Finally...

I signed up. I finally signed up for the half Ironman I have been training for since March.(And just so we are clear, it is a half iron distance race, not a branded Ironman race, but I don't care, I am still calling it my HIM). Now I do not know why I wait so long to register. I knew I was going to do it for a long time already.

The worst thing I could think of was doing all the training and being ready and then not being able to register.And doing a lot of training I have been doing. It seems like I am more tired this time around than I was last year when training for Branson. My mileage is up over last year on my bike and swim and I feel stronger. These past couple of weeks have given me a lot of confidence. I have about 2 more weeks of training, then it is taper time!

So I have really been thinking about what I have done different this year as compared to last year. I have come up with several things:

• Getting up at 4:30 AM to get in my training. So much of this summer has gotten me out of bed early to fit in the miles, either due to the heat or because I need the time to get it all done.
• I have done a lot more riding on my trainer this year than in the past.
• Speedwork on the treadmill.
• I have been paying attention to my diet, I am actually about 10lbs lighter than I was last year.
• Water, water water. I have not stopped drinking cokes, but I do not have one everyday.
• PR's!!  I have had more personal records this year than ever!
• Dumping the Garmin and iPod. I still will carry the iPod on longer runs and might use it late in the run, but it is no longer a necessity.
• Sleeping more

So overall, I am happy with where I am training wise. I think I am so much stronger than I was last year going into this distance. Last weekends 52 mile ride and 12.3 mile run felt good, and what is better than that, is I felt good after the run, which is more important to me. I am more physically tired than I was last year, but I think that is totally normal. I am on track to have my biggest mileage month ever on both the run and bike (my pool has been closed for the last 2 weeks), but after the taper, I feel confident in beating Branson's time.