Friday, June 06, 2008

Lunch the day before the race

Maki rolls , california roles and nagiri...mmmmmm god eatin'

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Last post before Ft. Benning


Time's up. This is what I've been staring at since last year. I just searched the blog and the first mention of it is here, in my race report for the Midnight Express. That was August of last year. I've been watching this day approach since then. My nerves have been very cyclical for the last week or so. One moment I'm nervous abut the run, then the swim, then nothing, then the bike scares me. I'm ready for this - I truly feel that I've prepared in every way I can. I've trained, I've prayed, I've meditated on what I'll do. I've spent time sitting and staring at walls trying to visualize the race moments so I can be prepared for them - I want no suprises. I want to be the surprise. I want to end this race happy - happy with the event, happy with myself, happy to be finished, and happy to do it again.

My thoughts of the race swing wildly. One day I think "I'm about to undertake what my friends call insanity." Then I think about the people I've met online with this common obsession, and I think "It's only a Sprint - am I overweighting this? and if I am, what if I flounder?" I've been inspired by friends on Twitter, and by race reports on beginnertriathlete.com. I've been terrified by stories of struggles in 70.3 races. This is a weird desire.

I'm excited, but 'excited' doesn't cover the emotion correctly. When I ran the Midnight Express last year, I was nervous because it was the first time I'd run a real 'race' in over 15 yrs. I've NEVER done anything like this - so I don't know what to expect of me.

I'm curious where my mind will go in the weeks after the race(s) - nothing to aim towards until December. I'm sure I'll come up with another idea of some sort. In my mind it feels like the calm before the storm.

So many things running through my head:
  • Get the bike loaded
  • tape gu to the bike
  • get electrical tape
  • pack power bar
  • remember Gatorade bottle
  • get more Gatorade for T1
  • place your goggles for easy access
  • go slow @ transition, but do it quickly
  • remember to fuel on the bike
  • pay attention to you body
  • 'must go faster'
  • enjoy the swim
  • how's the swim going to be
  • how crowded will the pool be when I get there
  • bodyglide (thighs, arms)
  • sunglasses
  • sunscreen
  • towels
  • keep up with your trash on the bike
  • get the bike in the right gear for the start
  • get your feet in the straps only after you've gotten up to speed
  • be careful getting out of the pedals
  • re-lace your running shoes tonight
  • don't forget your helmet
  • smile - this is fun...remember?
  • keep your hands loose
  • stand upright
  • Don't forget the GPS
  • don't forget gloves
  • breath easy
  • your a runner - don't sweat the run
  • remember to drink
  • be considerate in transition- try to stay out of everyone's way-don't let others get in your way
  • It's a sprint-it's gonna be fast
  • ENDURANCE race
  • don't walk
  • finish strong
  • crumple up the race bib
  • remember everything for the race report
  • don't over think it - just keep moving
CRAP!! -- see what I mean?

I think I'm nervous about this one because it will be a gauge of if I'm really ready for the Olympic the next weekend.

Can't wait to get started - I probably won't sleep for the next two nights.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

And then there was one.

I've got just one more workout until the race. This week is recovery/prep week, so no intense training. This pic is me right after a 15 minute run and a 30 min ride. I feel pretty good, but I shouldn't have eaten that granola bar right befor the run. I'm obviously still working on the fueling know-how.

I did some math a couple of nights ago and figure that I'll burn about 1200 calories during the race this weekend, so I'll need to make sure I fuel enough the night before.

Excited , but also a little nervous. I imagine the nerves will waste away pretty quickly after the say 'GO!!!'