Slow Guy

End is near: originally written September 22.  Three days before I came down with the flu preventing me form competing in Ironman Augusta.

The end is near sounds depressing, while almost go time sounds positive.  Ironman Augusta is only four days away and it is exciting and depressing.  I am relieved and excited to be near the event date.  After it is over I will finally be able to return to a “normal life”.  No longer will I be training six days a week.  I will have time to play golf; read, write and more importantly, I will have time to spend with my wife and son.  The family of a triathlete also makes sacrifices during training.  I am very fortunate to have a supportive family.  When possible I included the family on my Sunday trainings: biking or running the trails at Red Top Mountain.   I treated the family days as easy days and spent as much of my time as possible with the family.

Red Top Mtn

Am I ready? It is a stressful question I would ask myself frequently. I don’t think I could have trained harder. Could I have tried?  Deep down I think I did the best I could.  I avoided serious injuries and had about as much fun as possible.  My goal has always been to finish.  However, the competitive side of me wants to finish in the top half of my group.  If I were really serious about finishing high I wouldn’t drink Pumpkin Spice Lattes three days a week.

Pumpkin Spice

This is my rest week, the week I begin to wind down my training.  Last week was supposed to be the last intense week – the one to prepare me for the race.  Unfortunately it has rained constantly.  I spent my last week training indoors.  I hate pool swimming.  It is good exercise but mind numbingly boring.  Up…back… up… back.  Sometimes I think about swimming with my eyes closed just to break the monotony.  Swimming with my eyes closed and crashing into the wall isn’t much different than an open water lake swim anyway.

I have been told that I would enjoy pool swimming if I were with a team or a group of swimmers.  The only conceivable way pool swimming would be enjoyable is if I were swimming with the Texas Bikini Team.

Texas Bikini Team

I have been forced into the basement for riding too.  Swimming is boring, but I am moving.  On a stationary bike I pedal like a fool and do not move.  Swimming lasts thirty to forty minutes while cycling may last one to two hours.  In my basement I have my PS2 set up and play games in between sprints.  It is a formula I used on Fat Cyclist’s Ride to Nowhere.

The other option is to go to the gym and do a spinning class.  Spinning is high intensity on a bike that looks and feels sort of like a road bike (gift hint).  An instructor that is motivational and energetic teaches the classes.  Music and some type of video are usually played.  I like when they use Tour de France or other cycle race videos. Rarely do I talk to those around me in class.  I often will look to see somebody that is pedaling at a high cadence – I try to run him down.  I am undefeated in imaginary races!

On my last long ride I opted for the basement.  I set my Fuji up and dressed in race gear. I stayed low and aero as I pedaled.  I rode while watching Die Hard.  It was tolerable but not pleasurable.  I prefer open road or a mountain any day.

Gators rule Georgia!

Recently I learned that the Savannah River in Augusta has alligators.  I did not need to know this.  I never did a freshwater triathlon in Florida because of alligators.  I can accept and relax swimming in an area that may have sharks.  Alligators are different, the freak me out.  I won’t need to swim faster than the alligator – just faster than the person next o me.

A few days to go and I am as ready as I can be for Ironman Augusta.  I want to finish strong and not be eaten by an alligator.