TAPER TIME While I won't go so far as to think I'll be loafing around this week, I am really glad all the hard workouts are done, for now at least. Six more days until the big race, the big dance, Steelhead.

Ten weeks ago, I didn't think it was possible for me to actually be looking forward to doing this race. Four weeks ago I was still thinking there was no way it would happen. But then, suddenly, a transformation started taking place, and all of a sudden it seemed possible.

My training right now would definitely give me a PR at an Olympic distance race, but it still will only get me to the finish line at the half IM. But that's okay. I'm keeping my expectations somewhat low so I don't get disappointed and fall apart in the race if things don't go the way I think they should.

This weekend the fatigue of last weekend set in and I simply was not motivated to get all my workouts in. Saturday I had planned a short bike, long run workout. Instead, it was a short bike workout and barely a run. It was so hot and humid that morning, and like I said I had to force myself out the door after waking up at that delightful hour of 3:30 am, so I was tired just thinking of working out. But I did surprise myself doing 20 miles at over 15 mph. I know I won't be keeping this kind of pace in the race, but it definitely gives me a boost to see my numbers coming up. By the time I went out to run, the sun had broken through the haze and it was now scorching. I ran as much as possible in the shade, but after 25 min. called it quits. It was too much that day.

I did end up spending the afternoon at the beach with my son, his girlfriend, and my grandsons so I was able to get a short swim in there. The water wasn't too bad, even without a wetsuit.

Sunday it was more of the same--tired, hungry beyond belief, and just not motivated to go out and bike or run or even use my trainer. I tried to talk myself into it, but my body and mind weren't having any of that. Don and I did go to a nice inland lake nearby that we discovered and I swam 40 min. with my wetsuit, trying out something I might wear in the race. I don't know if I was still very tired, whether the bra top and wetsuit were restricting my breathing, or whether Don was having a good swim day, but I could not keep up with him at all that day, where the other day I was pretty far ahead. More experimentation will be necessary to see what works best under the wetsuit.

And then of course I came across the articles and news reports of the guy hit by the car because he failed to stop at the crosswalk on the trail I ride on frequently. This time it was clearly the cyclist's fault. I know it would be impossible for a car going 55mph or faster to stop on a dime. What is a mystery and will always remain one is why he failed to stop. All of the crossings are clearly marked and even have a warning sign as you approach the intersection. All I can think of is he zoned out or didn't see or hear the car. I've caught myself a couple of times not being focused and suddenly realizing there was a stop ahead. It always left me pretty shaky thinking of what could have happened, so I know this happens to people. I have taken extra care going by myself to always be aware of every situation. It was really too bad this happened, but I was pretty glad I didn't see it.

And then I finally got caught up on personal grooming I've put off for the last few weeks and got a new hair cut, etc. I've been fighting with this hair for about 3 months now, going from the perfect cut to a total mess. No amount of trimming, styling, shaping, etc. was working, and I was spending more and more time every day trying to work with a haircut that simply did not want to cooperate. Come to find out, my hair is changing from completely pin straight to wavy, which is why the previous style was looking pretty jacked up, with hair going totally opposite directions. I'll have to post a "bathroom shot" pic and see if you like it.

In the meantime, the countdown starts.