Monday, October 13, 2008

And the Taper Begins

Ah, yes. Those are sweet words, no doubt. Bring on the 2 hour bike rides and the 2,000-3,000yd swims and the 5 - 10 mile runs. Bring us a safe trip to the Redneck Riveria, a game face on the outside, an iron heart on the inside, and a November 1st that will be remembered for a lifetime. Because the work has been done. Bring on the Ironman, baby.

Three weeks and counting.

Friday's workout didn't go as smoothly as planned, but sometimes you just have to improvise. I was on a pretty strict timetable all day long, because I had to start swimming at 5:30 and be done with everything by 3:00 p.m. - in time to take the boys to their batting lessons in the 'boro. Well, I didn't exactly get started at 5:30...it was more like 5:50, and I only got in 4500 yds as a result. But hey, surely 4500 is enough, right? Surely. The swim went well, though, no problems, and I felt good. So I took off on my bike and headed toward my house because I had planned on picking up my peanut butter sandwich (I forgot to bring it with me). Of all the times I've ridden that 2 mile strip, this time I get a flat. I had glass wedged in the tire and the whole thing took me an hour to change. It wasn't that the tire itself was that difficult, but I just wasn't excited about changing the flat to begin with and I guess I was moving pretty slowly. So I finally got back on the bike and took off. Don called around 10:00 and joined me, and we rode to Tullahoma where I joined up with Tom and Aaron for their lunchtime ride. Don took his wife out to lunch (It was his birthday - Happy Birthday Don!) and then met me for the ride back. When we got back I had close to 70 miles, and I kept riding until shortly after 2:00 to get a total of 80 miles in 4:45. No, it's not a hundred, but it was the best I could get under the circumstances. On the plus side - I felt terrific the entire ride, and could've easily gone another 32 miles. So, I then hopped off and put on my running shoes. Again, this was supposed to be a 1:15 run, but I shortened it to 5 miles to be sure and be done in time. I felt great during the run, and finished it in 47 minutes.

Saturday was a 2 hour ride, and I just reveled in the beauty of the fall leaves, the fall sunshine, and the sweet word "taper."

Sunday, nothing.

Today - 1 hour bike, 6 mile run. Got the run done at lunch, heading out for the bike shortly.

11 comments:

Andrea said...

Even your taper sounds like a lot to me, but then again, I'm just getting starting moving period - lol. Hope you enjoy the next 3 weeks!

Darrell said...

Roll with it and enjoy the all those hard weeks.

Mike said...

Exciting times ... enjoy the taper. All the hard work has been done.

Missy said...

Now THAT sounds more like it:) I'm so excited for the taper, I can hardly stand myself. May even be home some evenings...what a novel idea! Not sure where you're staying in FLA, bunch of us are at Gulf Crest.

Anonymous said...

3 more weeks!! You must be getting very excited. Enjoy the taper.

Anonymous said...

A two hour ride is still long for me...I guess it is all relative. Enjoy the taper!

Spandex King said...

Rest up and then Rip it Up!

tri-mama said...

Lana I am so proud of you! My only regret is not getting to race with you or cheer you on. I'll be glued to the big screen all day though.

we had a riot this weekend, so when you wrap up this bad boy, I'm hoping you think happily about joining us in Feb in Myrtle Beach :-)

Anonymous said...

delurking to say how Ive loved following your journey...

JP said...

Time to bring it on down and head South, look out PCB.

jahowie said...

I hope that you are enjoying your taper time. Have a great weekend!!