As requested (sorta) by the Commodore, I'm going to post a bit more about my taper for IM Florida. (Commodore, I sent out a copy of my taper plan, if you didn't get it, let me know!)
Today was a solid, paced swim:
2 x 200 Choice :10
3 x 100:15 kick 1-3
12 x 50 on :60
4-25 Fist/25 Fr
4-DPS(dist per stroke)
4-25 Fr fast/25 Fr
100 Choice EZ :20
Main set:
3 x 100 Fr on 1:30
150 Fr on 2:35
200 Fr on 3:00
150 Fr on 2:10
100 Fr on 1:30
All solid aerobic pace!
500 Free w/fins aero :30
6 x 50 kick on :60
200 Cool down
Swim felt pretty good and I got between 10 and 15 seconds rest after every 100/150/200 in the pyramid. Let me add a note about my taper. I'm a fairly strong swimmer. Not the best by any means, but solid. I also have terrible time running. It makes my knees hurt. With that in mind I'm pushing some of the aerobic stuff over to the pool. If you're a stronger runner, you'd probably see a little less swimming and a tad more running.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still getting the miles in but I'm also trying to baby the bendy parts so they don't explode on the IM marathon. We'll see how this works out and if it doesn't, for IM-CDA I'll spend a little less time in the pool and a bit more time on the road.
The question has also crossed my mind: How do you know you're ready for an Ironman? I keep waiting for that magical day when I wake up and say, "I could finish an Ironman today!" I don't think it is going to work like that, but I hope it does.
Hopefully, that feel good day will be November 5th.
Sadly, what I think is going to happen is this: terrible, gut wrenching anxiety until I walk across the timing mat and onto the beach for the start of the race. Then calm. It will be more of a "today you race" rather than a "let's race today."
Either one will be fine with me as long as at the end of 140.6 miles I end up with (1) no ambulance, (2) a smile, and (3) a finisher's medal. That is all I can hope for.