It's race week. This Sunday will be my first real test as I hit the Ironman Syracuse course for a 1/2 Iron distance event- 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run. Years of experience in running and biking races tells me that I'll be pretty nervous. In fact, I'm a bit anxious right now. Those nerves tend to settle as soon as the gun goes off, though the swim certainly doesn't make me any calmer. One way or another I intend to keep moving forward and get myself across the finish line.
It's been a frustrating few weeks for me in the water. Intent on improving my swim, I found myself moving slower and slower. No matter how much effort I put forth, I have been moving at a snail's pace. I look at those in the lanes beside me who propel themselves through the water so effortlessly with awe. And resentment. At least I'll have the comfort of swimming in my wetsuit which provides both a sense of security, as it offers a tremendous amount of buoyancy, and speed.
Or will I?
It seems the recent warm weather has heated up the lake and the water temperature sits just on the edge of wetsuit legal. So I guess it's best to prepare myself for the possibility of a 1.2 mile open water swim without my slick black neoprene water wings.
I've learned, just this week, not to over-think things. I've been trying so hard to swim faster that I have over analyzed every aspect of my form. I have read countless articles and tried to implement so many tweaks that I have turned myself into a much less efficient swimmer. If you're a golfer you know what I'm talking about. Just yesterday I decided to forget everything I learned on the internet over the past few weeks and just swim like I knew how just a month ago. To my great relief I was swimming 10-15 seconds faster per 100 yards. I'm back, baby! So when I get to the water's edge on Sunday, I'm going to try not to over-think things. I've swam the distance and beyond many times. It should be no problem. I'll tell myself to just put my face in the water and keep moving forward.
The bike should be my strongest leg. But it sure ain't gonna be easy. Just look at the elevation profile to see how the 56 mile leg starts off: http://ironmansyracuse.com/files/2010/09/Syracuse_BikeElevation_2012.pdf. I know the important thing to remember is to ride my own race. I'm strong in the hills. As long as I'm alive and conscious, I plan on making constant forward progress no matter how steep the road becomes.
It is the run that will be the true test of both strength and will. It's a double out-and-back course which should be great for spectators, but that little bump in the middle promises to taunt and humble me, twice: http://ironmansyracuse.com/files/2010/09/Syracuse_RunElevation_2012.pdf. I'm sure the directors of Ironman events have seen it all. Or at least they've seen a lot. Why else would they implement the following rule for the run portion of the race: No form of locomotion other than running, walking or crawling is allowed. I can accept walking. But I sure hope I'm not reduced to crawling. And then I think the Ironman race directors are too strict. Or narrow-minded. What about rolling? Or hopping? Or cartwheeling, or somersault or skipping? I'd sure hate to be disqualified if exhaustion reduces me to a mere saunter or mosey.
I'm over-thinking again. God, just get me to the start line and, one way or another I'll get myself across the finish line.
Wish me luck. I'll need it!
I'll try and post a link later this week that will allow you to track my progress online as I mosey my way to 1/2 Ironman glory!
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