Ironman Louisville - Pre-race update

Saturday, 18:00

Yesterday I swam in the Ohio River for the first time. I was nervous. As people jumped in the water the bubbles were a murky brown/green. In I jumped. WARM WARM WARM. The water is murky, but not the worst I have swam in.

In the afternoon, I made my way with another Ottawa triathlete to the bike course. The bike course is beautiful rolling hills; horse farms, tobacco farms ... beautiful and challenging ... more than once I was caught unaware and missed changing gears quick enough and had to mash my way up what should have been a moderate hill.

This morning I made my way to the Gatorade swim practice. Lots of other athletes around in downtown Louisville. As I made my way along the riverbank I saw a relatively large crowd of people around the swim area; and wouldn't you know it ... turn on the faucets ... the tears welled up as I realized that once again, I was going to do this crazy thing called Ironman.

This will be Ironman number 11. Can you believe it? I have a hard time believing it myself. Looking back from where I came; where I started; it amazes me still.

I do this because? Because I can. Because so many people can't. I do it for me. I do it for them. For the woman in Madison Wisconsin, bound to a wheel chair, who was so happy to be volunteering. She gave so much energy. I race for her.

Louisville - Check-in day

After a leisurely drive from Ottawa, I arrived in Louisville yesterday. A beautiful drive from Cincinnati to Louisville: lush, green, rolling hills.

I'm staying out by the airport right now: a little more economical than the downtown hotels. Driving in Louisville is a breeze. Lots of well marked highways.

I've been doing lots of resting, and yoga this trip. It is keeping me calm.

This morning I went down to the race hotel: Galt House. A large complex of three (?) buildings. All the race events were on one level. Check-in was a breeze. Inside-Out sports had a good display. And Eventstore had lots of IM Louisville merchandise to buy :)

After check-in, merchandise buying and lunch (yummy Thai food), I decided to check out the transition and swim start. I knew they were in two different places, but WOW ... at 2 in the afternoon, sun beaming down, the walk from Galt House, to the transition (about 1K) seemed long ... the walk from transition to the swim start (about 2K) seemed even longer.

The water in the Ohio River doesn't look very appetizing ... murky, green, the odd dead fish ... and warnings about sewage runoff after rain storms ...

Tomorrow morning I will make my way into the mighty river ...

Preparing for Louisville

Yesterday: the pre-trip oil change.

Today I'm taking it easy ... I've been taking it easy for a week now ... such is the taper before a race.

Lack of exercise with subsequent lack of endorphins and weight gain make Dick an unhappy boy. That will all change soon.

Tomorrow I will pack the car and start the journey to Louisville and Ironman Number 11.

Enough with the rain and thunder storms

So, here it is, Wednesday afternoon and I think it has rained every day for the past two or three weeks ... like being in the tropics ... afternoon rain and thunderstorms. It wouldn't be too bad if it were hot and humid ... but it is just humid ...

needless to say, this is not helping my training for Ironman Louisville at the end of August. The last good long ride I managed to do was in the middle of July ... arg ...

My last big ride will be this saturday ... and guess what ... the forecast is for rain ... double arg