A busy weekend of training this weekend and its time to pack up for Ironman Canada. We fly out Monday AM.

Wow, how the year has gone by. Last year at this time I had come off a cycling accident, did Wasksui as a prep race and had no idea if I'd be able to start the race never mind finish it. This year I started training immediately and am totally ready. My weight is about 10 pounds lower than last year, my cycling has improved and I have had some PRs at some run races. The one weakness is my swim (I plan on doing something about this for next year).

Chris, my coach has prepared me with some great workouts. Working out with an online coach has been benefical but unfortunately he has run into some issues so I'm coachless for this race. Not a big concern on my part, I'm ready, its just too bad we couldn't have worked together until the race.

Next Sunday I'm racing. I'm ready, but don't want to get cocky. One thing about racing is you never know what race day will bring. You can prepare and the more you do the more you do the more likely the outcome will meet or exceed your expectations. Just remember, humility is a virtue.

Well its pissing rain out there. What's a fellow to do? I headed out in the hopes it would calm down but not to be. Contacted everyone by cell and my guess I got some out of bed :). No long ride today.

I had a massuage done by Teena yesterday. She stated the sore knee is likely a bike issue not a running issue. I thought it might be because I have a habit of turning my foot out but she was more asking whether I was turning in. After some reflection it came to me, it always does. I had moved my seat forward over an inch to its maximum setting. This helped with the back as I wasnt as stretched out and could rest more comfortably on the pads but it dramatically changes the ride. I have noticed that the quads are a little stiffer and I enjoyed turning in and riding with more force the last long ride. The process was started about 2 weeks ago, gradually 1/4" at a time and that was about the time I started to notice some irritation. I am going to start moving back by the same increments. Somewhere there is a balance there. Too bad there isn't more time to experiment. Bascically one week of taper and then I head to Ironman Canada. Be cautious what you do this close to the A race.

Tommorrow we do a long 3 1/2 hour run to simulate IM. A steady run going hard the last 1/2 hour. That's it, taper runs after that with one long ride thrown in. Swimming becomes the emphasis. I'm ready to go; probably in the best shape of my life. Be cautious, train but don't over do it. I am so looking forward to this.