My swim training makes me smile. I am a long way from an elite swimmer, so I really focus on my swimming. For the last four months, I have been spending 5-6 hours a week in the pool in order to shave two minutes out of a race that lasts nine hours (we hope!).

I always make predictions before my races, but this time I am a little reluctant because I have this paradox going on inside. You see, my performance matters deeply to me, but my time doesn't matter as much. I could miss my time goal by a fair amount and still be 100% satisfied with the day. In fact, I can assure you that I am going to be satisfied with my day. It's weird, but I know that Saturday is going to be a blast, in a crazy IM sort of way.

Still, I do love sticking my neck out a little and bring you my predictions for Saturday...

Swim: 57 minutes
T1: 2 minutes
Bike: 4:59
T2: 2 minutes
Run: 3:09
Overall: - 9:09

They're just numbers on a page, but represent hours of reflection, hope and a little luck. 9:09 sounds great and would be a new PR. Not sure if you noticed, but the men's pro field is quite strong this year, there must be at least 25 guys in the race with the ability to go under nine hours. So, in order to get my pro ticket to the Big Show, something special is going to have to happen. Ironman is about ordinary people achieving the extraordinary. Sub-9 and a rolldown for Kona would meet my definition of extraordinary. Those are my stretch goals.

Please send your speedy thoughts my way, I'm going to need them!

gordo

PS. I'm dedicating my efforts on March 3rd to a lady in the US. Linda, I hope to demonstrate that nothing is impossible if you focus and believe.