MightyMan HIM Taperers Thread

I've been acidentally tapering since September 1st (as illustrated by my empty training logs). Earlier in the season I had hopes of cracking 5 hours in Montauk, but my recent lack of doing anything has thrown that out the window. I'm hoping my fitness from ITU Worlds will still be lingering for Montauk.

I'll now be using Montauk to test a new nutrition plan and just have a good time.

bachorb: you are definitely suffering from tApER MaDNeSs.  I had taper madness right before my first Olympic Race.  Like an idiot, I barely trained for like five days and I thought my legs were going to run away from my body, I was damn antsy.  And my co-workers all thought I was going insane cause 2-days out from the event I had complete punch-drunkedness episodes.  Good times

mscotthall: Good luck on your 20-miler.  I know you've done them before, but don't forget to treat it like a 20-miler (carbo-load Thursday and Friday, fuel properly during the LR and practice your marathon nutrition).  Something tells me you'll have that 20-miler done by 8AM

Matt: I'm sure your fitness from the ITU is alive and well.  Make sure to say Hi when you blow past me on the bike. 

As for me, my training hasn't peaked like I would have liked it to for a HIM.  Since my shoulder separation mishap at the Xterra on Aug 24th, I've never fully gotten my act together.   So I'm not going to really Taper that much, I'm just going to lower my intensity of workout a bit and maybe cut back 25% overall...   I have been doing my hill repeats though, and combined with running the Cow Harbor, St. James Hill twice -- I am determined to NOT walk Murder Hill. 

Oh wow - that does sound rather cold. I'm not a fan of the chilly stuff.

had a good 40 mile ride then 11 mile run yesterday. felt very strong. Will get 2 good swims in this week, tuesday and thursday, but thats it. Would like to get in the lake saturday to check it out, so hopefully thats possible, anyone know?

 Good luck

It's race week ladies and gentelmen!!! How is everyone feeling???

 My taper went out the window when I ran 10 miles last night. I realized this morning that I probably made a big mistake, especially considering that 10 miler brought mileage for the last month up to about 15 miles.

Mentally I gained confidence in my run again, but physically I think it will be a setback (along with the fact that I've been in the water about 5 times in the last month).

Something tells me you will be just fine.  Something also tells me you are going to smoke this race

You're brave swimming 1.2 two days out   The two HIM plans I am familiar with both have me swimming 800yards (731 meters)the Friday before (swimming 1600y the Tues prior). 

Keep that rash clean and keep antibiotic ointment on it.  My biggest fear is getting hurt right before a big race.  It helps, for me, tapering because I purposefully go slower on the bike and run - which usually translates into being safer.  Usually. 

You've got to be one of the best motivaters, inspirer, confidence builders out there!! I only hope you're right (I hope the good tri karma comes back around to help you out!) How are feeling leading into this thing?

I feel really good.  My Swim feels good (my separated shoulder is 95%); my Running is good from doing lots of Hill Repeats, and my Biking is decent.  I really need more hours on the bike, but my Biking is definitely better than going into my first HIM in JUly. 

As far as being a motivational inspirer - I just feel like I personally have no other option but to be positive and optimistic.  It's kind of weird and hard to explain. 

Okay 

 today the nerves have officially kicked in. Still pumped but never swimming the distance in OW is a mental thing i need to get over. like my coach says, I've done the training, so whats the problem?

 Did another 1.2 miles of sets last night, felt fine after. Did try using those face mask goggles, too big, did not like. Oh well at least i found out before race day.

 See you at the back of the swim wave! ill be the one slowly wading in.

one more thing, someone sent me this, good read for first time HIM'ers like myself

 http://www.coachgordo.com/gtips/race_strategy/pacing_your_first_half_ironman.html