Team -

What can we say? Words can’t express! We knew you guys were great, but this weekend, from France to California, you proved you’re more than great, you’re amazing, astonishing, astounding, awesome, awe-inspiring … Simply put, you’re remarkable!

To Steve, Frank, Christy, Dan, and Tate - We congratulate you and commend you! We haven’t heard all the details yet (we hope to), but we know you all did awesome and demonstrated incredible teamwork, strength, and courage on the tough, hilly, humid course that is Ironman France. We are all so very proud of you! And a big welcome and congrats to our newest Ironman: Tate!

To all of you here in California, congrats on getting through an incredibly tough weekend of workouts in triple digit heat! You all came through your mental toughness rides w/ flying colors and showed up Sunday morning for more w/ a long swim and run. For most of you the solo 100 miler and long run Sunday was tougher than expected w/ the heat, but you adjusted, refocused, got through the low points, and finished! And that’s what counts and prepares you for race day. You all showed great teamwork and strength this weekend and we’re very proud of your accomplishments - And you should be too!

And, a little late, but wanted to pass along a final congrats to our CDA folks - Cilla, Richard, Brian, Joel, Nicole, and Bo - And let you know there was a good showing from the north bay team and alumni as well - Ted Klaassen, Caesar Garcia, Yi Hsueh, Eric Ojard, Christophe Job (Honoree), Kevin McNulty, Kristie Richardson, and Victor Shum - And north bay sends their congrats to our gang. The CDA racers faced nerves, a crazy mass start, and a little wind and rain tossed in there too. They all came through w/ flying colors - Riding so strong on the bike that many pictures are just the road cones (hee hee); pulling themselves through the low points, flats, nutrition issues, clothing changes (pumpkin Nicole, hee hee), and levels of discomfort; and smiling and yelling whenever they could (what was that comment about a relay again Brian? hee hee). Way to go team! And, as w/ Tate, a big welcome and congrats to new Ironman Joel!

This weekend brings us to the 4th of July and w/ it a captains’ bike/run on Saturday and a coaches’ swim/run on Sunday. Look for the captains’ email later today or tomorrow for more details on the Saturday brick. As for Sunday, be at the Stanford pool and ready to swim by 8:00am, followed by a 10 mile run for our Vineman/IMLP folks and a 18-20 mile run for our IMC/IML/IMW folks (your longest run!). We’ll be running from the pool on a course that takes us up Alpine Road, Willowbrook Drive, Portola Road, and back again. The temperatures shouldn’t get as high as this past weekend, but you should always be prepared w/ extra fluid, food, endurolytes, etc.

Go long, Go strong, Go team, Go Ironteam!

Your coaches
Dan, Steve, Chris, and Ann

Team -

Congratulations on another deposit into your training bank. Saturday’s ride/run was a solid effort by all who attended Juice’s (Metcalf on fresh legs is easy!) route. And those who made the trek to Pacific Grove on Sunday learned to do the kelp crawl. Chances are very good you will not encounter such kelp on your IM race day. But chances are also very good you will encounter obstacles that will make you start and stop your swim several times - elbows, knees, feet, goggles knocked off, congestion at turn buoys, people swimming on top of you and more. Learning to deal with these issues and resume a smooth stroke will make your IM swim easier.

For those who may have lost count, this is Week 37! Over 8 months down. Taper is in sight. IM CDA athletes are making the final push. France folks are entering week 2 of their taper. Two of the three key workouts for Vineman and IMUSA are in the bag (Epic Weekend and the long run). This weekend you’ll complete the 3rd one - the triple-brick. IMC/IML/IMW athletes will follow a few weeks later. In either case, taper will be here before you know it!

This coming weekend brings our second Big Brick on Sunday at Edgewood and Canada. Vineman and IMUSA have their triple brick. Everyone else will have a double brick. We will start at 7 am (yes, 7 am) for the triple brick. For those doing the double brick - you’re welcome to join for the first 2 or the last 2 - so you can either do brick #1 and #2 or #2 and #3. If you choose to do the second set  - plan to arrive and be ready to roll at 10:00 am.

Plan to carry enough nutrition for a 2 hour ride (x3). You will have an opportunity at the transition to refill and restock before setting off on the next brick. Past Ironteamers have brought a cooler to keep their hydration/nutrition bottles cold. We will have a transition area set up - you will not be transitioning from your cars. We will have also have a few salty snacks and water available.

IM CDA send off will be tonight at Double D’s in Los Gatos - 6:30 pm. Come by and give our first racers a proper Ironteam send off!

Go long, stay strong, taper is in sight!

Ann, Chris, Steve and Dan

• Jun 8 : Coaches Message: IronWeek #36 - The Epic ‘Recovery’ Week
• Jun 1 : Coaches Message: IronWeek #35 - The Epic Week
• May 20 : Coaches Message: IronWeek #33
• May 12 : Coaches Message: IronWeek #32 - Enter Sexy Phase
• May 5 : Coaches Message: IronWeek #31