Ironman Texas (Page 94)

Someone over on ST reported a temp of 80-81 yesterday. Either way that's really warm.

I'm going to do some laps in the hot tub to prepare myself. Jets on to simulate a little mass-start mayhem.

http://forum.slowtwitch.com/forum/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/The_official_freak_out_about_IMTX_weather_thread_P3325828-4

I paddled the swim course on Lake Woodlands this afternoon because I've got an adventure race coming up in 2 weeks and wanted to get in some kayak time. Here are some observations:

1. The water is very warm, I don't care what the thermometers say; and it's only going to get warmer. A wetsuit is only needed if someone absolutely requires the buoyancy.

2. The water is also pretty clean. It's not 'clear' but there's no muddy murk or trash floating in it. They must supplement the lake with additional water because despite an ongoing drought, the water level is just fine. I saw some ducks, but they won't be an issue. Especially once 2,000+ swimmers get in.

3. Sighting will be easy as there are million dollar mansions lining the lake. On the return leg while heading for the channel, just sight on the bridge and a white building, and then it's a sweeping right turn into the channel.

4. If you are a right-side breather, the sun is going to be in your eyes big-time on that return leg and going down the channel.

5. Once you turn down the channel, you'll see some overhead power lines a couple hundred yards ahead, at this point the channel starts getting shallow; about 56" deep and it is that way until the exit. If a person gets a cramp or needs a rest, you can stand up and go over to the side. It will be a soft, muddy bottom, but you can walk if you have to.

6. The channel is about 20 yards wide for most of its length and very spectator friendly with grassy slopes and easy access. I can picture hordes of cheering family, friends, and fans lining the banks on race day. It'll be good motivation to get you that last half mile.

Other than that, it's just another swim.

So I played so much XBOX this evening that my carpal tunnel is now acting up. Guess my "stay on the couch" advice wasn't so great! No more until after the race, I need to be able to hold onto my aerobars!

Same thing here, except from iPad and Iphone.

Well, I got frustrated with Angry Birds so I moved it to the XBOX. 

Race week

WOO HOO!!!! I just got back into town from a weekend of camping and no workouts and the board is about 10 pages longer than when I left on Friday.

I feel like I am being lazy and unproductive. Meant to go swim this morning but the wife said when the alarm clock went off I mumbled something incoherently and turned the alarm off and went back to sleep. Looks like I am swimming this evening instead! left the bike at the shop over the weekend while I was out and need to pick her up today. Still have NOTHING packed for race day so that should occupy my evenings for the next few days. Hopefully, all that will help to keep my mind occupied.

I think the rest and anti-inflamatories over the last 5 days have really helped my lingering high hamstring pain but wont know for sure till I try running on it again. I am almost afraid to test it out ahead of time because if it is still bothering me when I run that is one more worry on race day. It wasnt bothering me either biking or swimming, just on the run so hopefully it was just one those "the body was telling me its time to taper" things and all will be fine on race day.

F YEAH!!!!    was up spectating at Rev3 yesterday... that got me fired up. 

Word. I'm ready. Let's do this.

They tell us Ironman is a superhero.

They tell us Ironman has super powers, with super strength and super speed and special armor and the ability to fly.

They tell us Ironman is super special, being a figment of the imagination, a fanciful creation, a character in comic books and video games and animated television and blockbuster movie theaters. Someone we can read, and play, and watch, just for the price of a purchase. Someone that we can dream about, but never actually become.

But, you see, here's the deal: they're wrong.

Ironman is not a superhero. Ironman is real.

Ironman is she and he. Ironman is mom and dad. Ironman is grandma and grandpa. Ironman is young and old and small and big and healthy and sick. Ironman is rich and poor and office and street and city and country and mountain and beach. Ironman is rolling in a wheelchair or walking around on crutches. Ironman is overweight with high blood pressure and cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. Ironman is debilitating illness and degenerative condition. Ironman is sad, depressed, overstressed, overworked, unhappy, unfulfilled, lost, and confused.

Ironman is anybody who's ever dreamed of becoming more, who's ever wanted to become better than what they are now, who's ever desired to find out the kind of person they were meant to be.

Ironman is anybody who's then decided to act, and picked themselves up, and opened the door, and gone outside, and taken the first step of many steps...towards the number of 140.6 as marked in miles, on a journey that will ultimately last a lifetime.

Ironman is anybody.

Ironman is you.

excerpted from the original at jonathan in the distance

I've been keeping up with the comments on the and, have to say, I've been really inspired by all the hard work and dedication you all have put in (as well as great sense of humour you all have maintained!)  I live in San Antonio and my 12 year old daughter asked me last night "Dad, can we go watch the Ironman next week?"....how do you way no to THAT?!?  So we are rolling down I-10 on Friday and will be there to cheer all of you on.

I'm starting the hotel search in Woodlands/Conroe/Humble are but, if anyone has any suggestions on lodging options that may still be open, would appreciate any thoughts.

Have a great last week and see you this weekend!

Doesn't surprise me. The thermometer that I drop is weighted and goes about 3.5 feet or so deep. I tied it off at the dock and went to get groceries. Very possible that it was getting the cooler shaded water under the dock. Shallower and in direct sunlight will give a much different reading. Either way, I don't see a wetsuit legal race happening.

I'd look for Spring and Conroe hotels along I-45. That way it's a straight shot into the woodlands.

You may also want to look aroung the Airport if you have trouble finding a closer place. On Saturday morning, it'd only be a 15 or 20 minute drive from most of the airport-area hotels along the Beltway or JFK. 

They tracked me on an iphone.  They said they knew exactly where I was on the bike.  On the run, there was a time that it got "stuck" and I appeared to be stopped and then all of a sudden it jumped forward to where I was.  Overall, they were happy with how it worked.

You want to share an even more awesome experience with that wonderful 12-year-old? Volunteer - there are still needs. A number of us are volunteering at the Run Aid Station #4 which is "hosted" by Team RWB. I know a number of the aid stations still need more help. I will tell you from the athlete's perspective, it is a very nice feeling to see smiling faces along the way, especially when they are on that last of the triumvirate... the run. An excited 12-year-old will lift many spirits along the way.