So that weekend is here

A reiteration of the last post basically: just super fucking busy. House is being remodeled: kitchen, floors, paint, main floor lighting, fireplace, etc. I did most of the demo to save money, so my little down time has been spent on that. Not much time for blogging.

Updates since my last post:

• Training has been pretty steady. My mileage is up there for running and biking. My swim is holding a steady 9 min/500 yard pace for 2200 yards. Bike I am holding at a steady 18mph over varied, hilly terrain. I expect to hold closer to 20mph during the race. Running I can hold a 9min pace for an hour. Still not fast, but steady.

• Spent Labor Day weekend in Moab, UT with Sven, Abe, Misha, Kurt, and Brett for our annual bike trip/Cal Cycling reunion. In reality it's just us all taking time off to hangout and ride bikes. Abe brought a drone and we got awesome pictures and video. I'll upload some eventually.

• Sarah took Haley to SF for a week during September, so I spent a week training and ripping up hardwood flooring. I highly recommend against doing that without somebody to help. It sucks. 

• And I've lost 35lbs; I'm now sitting at a pretty steady 215lbs. I still have another 15lbs for goal, but I've made a pretty big dent. I'm going to be changing my workout post-race to involve more weight training and less riding, as it's going to be cold as hell soon. I'll probably put on more weight, but hopefully I can keep it muscle then lean down for next season.

• My shoulder has been acting up again. The lack of ligaments between my clavicle and arm becomes very apparent about 6 miles into my run when my arm feels like it is falling off my body. I've been using KT Tape to some benefit, but I have a feeling I will be a very unhappy monkey at the end of the race because of that. I already have a referral from my doctor for an ortho. I might finally be getting my shoulder fixed. Hopefully it's easily correctable, as it impacts my swimming too. Hard to get leverage on my left arm stroke.

The bike was dropped off last week for delivery to Austin, so I rode the 'wookie bike' last weekend. After  having lost that much weight and strengthened my back, the upright position is annoying. I will probably end up picking up a new, traditional frame to swap parts over to. The 'wookie bike' will be hung in the rafters until I'm old and gimpy again.

I haven't decided my races for 2015 yet, but I did put in for the lottery for the Escape from Alcatraz. It was fun the last time I did it, so hopefully I can get lucky enough to be drawn. If I get a slot, I will be getting a new road bike. The course is so hilly that a full aero bike doesn't make sense. I am planning on doing two Sprint, two Olympic, and two Half's next season. The Sprint's will be refreshers in the beginning of the season with the Olympic's being mid-training for the Half's. I screwed up and didn't register for the Oceanside Half in time and registration closed. Still a bit angry with myself for that one.

Race is this weekend. Getting packed up tomorrow and Thursday, flight is on Friday. We'll be meeting my parent's at the airport and going from there. Probably spend the rest of Friday getting our bearings and Saturday on race prep. The race starts Sunday at 7:30am.

Goals are currently:
Swim: 38 minutes. Holding a 9min/500 pace.
Bike: 2:48 hour. That's holding 20mph.
Run: 2:10 hour. Low expectation pace holding a 10min mile.
Total: 5:36 hours excluding transitions

I think I can beat these, as the elevation will be a substantial benefit to me. As long as I keep eating and drinking, taking salt, and not pushing to bonk I will do well. Looking at last year's results, I would fit in around 100/258 starters. I'm still shooting for top third though, which would put me around 5:27. That isn't too outlandish...

The one thing that I am bummed about is that Dad can't run along with me at any point without me risking DQ. That is somewhat (very) frustrating, but I see the point that having somebody to race with could be having a pacer. Hopefully he does migrate out along the run course though. Having people along the course is nice and a boost. When I saw Sarah and Haley at the Aurora race, it was a great boost.

On that note, I'm going to sleep.