Taper

This week marked the second to last phase of ironman training - the taper.  In my limited experience, getting this part right is an art. I am loosely following the program's recommended taper, but making adjustments based on very careful self monitoring and comparing workouts, comments ect. From last year during the same time.  My focus right now is rest, race prep, and a slight increase in intensity while keeping the frequency the same and dropping the volume.

The other major focus is mental-keeping a sharp focus on what I need to do,  not allowing interference from the type of craziness generated by competition, forums, ect.  Trying to learn to relax deeply and channel my mental energy.

Another change is the 4 am alarm, every day even if no am workout planned. By the end of the month,  this will feel completely natural to be up and around pretty early.

In other news, I have acquired a Timex GPS watch/ heart rate monitor.  It works well, I don't think that it can be beaten for the price. Having fun looking at my results on a map when I get home.

Well in the theme of increased intensity, going to a local 5k today. Looks like it is going to be hot today, I would like to run around 7:10 pace but we'll see what happens with the temps, it might just turn into a race if attrition.

Pic of the Timex GPS run trainer to follow.

Sent with the Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone.