Eleven Days Out.

In less than two weeks I will line up for my half-Ironman. I’ll be dipping in to the saltwater canals around the old Bader Field airport in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I’m ready. Well, I’m as ready as I’m going to get. I’ve done about 90% of the work my coach assigned, and I did all the long runs and rides. I’ve done 60 miles on a bike, and 14 miles on my feet. I swam a long swim of 1.5 miles. I did a two-hour ride followed by a one-hour run.

Yesterday I spent 40 minutes on strength at the gym, followed by an hour ride and a ten minute “shakeout” run. I’m still having trouble with my front derailleur. It’s driving me crazy and I recommend no one buy anything made by SRAM or Specialized. I’m so frustrated with their inability to build reliable equipment. I will likely be replacing my road bike when this is all over.

I have my final call with my coach Monday. I’m excited, scared, and eager to get going. I know it’s going to hurt. It’s going to hurt a lot and for a while. But I think I can do it.

That is, if we get to race. Hurricane Irma currently looks poised to hit Florida or Georgia, possibly the Carolinas after shaving her way up the coast from Miami. this could easily result in tropical storm-force winds and rain soaking New Jersey by the end of next week. My race getting canceled is among the least important things that can result from a hurricane, so I’m not going to ask for any pity. But I do hope I get to race.