Almost there

Almost there.... almost... 22K missing, and I've done it!! today I've tried to "cover the half ironman distance" and I went pretty close, I guess. 68K cycling with BRAT (2h and 40 minutes, including, stops, traffic lights ecc ecc), 21k running on the treadmill (it was raining outside.... time 2h and 18min) and 1.9k swim (almost 45 minutes, really slow....).... But I've almost done it! Considering the times, the stops I had (long T1 transition to go to the gym) and other factors, I'm aiming for 7-7.5h for the IM 70.3, as it is going to be really hilly (really....), while today bike ride was flat and fast.... the IM 70.3  bike leg will take more time. People win the IM 70.3 in 4.5h!!! I'm far far away from it! Any way, I was happy about my long long day. It is true, I haven't followed the swim-bike-run order, as my swim was last, but I had no other choice, as the BRATS meet at 8.30am at the other side of the city and the gym on Sunday opens at 8.00am....But I tried my best! Cycling was fun, a flat road, pretty quick. I went out with the C group (the easiest as length and speed) and next time I'll ride with the B group (longer and faster group that the C group). Running I've seen almost the entire season 6 of Family Guy, and it was really funny. Sometimes I had to stop running because they made me laugh so much it was impossible to run and to laugh at the same time! I guess people in the gym thought I was mad! The swim was really slow, as I was tired, but despite that, I managed to do it under the hour, the maximum allowed time... When I finished it, I relaxed myself in the Jacuzzi for at least 20 minutes, and that was really nice!

I was surprised by several things: to finish it without cramps (maybe I was lucky...), not to have drunken a lot (1 liter of water and 1 liter of glucoside during it, a lot after that) (maybe it was not hot...), to have eaten only a banana and two gels during it.... I still have to learn to manage both  the food while racing, and peeing... I've learned I have to start really slowly, and I have to keep my hart rate slower that in my training. In training I always aim for 150-160, which is around my 80% of maximum. It is fine for training, that is usually short, no more that 2h, but it is too much for such a long race. Racing I have aim for the 140-150 zone. 

When finished I went to the city centre for the usual treat: a Subway sandwich!! I'm considering bringing a Subway sandwich also at the IM 70.3 race!!! Maybe a foot long for that occasion! 

I'm looking forward to thursday, for my first open water swim....