It warmed my heart to drive into this sight last night en route from the airport to my “home” in Madison . . . Those of you who have raced here understand why! I have so many special memories of running past this building as it is always one of the last things you see before hitting the finish chute in the ironman here. And, as you probably know, many of my most special ironman finishes have happened here in Madison.
Last night we had crazy lightning and rain, and I got really excited dreaming of another crazy storm on race day like we had in 2006, but alas, the forecast for Sunday calls for nice weather. You never know, though . . . 
Today I rode a loop of the course just to make sure that I still know it like the back of my hand. I did have a year off last year (and it was miserable), so I wanted to check! I like to play a little game with myself as I ride the loop; I call it, “What comes around the next corner?!” If I didn’t guess right, I would have had to drive the course after riding it. But it turns out that I still have it all dialed in, and I must say that electronic shifting is very useful on this course, so that was a nice addition to the experience today.
There is actually a little change to the bike course this year, as we veer off a long stretch of road (name is escaping me right now—I know this course by look but not by street name!) through some short steep hills then get dumped back onto the same road; it may add a steep hill or two, but I didn’t find the change to be too long or significant.
I also–hopefully–got my bad luck out of the way as I managed to blow up not one, but two, tubular tires during today’s ride, including a brand new Conti in its maiden voyage. What the?!? Lame.
Not lame are the locals here, many of whose assistance I relied on to get me out of this debacle! Literally: two different local dudes in cars were required to hulk out on tires with “too much gluuueee,” then one for a ride to the bike shop, then another in the bike shop to fix my crisis even though I had not a cent on me with which to pay him today. Thank you Uphill Grind Cycles!
I love Madison!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Let it rain before race so the skys clear up in time for Sunday. Yes, rain always increases the chance of punctures because of all the grit that gets washed up to the tarmac ans the wet also makes rubber more “sticky”.
Funny you mentioned tubulars with too much glue. some of us here use tufo extreme, a double sided sticky tape especially designed for “glueing” tubulars to the rim. Not sure if that’s popular over there.
Anyway, you got all of the punctures and rain out of the way so Sunday will be perfect
We are on our way down Friday, soooo excited!!! This year hubby is a fan after 2 years as an athlete, big change for him. As a seasoned veteran of spectating I will have him running and gunning and yelling in no time. We can’t wait to see you come out of the water up the helix, out on the hills of Verona and climbing up State street (and back down again) we will be screaming!! Best of luck Hill, this is your race, take it!!
Can wait to see you smash it out on Sunday. Good Luck.
Yup….in general people from Wisconsin like to help. Especially with biking!! Looking forward to cheering you on this Sunday, or perhaps even hand you a drink on the run! Smashfest project underway!! WOOHOOO!!!
Go Coach Go!!!!! Enjoy every minute of your special race. Don and I will be cheering you on!
Woot! Woot! Can’t wait to see it all!
i’ll be cheering for ya from the “miserable” place from last year. and I can attest from first hand viewing that you were in fact miserable to be missing Madison. no misery in Madison, it’s gonna be a good good day.
bad luck is over for sure- poor brand new conti. enjoy the rest of your pre-race time there!
Hillary, i can’t wait to cheer for you on this weekend! madison is my hometown and i’ve been reading your blog for a while now. i was excited when you said you’d be coming back here. wishing you the most awesome race day on sunday!! see you out there.
Best of Luck Hillary! I am a LA native living here in Madison because of my love of tri! I read your blog religiously and find it is a helpful tool when all I want to do is lay on the couch! I will be volunteering on the course and will shout out for you!
rassa! thank you for your kind words and in advance for your cheers! they will help HEAPS; the awesome spectators and volunteers are what make this race! thank you!
My own memories of the capital, the university and Camp Randle Stadium bring fond memories of 1944. Do good, I’ll be thinking of you.
i will be thinking of YOU, mr. woodling! love you! xoxo