First test coming up

So, in less than a week I'll have completed my first test of my fitness so far, at Ralph's California Half-Ironman in Oceanside, CA. After a bad cold/flu in February that robbed me of three training weeks, I've put in a solid four weeks of training, and I'm looking forward now to a low-volume rest week to freshen for the race and just let my muscles come back from the residual fatigue and soreness they currently have. While I'll do just enough work in each sport to keep my muscles sharp, the plan is mainly to get lots of sleep and make it to next Saturday morning well-rested.

When I originally laid out my season, I'd hoped to have a somewhat higher level of fitness, enough to seriously shoot for breaking 5 hours at the race. While that's not completely out of the question, I've altered my goals somewhat, primarily due to the fact that my A-priority race this year is, without question, Ironman Coeur d'Alene in June. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize making it to that starting line fit and healthy.

So, you're hearing it here first: I'll push the swim and the bike as much as I can, and I'll see what I've got left for the run. Right now, based on my training runs, a 7:30/mile pace is not entirely out of the question. If all goes well, I could make the goal. If I start feeling like I'm risking extended recovery, I'm going to pull it back a bit and just ease it in.

Thought you all might be interested in my stats so far this season:

Swim: 80,700 yards in 26 hours and 50 minutes
Bike: 848.7 miles in 48 hours and 38 minutes
Run: 170.8 miles in 24 hours and 39 minutes
Weights: 6.5 hours
Total Duration: 106 hours, 32 minutes