Taper for IMWI

With Ironman Wisconsin just a little more than a week away I am trying hard to taper. The two weeks prior are always a struggle...considering all summer long, free hours are gobbled up with training. To sit almost idle, its a challenge!
Been getting up to swim prior to work. Today was the first day in the last three where I was able to swim since Lake Michigan wasn't too wavy. The last two mornings it was too wavy for my liking so I opted to lace up the shoes and run instead.
Yesterday evening I went down to Klode to see if I could swim. Mother Nature was on my side and had calmed the waters enough for me to feel confident that it wouldn't bother my kinked up neck. Got a good swim in of about 40 minutes! Yeah!
This morning was more of the same...calmer waters so I swam for 45 minutes. I am hoping to get a bike ride in this evening. Hopefully my good luck with the weather holds out long enough for it as there are storms in the forecast.
Have a social function at a local running store. I can hear my credit card screaming SPEND, SPEND, SPEND! Already:)

Lunch

I made it out there for an hour ride. It was tough heading north along the lakeshore, wind seemed to be working against me. But that same wind that was a challenge on the way out made for a nice push back. It was great to escape for a little while.
Hope you find time to do what you enjoy this evening!

another day, same beginning

Its Thursday and once again, up at 5:30am to get to Klode Beach by 6 bells. Today it was Ted, Greg and I who were up and at 'em to catch the sunrise before our swim. We were greeted at the top of the bluff by fellow TriWi club members Amy and Katie. They were on their bikes. Couldn't entice them into coming down to the beach to check out what all the hype is about.
Once down on the beach, we had rowdy company on the south side of the beach. A group of teens were returning to the shore after their soak. It appeared as though they were hitting on a hooka.
Got another great swim in. Water clarity was perfect, temps were warm but seemed to be slightly cooler than yesterday, another beautiful sunrise with no clouds to be seen. Swam to the rock pile and back. Felt great!
Now I'm here at work. Ted and Greg plan on swimming later this afternoon, early evening but I don't think I can make that. Might venture out later on my own at Klode once again.
I am looking forward to getting my bike ride in during lunch. Gonna try to squeak in at least an hour. Will let you know what transpires.
Back to work.javascript:void(0)

Wild Wednesday

Started the day off with a morning swim at Bradford Beach. Unlike the weekend swim there, the waters were calm, clear yet still very warm. With the sun rising and dancing across the rippled waters, it was well worth the sacrifice of sleep.
My posse included Greg, Eric, Tim and Ted. Eric, Tim and I swam with wetsuits while Greg and Ted continued to brave the waters sans wetsuit.
Now that the temperatures are wamer, I am catching the swimmer's itch. Not THAT swimmer's itch but rather talking myself into swimming rather than talking myself out of going.
During my lunch break I went over to Stritch to do some crunches, elliptical and stairmaster. After work I headed out to bike for 45 minutes.
Treated myself to a Kopps Turtle Sundae with the flavor of the day "Butter Almond" turned out to be an interesting combination. Butter Pecan and the obvious, Turtle Sundae flavors of the day are better options.
Well, we are over the hump...on to the last half of the week.

delinquent

Ok, so its been months since I last posted. Sorry. Been busy with training for a few key summer events...Spirit of Racine 1/2 Ironman and the big one, Ironman Wisconsin. Seems like I had months to go, plenty of time to coast a bit and then get serious. Well, that time has come and quickly passed. Now its time to take the bike by the aerobars and put the hammer down.
Roughly FOUR WEEKS and counting!!!! Holy...crap!
Spirit of Racine was July 20. Despite being told of bitter cold waters, delaying the start an hour for the fog to lift and Starving before it began, all went well. With the exception of the race official giving me a drafting penalty on the bike! Total crap as many, many others were in packs drafting but so it goes.
Last weekend was Ripon Medical Center Olympic Distance Triathlon.
.9 mile swim
24 mile bike
6.2 mile run

Great event. Did well and felt great the entire time which is always the goal.
Had fun visiting with family while in the area. Got to hang out with my nephews which is always an adventure!

Never seems like I have enough time to truly spend with the family.
They still come to support us in our crazy adventures.
Next up....
Paavo Nurmi Marathon Relay with my younger brother. He's got some great expectations for our team. Hope I can hold up my end of the bargain. After that is Pleasant Prairie Triathlon. Then a bit of training and then taper for Ironman Wisconsin.

Now that Lake Michigan has warmed enough, I have been trying to be religious about getting there to swim. This morning was beautiful. Sun rising and casting pinkish-orange reflections on the horizon as we swam in the calm waters. Great morning and a great (roughly) 2 mile swim. I got to work to find out the beach we swam at was closed due to elevated bacteria count. Good lord! And I am sure that I consumed some of that stuff...hopefully not too, too much though. We'll see!
Have a great day.
Remember, don't drink the water:)