Raleigh Race Week

I signed up for the Ironman Raleigh 70.3 just a couple weeks ago.  Am I 100% race ready? No.  Will I do everything I can to finish?  Absolutely.  I see this more as a training race for Lake Placid on July 22 so I'm going in to this race looking to improve on my swim, stay consistent on the bike and improve my run.  I have not run enough long runs to say I'm prepared, however I am planning on breaking this race into a series of 5k runs over the 13.1 miles.  Thankfully the run is flatter than the Syracuse run (or at least it looks that way on the screen) so I'm hoping to be consistent with my pace.  

I've had a little more time in the saddle of my mountain bike recently and I've noticed the extra weight of that bike makes me feel so much faster on the tri bike.  Stating the obvious, sure, but cranking out 56 on Sunday with the Trek should feel good compared to the trail riding I've been doing.  

The biggest challenges this weekend will be the swim and the heat.  It'll be my first swim without a wetsuit for a race but I hear the water is very warm (80 degrees +).  It's also going to be in the mid 80s on race day.  It's hotter than what I've trained in but cooler than what we expect to see on Friday and Saturday in North Carolina.  Let's hope the forecast holds because I don't do so well regulating my temperature when it hits 90.  This will also be my second point-to-point race.  I'll be there alone for this one so I'm not sure of the process to gather all of my gear after the fact.  I guess I'll figure that one out after the finish line.