Racing to Racine 70.3

Well it's almost here.  I can't believe it.  I leave for Racine, WI on Friday to (hopefully) complete my first Half Ironman.  It's been a journey that's for sure.  I started training in March.  I've spent hours on my bike, on the run, and in a pool or a lake.  I went through an insane busy period at work where I almost had to drop out of training to survive.   I've been injured.....a few times.  I dealt with severe neck pain for nearly a month that still bothers me some.  I've continued to baby a shoulder that I injured last August.  I have dealt with back and hip pain for the past 5 weeks that have kept me from running as much as I wanted to over the last 3 weeks.

But yet, here I am.  I have been nervous.  Last week I felt totally unprepared and all of a sudden  found myself wishing I had a few more weeks to train.  I needed to swim more, to run more, to bike more.  But now, all of a sudden I feel ready.  I feel rested and my injuries are cooperating for the most part.  I'm ready to put myself to the test.  I know it's going to be HARD!  But I feel prepared.  I have trained, I have tapered, it's go time!  I'm starting to feel that energy you get during taper where you want to do more.  That's a good thing right?  I had gotten to the point where every workout was so exhausting and I never felt rested, but now it's something different.   Did I mention I feel ready???

The forecast for Sunday is not horrible....but it's not great, but I'm not going to complain.  After the oppressive heat we have had in Kansas City (and across most of the Country) with temps in the 100s for 3 weeks straight - perhaps the 92 forecasted will feel refreshing??  And, the best part is the water temperature is forecasted to be about 72 degrees!  Typically Lake Michigan is about 62 or 63 this time of year, which is pretty darn cold even with a wetsuit.  72 will be just about perfect!!  Not too hot, and not too cold.....comfortable in a wetsuit!

So what are my goals?  My main goal is of course, just to finish.  My secondary goal is to finish under 8 hours.  Yes, I know most people could do this race in 6 or 6 1/2 hours, but I'm not in that league.  I will be slow at the swim, the bike, and the run.  And that's ok. My goals for the individual events are roughly:  Swim - 1 hour; Bike - 4 hours, Run 3 hours. 

And there we have it folks.  I'm racing to Racine.......let's hope I finish!