idea it was move-in day. Cars, families, and freshman students were everywhere. What a zoo! Luckily my run was pretty short and I was able to get out of there quickly.
I'm feeling really good about this last big one. I kept a pretty constant pace - averaged 17.2 mph on all three loops and also averaged an intake of about 270 calories per hour on the bike. I still feel like I'm starting a bit too fast on the run, but that's something I'll just have to watch at the race.
And now I can say I am officially tapering!
I was out the door and on the road (driving) to Newark in the dark. With my last long ride, I needed to get a few hills in, so I'd mapped out a 34-mile loop that included some rolling hills, long steady inclines, and some flats.
I was on the bike by 6:40. What an awesome ride! While it rained lightly during the first part of the first time I did the loop, it was cool and calm. I was lucky in that the park where I'd parked the car has a porta-john, so after 34 miles I was able to have a pit stop. I reloaded my bars, gels, and bottles and headed out again. And when I finished the second loop, I did it all again.
Upon finishing the third loop - and 102 miles - I loaded up my bike...and put on my running shoes and took off for a 30-minute run. The legs were a little wobbly at first but I soon hit my stride...and the the University of Delaware campus. I had no idea it was move-in day. Cars, families, and freshman students were everywhere. What a zoo! Luckily my run was pretty short and I was able to get out of there quickly.
I'm feeling really good about this last big one. I kept a pretty constant pace - averaged 17.2 mph on all three loops and also averaged an intake of about 270 calories per hour on the bike. I still feel like I'm starting a bit too fast on the run, but that's something I'll just have to watch at the race.
And now I can say I am officially tapering!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Rockin' It
I'm in the final push week of training, and this one's a doozy!
But the past couple days I'm feeling like I'm really rockin'. Yesterday, I didn't have time for an open-water swim, but I snuck 40 minutes in the pool mid-day. And it felt good! Then last night after work I pounded out a good 50 miles. My average speed was 17.8 mph but it would've been higher (at least 18) if I hadn't been riding the last hour in the dark! My headlight seems to function more for others to see me rather than for me to see what's in front of me. So I relied on the headlights from cars on Route 9 and Plantations Road and finished fine.
Tonight after work I hit the trail for my last long run before the race. (Wow, what an eye opener to know this is the last big one.) I nailed 15 miles in just over 2 hours. I was supposed to go for 130 minutes, but I had to cut it short by 7 minutes because once again the sun went down and I couldn't see where I was going.
Note to self: Do your workouts earlier!
Towards the beginning of tonight's run, I passed by my coach and a friend who were doing the regular Wednesday night speed workout. I told him that I was feeling great and that everything is really starting to come together. He seemed pleased.
I am too!
But the past couple days I'm feeling like I'm really rockin'. Yesterday, I didn't have time for an open-water swim, but I snuck 40 minutes in the pool mid-day. And it felt good! Then last night after work I pounded out a good 50 miles. My average speed was 17.8 mph but it would've been higher (at least 18) if I hadn't been riding the last hour in the dark! My headlight seems to function more for others to see me rather than for me to see what's in front of me. So I relied on the headlights from cars on Route 9 and Plantations Road and finished fine.
Tonight after work I hit the trail for my last long run before the race. (Wow, what an eye opener to know this is the last big one.) I nailed 15 miles in just over 2 hours. I was supposed to go for 130 minutes, but I had to cut it short by 7 minutes because once again the sun went down and I couldn't see where I was going.
Note to self: Do your workouts earlier!
Towards the beginning of tonight's run, I passed by my coach and a friend who were doing the regular Wednesday night speed workout. I told him that I was feeling great and that everything is really starting to come together. He seemed pleased.
I am too!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
What's Best for the Body
The alarm went off at 4:20 this morning. Oh my, is that early!
I made the quick decision, however, that since my head cold was still lingering a bit, my body would benefit more from a couple extra hours of sleep than from two hours on the bike and 30 minutes running. At this point, being healthy is my number-one concern.
And those two extra hours were glorious!
I also had my weekly massage today. Yay! Konrad knows exactly what to work on, and today it was my quads. I pounded out 13.5 miles on the trail Tuesday night and today's massage took care of the soreness that I was still feeling.
I've got a swim session this afternoon, a day off tomorrow, and then a pretty tough weekend.
And I'm honestly looking forward to it!
I made the quick decision, however, that since my head cold was still lingering a bit, my body would benefit more from a couple extra hours of sleep than from two hours on the bike and 30 minutes running. At this point, being healthy is my number-one concern.
And those two extra hours were glorious!
I also had my weekly massage today. Yay! Konrad knows exactly what to work on, and today it was my quads. I pounded out 13.5 miles on the trail Tuesday night and today's massage took care of the soreness that I was still feeling.
I've got a swim session this afternoon, a day off tomorrow, and then a pretty tough weekend.
And I'm honestly looking forward to it!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Back in the Saddle Again
literally!
