Ironman Louisville : Official Thread (Page 81)

I know I'm getting really ready when I start saying to myself, "I can't wait for next year when I focus on the shorter stuff." (Did I already say that...lost track of what I've actually composed vs. what I've been 'saying' to myself.

Hey all! I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile... I've been sooooo busy training and all! I'm staying at the galt house and arriving Friday. I really hope to meet up with everyone!

Did Racine 70.3 2 weeks ago and it went AWESOME! My training is really going well and that race proved it. I exceeded my expectations on the swim (of course it was nice and cold with a wetsuit!) and I took it really easy on the bike but still managed to do 18.9 mph. Then I promised myself that I would do the 1st of the 2 loop run course at a steady yet easier pace and then hammer the 2nd loop the best I could. I felt GREAT at the turn around. I saw my husband and stepson at that point and I was smiling and jumping up and down and saying "I'm doing it I'm doing it!!" (They caught it all on video). Then I stepped up the game for the 2nd loop and had 'serious face' on till the finish!

It was fairly hot there, and I heard a lot of people had loads of trouble with the heat, but it really didn't seem to bother me too much till the last couple miles or so. But I was still going faster than I had in the first part of the half marathon. I was very inspired by the fireman that did the whole bike and run course in full gear in honor of a fallen brother. That was awesome. I gave him encouragement every time I saw him.

I've gotten to do a couple 80's mi bike rides, 1 93 mi ride, and 1 112 mi ride so far. I've got 2 more 100+ mi rides scheduled. My long runs have not been going quite as well, I did one on the treadmill due to the heat blanket! ugh

Glad to see that everyone is doing good with their training! Got an Oly dist race this weekend as my high intensity brick session. I'm pretty excited about it!

I got a new bike! I know it's getting really dang close to the IM to be changing equipment like this, but so far it's super comfy and I just love it! It's a Trek speed concept 7.0. She's a beaut!

Sorry for the long post and I will be checking back every day for meet up times/places! See you all in 1 month!!!

Ashleigh

Ashleigh- Good to hear from you. I'm thrilled with your progress and your kick-butt performance at Racine! Fantastic! As far as not posting in a long time. No worries. Not everyone is addicted to checking and posting many times a day. I can't think of anyone ...me...right now...me...but...'those' people...me...are out there...loonies, that's what I say...me.

BT meet-up. I've been writing down those who have expressed an interest in meeting on Friday night and going to the Athlete dinner together. My family will be in town for the big show, but will not be going to the dinner. However, if your family/significant other, etc. is going to attend with you, don't let that stop you from joining us. I'll post a list of who is up for this later, and a spot to meet (likely at the bottom of the stairs/escalator in the building where the dinner is held, but I'll get back to you with that later).

Foot cramping- I haven't had this problem, but I just heard a suggestion about this on a podcast, particularly for IM distance. The suggestion was to stop kicking briefly, and periodically, and stretching your calf/foot, by moving your toes toward your shin. They also suggested stretching (not during the swim) by sitting on your heals (but obviously don't overdo this if it hurts).

On a personal note...big rains came the last few days, so our lake is up, and our water quality is down (farmer's field run-off), so, I won't be swimming until Monday, and it will be in a pool...joy.

Peace.

Its good to hear everyone's experiences with training and racing!!!  This thing sure is approaching fast!!!!!!!

I'll be arriving in Louisville Friday AM and I'm staying at the Hyatt.

I would like to participate in any gatherings before/after the race.

Finally, I will be at the iamtri events next weekend (Aug 6).

Alan  

I ran a little under 17 miles of the Ironman Wisconsin run course last night. I added back in the hills that were removed from last year. I am beat today. I ended up averaging 8:20’s with the hills. I really hope that hill training will pay off in Louisville. It was also crazy humid went through a few water bottles. After I finished my clothes were so soaked that it felt like someone had dumped a bucket of water on me. It made for a disgusting and smelly drive home.

