Countdown to 70.3

Life is good. 26 days until race day. Angela and I will be leaving the Thursday before for Grand Coulee. I am hoping to be able to ride up "the hill" when we get there so that I know I can make it up. I have some concerns about that hill. Looking at the video of the course it appears to be pretty steep. I know that it is long but the grade looks intimidating to me. I figure that I will get there and ride it and tell myself "no worries". I know the swim will go very well and that my run will be strong. I can't wait!

I have started my taper and will back down this week to about 70% of my work-outs and the following week to 50%. The week of the race will be extremley light compared to what I have been doing. I continue my daily talks with myself about how important tapering is and not to worry. TRUST THE PLAN!

Last week Monday's swim was a bust. I was the only one swimming and got a late start. I had some breathing problems and gulped a few lungfuls of water. Not too pleasant. I just couldn't get my breathing rythym down so I did one lap and 2 out and backs in the lane area. Tuesday I did hill work on the bike up at WSU. I am pleased with how my hill climbing is coming and know it will pay off come race day. Wednesday was another bike day. I put about 28 miles on at race pace and then stopped in at Weight Watchers. It was good to go back and see friends and get the good feelings that I get from there. I weighed in at 172 lbs, and was asked how many pounds I was down. As I said 83 lbs. I began to cry a few tears of happiness. 83 pounds for God's sake! I will try and post some of my "before" pictures real soon. After Weight Watchers I rode home and grabbed my swim gear and went for another swim. This time my breathing was right on and I got 3 laps in and then 6 out and backs. Friday's run was fun. A quick 6 miles in the sunshine. Not too many people on the trail but all of those that were had the same smile on their face that I did. Sunday's long run was 12 miles. Great run, cool and cloudy weather. Running pace was at half marathon pace so a good work-out for the legs!

Hood to Coast relay is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I will have a report on the next blog about it!

"If I didn't have my life, I'd be jealous of whoever did."

Weight today 170
BF % 11.5