October was marked as the big month for IMAZ. This is where all the true testing of my metal has and will take place. So far so good. I'm definitely a ton stronger both physically and mentally. Most of my long rides have been solo although i have a had a few riding partners. It definitely helps to have a ride partner to help keep your self in check. Thank you all for riding with me. I have stuck to the my belief to, build the base and the race will be accomplished. I have multiple goals and a vision of how the race will unfold, however wisdom tells me that there will be obstacles to overcome not matter how fit a person is. Fear has crept in but not in finishing but of all the other intangibles. Injury, mechanical failure, nutrition, bodily distress all come up as possible issues. seeing ONE triathlete Sue Meno persevere in KONA was truly amazing. That was a hard blow to receive weeks before the race of her life and she stood tall and won. WOW!
Its interesting that on my long weekend rides, a lot of problem solving occurs. I have been able to anticipate potential issues, dissect them and come up with a plan to resolve the problem. I am quite sure that I will have several to deal with on race day but really that is what this race is all about Problem solving 101. Last week it was medical issues, blisters, chafing and such...my special needs bags will probably be a medicine cabinet and a grocery store.. this week it has been what to wear, yeah right seems easy, however this is the desert and I will get cold, hot and maybe wet. Last weekend brought 55 degrees with freezing fingers. I didn't like that however I did go away by midday. The s@#$ a guy can think of is incredible. So where am I at now. Focusing in on the task at hand.
So far this month I have done two 6 hour rides and will do one more plus two races as big days, not really racing but doing the events in a moderate pace. First on the list is the McDowell 12 hour Midnight run this Saturday at starting at 6pm. Its a 15 mile loop in the desert under a full moon. Its exciting and will definitely be a confidence builder. My plan is 20 miler as a run/walk as, time on my feet is the lesson of the day. Sunday am, back on the IMAZ bike course for a 3-4 hour Z2 TT. We will see what my body allows and again I wont be pushing it to the limits. SOMA half Ironman will be the following week and this will be a walk thru for IMAZ. The lesson here is to stay smooth and not get ahead of myself. Get used to being passed and stay within myself based on my HR. this will be a mental test as much as a physical one to really drill it home what i need to do. So a 6.5 hour race ought to take care of this. Patience, Patience Patience!
I think it is signifigant that my swim and cycling may be better than when I was younger. Not faster but way more efficient. The FELT on flat roads is freaking fast. Its been to the doctor now and is all well and ready to go. Maybe a last minute tune up two weeks out and some fresh rubber and it is set. My times on the course have been good. I still haven't gone all out on the course but i did have a 10 mile stretch down the hill at 28.5 mph average on Sunday. wind aided, of course, but still 28 is 28. My swims have been the one event that i felt that I could control so I spent a lot of time in the water this year, 10,000 meter weeks have been the norm. In Oct I have had several one hour plus non stop swims with drill sets that follow. My HR has steadily dropped as a result of these efforts. I am counting on this to give me a good start with out going into HR stress. However we will see with 2500-3000 folks all starting together it should be a real riot. ps reminder bring extra googles just in case.
My last concern is nutrition and in the coming weeks I will seek out the advice from all the ONE members. Several competed in KONA so i will be asking for advice for sure. I have some ideas based on experimenting but i would like to hone in this aspect of the race. SOMA will definitely be a nutrition trial. Im pretty sure that most of the athletes competing IMAZ are all going through similar thoughts as we get closer to that ever elusive date of 11-20-2011. My motto Live to Tri--Tri to Live! Let the good times roll!
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