Packing

My packing list for the marathon is a page and 1/2 long. It's a weekend trip where all I have to do is run!!!

Let's see, Ironman will be 9 days in Europe, two additional sports and all of their equipment, more nutrition, vacation, etc. I'm going to have to charter a private jet to Switzerland to carry everything!


I alter between being excited about Saturday and hoping they call the whole thing due to rain (ha-ha).

I like what Tony said though, it's a 10K with a 20 mile warm-up. I can do that!

4 Days Till Marathon

Now I'm thinking about it, obsessing about it, worrying about it.

What to pack. What to put in special needs bag. I should have a spare pair of shoes - I only have one pair worthy of a marathon, the others have too many miles on them. It might rain. It might be hot. It might be humid. It's going to be dark at the beginning. How will I change out my lenses in my glasses if it gets sunny. Where does Dude need to be to change out my fuel belt bottles. What if he's not there when I need him. I should have bought an IPOD shuffle, my nano only lasts 3 hours. Should I still wear it and just not turn it on until the 2 hour mark? My nutrition has worked in training, will it work through the final 6.2 miles? What should I eat for breakfast? When should I eat breakfast? What if I get a blister? I've never had a blister. Should I pack some tissues in case there's no toilet paper in the porta-potties? Should I wear my long sleeve shirt under my other shirt? I hate being hot. How bad am I going to smell when I'm done?

Do I mentally have the strength to do this? Am I ready?

What if I finish and feel good - does that mean I didn't push myself? What if I finish and feel horrible - what's that going to do to my Ironman mindset?

What if I don't finish?

Marathon? What marathon? I bought a new bike!

My first marathon is on Saturday but all I can think about is my new bike. I did my taxes last week (101 in 1001 #25 - done for 2009) and I'm getting a decent amount back. In direct defiance to my natural instinct to save the money, I decided to get my very own tri bike.

And against my original plan, I bought a 2009 Cervelo P2. I wanted to avoid joining the Cervelo mafia but there's a reason about 40% of Team Z rides Cervelo - they are great bikes and you get a lot of bang for your buck!

Because she has P2 on the fork, and because she was bought with tax money, I've decided to name her Penny. She's comfy, she's fast, she's pretty, and she's mine, all mine!



So, today, 5 days before the marathon when I should be thinking strategy, nutrition, weather, special needs bag, etc. I'm thinking about deraillers, handlebar tape, bike fittings, and just how cool my bike is!

2009 Race Schedule

OK, here’s my race schedule. Everything up to July 12th is in preparation for July 12th. In other words, my life revolves around Ironman! It’s also a year of firsts – 1st marathon, 1st (and 2nd) 70.3’s, 1st 2-mile swim, and, of course, 1st Ironman. So here goes:

Myrtle Beach Marathon – Myrtle Beach, SC - 14 Feb 2009
Comments: I knew I had to run a marathon before IMS and when this came up on the calendar for a vote Jason called to say “Vote for Myrtle, it’s flat and there’s great strip clubs in Myrtle Beach”. Now I’m not sure why he thought that would lure me in but when I called Dude to tell him about it I did use it as a ploy. So in addition to my first marathon it might also be my first time going to a strip club. Nothing says romance like running 26.2 then watching topless women dance. Race Goal: Survive. Finish in less then 5 hours. Test nutrition strategy.

Scope it out 5K - Washington, DC - 29 March 2009
Comments: Just a fun little race the team does. We dress as Polyp’s (race raises money for colon cancer research) and the goal of the runners is to “catch the polyp’s”. No goal, other then to talk myself into getting up to run just a 5K.

Cherry Blossom 10 Miler – Washington, DC – 5 Apr 2009
Comments: This was my first 10 miles ever last year. Did it in 1 hour 40 minutes (thanks for the catch Lindsay!) – would like to beat that this year. Not sure if this will become a tradition – I’m not a fan of running in crowds.

Rumpass in the Bumpass Oly (Relay) - Lake Anna, VA - 18 April 2009
Comments: Look at the name of the race - who wouldn’t want to do this race! Team IMS is relaying and we are each doing our weakest link for practice so Robin will be swimming, I’ll be cycling, and Jason will be running. We’re really just there for the t-shirt!

MAYBE - Rumpass in the Bumpass Sprint - Lake Anna, VA - 19 April 2009
Comments: Just to do a back-to-back race. This is a maybe – it would be fun to smoke a sprint course!

2009 Colonies Zone SCY Championship – Fairfax, VA - 24 April 2009
Comments: This was my first swim meet ever last year. I did the 1650 in 30 minutes (but very consistent with my splits) so I’d like to beat that. Problem is, I still have to register and the coordinator said there are only 3 slots left so I may end up doing the 1,000.

Kinetic Half Ironman - Lake Anna State Park - 9 May 2009
Comments: My 1st 70.3!!! Mom is coming to watch so my goal is to survive, put on a strong effort, test nutrition, learn how to race a 70.3. No time goals since I have no clue what my time should be…8 hours?? UPDATE: Goal less then 7 hours.

Reston 2 mile swim - Reston, VA - 24 May 2009
Comments: This will be my first OW 2 mile swim, a good test to estimate my IMS time.

Mooseman 70.3 – Newfound Lake, NH– 7 Jun 2009
Comments: Final practice race before IMS. Time to perfect my plans and to beat my Kinetic time. This event is wonderfully planned and the area is just perfect. Looking forward to going back up there!

PRR 4 miler - Ashburn, VA - 27 June 2009
Comments: Just a fun race in the sticks close to my house. Team race – so I’m there for the beer.

Ironman Switzerland - Zurich, Switzerland - 12 July 2009
Comments: Holy crap, I’m doing an Ironman. My ultimate goal is to finish within the time limit, healthy and smiling. Time wise: Worse case: 15:59:59 (well, worst case is anything over 16:00). My goal is 14:30. My ultra stretchy goal is less then 14:00. The best part of doing this in Switzerland is I’m almost guaranteed a daylight finish! Sun doesn’t set until around 10 pm.

No real plans after IMS. My short list of maybe’s (and I will definitely do at least one) are:
Luray Oly (Relay) – Luray, VA - 15 Aug 2009
Patriot’s International – Williamsburg, VA – 13 Sep 2009
Savageman 70.3 (Relay) – Deep Creek, MD - 19-20 Sep 2009
Giant Acorn – Lake Anna, VA – 3 October 2009

Bib 1220 - IRONMAN Switzerland 2009

When I registered for IMS I had about 8 too many shots of tequila (stupid Patron) so I ended up buying a $150CH gift certificate. I just used $33CH to purchase my bib number: 1220 - or to help you remember Dec 20 - my birthday.

This makes it even more real!

HOLY CRAP - I'M DOING AN IRONMAN IN 158 DAYS!!!!