Week 31 - Finally! The Hard Work is all Done - The Taper begins

This week was a welcome week marking the first of 3 weeks of taper. The reduced mileage started but I still had to keep up a fair amount of intensity to keep everything sharp and finely tuned. The swimming keeps improving all the time and I am so happy about that. I finally had a swim with Julie managing to keep up with her so now this proves that I have improved and made a breakthrough in that discipline. I now went from 1 speed swims to 3. The first was when I was injured so could only go latida speed, losing a lot of time. The second speed is now my cruising speed which is faster and sharper with smoother controlled efficiency. The Third speed which I have just gotten is my racing speed. I can now hold this speed for up to 4000 meter which sets me up just fine for Ironman. Talk about that coming just in the nick of time. I should be able to equal or better my Ironman swim of 2005, I hope.

The biking as always is improving also now being able to maintain 31kph on some of my intermediate rides. I got a tuneup on my bike this week and got new shifter and rear brake cables put on. These are Noki cables of superior quality and gold to match my bike to boot. I also adjusted my seat again as it does not quite feel right but have to get this perfected in the next week or so as time is running out. I am bringing out both my training and race wheels just in case of the high winds.

The running is going great but lately I sort of feel a lump in the sole of my right foot. It does not hurt but somewhat uncomfortable. The new shoes are now broken in, the speed laces in and I am ready to go on this one. Last run was 24 kms and I ran that very well at a 5:15 pace. One more 18km this next week and that will be pretty well it except for a few short ones.

I have started to get my gear ready now as we are leaving in 6 days and don't want to rush at the last minute. I also have been experimenting re-locating my bike equipment such as spare tubes, co2 cylinders and pump and levers without that big pouch. Think I got it down now and more weight savings. I also have my medical this week to confirm how great a shape I am in but really because it has been quite a few years since my last one and might as well get it over with with all the blood test and such. Anyway, things are going so well that I sense too well! I am being so very careful now not to get injured or minimise contact with too many people in case I get a cold or something. Also taking less risks on the bike...aero on the fast rides for example. Will keep my mirror on till the last day. 11 days to go now!