Confidence is growing

The moment in training when you realize you are ready, the excitement then starts to fill the veins. I am 16 days away from taking on the hardest IRONMAN distance race I will have ever attempted, and I couldn't be more excited!!!

 

Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of riding with Joe White, aka, Tatonka Blanco, a fellow Norseman athlete and friend in the mountains of North Georgia. We road a version of the 6 Gap bike race course that takes place in September near Dahlonega, GA. 

The route we road consisted of 7 significant climbs, the longest climb was Neels Gap at about 8 miles (did that one twice). That climb took about 45 minutes to get to the top with an average pace of around 10.5 mph. The total elevation gain for the 95-mile route we did was around 9,500 ft.   

The total elevation gain was similar to what I will encounter in Norway. The Norseman 112-mile bike course has nearly 12,000 ft of elevation gain. The initial climb leaving the fjord and heading to the first mountain plateau is about 24 miles. This climb is significantly longer than any of the climbs I experienced in North Georgia; however, the average gradient isn't as steep. 

In addition to feeling ready on the bike, I have managed my knee pain and feel confident I will be able to run the 16 miles of flat course before I reach "Zombie Hill". The final 10 miles of the run climbs 5,000 ft to the top of Mount Gaustatoppen. That is if I reach the Mountain Finish checkpoint at 32.5km into the run as one of the first 160 athletes or a fixed time cutoff of 14 hours 30 minutes. 

I am going into this race with my number one goal of enjoying the experience. I would be lying though if I didn't admit to having high hopes for the Black T-Shirt. I will rely heavily on my crew to help get me there!!! They will be my support throughout the race. Helping me get ready for the bike when I exit the cold waters of the fjord, providing nutrition, hydration, and clothing on the bike, having T2 set up for me with all my run gear, providing aid on the run, then helping me up "Zombie Hill" with motivation by my side and encouragement to push. Starting at 25km I am allowed to have my support run with me, I can already feel their support and encouragement! Ahhhhh.....the butterflies have set it! 

A few more key workouts and traveling to Norway is all that stands between me and the summit of Mount Gaustatoppen.