Last long training ride

Wednesday evening, I left for LP after Hunter's last at-bat, arriving at 10pm.  I had plans of riding my bike 2 loops of the IM course, minus a short out-and-back portion.  Most of my long rides this season have been in the rain, and the new bike had taken a beating after 5.5 hours of heavy rain on last Thursday's long ride.  I ended up with a flat, replaced the tube, and found no sharps inside the tire.  On a shorter ride with Scott on Monday, I blew another tube, which added to a short list of grinding, shifting, & loose cable problems.  Auntie M, bless her little heart.... delivered my bike to the bike shop in her convertible, with my list of issues.  Yesterday morning, the best bike shop ever (Placid Planet), arranged to have someone give me my fixed, lubed bike, and all of the tubes/CO2 cartridges I needed, hours before the store opened, knowing I had a long ride & needed to get back to Watertown to my family at a decent hour.

I rode the 2 loops, 1st one much faster than the second, but felt good the entire time, and desperately needed to do it at least once before the race.  I LOVE MY NEW BIKE.  I am not significantly faster on it, but I am more comfortable, and transition more easily to the run after.

So, 88 total miles yesterday, a long run today, and then........the beloved taper begins!  16 days 'til Ironman!  

Auntie M and I spent some time talking about the race, & Ironkip.com, as we ran a few errands in town, and then I hit the road, in time to see my family, (all but sleepy Ruby), before they went to sleep.

Thanks to Alex, my amazing niece, for watching the kids for me, and Auntie M, for tech support and every other kind of support.  Her optimism with regards to my love of Ironman and it's trials and tribulations is so appreciated!  Thanks to Scott for affording me the opportunity for a quick overnight mid-week to train on the bike course...  Last evening after a long day at work, he took all 3 kids to the go-karts,  & Papa Johns for dinner..... XOXO