11 Days Out...

So I am 11 days out from Redman. I bet you will not guess what the most common question I have been getting over the last two days is???


Are you scared to death about the race???

Scared to death? I can't say I am scared at all. I have concerns about the race, but I am really not scared. But if I am honest, there is one thing that I fear doing, and it is having to make that phone call about being a DNF.

It has happened before in Branson. My first ever attempt at a 70.3. 5 flats took me out. Stupid rim tape. I am the only one to blame since I was the one that change the rubber on my tires. This year I am having a bike shop change my tires!  LOL  I know, it's weak, but it will be one less thing to worry about.

I also hate reading about other people nutrition plan. Some of these people are so detailed that it makes me second guess my own plan!  Bradleyd3 from Brad's Ironman Journey has already told me to get off the internet and train! Which I am starting to think might be a good idea. Some of these people have their nutrition down to 3 spoonfuls of peanut butter and a cup of applesauce in the morning... Crazy!!!

My plan is so simple compared to that, and that freaks me out a little. I am looking forward to the swim and the bike somewhat (although I hear the road conditions might be a little rougher than desired) but I am dreading the run.

4 loop course. A little more than 8 5K's. It is going to be mentally challenging. I plan on some walking.

They also just announced bib numbers!  I am number 65 in the full distance triathlon!!

I am also just ready for it to get here and let me do this. It has been a long time in training. A long time thinking about it and I really want to just get it going! That's normal right? So I am gonna go old school on you...

LET"S GET IT STARTED!!!!

HAMMERTIME!

I am slowly getting over this nagging cough and I really am hoping to be back up and running soon. I have actually missed it, but this cough has been no joke! My biggest fear was trying to come back to early and having this crud linger on indefinitely  so I am planning on Saturday as being my comeback time. I plan on taking it slow and easing back into the miles and routines. The only thing I can say about this cold is that it seems the best thing for me was sleep. It seemed that each day I got a good night's rest, I was a little bit better!

So since I had almost 2 full weeks off from training (that's another post in itself) I decided to do a couple of things. One thing I did was some research on Redman 140.6. I found out that on the course that are going to have Hammer products and Gatorade. Only problem is that I have never used Hammer gels or products before, so I thought it would be a good idea to order some and start using them (Remember, nothing new on race day!) So I placed an order for the starter pack of Hammer products! Here is what I got in the mail:

2 packages of Hammer Recoverite, 1 package of Hammer Soy, 1 package of Hammer Sustained Energy, 1 package of Hammer Perpetuem, 1 package of Hammer Whey, 1 package of Hammer Heed, 1 package of Hammer Endurolytes Fizz, 1 package of Hammer Endurolytes, 1 Hammer Energy Bar almond Raisin, 1 Hammer Chocolate Peanut Hammer Bar, 1 Hammer Vegan Recovery Bar Almond Cacao and 9 Hammer gels: Expresso with caffeine, Chocolate, Tropical with caffeine, Montana Huckleberry, Raspberry, Orange, Apple Cinnamon, Banana, and Vanilla.

Now that is quite a starter pack! It only cost me about $20, so I was literally blown away by all this stuff, especially since I am not sure what all of it does! I mean, I know what they gels are for and what they do, but as far as knowing what the Whey, Soy and Recoverite does is beyond me! Now to be fair, they did send along a lot of reading material (Hammer Nutrition Consumer Guide) that explains the products, but man, that's a lot of reading to do! Plus a representative from Hammer called me to ask if I got my order and if I had any questions about any of it! Had I been at home, we might have had a lengthy conversation! (He did say I could call them anytime I had a question about the products). I know that nutrition is a huge part of Ironman training, so I am looking to get a heads up on it as soon as possible and I have a lot to learn, so it is going to be quite the journey. My ironman training actually starts in late May, which will be here soon. ( I know you were all looking for a MC HAMMER reference, but I just couldn't make it fit!)