Photo: Iowa Indy 250, 80 degrees, 2 p.m., Newton, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 6,000 yds (ytd 106,700 yds.)
Bike: 100 miles (ytd 1,799 mi.)
Run: 27 miles (ytd 609 mi.)

Not the start line I'm used to...

 or the transition area... 

                                 

or the podium. Congrats, James! 

Photo: 2,000-yard swim, 50 degrees, 4 a.m., Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 4,700 yds (ytd 100,700 yds.)
Bike: 135 miles (ytd 1,699 mi.)
Run: 28 miles (ytd 582 mi.)

'Bout time.

Photo: 7-mile run, 7 p.m., 65 degrees, Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 4,300 yds (ytd 96,000 yds.)
Bike: 126 miles (ytd 1,564 mi.)
Run: 16 miles (ytd 554 mi.)

Seriously.

Photo: 3-mile walk, 3 p.m., 65 degrees, Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 2,700 yds (ytd 91,700 yds.)
Bike: 74 miles (ytd 1,438 mi.)
Run: 22 miles (ytd 538 mi.)

What does a nature walk with my daughter have to do with the first race day of the year? Very, very little...and thank god for that.

Photo: 7-mile run, 9 a.m., 60 degrees, Marion, Iowa

Weekly activity log:
Swim: 4,000 yds (ytd 89,000 yds.)
Bike: 96 miles (ytd 1,364 mi.)
Run: 30 miles (ytd 518 mi.)