The TAPER

The Taper. The good, the bad, and the OMG. The taper is the time period when the hard work is done, but the muscles need time to recover and reenergize for the race. The athlete still works out,  but lessens quantity. I had planned a 2 week taper. It kind of turned into a 5 week taper. but thats the hand I was dealt. After last weekends hour swim and 4 hour 70 mile ride, I knew I was good. This past week, I swam once, biked twice and ran 18 miles. I took 2 rest days! This kind of makes me laugh. Perspective changes when you train for months for an Ironman. I think back to when I used to just workout to get healthy, I averaged 2 rest days. Now I celebrate 2 rest days with a mile run on those days! I plan on a few rest days this week as well. At the time of me typing this (5:10) I hope that at this time next Sunday, I will be on the run in Louisville. But I digress. The taper will try and mess with you mentally. Not doing a long run or long ride is not normal. The question of "have I done enough" " did I put in enough work" starts to creep in. After my marathon and half ironman experiences, I have learned to rely on my saved workouts through Garmin to be easy to check and show me what I have done. As of today, I checked the last 365 days.

1318 miles ran

3,092 miles biked

121 miles swam

When I look at those numbers, I have put in the work. I have put the time in the saddle, miles on the shoes, and swam in open water and followed the black line up and back more times than I want to admit. But its been fun. Some of these are racing miles, some of these are miles my legs didn't want to do. But I have a goal.



and I wanted to be prepared. So I worked my tail off. I tracked calories. I asked questions. I pray I didn't annoy any of my friends who have completed 140.6. But I'm always trying to better myself and my chances of finishing this challenge. If there is a way to climb a hill better , I want to know. If there is a nutrition trick, I want to know. When I left yesterday for my bike ride, Brittney said, "Be careful!" I laughed. I haven't ever been so careful. Yesterday and today I took zero chances. I watched behind me like crazy. I have less than 7 days and I've been through enough. My energy level is right where I need it. I'm focused. Ready for this race. My runs have been normal but maybe a touch slower to watch every step. There isn't time to recover from another accident. It's game time, race week! Brittney asked if there were any special dinner requests as she knows race week nutrition is important. My wife is amazing. She has been nothing but supportive of this journey and has listened to me go on and on about IMLOU and what other triathletes have done. Seeing her prepare for Columbus Marathon as I prepare for IMLOU is incredible. Full time working parents of kids aged 5 and 9, both training for endurance events at the same time. I think thats pretty cool. We rock at time management and work together to make sure we both get the time we need. I also think it helps keep our marriage as strong as it is. We are there for each other. We cheer each other. We

each other! Thats LOVE. I couldn't be here without my jr. high sweetheart. 

This coming week looks like this:

Monday court at 9 am, work noon -10pm

Tuesday, bike ride early then work from 2-midnight

Wednesday, run early then work. Internal Affairs appointment (bogus complaint involving officers and supervisors, AKA another stress I don't need this week but must deal with)

Thursday, swim and massage then packing!

Friday I leave to Louisville!

Saturday is bike check in and relax day

SUNDAY IS RACE DAY!

Sunday you can track me on the ironman.com website and when I get to the last mat, you can start watching the live feed and see me cross the finish line live. its free. just be patient ;) Or if you want to drive to Louisville and be a part of the party, let me know! 6 days ...tick tock