left.right.repeat group -closed - Full of a bunch of winners...YEAH! (Page 121)

Gary - I GUARANTEE your first few miles will be quick.  We are all fast out of the gate....and the key is how quickly we get under control.  I can also tell you if you will give me 8 minutes or so on the bike and ride 3:10-3:15, it WILL PAY OFF TRIPLE on the run.  I want you to have the best race you can have, period.  But the race isn't over until the end of the run.  If you ride 3:02 and then run a 2 hour half I will eat my words.  I hope to be chewing, really.  BUT, given my experience and all the research I have done, you just don't know how your body will react during the half marathon.  My advice would be to ride 3:15-3:25 and then blow it out on the run.  Remember, there is no such thing as a good (or great) bike split followed by a bad run.  It is amazing how many "fast" bikers get passed on the run.  I did it in my first HIM, Mav did it in her first HIM.....I slowed down in my second and took almost 50 minutes off my time.  That was not a typo - almost 50 minutes.  And that was with a tortuous swim of 52 minutes due to stormy, rocking rain, waves and big wind.  The bike was tough due to the wind but I made MADE myself dial it back and it worked.  Finally, at IMAZ, I didn't set any records (never will) for speed but I was running when other folks were walking and I was running when others were cramped up.  Execution is the key folks - you have all put in the training and the time.  Now it is simply a matter of working a plan.  I want it to be boring - just executing your plan and celebrating your day.....instead of having an exciting, gut wrenching, puke fest with the other poseurs out there who try to be stoopid with no plan - trying new things on race day and paying the price (up to and including DNF).  Don't get me wrong, there are times when a DNF is the right thing - as hard as it is to swallow, but the goal is to get to the run in great shape.....don't fall into the "I'll put a lot of time in the bank on the bike and then just last through the run" - it is fine to be sure you have ample time to finish (I did math all day long in Arizona) but I felt great - yes GREAT during the run.  I was really expecting some "dark" places and they just did not occur.  As good as I was feeling and rolling, there were still tough times but nothing like I had expected. 

I cannot wait to share some wicked cool finish lines with you all this year....PRs, HIMs, IMs, holy crap - this is the big time.

As I told Mav on the Monday after IMAZ, I am jealous of those of you doing Ironman this year.  I KNOW what your finish line/chute celebration can feel like - let me help you get there enjoying the moment.  I remember mine like it happened an hour ago.  I think of it virtually every day.  I walk by the back of my truck and see the Mdot trailer hitch cover.  I see my FINISHER jacket in the closet.  Someone asks me about the day.  Whatever it is, it is always there.  I cannot imagine getting to that finish line cramped up, puking my guts out, dying for the finish, etc.  Get there with something left.  There is time later for a puke fest finish.  Remember this one.  Just like me, you will never get another first IM (HIM) finish line.  Savor the moment.

By the way, I am jealous of the fact that you will have a first finish line.  My first Ironman finish line is now a memory, albeit a great one, it is one in the bank, one I cannot have again....I am however, excited about seeing what the second one feels like.  Maybe I will get to finish Kona one day....that would be another wicked cool one I bet.  Hopefully I win the lottery this year and get in.....one can hope!

sTRIve

Bryan - see your point,  Craig A at Kona is a good example.  Will try my best to dial the ride in some and save it for the run.

John, I agree, Lena is nuts (in a good way).  Although she looks a bit sane compared to Billy!

One more question, (not sure if I asked it here but will ask again).  Say there was an Aqua bike (full) on Sept 25 that I may be able to make it to (50/50 if I could).  Do you think I could ramp up in time? 

Alternatively if anyone knows of another Aqua bike later in the year (in the south) please let me know.  Otherwise I will be looking for a marathon runner early 2011

In the past I sent out a couple of small tokens to my LRR teammates. Guess I'm now going to be in the maple syrup export business! For anyone interested in some genuine New Brunswick maple syrup, send me a "pm" with shipping address. Meanwhile, I'm going to make sure that there are no problems with cross-border mailing of a food product and then I'll "git 'er dun".

Managed to get 5k runs in both Saturday and Sunday. The weather was spectacular on Saturday - first run of 2010 in shorts rather than tights!

Diane - I am VERY jealous. Ever since I was posted to Europe with the Army I have LOVED Saab convertibles. Almost arranged to buy one at the factory in Sweden to bring home to Canada with me but decided that saving for the downpayment on a house was a better decision

Didn't get to swim today but have a decent excuse - we were picking up the new wheels at the dealership.

FBP

Hey Billy, I am expecting you to kick her tail!  Sorry, work has kept me very busy with our next release going out.  Hopefully training is going well for everyone!  I have a Dash n Splash this Saturday (3 mile run then 400m swim).  Should be fun.  I don't think I have actually done a run and swim brick before.  Hoping to do a OWS practice after work today

Everyone be good or take pictures!!

Diane - thoughts and prayers are with you.  I agree that you are in much better shape than the bulk of America. 

Billy - no one is upset with you that I know of anyway....

FBP - bearer of goodies......7 Caleb Circle, San Antonio, TX 78258

I so look forward to checking this site to see our messages.  Our group rocks!!!  Lena, I agree, no such think as coincidence.

sTRIve

Dash n Splash race tomorrow, wish me luck!  Will take it easy.