Race Week

It's here already? Thirty weeks of training seems to go by faster and faster every year I do this. Surprising too because this year has been a real challenge to get the training in with the crazy weather all through the winter and spring. This year more than previous years just seemed to have more cold and rain on the weekends then I can remember.

The weekends of course being reserved for long rides and long runs were tough to get done. Nothing like riding 100 miles when it's 50 degrees, in a steady rain. But it had to be done so we did it. Matter of fact I really didn't miss too many scheduled workouts if you don't count the three days I missed in late May with a sore achilles.

Otherwise it's been fairly uneventful... Just slogging through the endless laps in the pool, hours on the bike either on the trainer or on the roads, and miles and miles running.

Again this year my training buddy Jared pulled me through some tough workouts and it's been really great training with him all year. You gain a tremendous amount of respect for someone who has worked so hard in the last couple of years improving as he has done with his running. He's going to crush it in CDA this year and could snag that Kona spot if things go well...

Other friends going, Hugh, the comic relief of our little triathlon team (Team Spleen as he refers to us... he's a doctor) is racing his 2nd CDA and with his crazy schedule was able to train with us the last month or so. He's a beast and will will no doubt have a great day. Hugh and I could actually finish side by side.

Shannon is attempting his first Ironman in CDA. He's coming off a few back surgery's but he's in good shape and had a great day in Kansas a couple weeks ago. Can't wait to see him cross the line and get his named called as an Ironman.

As for me I'm hoping to break 11 hours this year. I think there is a real good chance of that if everything goes as planned. Realistically I should be able to do this if I stick to my pacing and nutrition strategy. I learned a couple lessons in Louisville last year especially on the run that if I can correct this time around should get me in under eleven.

Although each course is different and pulling off another 5:37 bike split might be difficult on what's considered a tougher bike course then Louisville. And if I do, will I have enough left to run a sub 4 hour marathon? I guess we shall find out!

Bib Numbers for anyone who wants to follow us on www.ironman.com...

Tim Freeland- 1445
Jared Kuntz - 722
Hugh Ryan - 1032
Shannon Smith - 913





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And Now the Taper

Ok we made it... made it to the taper for Ironman. I always look forward to this part of the training. Slowly cutting back the volume of training is the reward for all the long hard training put in over 30 weeks.

I actually feel lucky to still be moving after the last couple weeks. Tweaked my left achilles doing intervals on the track during our annual Tour de Tracks workout the Monday after Memorial Day and thought my season was done. The achilles healed up by Thursday and I was able to get back to training... just in time for the last big weekend which had it's own issues.

Saturday after our Big Day Training workout (1 hour swim, 6 hour bike, 1 hour run) I cramped up terribly and actually had to call Jared to come help me out! The workout itself was okay and both Jared and I made it through the swim and the bike only to melt in the 95 degree heat and cut our run short after 25 minutes. Hugh was out looking for us and offered a ride home which we took without question.

One last semi-long weekend ahead and then the volume cuts back even more. Should be fully recovered, rested and ready to go come race day June 27th!