Saturday I found that the best way to beat a cold is to get on your bike and ride. Which I did...for just over five hours. I loaded up the bike with my Power Bars and Clif Bars, my Gu's, and three water bottles and set out to Route 9, where I headed south to Laurel, DE. I went a little further and decided it would be a good time to turn around and head back home. I made it home just in time for a quick bathroom break, a reload of Power Bars and water bottles, and headed out again down Route 1 to the Indian River Marina and back. A total of 88 miles and 1,200 calories ingested brought me back home.
And then I put on my running shoes and went out for a 20-minute run. My legs actually felt pretty good on the run. I only got a couple miles done, but that's really all I needed to do.
I'm back!
And today I rode a 60-minute recovery ride - quick and easy. I'm looking forward to tonight's long swim and the rest of the week.
Just 27 more days!
Saturday I found that the best way to beat a cold is to get on your bike and ride. Which I did...for just over five hours. I loaded up the bike with my Power Bars and Clif Bars, my Gu's, and three water bottles and set out to Route 9, where I headed south to Laurel, DE. I went a little further and decided it would be a good time to turn around and head back home. I made it home just in time for a quick bathroom break, a reload of Power Bars and water bottles, and headed out again down Route 1 to the Indian River Marina and back. A total of 88 miles and 1,200 calories ingested brought me back home.
And then I put on my running shoes and went out for a 20-minute run. My legs actually felt pretty good on the run. I only got a couple miles done, but that's really all I needed to do.
I'm back!
And today I rode a 60-minute recovery ride - quick and easy. I'm looking forward to tonight's long swim and the rest of the week.
Just 27 more days!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Oh, Crap!
A lot of my focus lately has been getting in my training while keeping my body healthy for quick recovery. Well, this week I got slammed with a pretty bad head cold, which is now moving to my chest. I've already missed 6 training sessions this week - at a time when I really can't afford to be missing any!
Ironman is only 30 days away. The next 48 hours for me is going to be nothing but making sure my body is better and able to handle the stress of the next couple weeks.
It's so close, I can taste it!
Ironman is only 30 days away. The next 48 hours for me is going to be nothing but making sure my body is better and able to handle the stress of the next couple weeks.
It's so close, I can taste it!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Awesome Weekend
My coach has been working with me on visualization - most importantly, picturing a fantastic workout in my mind when conditions get bad. Keeping things positive when it would be easy to let them get negative. I've had a few workouts to keep in mind, but this weekend took the cake!
Friday evening I cranked out a good 60 miles on the bike. I rode to Ocean City and back, and then to the Indian River bridge and back. Headwinds were at a minimum and my cadence was good. I hit my nutrition (about 900 calories in 3.5 hours) and I got off the bike feeling great.
Saturday morning, I decided to alter the morning workout(which was to be a 55-minute aerobic run) and did the Dam Mill 5k race instead. Of course, I added mileage before and after the race to get in my time. The good thing is I won my age group in 19:47 (5 seconds off my PR) and held my place in the top 5 for the Seashore Strider summer series. Some friends also did very well - Doris won her age group, Mary Beth and Mary Ann took 2nd and 3rd respectively in their age group, and Erik hit sub-20 for the first time this year.
Saturday afternoon was an ocean swim session with my coach and another guy he is training. It was one of my better ocean swims, although I know I still have a way to go before I'm ready.
Sunday morning, I got up early to beat the heat. I had a good 50-mile ride, with some hard headwinds on the first 25, which made for a great 21-22 mph pace on the second 25. I nailed my nutrition again with about 825 calories in 3 hours. Immediately after getting off the bike, I did a 4-mile trail run and paced sub 7:30s.
By mid-afternoon I was napping, and missed my Sunday afternoon ocean swim, but I obviously needed the rest, so all is good.
Even after all of that, I'm still feeling really good today. After work I'm getting out for a 100-min. run, which will probably be about 12 or 13 miles. This week really begins the hard push - 2 sessions each day until my next day off, which is Sunday.
Only 34 days left!
Friday evening I cranked out a good 60 miles on the bike. I rode to Ocean City and back, and then to the Indian River bridge and back. Headwinds were at a minimum and my cadence was good. I hit my nutrition (about 900 calories in 3.5 hours) and I got off the bike feeling great.
Saturday morning, I decided to alter the morning workout(which was to be a 55-minute aerobic run) and did the Dam Mill 5k race instead. Of course, I added mileage before and after the race to get in my time. The good thing is I won my age group in 19:47 (5 seconds off my PR) and held my place in the top 5 for the Seashore Strider summer series. Some friends also did very well - Doris won her age group, Mary Beth and Mary Ann took 2nd and 3rd respectively in their age group, and Erik hit sub-20 for the first time this year.
Saturday afternoon was an ocean swim session with my coach and another guy he is training. It was one of my better ocean swims, although I know I still have a way to go before I'm ready.
