Ah, if only I had more time....
I feel I am finally getting some "speed" on the bike, my open running is going super, my bricks are becoming more manageable, and my OW swims panic-free. Part of this all is that I have developed some sport specific confidence. The other part is that my body and mind have gotten used to training.
I continue to learn a lot - like how sitting tucked in on the bike gave me almost a mile/min increase in speed on today's ride, like how I swim faster and faster the longer the distance (if only my arms did not hurt!) up to a point, of course, like how pain comes and goes during workouts and I can just go with it, all in the present, without worrying that I am going to crash and burn.
Yet I feel I am running out of time. I would love to have another month or so to train before the race. The knowledge and experience I have gained would help me become a much stronger triathlete. And maybe with the extra time I would become more comfortable eating and drinking on the bike, without having to slow down as much. But, alas, it is what it is, and in 2 weeks I am going to toe the line and hope for a good day.
Taper started this week. My training plan (a combo of the HIM training from "Championship triathlon training, Advanced training for peak performance" by Dallam & Jones, which I used for swimming and biking, and Hudson's "Run Faster" marathon plan with 6 days of running and peak @ 60 miles) has me taper running for 2 weeks, and biking/swimming for 1 week. So this week I am going from 55-59 miles running on average, to 36. My biking is peaking at 2X40 miles and 1X72 miler + 2 mile run. My swimming is peaking at 2X3200 yards and 1X4000 yards. And then next week I do close to nothing, 24 miles running, 20 miles biking, 2 miles swimming. Good thing I have to prepare for a conference and pack for Vermont and for our work/fun trip to Romania.
My body has been so strong through this training. It can take a lot. I am proud of it. I managed not to get sick (so far) except a little sore throat for the past few days, but nothing that affects my energy level. I feel so strong and fit and healthy, and I love it. I am excited for the race, though nervous and underprepared (even though I trained a lot!). These 2 weeks I am going to work on getting myself mentally ready for the race. Hopefully, that will help me feel less underprepared. Will see!
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18 comments:
my sprint tri is this weekend, I have trained so hard and for so long that I feel like its just another day! I am not nervous at all...or at least right now I'm not. I am volunteering for the 70.3 on Sunday so I hope to learn a few things for next year?!?
Glad to hear that things have started to feel more zero-ed in on the sport specific parts. You are going to rock this race. Your training and mileage are through the roof!
All the confidence you gain in the month(s) after the race is just extra in the bank for your first tri next year...
You believe that I am actually getting excited for your race as well? You will rock!
You are prepared for this race!
And, I can't WAIT to see what you put on your race list for 2011 after this race;-)
I always wish I had more time when training for a marathon, but that's for other reasons...I fully understand how more time would give you more clues to what you will endure during this amazing race...but you are going to ROCK it! You are so strong and determined and you will not let little things bring you down on race day!! Happy tapering...can't wait to check in with you and see how tapr is treating you!
You always astound me with your bad-assness. I can't wait to see what you do in this race. You are so committed, strong and devoted. Good luck with the taper. Don't let it mess with you too much.
Don't worry- you are more ready than 90% of the field at Timberman. ;)
The race is going to be hard, regardless. It's hard for everyone. Some people just take longer to complete it than others. ;)
You re so ready for this race and you are going to rock it. As I'm sure you know, we always wish we had done more. You've got it in the bag!
I hope when you say "underprepared" you are not referencing your training load for this HIM? If so, you need to recalibrate a little ... you have been amazing in training!
If underprepared means you are still learning more about how your body reacts to certain things, what food works best, what race strategy to adopt .. then that is fine. On that count you'll be underprepared your whole life as we always wish we had some more time to try out some new theory on ourselves.
Enjoy your taper. I look forward to your race report in a few weeks.
Cheers, Paul
GOOD luck at your 1/2 IM - you will do great! SOUNDS like you are prepared nicely and the body is responding well - good! GOOD LUCK! :)) Enjoy the taper!
you are going to do AMAZING, your training has been incredible and your confidence is shining through now. only thing left to do is get rested and RACE! so excited for you :)
Thanks for the comment. Unfortunately there are virtually almost no hills (so no uphill and no downhill:))here so I do most of my biking on flats and the only thing that gets me out of pace is slowing for traffic lights. I do not know how I would do if I had to deal with uphills though.
Awesome! You are ready. You will be fantastic, I just know it; feel it in my bones. Just the fact that everything is clicking right now is the writing on the wall.
I think everyone wishes they had more time to train. But, although you wish you had more time, it sounds like you are ready! You are going to do great!
You are going to do awesome! :)
Girl...you are soooo ready for this race. I just LOVE the peak of the training too. I love the feeling of training hard and feeling the "fitness" It's my favorite time of the year - peak training time. Woo Hoo! Congrats! Now enjoy the taper and get ready to race. Your gonna "rock it" - no doubt.
You are SO inspiring. I think you're getting very ready and the fact that you would love an extra month will, I think, mean you are in peak mental condition when you get to that start. you are NOT exhausted and overtrained - you are peaking! Ready to go I'd say..
Is Romania after the race? That should be great.
You know my first HIM was last summer. I was so nervous but for me i really wanted to enjoy it an race hard but finish! MY PR was the finish line! so stick to your plan, write it out and whatever you do, dont skimp on your bike nutrition! You are gonna have so much fun!!
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