Team -

The coaches and captains continue to be impressed with your progress. Saturday’s ride was a nice break from the long climbs we’ve been doing. Isn’t it great to say that riding a 70 mile rolling hills ride is a nice break?

The tire changing exercise allowed us to practice something we hope we’ll never need - but it is important to understand how your own bike works - how to remove that back wheel, how to use CO2 and how to get that doggone wheel back on again.

Look how far all of you have come since October.  This weekend you rode 70 miles, swam at least 3,000 yards followed by a 15 mile run. And most of you are preparing to race on two of the toughest half Ironman courses around. We still have work to do as we approach race phase but you should feel proud of your progress.

This weekend, most of the team will be racing at Wildflower or at Napa.  As we discussed at the pool yesterday… remember that Wildflower/Napa is NOT your “A” race.  This is a training day only, and should be treated as such.  Race well, but remember that your target is Ironman.  Don’t jeopardize your future training by pushing too hard.

Since most of the team is doing Wildflower or Napa, and following the taper schedule, we are going to make the Wednesday track workout an On-Your-Own workout.  For those who are not racing this weekend, we want you to swim 2500 instead - a sample workout is listed below.

Also - for those not racing this weekend - we have a 70 mile ride on the schedule. A few of us will be in Windsor riding a route that covers most of the Vineman course. Please feel free to join in - we’ll be starting at the Worldmark condos on Shiloh Rd just off of Hwy 101. Roll time will be promptly at 8 am. Let me know if we should expect you.

Going long, racing smart -

Ann, Chris, Steve and Dan