I have a big biking weekend for me this weekend 200+ miles over 2 days.

I don't post a lot of comments on this board, but I do try and read through periodically as it's nice to get so much great advice from everyone!  This will be my first time in Louisville, although I have previously done IM Wisconsin and IM Canada. 

That all said, I wanted to post a reminder for everyone to BE CAREFUL while training!  I was out for my long ride on Wednesday (was planning to be my longest ride of 110 miles +), when about 2/3 of the way through I was struck by a car! (Turns out the driver was in diabetic shock)  The side mirror hit my upper left leg/butt and bumper scraped the outside of my left calf - a few inches and I likely wouldn't be sitting here typing!  It was a stretch of highway with a 10 foot wide shoulder that I have biked on likely hundreds of times. 

I like to joke with my kids that I'm "made of Iron"... my doctor told me I have "buns of steel"! ha! 

Anyhow, good luck everyone and stay safe!

JR- I'm glad you are ok. That's quite an ordeal. Good luck to you as well.

Anyone- At the closing ceremonies of my daughter's camp this morning, a young lady 'walked' out on the stage with the help of two strong assistants. Her legs didn't work correctly and hadn't since she was about 4 years old. I was impressed by her positive attitude, and I was a little choked-up by her will and example of 'can'. Later, after returning home I went for a 20 mile, easy ride on my bike and I thought about the fact that I'll have to walk the entire marathon in Louisville because of my Achilles tendon. Some people might bail out of the event because they can't run it. ...I know I thought about it. But when I think of that girl who walked out on the stage, who will very likely never do a triathlon, let alone an Ironman, I thought, "This is why I'm ok with walking the run portion of the Ironman. Because I can."

gobey- I will likely not wear a shirt, so people can admire my awesomeness. Just kidding. I'm all of a buck 45 wet, and people often misplace me when I turn sideways. Seriously, I likely won't be wearing a shirt because the water will be hot enough as it is. As far as not hitting the changing tent at all...you might be hitting it on some level when you grab your bike back to get your shoes and helmet, etc. 

You might consider taking a different, but similar top with you to the practice swim on Saturday to see how the temperature feels for you. If you feel good about it, then you're good. If you feel too hot, then you have the opportunity to reconsider wearing a top during the swim.

Anyone- To answer the next question...Yes, I will be participating in the practice swim on Saturday morning, but I will probably only swim about 15 minutes, just to get a feel for the water.

have you tried putting a tritop on a wet torso...at times very difficult...wear the top, the drag is negligible and unless this will pt you on the podium dont worryy about it

I had a terrible nightmare last night. I snapped my front derailleur cable 47 miles in on the bike leg. When the emergency mechanic came over to help me, he said he couldn't because my derailleur cable was made specially 3 light years away in Derailleur Cable Land.

Please tell me someone else has had an Ironman nightmare...

Great story Sam, its great when we can step outsides ourselves and look at the big picture

I'm getting into Louisville the Thursday night before the race, so I am definitely up for a meet-up

Jillian- Excellent.

Fesslern- I feel for you, but that dream was funny as heck. I have those types of dreams occasionally, but not lately, and not yet for Louisville.

Unfortunately, that really (almost - no derailleur cable land...lol) happened to me.  My gear cable (front) snapped at mile 48 at IMWI '09.  I was able to get it fixed; however, it took WAY too long (3 seperate stops) and I was not able to make the time cutoff at mile 95 (missed by 13 minutes).  I was pulled from the course.  It was a living nightmare to say the least......

Anyway, as for IM dreams/nightmares, yes, in the one I tend to have ALOT; I never take off my wetsuit from the swim and end up riding my bike with it on!  Ugh....could you imagine!?!  Also, just the other night, I had a dream that I completely missed the start of the race ~ don't know what the h*ll I was doing, but totally missed it.  Then, I realized I never even packed my Transition bags or anything....I woke up in a total panic....it really scared the crap out of me!!