My racing sled

Here is the new bike built to conquer the 3 loops of the Ironman bike course. Lance was right it "is not about the bike". Yet, a nice well working bike is needed to get the most out of your form.

Frame- Titanium Wheeler for 650 wheels with Carbon fiber fork
Wheels- Brazen Cycleworks custom 650c wheels, Aerohead rims, Dura Ace rear hub, Ritchey WCS from hub, 24 double butted spokes with alloy nipples
Drivetrain- Shimano Dura Ace shifters, Ultegra Rear, Connex chain Ritchey crank
Cockpit- Profile aerobars with bullhorn

Hmmm, no computer just like my last year of training. I think now that training is over I can put one on. I guess I got accustomed to effort pacing using my heart rate monitor.

Finishing time goals

Dream it. Do it.
It seems greedy to want a fast finishing time, when you are attempting your first Ironman distance race. Especially greedy when you have never attempted anything longer than Olympic distance event. But I still want to have a good race and maximize my performance. Originally I wanted to do a 12 hour race, after that became "do-able" mentally I started wondering how close I could get to a Kona qualifying time. I spent time looking at last year's results and came up with 10:15 as a likely qualifying time. I resurrected my goal, modifying it to 11:15. I figured within an hour of qualifying would be a great accomplishment. But as this race is likely the only IM in my future, in the next three years, I wonder if I should shoot higher.
The risks are obvious, go to hard in swim, then suffer early on the bike. Burn up the bike course and crack on the run. These are huge risks to even finishing. Now it makes me wish I had already finished an IM, so I could play fast and loose with pacing and risk cracking on the run.
Right now, I think I can do 1:15 swim, 5:45 bike, and 4:00 run with transitions. That is 11 hours. Don't get me wrong I would be happy finishing. But my greedy nature to get the BEST race possible, makes me wonder if I could take 10 minutes off swim, 20 minutes off the bike, and 15 minutes off the run. That is 45 minutes off and would yield a 10:15.
I guess I will have to leave those dreams for the course and the day to work out.

But I want it. Nice Dream.

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Dream it. Do it.
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Same day broadcast of AZ Ironman negotiated.

Local coverage will be on FOX Sports Net. Press Release.

Latest and greatest Ironman Arizona course news

Just heard that the Ironman Arizona is likely to win awards for having the most spectator friendly course. Swim down and back in Tempe town lake, followed by 3 bike course loops, Tempe to Fountain Hills, then a new run course that requires 3 loops as well. Catch all the new at the official website.

Time to Taper

Yesterday was my last long run. It is amazing to me that in the beginning of last year my running was such that 16 minutes was all I could muster for continuous running. Now I have done a half marathon at sub 8 minute per mile pace and a long run of 20 miles in 3:20. I guess I have been really lucky with only minor injuries and well balanced training plan that keeps switching sports on you. Three weeks to go until the big dance. Oh boy the excitement is building.