This is it...the most miserable training week of my life. I will do the most training miles this week than any other week, and then I get to enjoy my glorious taper to race day. All I have to do is get through this week.
The weather is not going to be cooperative, with chances of rain scheduled for pretty much every day. My plan is just get my butt outside whenever it's not raining, and use any rain as an opportunity to pool train. I will bring trash bags with me at all times to wrap any gear I am toting on my bike. And as for running, I will just have to get wet.
I will do my best not to snap at people this week. I've been fairly good (in my opinion, at least) about either reining in the crab-itude, or apologizing to anyone I snapped at immediately after. Keep in mind that I am like a toddler right now. If I am cranky, it's because I either need food or a nap.
Other than mentally and physically making it through the week, I am feeling pretty strong. I am literally in the best shape of my life right now. Along with that, I am hyper-focused on this race: I've already begun to plan what to bring, how to transition between events, and my strategies for each phase. I am ready to kick Ironman's ass. This year, I will get to that finish line. I want to hear them shout on the loudspeaker, "Amanda Barone, YOU are an Ironman!"
And then I will spend $500 in the Ironman store buying anything that has an Ironman logo on it. And I won't shut up about the race for 3-6 months.
But I get ahead of myself. Seven more days of hell...I can do this.
