Gulp. Can I make it through these next 3 weeks? If I can, I will be more than ready for Ironman Canada. I can't believe it's less than 2 months away. I thought it might be challenging to find the same amount of enthusiasm and motivation the 2nd time around but I was wrong. If anything, I've been more disciplined and more excited. My body is stronger than last year, and I can handle larger training volumes. My training plan has more intense (and hillier) workouts. I've been able to eat healthier and do more weights and Yoga. I need less sleep and less recovery. It will be interesting to see how race day pans out.
I don't know why I'm more excited. I think it's a spiral effect. Every time I think I can't do something, I go out and do it, and impress myself. Nothing is impossible. I didn't think I'd be able to improve, to get faster, to handle larger volumes...but I proved myself wrong. My training is hard enough to scare me. My long workouts on the weekend give me semi-anxiety attacks beforehand. I can't possibly finish this. And then, amazingly, somehow, I do. 80-mile rides up Palomar in 93-degree-heat. 14-mile hot runs in Penasquitos Canyon. Then 100-mile hilly rides in 90-degree heat. And 17-mile runs in Black Mountain Park. And 2.5 mile ocean swims. How did I do that? I'm not sure. But it feels wonderful. The incredible sense of accomplishment at the end of the day, after crossing that finish line. That superhuman feeling that, yes, little ole' me, I can do ANYTHING. That's why I do this.
These next 3 weeks will be the toughest. The most exhausting. They will push me to the breaking point. But they will also be the most rewarding. And the most important in preparing me for race day.
11 comments:
You're actually making me jealous!
Happy to hear your training is going so well, but you must know by now what happens when you get in these manic modes. Restrain yourself. If you break your toy you're gonna be screwed on race day. Too much rest is far better than too much training - that's not an opinion.
"my training is hard enough to scare me"............love that!
You've just summed up why we're all addicted to triathlon. And I agred with Diana, I love the quote "My training is hard enough to scare me."
Rock on! What doesn't kill us .... or something like that.
I can't wait for the race report.
Go get'em Rach! I'm find the the speedy recovery times more enjoyable this year too!!
You are awesome! I hope to get to your workouts and accomplishments someday! Keep it up and take your vitamins! ;)
Go get 'em girl! Rock your training like no other!
you have the right frame of mind to crush that course!! woohoo!
OK, OK, I played the role of wet blanket - guilty as charged. Now prove me wrong Rach! :D
You are going to rock your Ironman this year!!
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