Ironman 70.3 Eagleman Pre Race Thoughts

Yes, yes... I know... It has been quite some time and I have even denied you of a post race recap after the Columbia Triathlon. There is another post in the working, but I figured I would try to squeeze something out before my race as I try keep my eyes open... at 7pm - I am exhausted.
.... I am just hoping my nerves don't keep me up tonight.

Tomorrow ... June 10th... is my longest race to date. It will be my first 'Ironman' event... and my first half ironman [70.3] distance.
A 1.2 mile swim
56 mile bike
13.1 run
** Just a fun fact.... perhaps to put the distance more into perspective. From my house in Germantown, this distance would take me [1 miles short] to my parents house in Bel Air.


.... aside from the swim, this is twice the length of the other 2 races I have done.... and I know it doesn't come as a surprise when I say I feel completely unprepared.

A few months ago, when I was able to fit in my long brick workouts on Saturdays and Sundays - I was confident... but every weekend for the last 2 months I have had some type of race, run, or ride [as well as one amazing trip to North Carolina], and I just haven't been able to fit in the brick workouts I needed to.

And here I am.... the day before my first half Ironman, with another goal to 'just finish'
... and to hopefully be better prepared for next time.

I actually do have a goal... and it probably isn't realistic so I am not saying it out loud....

... A wise man recently pointed out... actually, let me just take a moment to post here what he posted on my facebook page [and yes, it was Mr. Jared Miller]

It is the point that Jared makes in Reason #1 that I really need to keep in mind when I am being so hard on myself. "It's hard to see the forest through the trees, but you have come so far from 8am on 1/02/12.... First Masters Class, First Clip-in, First Transition, First mass swim start. Be proud of what you have accomplished in your journey."

I'm a competitive person, it is the nature of my personality. I'm always going to beat up on myself and wish I had done better....

... and if you haven't picked up on it yet, I'm always going to go into an event feeling doubtful.

Yes, I want to do well... but it is also my first 70.3. and this is still my first year in triathlons...

I've only been swimming for 5 months... and cycling for less.

I should be proud of where I have come in 5 months instead of beating myself up for where I am not.

[although Reason #2 is also correct, and I want to beat 7:17:45...]

This is my last race before the ChesapeakeMan... which by the way, the countdown for that is 3 months, 2 weeks and 5 days......

.... 15 weeks and 6 days

.... 111 days....

it doesn't matter how I look at that amount of time... neither makes me feel good... 

When I signed up for this race, it seemed so far away - I have plenty of time.

.... That time is more then halfway gone. Five months have passed and I have less than 4 months staring me in the face.

After tomorrow and a few days off... [and a hot stone massage courtesy of Mr. Rob Lawson's gift card which I have been saving for this occasion]... it's no joke. I need pure dedication til September 29. That is the one that matters.

...Tomorrow is supposed to be a hot 98 degrees. This course is flat, hot, windy and with no shade... My nerves are here and I am having a hard time writing this, so I am signing out... Hopefully I will bring you good news tomorrow.

xoxo