Week before taper - cue the Wilson Phillips crescendo (read first, then watch)

I often sit and wish I had a soundtrack to my life. I've thought that it would be awesome to have someone following me around all day toting one of those 80's-style boom boxes to capture my every emotion. Not only would I hear it, but everyone else within ear shot would be able to hear it too. Think about it - the annoyance, the inspiration, the impromptu dance sessions you could have (yes, this has potential).

I have 1 last week of hard, kick-you-in-the-ass training before the wonderful transition into taper (decrease in mileage before the big day). Until the Ironman rolls around on Nov 20th, this week will be the longest I have trained on a bike or run...ever. Up until this point training has been tough, but I've managed to make it through. And while I'm sure I will be able to say the same thing come Monday morning, Saturday's long ride (6 hours!) and Sunday's long run (16 miles!) just seems plain old ridiculous. Even though I have been sans iPod for the majority of this journey, I am imagining what would be playing on my 80's style boom box along the way...

- Wednesday's morning swim: a little Enya as I swim with one eye closed/half asleep because it is 6 AM. Nice and mellow thinking of being in my warm bed.

- Wednesday's treadmill run (holding under 9:30 min/mile). Flo Rida is telling me that this treadmill (instead of da club) can't even handle me right now because it is AMAZING that I can actually run faster than 10 min/mile. This swimmer is now a jogger - ohhhh yeah.

- Saturday's bike on the trainer (6 hours, indoors due to possible snow!, bored out of my mind, determined to keep going): Tom Petty is telling me not to back down. I will listen. I won't back down. I will pedal ... a lot.

- Sunday's 16 mile run (finding it difficult to put 1 foot in front of the other, proud that this is the longest I have ever gone, terrified that I will have to do 10 more miles in less than a month, thoughts of wanting to stop/turn around/go home invading my head, wondering if I can hold on 1 more day until taper begins...): cue the crescendoing sounds of Wilson Phillips (please refer to video post above). I will start to run faster and lighter, I will be jamming out with an awesome air drum solo while belting out the words coming from the boom box following right behind me. I will make it through.