In two months, I will be competing in my very first Half-Ironman. That's 70.3 total miles - 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run. And by competing, I mean attempting. I will win if I finish. Sorry. I will win when I finish.
Since the race is getting closer, I am going to try to write more frequently. Updates may not be as profound as my usual proclamations regarding mental and physical health, but I want to document this along the way since it is an experiment for me. I am 38 years old and have never pushed my body like I am now.
Odd thing is, I am not that nervous about finishing. I feel confident, even excited, about the swim. Tested out my new wet suit this week, but word is we won't need them and may not even be allowed to wear them since weather will be so warm. But I am fine either way. I actually would prefer not having to wear the darn thing. I wear myself out putting it on every time. But the good news is I found one that fits my height and weight ratio - which at 5ft 1 3/4 inches and 160 lbs (oh my goodness you don't look like you weight that much, why thank you) that isn't an easy task. Anyone looking, make sure you check out Team Estrogen. Love them. I won't be fast. But I will finish. Biggest challenge there? River = current. Don't have much experience with current. But in two weeks I will be doing the swim leg of a half relay at Kinetic, so that will help with open water practice, but no current in a lake.
I am not too nervous about the bike either. Word is the course is pretty flat -- I mean how many hills can there be in Williamsburg? It's wetlands. And biking is my strongest of the three. Biggest challenges there will be patience, pacing myself in order to save my legs and nutrition. Still working on how many calories to take in when. Oh! And weather. Things will be heating up by then.
And finally.. save the hardest for last.. .the run. I am STILL struggling with injuries. Calves are all fixed, but of course last week on my last day of PT for them I tripped walking out my front door and sprained my ankle. My PT who is amazing convinced me to let him do dry needling on my yesterday and in about 15 min my calves and ankle were literally PAIN FREE. It was like finding religion. Seriously. Felt so good I went to track workout this morning and probably shouldn't have. Took it easy, but ankle was sore. I am scheduled for 52 mile bike and 11 mile run this weekend. I will just have to see how foot feels for the run.
And soon this will be on my car..that's the whole reason we do this anyway, isn't it?
Labels: injury, physical therapy, race, Rev3, training, wet suit
