I am now two weeks and three days out from my first Ironman race. My entire racing and training season has been focused on Ironman Louisville. This weekend was my last tune-up race and it will forever more be a memorable one. 
Here is a list of my key 2007 races up to this point:

• Oceanside 70.3 – A beautiful race in California in late March with a swim in the harbor, a rolling bike course and a run along the beachside front. I used this race specifically to gauge my early-season level of fitness. What I learned during that race: a new bike needs a little more breaking in before I race on it. www.ironmancalifornia.com
• Wildflower – My yearly tradition, this is the only race I have ran every year since I started racing triathlon. I love the hilly challenge this race has to offer. I again used this race to gauge my level of fitness and to have fun. I had a great run that day and was happy how I finished overall. www.tricalifonia.com
• Prestige Triathlon – This is a small, unknown race in southeast British Columbia but worth the trip! It is a half-Ironman distance race on the edge of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. The views are spectacular! The race director is very experienced in triathlon and knows how to put on a great race. He is also the only race director I know that gives you his home number before the race if you have any questions or problems. My goal for this race: Ironman race pace for the swim and bike. I accomplished my goals and stayed under control until the run.  www.rmevents.com

Vineman 70.3
 
Over the last five months I have been contemplating what my limits are. I have been racing competitively since the age of 10. In all those races I have never felt like I have pushed it to my absolute limits. Since I started doing triathlons three years ago I have been even more conservative because of my unfamiliarity with the swimming and biking portions of the race. So on Sunday, June 22, I decided to throw it all down and give it my all. What did I have to lose? 
 
On the beautiful foggy morning I had my typical swim, but on the bike I rode like the wind. At least for most of it. I averaged between 21 and 22 miles per hour for the first 40+ miles and felt great (although my Timex Bodylink was telling the truth – I was pushing my limits). It wasn’t long after that point that I fell apart. The next 16 miles took me over an hour to complete, ouch! The run started out well and I thought I might survive this race in pretty good shape, but by mile six I knew I was in trouble. By mile 10 I was shuffling, drinking flat Coke, swallowing apricots without chewing and looking for a shady spot to throw up. I was laughing by the time I finished and I had a great big smile on my face because I did something I had never done before – pushed it to my ultimate limits and learned how to blow up in a race.  www.vineman.com
 
I now know I am mentally ready for Ironman Louisville. All my questions have been answered.