Ironman New Zealand: 6 weeks out should I bail?

Well upon looking at the calendar Ironman New Zealand is 7 weeks out. Part of me is in panic mode, my training has reagally sucked, the weather hasn't cooperated and now I'm debating sending an email to the race office on withdrawing. I 'll toss up the big reasons why I'm consumed by fear at this point:

1. The weather is supposed to go from seasonably cold to hunt your own mammoth. This week they are talking temps of -10 and I don't mean -10C. I haven't been able to break out the bike in weeks and I'm starting to worry that 3 X 2-6 hour trainer sessions a week isn't going to cut it, I need to man up and get outdoors but at the same time, I don't want to risk injury, illness, or frostbite.

2. My little Achilles issue. Well it turns out weak pedal stroke and working the treadmill hasn't really helped it any. Likewise it hasn't gotten worse. This week I'm going to try to get some miles in the legs...but if it hurts after this week status for racing could be doubtful.

3. Deadline to withdrawl with any sort of refund is Wednesday...if I'm going to wuss out I at least want my money back.

4. Hopefully my last undergrad semester: This is going to be the biggest academic semester of your life, you need to focus on the books buddy, and then when this one is done you have to start looking at grad school, or med school, or law school, or getting a good paying gig, and not to mention your own place, plus take care of your parents, siblings, get a hair cut, pay off this that and the other thing and a billion other things that should all be your number one priority right now.....

These are probably just my normal pre race fears that I usually vent to my friends or sisters but I'm starting to feel afraid that maybe I won't be ready in time... my base miles over the summer have carried my fitness, but complex personal issues, have killed my training in the past few months. My swimming has been pretty stellar my running well I haven't had any decent run training since the begining of break and then my achilles flared up. Cycling well...I'm starting to think Coach Troy's base builder is too easy....and the couple of times I did get out I only managed about 35-40 miles...before darkness set in granted I was averaging 18-20 mph. This weekend Saturday is supposed to be clear and so is Sunday but temps are supposed to be about 20-25F I've never ridden in under 30F weather and part of me is afraid to try. That 30F threshold seems to be the point in which all sane cyclists head indoors...but then again who ever said I was sane....


I said it before and I'll say it again Fear maybe healthy but it sucks.... balls!
(sigh)

On the positive side of the news...

Claire Bad Ass Mo Fo broke 4 hours in the Disney Marathon and beat her HotFurd Time...that coming after running the half in a blazing 1:46 yesterday. Runner Gal and the Cranks had decent placings too and no word yet on if Angry Runner manager to find a host for his offspring...although with the good results team blogger had in Orlando I'm sure this also ended in success....

Well that's it for me, I've got an early morning and a full day ahead...I have an interview for that coaching position then I have to track down a lifeguard recert course because I'll need it for the summer.

Frazzled
R.D.

2 For 1 :Go Speed Racer Go! and Trying to Race a Blizzard.

Well Claire Bad Ass MoFo just man handled the Walt Disney World Half Marathon pulling a time that would be good for me a 1:46.13 ( this actually beat my run split from Eagleman and RI 70.3) so her Goofy Race and a Half is off to a good start. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the Marathon Battle Royale between her Runner Gal and the Crankmiester Also it's a frigid for Florida 55F down in the land of the Gators and Citrus fruits which is stark and bitter contrast to Connecticut.

This morning as I went out to warm up my car it was a tropical 15F and there is the "mother of all snowstorms" on the way. That's right more snow and there is talk of bitter cold and yet another storm next weekend which makes me think I'm going to be pulling a Ken Glah by doing all my bike training indoors. Tonight they are predicting between 5 inches to a foot and a half of the white crap..at this point it's more annoying than anything...I'm starting to get sick of life in the tundra especially WHEN IT SNOWS OR ICES EVERY FREAKING WEEKEND AND THOSE ARE THE ONLY DAYS I CAN RIDE/ RUN OUTDOORS! ok I'm better now.

So today despite the high is going to be a "break out the shorts" 28F I'm going to look at the weather forecasts and see if I can get in 50-60 miles on the bike before this place turns into a skier's paradise...which the weather forecasters can't agree on when it's supposed to start..some are saying 5PM which would allow me to get my frozen ride in, others are saying 3PM which would allow me to get 20-30 miles, others are saying dead at noon...I figure I'll just shoot out to the lake ( since the roads still have a little frozen residue from our last ice storm and I don't feel like descending a steep hill at a high rate of speed only to see an icy patch waiting for me at a sharp turn.) and do loops until it gets dark, I get too cold, or starts snowing and follow it from there, not the most organized training program on earth but in my climate it works.

Last night I managed to do my annual hour swim as my Ironman Test 4650 yds. (2.64 miles) in 60 min. That's holding roughly 1:25/ 100 meters so my estimated Ironman Swim split if it were to happen last night is a 54:42..granted add in the adrenaline factor, the wetsuit, drafting, the current at Lake Taupo and I stand to do about a 52 min swim..granted I still have 2 months of training ahead.

My Achilles I've decided I'll start running again Tuesday to set up my in school running schedule ( Tuesday Afternoon, Thursday morning or night, Saturday long brick.) and also to give it a little more recoup time I don't want to be remembered as the guy who's tendon exploded at mile 5 of the marathon, or pull a Sam McGlone and sit out with injury. I still have good base and I figure I'll only taper two weeks going into the Ironman, it seems logical since I only give myself a week taper for my halves.

Well that's all for me I have to go gather supplies, and try to get somesort of training in today and hopefully it won't be 4-6 hours on the trainer again....I've already watched almost every dvd in my collection and seriously it gets annoying riding to no where.

Edit: It started snowing at a good clip when I arrived home to get my bike, looks like it's a date with the trainer and DVD player...you win again old man winter!

Looking into job opportunities and Condos in New Zealand, Australia, San Diego, Miami, Orlando,Barbados.....

R.D.

Goofy Runners I salute you!

Well Cranky, Speed Racer and Runner Gal are in final preperations to go to Orlando for The Disney World Marathon and the Goofy Challenge, they will most likely be joined by the Angry Spectator. I am a tiny bit jealous as while they will be battling heat,humidity, the never ending chorus of "It's a small world." and a lines of kooky people in mascot wear, I will be battling cold temps, possible winter storms, darkness, and all that jazz here in the New England Tundra. I have their sites highlighted and I will most likely be following Speedy's exploits in her Half/ Full Goofy double. I could go into my personal shit but for once it's not about me...those about to rock Florida I salute you..and a few closing requests.

Cranky: please give Mickey a swift kick between the legs for me.
Runner Gal :good luck a marathon PR is in your future.
Speedy: Just look at this way it's 39.3 miles of icky cross training for RAAM.

Alright that's all from me.
His Body maybe in Connecticut but his soul is in Florida.
R.D.