Getting ready to get ready

It's less than two weeks until the 2009 Ironman Arizona race in Tempe Arizona.

For those that don't know, an Ironman is a combination of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run - all completed in one day, in 17hrs or less.

I'll be heading out with the whole family on Friday November 20th. Volunteering at this years event on Sunday, November 22nd. Then signing up for next years event on Monday, November 23rd.

The goals for this years Arizona trip include:

• Sign up & pay for next year
• Volunteer - handing out gear bags during the T1 transition
• Book a hotel room near the event for 2010
• Ride one loop of the bike course
• Take a look at what food and drink is offered at the aid stations, and how efficiently the bike course hand-offs are made at aid stations and special needs
• Scout the course for the best spectator spots
• Figure out what athlete colors are easiest to spot on the bike and run course
• Figure out how to keep the kids occupied and entertained during the race
• Try to track an athlete using GPS to see how accurate it is

I've started to put together a loose annual plan. Roughly 4 -months of speed work, 4-months of distance work, then a much tighter schedule during the last 4-months specifically training for the 2010 Ironman Arizona event.