As the clock winds its way down to the start of Ironman Wisconsin, there was time for one last foray in the land of Woodbury; although, there would be little pillaging in this version.
Woodbury Days is a city- wide celebration that annually marks the end of the summer for its 30,000 plus residents. The three day celebration offers a variety of entertainment and activities. There are bands, food, a classic car show, and several athletic events including a bike ride, sand volleyball and tennis tournaments, and the Woodbury Chamber Country Mile.
The timing of the festival works well for me because it falls within a few weeks of IMWI and provides a perfect venue for some of my final race day preparations.
On Saturday, the 60 mile bike ride provided a great opportunity to get in my last big ride. I rode from the house to the start at Colby Park, completed the 60 mile loop, and then returned home. It ended up being about 75 miles, which was about what I needed. The weather this year was spectacular; very little wind, cool temps at the start, and bright sunshine. I was able to practice pacing and my nutrition strategy, and just to make it interesting, a bee sting to boot. I hoped no one was within ear shout as I bellowed some choice words and cursed that bee to hell and back! I’m lucky I’m not allergic; because if I was, I’d be DEAD! I was an hour from the next aid station on some county road with no one else around. Ouch!
On Sunday, the 30th Annual Woodbury Country Mile was held. What is a country mile you may ask? Well, a country mile is an informal term meant to mean a great distance, significantly longer than a real mile. One possible origin of the term is that when one travels over unfavorable terrain the perceived distance between two points seems much longer, which fits this race very well. Not that you’re running through a corn field or anything, but the coarse meanders through the biking/walking trails of Woodbury, MN. There are lots of turns and plenty of short, steep inclines and declines.
This was my fourth Country Mile and will continue to be on my short list for future years.
With the last bulk week of training behind us, and taper and race week ahead, the butterflies are warming up their wings and slowly gaining momentum towards a feverish crescendo that with culminate on the morning of Sunday, September 11, 2011 @ 07:00 AM when the cannon sounds and Lake Monona becomes a sea of churning bodies.
I’m more anxious about this year’s race than the previous two combined. The first year it was primarily the fear of the unknown. With each passing year, expectations for improvement grow. The Wisconsin course has dominated me the past two years. It has my number! It has thoroughly defeated me both physically and mentally in my previous two attempts. From the hair- raising swim start (talk about anxiety), to the relentless bike course, and let’s not forget the little run to end the day.
With this year’s sporadic training and with much less saddle time than I had hoped, I’m feeling less prepared. Along with mixed results this season in the events leading up to Madison, this year’s race seems a scary proposition. The good news is that there is little else I can do now. I will mentally prepare and I will toe the line race morning with the other 2500 entrants and I will put forth my best effort; so all there is left to say is ‘Que Sera Sera‘!
