OMG... the countdown clock is now saying exactly one month to go until race day. I’m so nervous. Today’s also my first day back swimming since my bike crash. Put on my wetsuit and went at it this morning in the pool. Coach timed me on both 100 yard and 400 yard pace just to make sure I can hold the pace he’s clocking me with. Turned out much better than I thought. So now if I can just hold this pace and up the distance in 1 month, I should be ok. Barring any mishaps of course. So for swimming... I think I’m on track.
Also finished the Solvang Century this past weekend. Did a monster 40 miles ride on Friday. Those damn hills were so damn steep and keeps going up up and up... So by the time I started my century on Saturday morning, my legs were sore. Ugh. But despite all that, it was a good training day. Sunny beautiful day with some dreadful head wind at times. Finally dialed in my nutrition plan and finished the ride in 9 hours, but 8 hours actual riding time. Much better than I thought I would do going in since I did almost no hill training. So I was a happy camper.
Running is still a problem right now. I went for a 5 miles run last night and my injured foot was acting up and tight by the end of that run. Heart rate was good. All other body parts were good. Just the darn left foot. Now I’m really worried about it. If it’ll cooperate with me on race day running 26.2 miles. Yeah, painful foot and marathon is not a good combination. So I’m not pushing it right now. The plan is to give it plenty rest now and if I must I’ll break it on race day when I cross that darn finish line. That’s the plan anyways...
I’m also trying to start to adjust my biological clock. Trying to get up at 4:30am every morning now. Yes, 4:30am. You heard me right. It’s really really dreadful to get up that early. But I need to get my body to get used to early rising and functioning. Since I think I’ll need to get up something like 3am to get ready and eat a big breakfast on race day. This is the part I hate the most... get up at 4:30am. UGH!!!
Ordered the nutrition powder refill, ordered a new pair of swim goggle, reserved the race wheels, checked the hotel reservations, still need to buy a new pair of running shoes and break it in. Oh gosh, it’s coming up quickly! Still got some final prep to do and need to figure out some more transition and gear bag logistics. I’m reading articles/blogs all over the internet on people’s experience in the IMAZ to see what I can learn from it. Hmm... I think I’m going to put a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in my special need bag cuz I got really really hungry by mile 60 on pure liquid diet on my century ride and I was literally swallowing chocolate chip cookies at the rest stop. Hey maybe I’ll put some chocolate chip cookies in there too.
Now I gotta work on my mental game. It’s hard not to worry. But I keep reminding myself it’s the journey that counts. I keep reminding myself how far I’ve come. Most people train for 1 marathon or 1 century ride a year. I have finished 1 full marathon in pouring rain and gusty wind, 2 hilly bike centuries, then a half ironman coming up soon. All these in 3 months. Not to mention the rest of the crazy long training hours and work schedule. So even if the worst case scenario happens and I don’t finish the ironman. I should be happy how far I’ve come. Yeah, I’ll just keep telling myself that. Trying to keep it in perspective and a positive attitude.
On a separate note... life is absolutely crazy right now. With everything going on. I got so much on my mind lately. I unfortunately got caught in the middle of some office politics which I have no control over. Sigh. It’s never easy, is it? Need to try hard to clear my mind, focus, and just train and dial in... nothing else in the world matters right now until I finish this race.
1 month to go... OH MY GOD... only 1 month to go!!!
