T.I.R.E.D, #779 and Last Chance for Shirts ...

This was a big week.  The fatigue was out of this world, and I was sort of dreading it ... But, I accomplished all I hoped to and was happy with the results. After I complete my 2.4 mile swim tomorrow morning, I will start to taper and I can't wait for it.  Just 21 days until the big day!!!  I AM ready for shorter training sessions and more time for family ... The best part is that a big part of my taper will be spent up at the cabin with family and friends, relaxing and enjoying each others company.  The cabin is my absolute favorite place to be ... counting down the days until we get there :-).  The house right now is not my favoite place as I have let some things slide around here. It'll have have to wait for a good, deep cleaning until after Ironman, but it's driving me a little nutso!!!  

Back to the training weekend ... Saturday morning, my friend Jacque and I headed up to the Ironman course to ride our hearts out :-).  First loop was great, felt really strong.  The second loop, we were on our way to a possible negative split.  We did stop to take a picture (which I've attached - people asked if we were ok ... the course is beautiful, one must appreciate it)! Then we hit mile 19 on the bike ... Jacque, as usual, was ahead of me on the hill (she is a REALLY strong cyclist) and all of a sudden I hear a POW coming from her bike. 

At first, we thought it was a blown tire, then we looked down and realized that one of spokes had broken off!!  Well, we didn't quite know what to do, but were trying to figure it out.  About 5 minutes later, two really nice guys came by and asked if they could help. I knew Wynn from Blake's team and his friend both took a look and took care of us ... There was good news and bad news here ... Good news was that she could still ride her bike another 20+ miles back to the car ... Bad news was that she had no back brakes as the wheel wouldn't turn as it was out of true.  So, we made it back, taking a tour of our old hood on our way, riding a little more timidly and gently than the first loop. We did not want a trip to the ER and plus we had lunch and a beer waiting for us as Gray's Tied House. :-).  So, a successful 2 loops on the course were completed :-). 

After we got back from the ride, I finished out the last 14 miles to get my century in. Jacque - you and I will ride 100 miles together!!!!  

This morning was my last long run. 3 hours ... Eesh. I wasn't sure how these sticks were going to feel after the long bike, but I was about to find out! The weather was perfect and I has some wonderful ladies to help me through it. Thanks so much to Lisa, Lesley, Kathi, Sherri and Lyndsey for the company!!!!  It was a bummer to not have Laura with us, but she has started a new adventure with her family in Michigan, but she is missed and I can't wait to see her again ... 

Back to the run. It started out a little rough as my legs were tired. Another great reason to have friends for company ... I got to listen to a lot of good stories and hear about everyone's adventures. :-). After about mile 5, the legs started loosening up and I got into a rhythm. Rounded out my last long run with 17 miles in the bank :-). I was really happy with it. And thanks to the Swenson family for letting me pop in to use the baaathroom. That was appreciated too :-). 

Another bit of info that I found out today was my race number!! 779 :-). It's real now!!!!  Seeing that made my heart jump a little bit with excitement. So happy that I am able to participate in this sport and am so lucky to have such supportive friends and family that have helped me along the way. I do have to say that B has been incredible with all of this. Couldn't ask for a better partner in life :-). 

And last, but not least ... Last call to order Effcansah - Team IronMichele Wilkinson shirts!!  i believe we are closing in on 60 shirts!!  fingers crossed that we can surpass that!!?  Just 2 days left to place your shirt order, so keep them coming in!!  All of the shirts are a unisex cotton t-shirt and come in Sapphire Blue :-).  When you place your order online, it will state that they are on backorder.  No worries, they will definitely be done in time for race day.  The company printing the shirts will be doing one mass printing, so that is the reasoning behind the backordered on the site.   

The cost for the shirts are $15.00 each and ALL of the proceeds will go to Dr. Mark Burkard's breast cancer research at the UW Carbone Cancer Center.  

You may choose to have your shirt(s) shipped (at a minimal cost) to your door or you can choose to pick them up in Madison from yours truly on Tuesday, September 4th from 5:30 - 7:30pm at Fleet Feet on Old Sauk Road or in Janesville on Thursday, September 5th from 5:30 - 7:30pm at the Janesville Athletic Club On Blackbridge Road.  

Please email me if you have any questions.  It would be great to see a lot of you out there supporting Effcansah!  Thanks so much to Dawn Whyte for getting this set up!!  You are awesome!!  It'll be so exciting to see Effcansah shirts out there on the course :-) ... Smiling and sweaty hugs will definitely be given :-).  I have attached a picture of the mock up of the shirts too.  

And, below is a link to the website :-)

http://shop.effcansah.com/Team-IronMichele-Ironman.htm

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your Sunday ... summer is back :-). Yay!!!  And remember ... Life is good. Enjoy it, love it and be kind to one another!!! Until next Sunday ... It'll be Louisville Ironman day. All the best to my friend Terry and Jodi and all the others participating ;-).