What a difference a year makes! One year ago a half ironman was somewhere out there in my dreams. I will be at the start line of my very first one in about 2 days! One of the major goals this year was to get to that start line feeling good and ready and no injuries. Done. As long as the goddess of the left leg smiles down on me on Sunday, all should be well.
I have no expectations time wise for this. None. But here are some race goals or things I want to focus on to make sure I have a good day:
The swim: Steady, long and strong. A decent kick, keep my head down. Don't go out like a bat out of hell...this is a triathlon, not a 2000 meter time trial. Even though this is definitely my strength, I don't want to swim so hard so I am exhausted when I hit the bike.
The bike: Someone who's advice I respect told me to not start eating until about 20 minutes into the bike. All my blood will be in my arms and if I start filling my belly then the bod will be saying "What the heck? Where do you want me to focus? Your arms or your legs?" He said take about 20 mintutes to find a groove then start the nutrition plan. And don't eat about 20 minutes away from the run. This morning I went for a ride and boy oh boy!! What a difference fresh legs make! Felt like I was flying. I put an extra bottle cage on my bike this weekend so I should have every one of those bottles drank by the end of my ride. Have also attached my old stop watch to beep every 10 minutes for a reminder. I will have to keep telling myself to do my own thing on the bike as I fully expect a good chunk of the field will pass me during the ride. Justin says I will surprise myself but he also said that if a choice has to be made between eating and going fast...always EAT!! Triathlons are won and lost on the run.
The run: Hopefully I have been smart and things have gone well on the bike. It is supposed to be a warm day on Sunday. I love running on a nice warm day! As long as I am hydrated and feeling good, I should have decent run. By decent I mean feeling good and I don't blow up. I will probably walk the aid stations just to give myself some shorter goals within the run, but I do plan on taking something in at EVERY aid station.
Here we go....next post....RACE REPORT!!!
4 comments:
Good luck, Kelly!!!! You've put the hours into the training -- now all you have to do is show up!
Your game plan sounds great, and you are very smart to focus on hydration and nutrition -- especially in the heat.
You've made it this far, Kelly -- now go and have yourself a great race!!!!! :) :) :) :)
Can't wait to meet you up there! Have a great time and remember to have fun out there!
Best of luck!
You are going to have a great time out there! I love this race - the organizers and town do an amazing job!!
You have great process goals - you can't go wrong with them!
See you there!
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