4 Weeks Out

We're 4 weeks out from the race. OMG.

Big training weekend last weekend. We did the entire bike course on Saturday and then I was supposed to have a long run on Sunday. But the shin splints have returned, with avengence. So the run lasted 5 miles instead of 19. Bummer.

Left work a sec early on Friday packed for the weekend and ready to go. On my way to the bike shop by my folk's house to pick up the double-decker aero bottle deal - trying to get a bunch of liquid on my bike - as much as possible. So I called ahead and put the bottle on hold. Drove all the way to Arlington Heights in rush-hour traffic... wrong bike shop. Awesome.

Drove to another bike shop in Barrington to finally pick it up. Guy behind the counter was the squerrely guy from Taste of VQ a while back. Funny. He made some flirty comment about triathletes looking stupid. "When was the last time you went for a run after a 100 mile time trial?" Loser.

Anyway, I finally made it to Mom's house where she had an awesome dinner waiting - she's so great. By the time I got on the road it was after 8:30 - In Dad's truck that only has AM radio and ONE CD. Not awesome. It was a long 2 hr drive.

Finally get to the hotel at 11 - had a good time hanging with K and M when they showed up. Such fun girls!!! We decided to get up early and do the out and back with J.C. starting at 6. None of us had done that part of the course in a while. I didn't sleep that well that night. For some reason I had to get up like three times.

We were wheels down at Fireman's park by about 6:30 and headed to the out and back. K.H. is a BEAST! She's SOOO fast. We made it all the way to the Helix. Rode it up and down just to see how bad it's going to be. Could be worse. Should be fun on the way down!

Made it back to Fireman's park just as the rest of the crew was leaving. We made a pit stop, refuled and headed out for loop #1. K.H. was crushing it as usual and M.K. and I were chilling out together, chatting it up.

Suddenly this guy comes up next to us and is STARING at me. Usually guys just ride by without a word (which I think is also pretty rude, but whatever). This guy is looking at me and says, "You're looking really strong." What? Who says that on a bike? So I go to give the guy my best "Get the hell out of here" glare and I'm like, wait a minute... it's COACH ROB!!! In from Conn.! What? So cool! I introduce M.K. and Rob and then proceed to pick up the pace and ride just a bit too fast with him for the next 25 or so miles.

I was so excited to see him the adreneline kicked in and I wanted to do my best next to him. We chatted for a while - So much fun! He's so cute... in a dirty-hot kind of way. :)

Finished that loop, refuled and out for a second. Only 40 miles left! Whoop whoop! M.K. was convinced to do it again - she's a rockstar. Longest ride ever for her! I guess for me, too.

My Infinit fell off my behind the saddle bottle holders 20 feet from Fireman's park. So then I was short two bottles of nutrition. But I had cliff bars and Accel Gel, I said I would be fine.

The second loop was not nearly as easy as the first. it was brutal, actually. I was riding alone for the most part, and it was LONELY. But it didn't last long, we were done before I knew it.

Went for a short run post ride to see how the legs felt. The shins were a little tender, but not throbing or anything. So I figured I was safe. Felt great. I could have kept running for sure. I think the long ride stretched out the legs. We'll see how they feel tomorrow.

-------------------

That night Mom and Dad decided they would drop a car off for me 1/2 way through my loop on the run so I had hydration and nutrition for my 19M run. They're so great. I got them up at 5:30 and started the run. It was HOT already. I made it about 2M before the shins were SCREAMING. By the time I got to the first car (5M) I was done. A dissapointing run, but Rob says not to worry, so I'm trying to be alright with it.

Came home and took an ice bath = not awesome.

Mom and Dad are the best crew. They're just amazing.

Mom made an amazing dinner Sunday night and I got to take a LONG nap, so that helped the body out a bit. Nervous about these shins, but taking it one day at a time.