swimbikerunning to 70.3…

On Sunday morning, all the season’s sweat and hours of swimbikerunning (80 since April 30 to be exact) roll into one day of limit-pushing, endorphin-inducing, body-aching wonderfulness of my first 70.3.

Do I feel ready? Hmm….

When I think of all the workouts where I could have swam another 500 meters, pedaled a little faster or run another interval, I almost wish could start training all over again. And, then I wonder… is 80 hours of training enough? have I done enough bricks? is my bike mileage enough? is my hamstring ok to run a half marathon?

But, then I remember all the work I have done – mile repeats in 90-degree heat, swim workouts when the last thing I’ve wanted to do was be in the water and many nights eating dinner at 9:30p – and all the fun I’ve had along the way and the incredible friends I’ve made, and I wouldn’t change a single thing. All the tears, wonky stomachs and sore muscles have lead to here, to the start of realizing a decade-long goal.

My race day mantra…

A few thoughts about Chisago…

Even though my 1.5K swim surprised me last weekend at Life Time, I’m still anxious about this one. It’s a bit farther and in an unfamiliar lake. And, it doesn’t help that at practice on Tuesday, Coach Matt said that every year during the swim clinic he coaches there the day before the race, little fish nibble at his feet. Great. (I’m really gullible, so he may have been kidding.) It could be worse, though… I could be attacked by an otter (whaaa?! I would be traumatized for life).

My parents are visiting this weekend, and I’m ecstatic they’ll be there to cheer me on. Living practically in the middle of nowhere (Hallock is a looooong way from anywhere!), they’ve only seen me run the Fargo half marathon. So, seeing them cheering on the race course this weekend will be such a treat. My fabulous sister will also be there – hooray! – and I can’t wait to hear her holler words of encouragement, too.

Much like last weekend’s Olympic, I know so many people participating in Chisago. Nick is racing the 70.3 for the second time, and several P2 teammates – Suraya, Sarah, Andy and Sam – are doing the half iron as well. Teammate Sonia is rockin’ the sprint, while Hyedi is racing her first ever tri, and KJ and Kristin their second (at least they were according to our last twitter conversation). All of you are awesome, and I’m so excited to see you there, giving it your all, smashing PRs and having fun!

This week has been pretty chill. My sore, aching hammies needed some rest, so workouts were significantly shortened to allow for maximum recovery. Also this week: ample sleep, clean eats (gluten-free coconut macaroons count, right?) and just enjoying a down week and a little more time to relax and eat dinner at a normal time.

A few race goals:

• Swim steady, i.e. no stopping every 50 meters to de-fog my goggles… which means wearing the goggles I’ve practiced in!
• Ultimately, I just want to finish. Even if it means my time is slower than I’d like or have to walk during the run, I will cross that finish line with a smile on my face.
• My stretch goal: six hours. I have ballpark times in mind, but that’s between me and the post-it in my planner.
• And, most importantly: Persist, give it my all, live in the moment, and savor each and every second of sweat.