August 24, 2009

Finally Ready

I did something over the last few days that I rarely do. I disconnected myself from pretty much everything - this blog, my training log, email - and balanced a huge volume of training with some much needed down time. It felt really good to take a step back and enjoy my hardest training weekend yet as though it was something I do for fun, rather than something I have to do to survive the race.

After the most mind-numbing ride you could imagine on Friday, 50 miles done on a 3.34 mile park loop, I drove upstate to Saratoga for the weekend. A friend generously invited me to stay at his place and offered to do much of my long ride with me. The minute I arrived I felt relaxed. I have loved getting out of NYC for training this summer. The forecast was less than ideal but we somehow got lucky and had two mostly rain-free days for riding.

My big day was Saturday, by far the longest training session I've ever done and the hardest brick on my entire schedule. I biked 116 miles over relatively challenging terrain, then ran 10 miles. My friend rode 74 miles with me so it barely felt like work. The last time a ride felt this way was back in June in Wisconsin. I wish I'd had more of that in my training. I pushed a fast pace on the 10 mile run, averaging 8:39 per mile. I'm not aiming for anything remotely this fast on race day, but I needed to see what I was capable of after such a long ride. When I finished this nine hours of training, I finally felt ready. I remember back in Lake Placid having that moment of clarity where I knew I could do the Ironman, but I wasn't even remotely ready. Now I am, with 20 days to spare.

Sunday was a perfect recovery day. I slept in while it rained and then did a 46 mile ride at a slow pace. It was really just for fun and while it was challenging due to fatigue, I had a great time. The rest of the day was all about relaxing and fun. I can't remember having this much free time in recent months. It was the perfect day.

I'm tired from the high volume, but I know my body is ready for this race. I can't control what the day will bring but I can be sure I'm ready to get to the start and give it everything I have. If that turns out to be enough, I should be in for the most memorable day of my life.

Biking (Friday)
Distance - 50.03
Time - 2:54:00

Running (Friday)
Distance - 3 miles
Time - 26:43

Biking (Saturday)
Distance - 116.48
Time - 7:24:31

Running (Saturday)
Distance - 10 miles
Time - 1:26:28

Biking (Sunday)
Distance - 46.37
Time - 3:12:38

5 comments:

  1. you are gonna kill your first Ironman with volume like that! congrats! When does the taper begin? Did you really ride 50 miles around Prospect Park?!?! I can do about 4 before I throw in the towel.

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  2. Awesome work. I had my last long training day yesterday. So ready for the taper!

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  3. No doubt - you will destroy this ironman. New Orleans will look like a cake walk!

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  4. Been following your blog. Can't wait to cheer you on during IMMOO.

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  5. You're *so* ready, K - the race, itself, is going to be a total celebration for you and a reward for all the hard work you've put in. It's going to be amazing!

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