The Countdown is On!

Well, things have taken a turn for the better over the last few weeks and it looks like I’ll be on the beach for the start of IMC 12 days from now! I ‘lost’ about 10 days of running and biking after my calf problems from Osoyoos (turns out I had a bit of a torn muscle), but I prefer to look at it as “I had a nice 10 day break before my final 3-4 week build for IMC”.

What to Expect in 12 days from now? I have no idea! This is a slightly terrifying but mostly exhilarating time of pre-event anxiety and anticipation. Notice how I slipped the word event in there in place of race… one thing I DO NOT consider IMC to be is a race (for me). This is going to be an experience which I embrace and enjoy for as much as the day as I possibly can. Sure I’d like to finish this thing in less than 10 hours (which may still be possible even after the gap in training) but the most important thing for me next weekend is to finish with a smile on my face and enthusiasm for future challenges. There is a time and a place for competitive fire... one's first Ironman is neither the time nor place!

I’ve been happy to have my favorite training partner around the last couple of weeks and it seems to have given me a spring in my step as I get close to the big day. We did a run workout Friday which has me thinking I should be looking for a fast 10k or ½ marathon this fall; it’s been years since I’ve been in the kind of run shape where Malindi has to say “you go ahead”. I feel like I’ve moved up a step or two on the bike the last few weeks as well, thus I am very optimistic it’ll be a good day that doesn’t take too long. Did you notice how I didn't mention any gains in the swim? There are none to speak of. I’d be surprised if anyone (Pro’s aside) ever really feels completely prepared to do an Ironman, so my nerves re: not enough miles, swims, hills or bricks is just anxiety talking. Rationally speaking, I should have no problem finishing this thing. If you’re tracking me on IronmanLive or Tracker, I hope to swim about 70-75 minutes, bike 5:20-5:30 and run 3:05-3:15. But if those splits don’t happen and I finish before midnight, I’ll be scratching another one off the ‘bucket list’ come Monday morning with a smile on my face!

Good luck to everyone competing in Penticton and to those who are cheering… keep an eye out for #877 with black shorts, a blue tri top and a grin from ear to ear!

GH