Final Preparations
One week until raceday. Less than that, actually. By this time next week, I should be done and hopefully showered and eating and celebrating a little bit.
But, it’s 6+ days until then. Six pretty busy days.
Elizabeth, Charlie and I drove my bike and a little gear bag down to San Diego today to drop it off with Drew, who’s driving it up to Penticton on Tuesday. Drew’s wife is racing and he wanted to bring the dog up for the week, so is embarking on a 24 hour drive. Sure makes my life a lot easier!
We met my parents for lunch in Encinitas. After lunch I was remembering dinner with that same group last year at Caribbean Cowboy in Lake Placid on the Monday after the race. I’ll miss having them up there with me this time around – Aaron, you’ve got some big shoes to fill!
I think I’ve got everything I need from here. Basically, it’s simple: wetsuit, goggles, watch, tri kit, bike, bike shoes, socks, helmet, sunglasses, run shoes, water bottles and nutrition. But, as any good triathlete knows, that’s just the beginning. Tools, extra tubes, CO2 cartridges, electrical tape, extra swim caps, extra cycling and running clothes, arm warmers, arm coolers, hats and visors, recovery socks, rubber bands, and that’s just the race-related stuff that I can think of right now. The pile in our guest bedroom is getting bigger and bigger. No matter what I bring, I’m sure I’ll find stuff I need/want once I’m up there.
The Athlete’s Guide is available at ironman.ca now and our bib numbers are up. Mine is 596. I’ll post instructions for people to follow along later in the week.
I fly up to Kelowna on Tuesday morning and should be in Penticton by lunchtime. I’ll meet Mike at the house and then start getting settled in. Tentatively, the week looks something like this:
Monday – swim here, packing, general anxiety about things I’m forgetting to do
Tuesday – travel, grocery shopping
Wednesday – swim in Lake Okanagan, short run, drive at least part of bike course, pick up bike from Drew, eat a lot
Thursday – short bike (hopefully on first part of course), check out race expo and buy some stuff, registration, eat a lot
Friday – short swim in lake, go back to expo see if I forgot to buy anything, pick up Aaron at Kelowna airport, “mandatory” pre-race meeting(?), BBQ at the house, eat a lot
Saturday – short bike, really short run, bike check-in, early dinner, eat a lot (but not too much), early sleep!
Other than being a little irritable and constantly hungry and alternating between feeling too heavy and too skinny, I feel pretty good right now. I know I’ve put in the training time and have something of a plan for the next 6 days and raceday. There’s not a whole lot more I can do at this point. Relax, get some sleep and of course eat!
Run – August 17
Distance: 7.9 miles
Time: 1:00
Average heart rate: 137
Course: West Hollywood, Beverly Hills
Conditions: Hazy, low 60’s
Swim – August 18
Distance: 2,515 yards (2,300 meters)
Time: 50 minutes
LA Tri Club Griffith Park Brick – August 18
Total Time: 1:44
Bike:
Distance: 17.1 miles
Time: 54 minutes
Average heart rate: 117
Transition Time: 6:50
Run:
Distance: 5.5 miles
Time: 43 minutes
Average heart rate: 141
Conditions: Warm and sunny, high 60’s
Indoor bike – August 19
Time: 1:00
Average heart rate: 111
Run #1 – August 20
Distance: 12.6 miles
Time: 1:35
Average heart rate: 145
Course: West Hollywood, Beverly Hills
Conditions: Overcast, low 60’s
Run #2 – August 20
Distance: 5.8 miles
Time: 45 minutes
Average heart rate: 131
Course: Fairfax/Beverly
Conditions: Evening, mid-60’s
Swim – August 21
Distance: 3,000 yards
Time: 51 minutes
Brick – August 22
Total Time: 1:37
Bike:
Distance: 22.8 miles
Time: 1:16:35
Average heart rate: 111
Course: Home to Griffith Park, return
Transition Time: 4:16
Run:
Distance: 2.25 miles
Time: 16 minutes
Average heart rate: 136
Course: Local neighborhood
Conditions: Overcast and humid(!), mid-60’s
Run – August 23
Distance: 8 miles
Time: 1:00
Average heart rate: 134
Course: West Hollywood, Beverly Hills
Conditions: Evening, mid-60’s