Rundown Progress Report: Year 1, T-7 days

Madison, Wisconsin. B and I rolled into town last night about 9:30, driving up from the DC area (overnighted in PA, stopped in Chi for a ~15 mile run around 4:30). Checked into the hotel, and this morning went out and rode the bike course. Well, the 44 miles of the loop. Check it out for yerself. I imagine we'll drive the whole thing at some point this week, just to get a feel for the move from downtown into the hills.

And hills there are. Honestly, though, I think I had in my mind that this was going to be like a stage in the Pyrenees, and really its just some rolling hills. The training I've been doing out in MoCo will get me through this, if I'm smart. 2 bigger hills, 1 monster downhill, a couple of steep climbs coming right after 90degree turns, but nothing that will be too debilitating, I think. A lot of my training rides had hills that were steeper, though they also all had stretches that were generally flatter. The plan is the same as it always has been -- ride easy for 80-90 miles, then see if I can bring it up a peg on the back stretch. Ride 6:20 - 6:30 ISH (with no expectations, really -- just ride, baby), and get out onto the run course hydrated, well nourished, and with a lot left in the tank for the marathon.

We found a nice bike shop on the course, which was good because I popped a spoke (on the same wheel I popped a spoke on LAST week, thanks conte's of bethesda for getting the tension right NOT) and so we stopped for coffee and a wheel fix. I thought B was going to go nuts at the midwestern chill attitude of the guy running the shop -- but it was all good, he clearly knew his stuff (even to B's high standards) and I'll probably go back there if I decide to spring for a new front derailleur. Which I probably ought to, dammit.

Lots of stuff to do this week besides prep for the race -- I've brought my research materials and need to start hacking away at chapter 4, I've got TA stuff, I've got prep to do for the class I'm taking. But I am really glad to be out here early, getting settled in for the race. 9 months of work, all coming to a point in 7 days. I'm going to try to do smaller updates daily, just to keep track of my state of mind and the process, with the thought of writing something up for a tri magazine at some point. Today, I am tired but I feel good! Right ankle is a bit tweaky, by which I mean it keeps sending me signals that its due for an overuse injury, but it isn't there yet. So, taking THAT very easy, ice and all. Good form will be key, esp. in the last miles of the marathon.

Oh, and got a new racing jersey -- UMD Tri club. Very cool, I am just hoping it wont chafe too bad on the run -- was ok today on the Brick, but thats only 30 minutes, going to have to see how it does on a longer run . . . pictures to follow!