Something Old, Something New....

Seriously, I think I may be marrying Mighty Man this weekend. And I don't even like him! Or the thought of him anyway...

I have something old: me. Something new: goggles, cold weather swim cap. Something borrowed: actually lots borrowed - awesome race wheels and a sweet aerobar water bottle from Patty, sperm helmet from Annnnn, bike shoes from Scott because mine are falling apart, nutrition from MightyB. And something blue: Annn's sperm helmet. Slap a garter and a veil on me and I'm ready!!!

But am I ready for the actual event? That remains to be seen. I know nerves and doubt in your training plan are common - but I really didn't have an official training plan. I took three training plans, picked the elements I liked (such as only swimming twice a week) and made up a plan that fit into my life.

I did have some good confidence building bricks in September. Three weeks ago, my sweet friend Victoria offered to meet me really early on Sat morning so I could get my whole workout done in one shot instead of having to break it up throughout the day. She sat in her car reading in the dark while I looped WC for 25 miles on my bike, and then she and another friend Peggy walked loops at WC while I ran 10 miles.

The following week, I did the Heart of Va bike event. Richard, Ed, Deanna, and a guy they met at the event rode 38 miles on Saturday at a pretty easy pace. I was going to run right after but was lured in by the Buzz and Ned's BBQ and ice cream that RABA had afterwards, so I ate like a pig, went home, digested a bit, and then ran six miles. I had one of my fastest runs ever for that distance (8:50 min/mi). Sunday loomed big and scary with a "long metric" that started in Ashland and looped up to Lake Anna. Richard, Deanna and I started out fairly easy, considering that we hit the Three Sisters at about mile 4, and took full advantage of the course support to fuel and rest. Then poor Richard broke a spoke and his wheel locked up at about mile 45. He called the sag wagon to pick him up, and I have to say he didn't seem very disappointed. Deanna and I continued on, and not surprisingly with just the two of us, proceeded to get lost. We got directions to get back on course and then decided to skip Horseshoe Hill to cut a few miles off the route. We still ended up with 76.5 miles. I was tired but not dead so I'm taking that as a positive sign.

I took the Monday after HoV as a much-needed rest day, and then I went out for my longest run of the season on Tuesday - 12 miles around my neighborhood. I took my three regular runs and strung them together! Between miles 6 and 8 I was sick of running and wanted to stop, but then I got a second wind and finished strong between miles 10 and 12. Given that I'm planning to walk Murder Hill BOTH TIMES I see it, I won't be running more than 12 miles in the actual event, so I'm hoping that will be enough.

And then last weekend, Victoria met me for another early morning brick. I guess I was starting to taper because I rode 28 miles (so sweet with the Zipps on my bike!) and ran 6. My runs are definitely faster on the bricks - must be something to a warm up. I hit 8:47 min/mi and could have easily kept going if I had to.

Sunday, I invited myself up to Jennifer's to practice open water swimming and try on two wetsuit options. She gave me some cold water swim tips and form advice, and helped me decide which wetsuit to use. This is the part that is scaring me the most. I hate getting in cold water and don't like swimming in murk. I'll be very happy when the swim is over. In fact, I may not swim again - ever.

Monday morning, I woke up with sore triceps and shoulders. Oh man! If I hurt after the paltry amount of swimming I did in a wetsuit the day before, I'm going to be toast after MM! But then I remembered taking a couple jumps off the rope swing, holding the whole bulk of my body weight with my arms, and felt a little better.

So, training (such as it is) is in the bank. In a few short days, we'll see where it gets me.

And as to marrying MM? I'm really leaning much more towards a one time fling.
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