But really I'm very excited for this race, with only 16 days left I feel that my preparation has been solid and I'm doing everything in my power, for a first time Ironman..."attempter" to be ready for this race. With about 2 weeks to go I'm beginning to start the taper mode, which includes a drop in training load and duration. A process that I have been waiting for with open arms. Tony DeBoom has a variety of clubs that he brings to the training table and each one has a purpose and most of them can hurt a bit.
Overall my mood has been great in preparing for the race. I've had my highs and lows but I'm very happy with my fitness and mental aspect of things. They say Ironman is 5% physical and 95% mental, a side of training I've desperately been working on. Mind is everything, and it can guide us to being good or great. We have the power to make the choice on Who or What we want to be. For this race its being the best I can be on this day and giving everything I have...so Cliche...I know!!!
But earlier in the year I sat down and mapped out splits of where I would like to finish for the swim, bike and run..and overall placing. After finishing this map list I found myself over obsessive of splits, time and how fast I need to be today, or who I need to beat. I was spending all my time and energy (wasted time and energy) on focusing on other athletes time's and their training method. "what's he doing this week?'', "how fast is he running, swimming?" I can beat him here but not here, or if I do this"...STOP!!!
The biggest lesson I have learned so far while training for this Ironman, is that the power lies in my hands. It comes down to me, this sport isn't anything near the "traditional" sports here in America. In the game of Basketball, Football and Baseball you have teammates to point the blame to. Since I live in Colorado I can use a perfect example of something that I hear daily; its the much debated topic of Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning and why the Bronco's didn't make the Superbowl...yet again??? To everyone's suggestions and finger-pointing the answer is Tim Tebow. But what about the rest of the team?? A 53 man team, and they blame one man......off my soap box and back to my point.....Here in the sport of triathlon the only finger to blame is yourself. I know I've had my blame game card on Mother Nature a few times this year. But come May 5th there's no hiding out on the race course for me, no ball to pass to another player to "take the winning shot." The winning shot is in my hands, not my competitors or teammates...just me. So this concept has been a huge driving force for me this year. I know that come race-day nothing magical is gonna physically happen and make me faster.
So whatever that rant was about, the main point is to stay focused on your Potential and not Your Limitations....wow that was so much easier :)
Check back for more updates as I prepare for St. George.
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| An EC favorite, and kinda how I'm feeling |
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| What I'm calling Base camp/home...for now!! |
