IM Goals & Stalking Info

Woweeeeeee!  Race day is super close! EEK!  I'm actually feeling pretty good.  My taper workouts have been going well, I'm feeling fresh and my body & mind are slowly starting to sync up.  This is all good stuff.  I just have to finish out today at work then I'm off to lovely Lake Placid for 7 days - woop woop!

So how long will it take me to finish an Ironman??  Well... the big question will be answered in just 5 days!  For now... here's what I'm thinking....

TIME GOALS/ESTIMATES
A. FINISH under 17 hours and with a HUGE freakin' smile

B. FINISH with a 12 for the hour with the sun still out with a HUGE freakin' smile

C. PERFECT RACE DAY GOALS
SWIM = 1:12
T1 = 6 minutes (includes 800 yard run to transition)
BIKE = 6:45
T2 = 4 minutes
RUN = 4 hours
TOTAL = 12:07 with a HUGE freakin' smile!

E. RACE DAY RANGES
SWIM = 1:12-1:20
T1= 6-10 minutes
BIKE: 6:45 – 7:00 hours
T2 = 4 – 8 minutes
RUN = 4 – 5 hours
TOTAL = 12:07 – 13:38 with a HUGE freakin' smile!

So yeah, I have some ranges, especially on the run!  But let's start with the swim first. I've been hitting some great times in the pool and while 1 out of 2 open water swim races didn't turn out that great, I know I have the fitness to swim 2.4 in 1:12.  There are so many variables with the swim that could eat up some time... like... say swimming with 2700 other people at the VERY. SAME. TIME.  Yeah, that's the one thing I'm not looking forward to on race day, but in order to become an Ironman you have to do things that you are uncomfortable with.  I will get through it!!

I'm not too concerned with my transition times.  I like to keep it simple and I will do just that for each. If I need to take an extra second or two to make sure I have everything, I will. 

My big goal on the bike is to break 7 hours.  I've done the course at the Fireman Ironman camp in about 6:50 so depending on the weather I should be able to do this.  Two of the biggest things I need to be aware of is nutrition and pacing.  As far as pacing goes, I'll need to be patient on the first loop and let all those speed demons pass me on by.  I remember how tired I felt climbing past Whiteface Mountain on the second loop in training... that memory will keep me honest and keep me from blowing up on the first loop.  I also have to nail my nutrition and keep my gas tank topped off so that I have enough energy to run a little thing called a marathon afterwards!

Now, the big unknown.  The Run. I know if I only had to run a marathon this weekend, on this very same course, I could break 4 hours.  I know it, I feel it.  But can I do it on race day? After swimming 2.4 and biking 112??  I know my running is the strongest it's ever been in my athletic career, even stronger than when I played field hockey in college.  But who knows what I'll feel like out there.  If I fuel myself correctly, pace myself on the bike, I might be able to pull it off.  If I don't, I'm not gonna be upset... cause I will be an Ironman no matter what!!!

On to the fun stalking part... I may have been accused of stalking more than once in the past year.  Whether it's checking fellow IM training blogs non-stop, seeing what pro's are saying on twitter, checking all the slowtwitch & beginnertriathlete forums.... Now... it's YOUR turn to stalk ME!

If you're at home, go to http://www.ironmanlive.com/, click on Ford Ironman Lake Placid, then tracking.  You can enter my Bib # 137 or my name Jill Agresta. 

If you're up in lake Placid cheering you can look for swim outfit #1:

Yeah I might be hard to spot on the swim with 2700 other black wetsuits!

Or you can look for my kick @ss super speedy Roo:

Or look for my yellow & blue Odwalla Tri top!

I'm packing up tonight and driving to Lake placid tomorrow morning.  I can't wait to get up there!!  I'll try and post one more blog pre-race but I know I'll be busy up there and trying to relax. If you don't hear from me STALK ME!!  I'm going to be an Ironman on Sunday!!!!