Final workout week before taper week. Given my late-night work schedule with some days off mixed in I’ve heeded the body’s call for sleep and am hoping it pays off. Still working to dial in pre-race nutrition and get my physiology right before game day. Gu digestion is going fine-no issues. My bike is getting a new chain, tightening up some play in the headset, new tape, and a new rear tire. I’m just using another Gatorskin which isn’t a race tire but it will fight against flats and last me a long time. For better or worse I’ll still be showing up and giving it a go.

I did a 2.3-mile swim today at the local Vasa gym followed by just over 20 minutes of stationary cycling in random hill mode. All cylinders were firing and no injuries or pain anywhere-which is just what I need. The advice rings in my head still, maybe just to keep me sane: “It’s better to go into a race undertrained than overtrained.” Oh, I’m definitely going to be undertrained!!

It was fun to talk with one of the cycle shop employees today about the race. I’ve looked for a site with a group of folks from my town that are going to be in the race but I haven’t found anyone yet. This guy knew about the race and knows a couple other folks doing it and we had a good chat about the pro situation. A couple major contenders aren’t going to be there due to injury, notably Jan Frodeno and Lucy Charles-Barclay. BUT I WILL BE THERE! Let’s goooo!