A Strategy for a Successful Triathlon

So, you may or may not remember my introduction to triathlon last year with a mini sprint-distanced event.  And you may or may not remember the day I welcomed Thelma into my family.

Well, tomorrow is the big day where Thelma and I will make our debut.  Tomorrow we will do our first full sprint distance triathlon....where I will attempt my first open water swim.  In a lake.  That is cold.  And has fish and other nasties of the deep.

Like any seasoned, respectable athlete, I have come up with a solid race strategy.

Swim
- put wetsuit on in less than 20 minutes
- don't panic when my feet squish off the beach
- swim, using every stroke known to (and not currently known to) man to get the hell away from nasties
- don't drown

T1
- breathe
- get wetsuit off in less than 20 minutes
- do not give self black eye when taking off wetsuit

Bike
- don't crash

T2
- breathe

Run

- survive

Post race

- drink mimosas and eat pancakes

A solid plan...

Tomorrow, I swim with the fishes.

I'll be honest....

I've been feeling a bit out of sorts lately, not quite feeling like myself.  I can't put my finger on it, which really doesn't bode well since I have a big race this weekend.

Coach and I have targeted the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon as thee race to crush my half marathon PR and set the tone for the coming year.  But my friends, I'm missing that excitement, that fire in my belly.  I've been battling.  Battling a dodgy knee since the end of December, battling cupcakes, battling feelings of inadequacy, feeling like I don't measure up in so many ways.  I'm pre-occupied and have lost all focus.

I've been hitting the peanut butter jar, two-fisted.

Folks I won't lie to you, I still have these battles. Yes, I've come a long way on this journey of mine, but it is a journey.  It is filled with hills and curves, with asphalt and rocky roads, and sometimes wrong turns, flat tires or busted radiators!

So why am I writing this.  Why am I sharing with you these private thoughts and feelings?  Because I know we all have them.  And we all need to remember, myself included, that we just need to keep moving.  That yes, we sometimes take a wrong turn.  Sometimes we stall and sometimes we get a flat, but eventually we'll find our way back on the road.  As Jyl always told me, "Just keep going."

I have no earthly idea how this weekend will go; physically, mentally or emotionally.  And I have to be okay with not knowing.  Another very good friend of mine, whom I will refer to as The Jedi for the moment (and I hope she doesn't mind me quoting her here), said "Worry is a misuse of the imagination."

I will now imagine myself in a bright green supercharged VW Bug named Hermes, with bright orange flames painted on the sides cruisin' down the strip.

Pardon me folks, my chariot awaits.

See ya at the finish.....
or Margaritaville.

You know it's almost "Go Time" when....

• you can access the 10-day weather forecast for race day
• your entire GU supply has disappeared
• you are counting the hours until your pre-race massage because all of your muscles are on freaking fire
• it's time to make the carb-load grocery list
• you have used all your body glide
• the reminder to pay your life insurance arrives in your mailbox
• you start making your road trip play list (or rather, have Jyl make it because you are iTunes challenged)
• your long runs are now 3 or 4 miles
• you want to eat everything within your reach or sight.....or dream about
• you have 20 different lists going because you write stuff down as you think of things to do or items to pack, only to forget which list you put it on or where the location of said list is
• I'd write more but I can't find my list.....

Twas the night before vacation...

And all through the house,
I was running around like a chicken
With its head cut off.

My clothes laid out
And chosen with care,
Knowing in 24 hours
I would soon be there.

How much I wanted to be
Snug in my bed,
Awaiting visions of GU Chomps
To dance in my head.

But with food to pack
And itinerary to check,
Bedtime must wait
To do what is next.

So grab your fuel, your watch
And shoes to run,
Because it's just about time to go party with pirates
Oh I hope there is rum!