Sunday morning, I got up early to beat the heat. I had a good 50-mile ride, with some hard headwinds on the first 25, which made for a great 21-22 mph pace on the second 25. I nailed my nutrition again with about 825 calories in 3 hours. Immediately after getting off the bike, I did a 4-mile trail run and paced sub 7:30s.
By mid-afternoon I was napping, and missed my Sunday afternoon ocean swim, but I obviously needed the rest, so all is good.
Even after all of that, I'm still feeling really good today. After work I'm getting out for a 100-min. run, which will probably be about 12 or 13 miles. This week really begins the hard push - 2 sessions each day until my next day off, which is Sunday.
Only 34 days left!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Yagaddawannit
If you don't get the title, you need to say it out loud, really fast.
I'm in the beginnings of the final push. And I'm starting to realize just how much I want this. I also realized that I simply had a bad July. The physical issues, the mental issues....that's all behind me. I've got just over 5 weeks left, and I'm ready to give it my all.
My run this morning was good. It was a short one - just a 4-mile recovery run - but I still had no trouble getting up before the sun to do it. While I was running and thinking about the drive one needs to complete an Ironman, I though of this video. It's a little disturbing, but every time I watch it, it reminds me of what people will put themselves through to reach a goal. This is certainly NOT how I want to finish (especially for my mother's sake) but I'm going to finish this Ironman, even if I have to crawl across the finish line.
I'm in the beginnings of the final push. And I'm starting to realize just how much I want this. I also realized that I simply had a bad July. The physical issues, the mental issues....that's all behind me. I've got just over 5 weeks left, and I'm ready to give it my all.
My run this morning was good. It was a short one - just a 4-mile recovery run - but I still had no trouble getting up before the sun to do it. While I was running and thinking about the drive one needs to complete an Ironman, I though of this video. It's a little disturbing, but every time I watch it, it reminds me of what people will put themselves through to reach a goal. This is certainly NOT how I want to finish (especially for my mother's sake) but I'm going to finish this Ironman, even if I have to crawl across the finish line.
Monday, August 3, 2009
One of Those Days
While I was hoping to hit 19:30 at the Run for JJ 5k yesterday, I couldn't shake the sluggishness I felt throughout my body. I finished in 20:12 - my worst time of the summer, but still faster than anything I'd done prior to this year. Everyone else must have been feeling sluggish too, since 20:12 was still good enough for 2nd place in my age group.
Guess it was just one of those days.
My coach surprised me with a day off today, followed by two more recovery days (although some people wouldn't call 3 workouts in 2 days no matter how easy they were "recovery.") I think he understood that my body just needs a little extra rest before we really ramp it up over the next few weeks.
And, somewhat surprising to me, I'm looking forward to the next few weeks!
Guess it was just one of those days.
My coach surprised me with a day off today, followed by two more recovery days (although some people wouldn't call 3 workouts in 2 days no matter how easy they were "recovery.") I think he understood that my body just needs a little extra rest before we really ramp it up over the next few weeks.
And, somewhat surprising to me, I'm looking forward to the next few weeks!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Mental Blecchhies
This week I had a case of the mental blecchhies (see a few posts ago for the physical blecchhies). My body is working fine, but getting myself motivated, especially on the days with two training sessions, was a bitch. Knowing that I've only got about 6 weeks left and can't derail myself now, I asked a three friends who have about 8 Ironman finishes between them if they ever felt this way and what they did.
Thank goodness for friends! All three of them experienced the same thing, and all three got through it by telling themselves that it is ok to miss a workout every now and then. It is ok to substitute a chicken breast and Endurox with chocolate chip cookies and a mojito for a recovery meal.
So one night this week, after a pretty decent swim I walked to the nearest convenience store and went home with a pint of Ben & Jerry's. I don't even remember the flavor, but it was sooooo good. I, of course, ate the entire thing that night - all 1,000 calories of it.
Now it's the weekend and I'm feeling pretty good. The only thing on my training schedule was a recovery run, which I did with Meyer this morning. Tomorrow is another 5k race, and I'll be shooting for 19:30. Back in May my coach said he thought I'd be at 19:30 by the end of the summer. I laughed. Now that possibility isn't that far off. We'll see tomorrow.
Thank goodness for friends! All three of them experienced the same thing, and all three got through it by telling themselves that it is ok to miss a workout every now and then. It is ok to substitute a chicken breast and Endurox with chocolate chip cookies and a mojito for a recovery meal.
So one night this week, after a pretty decent swim I walked to the nearest convenience store and went home with a pint of Ben & Jerry's. I don't even remember the flavor, but it was sooooo good. I, of course, ate the entire thing that night - all 1,000 calories of it.
Now it's the weekend and I'm feeling pretty good. The only thing on my training schedule was a recovery run, which I did with Meyer this morning. Tomorrow is another 5k race, and I'll be shooting for 19:30. Back in May my coach said he thought I'd be at 19:30 by the end of the summer. I laughed. Now that possibility isn't that far off. We'll see tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)