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NINE DAYS AND COUNTING
Got the itch, a little bored or are you still pounding the
pavement?
It’s the time
of year where really most pros or serious athletes despise.
The TAPER.
Ok, you’ve
trained really well and got all the long, over distance and
brick workouts in and its time to taper.
Why do I feel
so crappy?
It just so
happens that your body is in the groove and then you take it
away. The body is a creature of habit, it’s almost like a diesel
truck engine, just wants to keep going provided you feed it.
The fuel,
well, in an athletes case, is training, food, some psychological
time and rest. If your still taking naps during the day (lucky
you, you don’t have a real job) well I would decrease the amount
of time during the naps down to an hour. The reason is simple.
The body has a clock, it does things generally, chronologically
in order each day and therefore a rhythm is established. With
race day around the corner, the first thing you take away is the
nap because it wouldn’t be very nice on race day if your body
wanted to shut down around lunchtime would it? Try to get your
things done early then rest, go shopping or put your feet up and
read a good positive book. Inside of ten days, there is really
not a lot of fitness to be gained or lost.
Things inside
of ten days I recommend. Swim the whole course at least once
generally before 5 days to go. Ride your bike over the entire
course in parts. Drive to Kawaiihae and park. Then ride your
bike the last 38miles, up to the turn around and back, another
day ride the mid section by driving to the Waikoloa resort area
and start there. Then you can always do the start section from
your accommodations. This way you get a real feel for gearing
and undulations. Running it too is necessary. One day drive out
to the energy lab and do the 4 miles there, another, run back
along the queen K into town and also run the first part along
Alii Drive. Its about 10 days worth when you break it up, it’s
also a way of not over training whilst you take in the course
fully, but a little at a time. Never mind what you hear on the
street, (so and so did the whole bike yesterday and swimming it
today? Ah, now a seed is planted, do I follow or do I stay?)
Things to do
around town? This Sunday is the 5-10k fun runs, something for
the support team to do whilst cruising around town.
Monday
registration opens and then you can really get excited.
Tuesday, the
Parade and the expo happen late in the afternoon.
Wednesday,
the expo is in full swing and you should be filling your gear
bags by now.
Thursday, The
undies run from Pacific Vibrations surf shop, btw, the proceeds
benefit a local charity, so bring your giving self! At night,
the carbo party is held in the King Kam parking lot, bring your
camera!
Friday—bike
check in and gear check. Don’t forget anything.
Saturday—Race
day! Don’t forget your special needs, goggles and swim cap, the
most important things.
Just a couple
of things while on the islands. The temperatures may not be
hotter than some places where you are coming from, but always
take the conservative approach. Use sunscreen and wear a hat!
Try and stay hydrated as it is very humid. Stay off you feet
unless you are training and running errands. This is race time;
you have made it, now give yourself an opportunity to do it.
See ya at the
pier.
Greg |
