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March 3,
2007:
It’s time to
race!
Well
the big day is finally here. My taper has
started and all the hard training is over. I
feel very fit and ready for Ironman Arizona.
Peter and I have discussed race day nutrition
and we have developed a solid plan for making
sure that I am properly fueled during the race.
My last week has been spent focusing on staying
relaxed in the water and on the bike. I have
discovered in my training that making minor
correction to my swimming stroke or bike cadence
pays big dividends. I have been concentrating
to make sure that I am consistent and smooth
during the swim and bike.
The
great people at Specialized have given me a new
set of Roval Rapide Carbon wheels to ride during
Ironman Arizona. These wheels were tested in
the MIT wind tunnel and are faster than
TRI-Spoke wheels. I have no excuses for not
having a fast bike leg. Anyone who has
completed an Ironman knows that the commitment
to training is the hardest part. There is a
direct correlation between hard training and
race day performance. Looking back on the
training plan I now realize that I am ready for
this race. I am mentally and physically
prepared. I have completed a rigorous training
schedule under the mentorship of a three time
Ironman World Champion. The long training days
are over and the only thing left to do is race.
I
have to thank all the great people that made
this day possible. A special thank you to
everyone at Specialized Bicycles (especially
Ariadne & Louie). My great coach and mentor
Peter Reid and his great staff at PRPP, my wife
Sarah and son Tyler, Powerbar, and Blueseventy.
Words can’t express the gratitude I have for all
your help and support. We have raised over
$50,000.00 for the Injured Marine Semper FI fund
and $32,000.00 for the Kaiya Collado Scholarship
Fund.
I
will proudly be running with a full sized
American Flag during the marathon portion of
Ironman Arizona. This flag was in the back of
the vehicle when SSgt. Jay Collado was killed in
Iraq. It represents the greatest country in the
world and the ultimate sacrifice of America’s
true heros! I will close with an inspirational
quote that I have been saying in my head during
the long training days:
“Triathlon is a metaphor for life; there’s
always someone faster than you, always someone
slower. All you can do is hang in there and put
your heart into it.”
Semper
FI
Andy |
