It’s one week out from my Ironman race and I’m considering a serious revision to my taper plan. One which involves eating a pint of Ben & Jerry’s every day. Because if the lake temperature stays below 52 degrees, where it has been hovering for the past few weeks, I’m thinking I can use all the extra insulation I can get.
52 degrees is dang cold. In fact, I read somewhere that 54-60 degrees is the ideal temperature for a restorative ice bath - AFTER the race. I’m a recent convert to soaking in a stew of cubes, but it does seem a strange way to warm up BEFORE the 113 mile bike and 26.2 mile run. Someone shoot me now.
The air temps in Coeur D’Alene have actually been warming significantly over the past few days (following last Monday’s snow flurries), and it looks to be in the 70’s throughout this week. At this point there’s a 60% chance of rain on race day, but don’t even get me started worrying about that! What I’m wondering, though, is will this improved weather serve to warm the lake, or will it simply cause more snow melt and therefore a further drop in degrees? I do know that as long as the water stays below 60F we’ll be encouraged and allowed to wear neoprene caps and booties in addition to our wetsuits. This will be a first for me, and of course it begs the question, if one’s head is already full of air, how much more buoyant will it become when ensconced in a rubber cap?
Perhaps you can tell I’m getting a bit loopy with the final lead up to the race. The truth is that I welcome whatever the day brings. Similar to last year, when race morning featured a two-foot swell in the lake, my attitude is that we’re all in this together, all facing the same conditions, and if the day wasn’t peppered with a bit of adversity it might lack that extra edge of excitement and accomplishment. After all, we are Ironmen and Ironwomen. So I say “Yo Idaho – bring it on!!”
This weekend has been pure pleasure for me. A mix of pampering and packing and rest, and more free time than ever as my Saturday workout was minimal and today is a complete day off. So far I’ve had a hair appointment, a bikini wax and a pedicure, and next up is a late morning massage. Then I’ll indulge in a nap by the pool and finally I’ll finish packing my bags.
My bike is already on its way to the race, courtesy of the kind folks at TriBike Transport (http://www.tribiketransport.com/). If you’re a triathlete and you haven’t yet heard of TriBike, you must be living in a cave. It’s the brainchild of Marc Lauzon, and the smoothest, most stress-free method to transport your race bike and gear imaginable. Check it out – it will save you immeasurable angst and, given the state of the airline industry and new baggage fees, some serious cash. Of course the added bonus, once you’ve sent your bike and gear off on the TriBike Transport truck, is that you have an entire week to focus on the really important decisions, such as which cute outfit to pack for the awards dinner.
I leave on Wednesday and will be sure to post again closer to race day. Meantime, safe travels to all my fellow athletes who are journeying to the wild-weathered Northwest!