It's funny how the joy of race day seems to erase all these feelings from my memory. I know I struggled last year with fears of not doing 'enough' especially when it came to the run. But I figured that since last year turned out fine, these fears wouldn't bubble to the surface again. Well, I was sorely mistaken. I'm having the same fear of lack of preparation, added with a strong dose of unnecessary pressure related to finish time, and I'm a mess.
All I wanted, all I thought I NEEDED, was a strong last bike/brick today. And I learned a very important lesson. DO NOT RIDE MY LONG RIDES TOO HARD. I tend to be pretty proud of my ability to ride and run really easy - ask any of my training partners, I am a fan of the slow and steady long stuff. But I don't know what got into me today. Perhaps it was the cooler, overcast skies of the first loop, or maybe it was that I was chatting away happily with Dawn and enjoying NOT climbing 8-12k during the ride, but I way overlooked myself for the first 50 miles. Add in heat and not enough water and this ride did not go the way I had hoped. However, you better believe I will be riding my normal pokey-dokey pace the first loop of Placid!!
Even though I know you can't compare training cycles and my approach as been very different this year, looking at these two graphs has helped put my mind at ease as I am two weeks out from the race. I HAVE done the work. I HAVE put in the miles. I have been consistent. I was able to enjoy my day last year, and I have done enough to have a great day again this year.
Long rides, since Jan 2012
Long* runs, since Jan 2012
YOU have done the work - and Ironman isn't unknown territory for you anymore, you conquered the distance last year by having a smart race. You KNOW how to race smart because you train smart and you simply know how to put together a well-executed race. Don't let the negative self-doubt creep in, there is no reason. And don't let time expectations get you down - Placid and Tremblant are different courses and even if they were the same course, it's difficult to compare from year-to-year with weather and nutrition and all those other variables. All you can do is put together the best race you can on that date. Don't race the clock - race yourself and the girls in your AG and find what makes you happy out there. CANNOT WAIT!!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I've done some 5 mile runs that seem to take forever. Maybe that's why you classified it as a long run.
ReplyDeleteYou have years and years of endurance sports behind you as a huge base, and a solid season of training. Enjoy race day!
Experience will take you far Ironwoman! Plus, I remember that you were already in great riding shape even way back in the cold months. (Oh...those cold months made us tough!) And with that mean swim stroke...oh, you've got this! --Kendra
ReplyDeleteMy sweet Sarah
DeleteYou struggled with preface jitters from a young age. In recent years you've learned to manage this. My greatest source of pride AT&T Tremblant my greatest source of pride was watching overcome this and soar. You know you've done everything you needed to do in preparation for this race. You are an Ironman. See yourself kicking ass in the water, staying strong on the bike and finishing the run with that beautiful smile. I'll be there waiting.
Ok so I'm not a typist...
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