The bike course was finally posted

When I signed up for my race it just had a blurb about each leg. The run is flat, great. Bike was to have some climbs but mostly rolling hills, doable no worries. Swim, in a lake, nice.

On the 8th July they finally posted more precise details on the bike course. Oh!!!! This bike course is the 2nd hardest of all ironman courses. Not as the blurb described, tougher. For the next week the discussions were how hard the course was, how they deceived people who had signed up. Even the experienced found this course tough to get their head around. I have a friend who is an expert on the power metre and reading and analysing the data from it. His projection to me was it will be very close to me making cutoff (10:30hrs). He advised that I didn't do the race. I asked the opinion of others who had completed ironman courses to see what they thought, given the course and what this friend was saying. They all said 'Sarah you can do it'. But you know it actually doesn't count a lot what they think. What really matters is do I think I can do it. My answer - you bet baby, I've already smashed it! I thought very hard about it and to me it would be quitting because it was going to be tough. I would rather go out knowing that I gave it everything I got than knowing I chose another option because it would be easier. What helped me see that was something that I got from listening to Rise & Shine.

I am sharing a hotel room with someone where we are not in a kind/happy place. There will be peace if I don't look at the person or speak to the person. Far from ideal but again I will not let this stop me. It will make me stronger in the long run. On this though there will be another person join us the night before the race and for me to party and celebrate with once I cross the finish line.

I get to choose the way I see the 4 days happening and I believe my thoughts create my reality. This is how I know this race is mine. I choose to embrace it for all aspects of what it is. This is part of my training. 

So I have a few little mantras that are mine until the finish line.

The course is tough BUT I am tougher!!

I eat nails for breakfast. The bike course is like chewing gum. I'll put it in my mouth, chew on it and then spit it out when I'm done.

Visual - I have a picture that I drew (yep stick figure) with my time above my head (as per race),  my hands above my head with a loud yes!!.

I see this race done and dusted already. I am so excited for it. I know that sounds crazy when you consider how many hours I'll be putting my body through it but I'm ready. Mentally and physically I say "bring it on!!"