I am t-minus 12 days until the Rev3 Quassy 70.3. I can't wait for race day to come and get the monkey of failing at the 2011 Providence Half Ironman off my back. For those who need an update - I attempted the 2011 Providence HIM - survived the swim and flipped out on my bike and basically gave up. Every single Ironman souvenir I purchased from that race has been locked up and put into storage until I can accomplish this goal.
I was and am still so ashamed at myself and wanted a REDO in 2012, but I tore my TFL and was out of commission summer 2012. The Pity Party is now over. I'm done with that. I want vindication!
I am going into the home stretch of my training and am using the Half-Ironman Distance Program "Finish" from the book "The 12-Week Triathlete," by Tom Holland. I don't have any race goals except - to finish. I read every single word of the Rev3 Athlete Guide and I am not allowed to crawl, so I guess I need to finish in the upright position either "running" or "walking." I'm guessing I will be also "limping" since there are no rules against that!
My best friend right now is The Stick and every single body part is just sore. My husband, who is also my biggest cheerleader, has been talking me off the ledge for weeks. I just hope that he gets to the race by the time I finish to see me cross the finish line. I have warned him that he is NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH I BEG to pick me up unless I have completed all 70.3 miles (or in the hospital).
For my mother's day present the only thing I wanted was to be driven all 69.2 miles through the bike and run course so I could see what I am up against. The course looked challenging, but I didn't think it would be easy. My husband assures me that my normal bike ride's elevation is more difficult. I don't know if that is true, but it is definitely something to hold over him!
I have also watched every single You Tube video on past Quassy races - highly recommend. I now also have a theme song for race day (it is very important to have a theme song for race day to hum) "Till I Collapse" by Eminem. Yup, keep it going is the mantra.
Today I will run 30 minutes. Tomorrow I will swim 30 minutes. Thursday I will bike 45 minutes and Friday I will swim 30 minutes. Saturday is Bike 90 then run 30. Sunday is run 60. All this "finish" training did not seem like a lot to me, but I need to trust the training and believe in myself.
But isn't that the hardest part of any race day - believing in yourself? Isn't it always mind over matter.
I'm preparing myself to finish the race dead last. I am preparing myself to use whatever strokes I have to to survive the swim. I am preparing myself to walk my bike up the hills. I am preparing myself to walk all 13.1 miles. I am preparing myself to do whatever it takes to get over the finish line.
I'm going to smile through the tears and enjoy the journey. If you see me on race day, remind me that I wrote those words.
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