The monkey is off my back...

[Running Mommy]

I did my hundred today. Seemed to take FOREVER, but I got it done.
I rode w/ one of my customers. It was his first. We stopped WAY more than I will during the race, but we also had to deal with heinus traffic conditions, and horrendous road surfaces.
The traffic was so bad at one point that a firefighter yelled at us that we were going to get run over! :eek:
Let's just say that I think from now on I'll stay up in my little traffic free nirvana..
But yeah, 100 in the books and DONE! So I guess one month from today I'll be racing (and I use that term loosely) IMAZ..

[Tri Girl]

Yeah, RM!!! I was just thinking about you this morning wondering if you'd done the deed yet. I'm glad that it went "well." ;) And how nice that you got to do it with a customer who was having his first. What a nice occasion. One month from today will be a good day for you!!! :D

[btchance]

Yeah RM!!! You got it done. Glad you didn't get run over in the process, either ;)

[Wahine]

Yeah RM!! You really are amazing. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by your performance this year.

[Fredwina]

Congrats! :)
Hopefully, I'll have as much luck with my AZ adventure this weekend(Why am I paying money to ride my bike 250 mies?)

[LBTC]

YAY, RM! You rock!!! Lots of butterflies around you to keep you safe and full of energy and confidence.....yahoooooooooooo
H&B
~T~

[Grog]

Great job!!! You're going to be a star on IMAZ day. Wait... you ARE a star!

[rocknrollgirl]

Fabulous! I agree with Yoda, I think you are going to be surprised. Good Job!

[crazycanuck]

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOEY!!!!!

Bring on IMAZ!!!

:)

[alpinerabbit]

You'll be fine (well, as fine as you can be on a marathon after you've done the first two legs). remember last year you were also very ill for a time.


I'd love for my LBS owner or bike guru to come on a training ride with me.

[mkidd]

Congrats on your hundred tis training season. That's so cool. The most I ever did last year in my tri training was 25 or 30 for our long ride.

[Red Rock]

RM-congratulations on completing your 100. Glad you were able to do it in a safe manner as well as having a customer with you. I hope it was a good experience even with the traffic.

Red Rock

[Running Mommy]

Today I get to figure out how I'm going to get a 4000 mtr swim in...:confused:
But I WILL do it, YES I WILL!! ;)

[Starfish]

You are quite an inspiration. Starting a business is enough to keep most people more than busy! It is really great that you are finding a way to do this extensive training, too.

Very inspirational to me!

[KSH]

Great job RM! See, you can do it!

Hey, I might need to snake some of your long routes off of you. I'm pretty sure I'll have around a 6 hour ride on my schedule that Sat. I'm in town. I have to say, I'm a little scared to go riding in a strange city and state, alone, for 6 hours on roads I don't know. If you know of any cycling clubs or people whom I might ride with, please let me know.

[Crankin]

I give you credit for riding 100 in that horrendous Phx traffic. My husband is flying home today, after being there for a week dealing with ailing parents. He brought his Bike Friday and did 2 shortish rides. He said the 7.5 mile ride from his parents apt. to our old house in south Tempe was frightening... and this from someone who is a fearless rider. He told me that when he stuck his arm out, way in advance to move into the lane for a left turn, nobody would let him in!
Next time we go out, I will definitely be calling you for routes that are WAY far away from my old neighborhood!
Good luck with the IMAZ.

Robyn

[jesvetmed]

Yeah RM!!!!
And to think, in the race you shouldn't have much traffic at all to deal with -- at least not the 4-wheel kind! Without the distractions, you will do just awesome!

[jesvetmed]

KSH: Came across this website http://www.sportsfun.com/gaba/ridemaps.html
for a local bike club. It lists lots of rides of varying lengths. Having spent a little time near PHX, I'd say GET OUT if you want a peaceful ride! Go north near beautiful sedona, etc. I'm sure the locals can give you great advice.

[knapplaura]

Denise,
Congrats! I know you must feel better! I did 101 last weekend for the first time since AUG; my current 'training plan' (which I am not following too closely) said to hold off on the century till now anyways.

I am also scared that I will not do as well this year as last year. Training here in Alabama without my old support group is just not the same. And I have had lots of running injuries so my running miles are much lower.

My longest run so far is 11 miles; not nearly enough. I am doing maybe 13 or 14 for the next few long runs and then bringing the mileage back down. AAGH!

So, without totally hijacking your thread with my own worries, I am with you this year on the very big nervousness. Just really hoping that the 3rd year of training/racing will pull through with some 'residual fitness' dividends that are not apparent right now.

good luck in the next few weeks, hang in there!
Laura

[spindizzy]

RM you've overcome a huge mental barrier! Don't let your brain talk you out of what you are capable of. Way to go!!!

[Running Mommy]

OMG! we are in the same boat! My longest run has been 13!!!!!!

So we will be suffering together! :eek::o:p

You know, you've had a big life change to, and it is what it is. Don't put any pressure on yourself. Lets just go out there and have fun!

[KSH]

KSH: Came across this website http://www.sportsfun.com/gaba/ridemaps.html
for a local bike club. It lists lots of rides of varying lengths. Having spent a little time near PHX, I'd say GET OUT if you want a peaceful ride! Go north near beautiful sedona, etc. I'm sure the locals can give you great advice.

Cool! Thanks!

[knapplaura]

Denise,
Thanks so much! I am so looking forward to seeing you at the IM. We just have to keep reminding ourselves, that for 99.9% of the population, getting in Tempe Town Lake at the start of the race is too tough.

The race is a celebration....we have to think that. I have people coming in from NY, TX, AZ and Kansas to spectate...it scares me w/pressure but really should not. It means people really care; I know you have lots of fans on the course and virtually that you can draw strength from too.

You can do this race! If you have not read recently, review Gordo's website (or "Going Long") and Endurance Nation by Rich Strauss. So much of race day is EXECUTION. Your fitness is a vehicle you drive 140.6 miles. Smart pacing, nutrition, hydration are the key.

Another good book is "IRONFIT" by Don Fink. In it, he has a "just finish" IM training plan and lots of good tips for the "just finish" strategy including how to execute a run/walk plan for the run.

I am doing a 2 hr run this week and the following week will probably back it off. Gotta keep healthy above all. So it is what it is!

stay positive and I'll see you in Phoenix!
Laura

[Running Mommy]

Cool, I'll check out that Ironfit book for sure!
I'm going to do another 100 miler on Sunday. My new training partner is ALL into it! The good thing w/ him is he's new to the game, so he's all motivated. :p
I ran 15 on Sunday. I was fine while I was running, but was way too sore on Monday for my liking. So yeah, race day is gonna be ugly.

I'm just praying for an AWESOME day weather wise. It's been a windy spring out here, and you know how I feel about wind! :mad:
The way I figure it is it can't POSSIBLY be bad two years in a row can it?? hee hee :rolleyes:

[knapplaura]

Denise,
Doing a 15 mile run last weekend is awesome! Good job! You are better off than you may realize.

I just did my 'long run"....13 miles and it was hard today! The wind was gale-force. I ran for 2 hours and was counting the last 15 minutes down. I still wanted to stop with 5 minutes left; how sad! So, yeah, IM is gonna hurt!

I am doing a long bike ride this weekend too, shooting for 113 miles but we'll see.

So the wind has been up in Phoenix?...great! Tailwind! Gotta think positive. At least on the course we get a tailwind for part of the way!

Good luck with the long ride this weekend, let me know how it goes.

Laura