Friday Registration 9/6/13

Agenda for check in

Welcome sign

Look, it's me!!

Check in begins...

My bib #

Course maps while in line

Getting past the waivers, weigh in & finally to the bathing cap & swag lines

My cap (ladies pink, dudes green)

Swag line (license plate cover)

Check in complete

Athlete course briefing

Wednesday taper swim 9/4/13

Today all I had was a 20 minute swim so I opted to do so before work. When I hit the snooze button I didn't even have to worry since it was such a short workout!  Boom!!!

I got to the gym around 6:30 and hopped in the pool for a quickie. It was nice to read the pool is going to be closed soon for a week's worth of cleaning.  It's been gross!

When I was finishing up, I noticed that Larry was there again. He's a nice older guy who worked out of our office for some time. It's always nice to see him but also a bit strange to see a "colleague" while I'm in a swimsuit and he's in a Speedo!  Thankfully he's a supportive type and gave me a lot of positive support for the race this weekend. 

I'm also going to Dr. Ryan over lunch for 30 minutes for my last pre-race session. He is going to continue to work on my glutes, IT band, ankles and hips. He is probably going to be in Madison spectating on Sunday as well. Apparently Dr. Tracey from his office will be practicing ART up there this weekend as well. 

Following that, I'm headed to Frum Jewelers to finalize my post-race reward!!!!  An item I've dreamed about since I was a high schooler!  A nice watch...  I'm having it shipped to friends in Madison so they can give it to me after I've finished. I'm slightly superstitious and this makes me feel more calm about it! :)

Tuesday taper run 9/3/13

You know you've totally been indoctrinated into the Ironman way of thinking when going for a 3 mile/30 minute run is "annoying" and "disappointing" since getting showered and clean afterwards takes more time than the workout itself!

Tuesday's run was from home north through Rodgers Park. I ran by the soccer fields at Senn High School where lots of people were out playing that and basketball. It was a beautiful night!  I jogged easy north on Greenview and up to another high school I didn't even know was up there (the name escapes me now). So after walking 5 minutes and jogging 10, I turned around, already halfway done, to head back home. 

MB got done with his swim and got turkey meat, cheese and light sour cream for taco night. It was a little light in the fixings since all I had were tomatoes, onions, mango salsa and cheese too. Anyway, we made do and hung out for a it before I went (back) to organizing and checking my bags for the big weekend. 

To bed early and up at 5:30am on Wednesday. 

Hilarious!

Diana Nyad & I share something

Monday rest day 9/2/13

Monday was an official rest day. 

I awoke to the smell of smoke. Smoked meats. My neighbor has a smoker and I'm guessing he was making pig for the holiday. 

MB went golfing super early and we went to brunch around 10:30 at Tweet. Good food!

After brunch, we had a very lazy afternoon and watched some bad tv and then "G. I. Jane". 

I have my things in bags by discipline all strewn around my dining room and will check that I've got everything I need later tonight. It's a bit difficult to pack since the weather can vary, but I'll bring a bunch of "just in case" stuff...  

It's going to be an early night and a quick run tomorrow before a pre-race massage tomorrow night!!

Bike cleaning & lesson from Chase

Chase agreed to give me a bike tire changing lesson at his apartment with Katie. After I learned how to change my tire, we realized I also pinched it so I truly got a flat that I learned how to patch and then reinstalled a new tire for my flat. :-)

Chase cleaning my chain and drive train

Below is a pile of gunk that he removed from my chain