In just a few more days I will be lining up for my 3rd IRONMAN! I am so excited!! Earlier in the summer I wrote about my goals for this race (Coeur d'Alene IRONMAN Goals 2017) and I truly believe that I can break 14 hours. It is within my reach and I am going for it on Sunday! If I limit mistakes and the weather holds out I will finish in under 14 hours. 😃 BOLD statement! YES!
I made mistakes last year. I didn’t follow my nutrition plan on the bike and then paid drastically for it on the run. I couldn’t run last year. I was limited to 2 minutes running with 2 minutes of walking. This year I worked hard on my nutrition during my long training rides – continuing to eat and drink later in the ride even when I didn’t feel like it. I made myself do it. That’s what I NEED to do on Sunday. I need to continue eating and drinking until the end of the bike.
Also last year the wind came up during the last half of my bike. Biking uphill into a strong headwind really slowed me down (it slowed everybody). Right now the weather forecast for Coeur d’Alene on Sunday looks awesome. I hope it holds! I can’t control the weather so I will do the best I can to deal with whatever Mother Nature throws at us on Sunday. 😀
I have been in the taper phase of my training the past couple weeks and today I can really tell I am ready to go. I have a lot of energy right now and my body is starting to feel rested. By Sunday I might be bouncing off the walls.
I have started laying out the gear I need to take with me. You have seen pictures similar to this in the past. J I do have a list that I use each time so I don’t forget anything but, the process of putting it all together still takes me quite a bit of time.
My number this year is 400. If you want to follow along during the day go to ironman.com and click on the Coeur d’Alene link.
Lastly, in my previous 2 Ironman races, I have not heard the announcer say "Chris O'Connor you are an Ironman". I don't know what happens at the finish line that I don't hear these words but, I hope on Sunday that I am aware enough of my surroundings that I get to hear those awesome words when I cross the line!
