Getting Ready for the Beast of the East

As I reflect on the preparation for tomorrow's race, I realize something odd.  There really hasn't been any, per se.  Don't get me wrong - I've been training my ASS off.  As you know.  :)  But for the first time, I am racing in a half iron distance tomorrow and it has not been the key focus of my training.  Feels pretty weird.  In fact, I've barely thought about this race specifically until this last week.  I guess that is one of the good things about training for Ironman - 56 miles of biking is gonna seem short!!  lol.  I'm thinking the 13.1 miles of running will still feel long, but man that bike is gonna fly by ;)

I've had my doubts about being rested enough for tomorrow, after this last training block, and especially the ride last weekend (as does Matt - have his doubts that is).  Chris of course is confident as always.  I hope I don't let him down.  :)  But I have to say that I am feeling good.  I feel rested.  For the most part, I have slept well this week.  My body is a little sore, and I need a massage - but that will have to wait till next week.  Stress at work has been pretty high this week - yet another boss (that's 10 in less than 4 years) - so that has not been good, but yesterday I was able to just let it go.  This has been a taper week, short, but still a taper. Monday's swim was hilarious, Wednesday's was still slow but better.  Wednesday's hill repeats weren't too bad (thankfully there were only 3!).  Thursday's ride was actually great, felt strong.  Yesterday was off, as was Tuesday.  Today there is the standard mini-tri to get the legs moving, heart pumping, test the water, and generally just remind the body what it is expected to do tomorrow.

The race is hilly - hence the name.  There is a beast on the bike and a beast on the run.  I'm sure if they could they'd put a beast on the swim, but without an up-current river, that's kinda tricky ;)  But seriously, after last week, a 700' climb doesn't seem too bad. The run on the other hand...profile makes it look like you are dropping into the pits of hell...and we have to do it twice.  I'm definitely in better shape to run hills for this race than for any other, thanks to the Shiloh hills (my standard long run hilly route).

I do think it is funny on the run/swim map, that they felt it necessary to indicate that the BLUE was the RUN and RED was the SWIM...LOL.  Interestingly, I'm not feeling as prepared for the swim as I did in San Juan, despite having considerably more swimming under my belt.  Swimming at the venue for 3 days before the race made me more confident than I've ever been for the swim.  I haven't been in open water since.  :(  This will not be true for IMC of course - I will spend many hours in the OW between now and then...but it is also good that I will be up in Penticton early enough that I can swim 3-4 times in the lake before the race. Anyway, for tomorrow, I just have to remember to relax, keep my form, long strokes - and remember that I can do it!  Of course it's a wetsuit race, which for many people is an exciting bonus, but for me carries more anxiety - the thing just chokes the hell out of me.  I'll get in the water today with it on, and just make the best of it tomorrow.


So, tomorrow we'll see if I really am as rested as I feel.  It's a small race, and with my current level of fitness it is fair to say I should do well.  I hope I deliver.  There are 4 other SF athletes racing with me too - so who knows, could be a good day for TSF.  Chris, James, Rod, Kevin - let's get ready to rumble!!!

Happy Racing!
Kat