Last Long-er Ride- Taper Time!!

Today was my last day of riding high mileage. I met a few of the guys at the Syracuse 70.3 course this morning at 9AM. I wanted to try my road bike today to see if there was a difference in the riding experience.

Let me just say, riding my Tri bike on this course is way better. The last 2 times I have ridden this course I was in the lead. Well today, I was falling off the back end of people!! UGH! Not to mention the 11mph wind gusts that sucked the life out of you as well.

I had a really thought riding my road bike would be faster as this course is all uphill for the first 12miles. I just seemed to not have the aero going down the hills and everyone would be on the next hill before I made it down the back side of the last hill.

Needless to say on Race Day I have decided to go all out with my Tri bike. I made up alot of time on my road bike on the back end of the course but think I could've pushed harder if I was riding my tri bike. Also, for the first time this season my inner thigh cramped up and I think it is because I wasn't keeping up with the nutrition today. I was so caught up in catching up with the crew that I would forget to drink!!

I was almost in a melt down at the end but held it together. I felt my spirits go down...until I looked at my time. 3:18. This is with 2 stops on the course to regroup. Not too shabby!! Im hoping for at least a 3hr to 3:15 bike split. But I will not be unhappy if I did more on race day as this is my first 70.3!!

Im trying to keep my confidence up as this is a challeging course. I am going to hold back a little on the bike so I can run my 13.1miles afterward.

Everyone was asking today what my goal is for this HIM. I have no expectations really but to finish standing up, keep myself hydrated and keep my nutrition in check!!