Friday Swim and Bike

WOW – Is that it? IS today the final day of the final two week build before the final Ironman? I think it is. We’re racing Peterborough this weekend and then I’m guessing I’ll have a couple of good workouts maybe next weekend, but that’s probably it. I’m undecided if I’m happy about that or not. I’ve found it a bit of a struggle this year getting ready for Ironman. There’s way too much going on in our lives right now so, although I’ve done about 98% of all my workouts for the last year, I don’t feel the excitement that I did the first time. Maybe it’s like getting laid. The first time is amazing, although it sure didn’t take 15 hours, the rest are trying to get back to that excitement! I expect the excitement will grow again with we get to Lake Placid again in a couple of weeks.

It was a bit cool outside this morning when Willem, Sid and I met at Lake Wilcox. It was a nice surprise to see Sid. I didn’t know he was coming. He also didn’t swim as quickly as Willem, so I had someone sort of close . . . well . . . . within sight anyway for the trip across the lake and back! The cooler air temperature just made the water feel that much warmer. It was a good swim. I managed about 22 minutes each way. I’m usually considerably slower heading out than coming back. I think early morning swims in that lake will stay with me for years as one of the really enjoyable parts of Ironman training. I hope the memory of the smell though disappears fairly quickly. That lake is just a bit too ‘ripe’ this year!

We did one out and back and then headed for the cars. I got home, changed into bike clothes and headed down to the Computrainer for a one hour workout. It was pretty much all zone 2 except for 3 x 5 minutes at 170 watts, which is in between zone 2 and 3 for me.

I’m looking forward to not training so much when this is all over. It will be great to watch late night television again. I hear David Letterman is still on TV! This last 4 years though has been a great experience. I’ve met and trained with some really interesting, fine folks. I’m going to have to figure out a way to convince them that training in Panama in the winter is a GREAT idea!

The Peterborough race is this weekend. I’ll swim and bike. Nadia is going to do the run. Alan is there doing the sprint. A few of the gang are doing various parts of the ½. It should be a fun weekend. This will be the only time that I can peddle my ass off, not worrying about keeping anything for the run. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been a bit slower on the bike this year, but I’m going to try my best to break an average speed of 30kph this weekend. The section between Millbrook and Pontypool is pretty hilly, but the rest s pretty level and the roads for the most part are in good condition.