Pre-race post

It's been a pretty crazy week but is settling down just in time to race. I flew to Montana Tuesday night for an emotionally exhausting overnight stay and flew home the next night. The memorial service for my grandpa was nice and it was wonderful to be near my family. They are such an amazing group of people and I love them very much. It was a short trip, and a little stressful and sad, and I was glad to be home. I won't go into it but I have a feeling all of you can relate to the mixed emotions of family time and the stress of family issues, big or small. I got out for a run early Wednesday morning before the funeral and it was perfect. It was a run I needed, physically and emotionally, and it felt great. It's a route I've done through Helena that I've done a few times before that takes me up a big hill onto the side of Mount Helena with a breathtaking view of the valley. It gave me the energy I needed to take on the day.

Back at home I've been taking it easy and keeping with the semi-taper theme of the week. I went for a ride with Zach yesterday and then we went to masters (the only time this week), and this afternoon I got in an easy run. Tomorrow morning we leave for Seattle and the Lake Stevens 70.3 race is on Sunday.

I'm really excited and confident for the race. I've done one Half Iron distance tri before, just about a year ago, and finished in about 6:12. This year I hope to improve that time, and I know that improvement will come in the run portion if nowhere else. Last year the conditions were brutal and I ran like 2:05 for the half marathon, it was awful and I wanted to quit. The weather for this race is much cooler- low 70's and that will be a huge help. I know I"m stronger on the bike but this course is much hillier so I'm not expecting a big improvement there. An equal time would be an improvement I think. As for the swim, whatever.. I just want to feel good and have no equipment issues (noseclip, goggles). The thing I am most looking forward to is doing the race with Zach and getting to watch him do his first ever long course race. Well, I won't actually be doing it with him, and I may or may not even see him on the course, but you know what I mean. He's going to do great I know it. I'm so grateful to have such an athletic and fun husband. I am so proud of him!!

Well here is the breakdown of this week's workouts. This is nothing compared to a normal week! I wish I could say I enjoyed the break but given the circumstances it wasn't that relaxing. Next week is a bit of a recovery week though, which I am really looking forward to.

Monday: OFF
scheduled rest day

Tuesday: OFF
traveled to MT after work, arrived at 11 pm.

Wednesday: Run
7.0 miles/1:02:39/8:57 average pace
Helena, Montana

Thursday: Bike
18.0 miles/1:05:57/16.4 MPH
Springwater with Zach

Thursday: Swim
2500 yards/1:00
Masters

Friday: Run
5.0 miles/45:00/9:00
Ran my known 5 mile route on the waterfront without a watch, time is estimated.


That's it!

I'll post a race report Sunday when I get home or Monday at the latest. Zach and I both took Monday off work and the day's activities include sleeping in late, brunch at Mother's, beers in the hot tub, napping, and other food and drink and sleeping things.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!