Lazy Sunday...

I did NOTHING today. I didn't even go outside once and wasn't even on the computer much. All I did was lie on the couch, eat revels, watch TV and snooze the day away.

It was a TV sports day. First was the Tour du bye, bye Lance and then the World Cup Soccer final.

I will say, I had one of my best sleeps watching the soccer match. I woke up just as the final goal was scored. Next to golf, I think soccer is a close second for falling asleep and not missing much.

I was happy to see I weighed in at 185.0 lbs this morning. I have two weeks to drop another 3 or 4 lbs before IMLP. I'm not too overly worried about losing the few extra pounds, the most important thing is my legs are feeling and looking stronger than they have in a while.

This week I begin my taper. I've come to realize that an often overlooked part of tapering is getting mentally prepared. Right now is the time to reflect on all the weeks of training and start getting excited and scared about doing an Ironman.

I didn't do that in China and I learnt from it. For that Ironman I was all business. I missed out by not thinking it's a big deal to do an Ironman.

I treated China like it just another training day, which is like treating Christmas Day as just another day. What would Christmas be if it wasn't for the weeks of anticipation leading up to it.

I did the opposite for IMSG, I made sure that I got into the "Ironman Spirit" a couple weeks beforehand. Currently, at this stage of the game, you're either physically ready or your not. Now is the time to focus on the mental taper.

When you think about it, what benefit is all that training if your not relaxed and looking forward to race day. I think the mental taper is just as important, if not more important that the physical taper. I want my mind to be rested and excitedly ready for D-day.

For the next two weeks, none of my workouts are going to be mentally tough. As a matter of fact, if I find myself having to mentally grind through a workout in order to finish, I'll cut it short or not do it at all. It's not like missing or cutting a workout short is going to set me back physically.

However, grinding through workouts when your mentally tired is what burns you out, and right now is the wrong time to burn yourself out. I'll know I'm ready if I show up to Lake Placid itching to do it and anxious to pick up my finishers Presents afterwards.

Rest Day