It has been very busy at work as it has been the beginning of the new school year. This week, of an evening, I have been fairly tired due to work. I decided to make it sit down and stop time from 8pm and bed at 9pm. I still don't feel really rested but I can know that I've done what I can to be rested. Tonight is a work night and will be straight to bed once I get home.
I finally started to get a little excited about doing the race in Korea last night as I began preparing my nutrition and getting my bag ready. This is good.
Last week was a tough week mentally. This week has been tough with my knees. They aren't where I want them to be but I will push through.......and #1 priority after my race is working toward getting a Tri bike, that fits.
Race week has been a busy week. I feel like from Saturday morning the day will go fast. I need to be in bed by 8pm on Saturday night. I'll arrive at the race area around 1 or 2pm. I have race briefing at 5pm. There is a welcome dinner straight after this. Here is one of the differences between a race in Korea and other races is that they usually have the welcome dinner 2 nights before as we need to be in bed early. I don't know that I'll attend for two reasons. One, I don't eat Korean food and the other is that I need to organise myself and my things for race day. Prior to 5pm I need to check my bike after travel and then get my bike checked in and register. Oh and I need to go through my race plan with my little support team as they will be helping me with extra nutrition and hydration on the course. Can you see a busy pre race day happening? I want it to be calm and relaxed even though busy.
I've had a good couple of training sessions this week, a killer massage on Sunday and warm, salty foot baths. My body is almost physically ready. My mind is ready for the task at hand. I dealt with what I needed to and ready to put my mind into race day. My semi-coach (just for my bike in the last 2 months) encouraged me today when he told me he has seen that I have a very strong mind.
Just before race day I'd like to share why I decided to do an ironman. I had discovered triathlon through a friend last April (2012). She was training for an ironman. At the time I couldn't get my head around doing such distances. I was reading about ironman races and I read that almost anyone can do an ironman, what stops us is our mind. That is what got me. I'm a healthy person and I love to exercise. That meant the statement I read definitely meant I could do one. I'd found my challenge. How much do I believe in myself? This was the challenge I wanted. The premise is follow the training plan and your body can achieve the task. Question left is do I believe I can do such distances. Absolutely!!! Bring it on.
So just over a year after reading this and deciding to take on the challenge I'm about to do my first IM (ironman). I have discovered I love endurance over speed, I love training, I love the way it makes me feel, except for massage days as they are pure agony. In the final stages it has changed the way I eat in a good way. I love seeing how much I can improve and setting myself small goals on the way to the big one.
This has been such a great experience. I know it is a new way of life. Next year I don't think it will be as consuming as the many 'firsts' are now done. I'd heard and read triathlon is addictive and I totally agree.
Well until after the finish line.....
3 more sleeps to go :)
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