1

...day until Ironman. Less than 24 hours away from racing one of the toughest races in the world. The work has been done. I am prepared. Now the fun part: the race. I finally get to see the result of all my training. I will do this. I WILL be an Ironman!

2

...days until Ironman. 2 is also the number of times Skyler has attempted this race. His first time was two years and it was also his first Ironman. This will be his second time. This is my first attempt at any Ironman. I hope I make it.

3

...days until Ironman. 3 is also the number of loops for the bike and run portions of the race. This Ironman is a great spectator event because of that. When I watched Skyler two years ago, I saw him three times on the bike and about 10 times on the run (because it loops around the same area).

Natural Running Class: Week #2

Last night was my second week of my natural running class. It's funny because it's not like I'm learning or hearing anything new, but the fact that I'm actually applying it and using it is the part I've never done before.

So we talked about 180 cadence running. I've always known this is the magic running number, but I haven't been consistent at testing it. We practiced it for a bit last night. I just need to train my brain to understand that I CAN run fast while taking smaller steps.

Sally told us that runners are notorious for having weak hips and glutes. Guilty! So she showed us some stretches to help with that. Stretches that need to be done before each run. Calf raises on ledge, calf raises while lowering one leg, and lunges. Also we did some exercises with a band: side-steps (band at knee) and threading (band at midfoot with straight leg, bend & flex foot while pulling back on band).

We also practiced leaning forward at the ankles (not hips) while running. This is difficult because my body wants to bend at the waist. She showed us the Superman run to help correct this.

I wasn't planning on applying this knowledge at Ironman this week, but I'm changing my mind. It's not like I have to commit to one way or the other. I will just try to apply what I've learned and if it becomes painful or difficult, I will abandon. I can't imagine it would hurt me in any way. I just need to concentrate on form, that will be the hardest part. So here it goes...

4

...days until Ironman. 4 is also the number of hours Skyler would like to run the marathon in. I'm hoping for a little under 5. I ran a stand-alone marathon in 3:58 last month, so I think 5 hours should be attainable. But you never know what will happen on race day.

5

...days until Ironman. 5 is also the number of days I will be away from my baby boy. I've been away from him for a night or full day here and there, but never this long. I will miss him so much! I have made my mom promise to send lots of photos and FaceTime with me every night.

6

...days until Ironman. 6 is also the number of hours it will take to drive there. Those will be 6 painful hours when we drive home. Nothing worse than tightening muscles on a long drive.