It feels like a ”normal” race week, which means I feel calm, crazed, euphoric, punchy, focused, and grateful. Basically everything but numb. #allthefeels.
Before I dive into the details of race day, I want to say THANK YOU to all of you who have already donated to my DIY Iron(WO)man event benefiting The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, “Taryn’s Iron Journey From The Valley To The Sea.” We soared past my goal amount this morning, but I was assured from the MJFF that we can keep going, so if you would like to DONATE, please CLICK HERE:
I am not at all surprised to report that the weather is calling for high winds on Sunday, and possibly some morning rain showers. Good times. Sure, a sunny and still, aka, FAST day would be nice, but boring. I approached this challenge with my eyes wide open, November in SoCal is never predictable, (especially this year), but I am stronger and healthier in body and mind than I have ever been before a triathlon or marathon, so I’m ready for all of it.
Since this is not an official “race” I won’t have a tracker, but I will be using Strava Beacon that will send text messages from my phone to my Stepmom, Sally, my husband, Marion, and my sister in law, Alexa throughout the day. Plus, I will flip on the Find My Friend App, and Marion will be posting updates to my Instagram Stories. Just follow @tpspates to enjoy that entertaining and hopefully informative feed.
Race Day *Tentative* Schedule:
SWIM:
*Porter Valley Country Club*
Start: 6A
BIKE:
Start: 7:30A (Or sooner, TBD).
Miles: 0 - 35
Porter Ranch > Simi Valley > Moorpark > Camarillo
Miles: 36 - 77
Camarillo:
Laps starting on Lewis Rd. > Las Posas Rd.
Miles: 78 - 112
Camarillo > Malibu > Pacific Palisades via PCH South.
Transition 2:
*Temescal Canyon/PCH Beach Parking Lot.*
RUN:
Start: 1:40ish (Or later, the wind may slow me down, or speed me up?... TBD).
Miles 0 - 7
Pacific Palisades > Santa Monica > Venice Beach > Marina Del Rey
Miles 8 - 16.6
Marina Del Rey > Playa Del Rey > Manhattan Beach
*My brother Peter, Claremont High School 1994 Cross Country Team Captain, and Boston marathon finisher will be joining me somewhere just north of El Porto Beach.
Peter running with me for the start of the Vineman marathon in 2013.
Miles 17.6 - 22
Manhattan Beach Pier > Hermosa Beach Pier > Redondo Beach Pier > Torrance Beach
*My coach, and fellow Palos Verdes native, Hillary Biscay, will be joining me for the last UPhill stretch of miles to the finish line at my parent’s house in Lunada Bay.
Miles 23 - 26.2
Torrance > Palos Verdes Estates
*I will be racing the sun all day, and even with the high wind forecast my goal is to finish before pitch darkness falls at 5:30P, but we will have plenty of night gear just in case.
Lynne Fiedler and I finishing the CAF Ironmanish event last month in the dark, with no lights, gulp, we learned our lesson.:) Photo courtesy of Lynne Fiedler.
I hope that all of you take some time on Sunday to run, ride, swim, walk, hike, dance, play, and/or simply enjoy moving your body, because that is what Parkinson’s strips away, the freedom to move; let’s never take it for granted, and do as much of it every chance we get.
One of the best night's ever with my Dad, CHS Homecoming, 1997.
I can’t wait to race my heart out and legs off on Sunday!
The song choice today is an all-time favorite of the Kelly-Fox family, one that we listened to a MILLION times in the late 80’s driving to and from Claremont and Palos Verdes, and it is a nod to my amazing Dimond bike, “Big Red” that has a big day ahead of her on Sunday, Paul Simon’s, “Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes.”