There are SO many things that I learned this weekend, either because things went just how they should, or because they didn't go AT ALL the way I would have liked, or for any other number of reasons. Here is a small list:
1. I need a WHOLE LOT more work on my swimming. I'm not sure if the issue was mental or physical, but it was obvious that I did not do what was necessary to have a peaceful, effective, efficient swim.
2. I need to do more open water swims. A WHOLE LOT MORE, My mental game in the ocean was at zero, nil, nothing. I'm not sure how to do this.
3. I need to figure something out about the wetsuit. After 5 or 6 buoys I started to feel like I was choking. That may have been directly related to the panic I was feeling in the water, but it made me realize that I need to spend A LOT more time in the wetsuit before the full in November.
4. I need practice getting out of the water and running to something. I could not run, it was all I could do to WALK to transition.
5. I've got to figure out how to get the salt out of my mouth, it took a WHOLE LOT of the ride, a liter of water, a liter of gatorade, and a pb&j to get the salt out...
6. ALWAYS, I repeat, ALWAYS have sunscreen in transition. The cream rub on kind, not the spray on kind. The cream stays on, the spray washes off. (This is how it works on my skin anyway)
7. Uncrustables are perfectly acceptable as fuel on the bike, and work remarkably well for me. Even though they are not "ideal" food as far as clean foods go, they gave me the boost I needed to keep me going.
8. Port-a-potties are a wonderful thing. I just CANNOT bring myself to pee on my bike, OR myself at this point. This may change the more I do, but right now I just can't do it. Taking a minute or 2 to pee will not make enough of a difference in my finish time (until I am trying to qualify for Kona) to justify voiding on myself or my equipment.
9. Listening to coach WILL save you time in transition. Rolled those socks like a pro, Thanks Coach!
10. I'm gonna need to get a 2 piece tri kit. This whole one piece thing and emptying the bladder or colon... Well, use your own imagination...
11. Simple math, in the midst of a physically and emotionally trying day, is extraordinarily difficult. You get the time and you know what time you ABSOLUTELY have to finish each piece. For some reason, your ability to count in hours and minutes flies out the window. You WILL find yourself counting on your fingers to figure out how much time you have left to complete this part.
12. If you have a nutrition/fuel plan that works, STICK WITH IT! It WILL pay off.
13. To scaffold # 12: Add something with electrolytes to your nutrition plan, especially on a hot day. Your body needs them. I broke the whole never try new things on race day and took in gatorades instead of straight water, I believe that is what saved my day. (Thanks Roxy)
14. Train in what you will race in. This is key! I did this and had no problems with clothing, chafing, etc...
15. Adding to #14, I changed my tank and socks at T2 to avoid running in soaking apparel, which would have caused me to chafe at one part of my body and blister on another. Again - thanks for the sock rolling tip, coach!
16. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!!! I cannot stress this enough. I don't remember much about the swim but the panic feeling that accompanied it, had I not listened to my body coming out of the water I would have done what I wanted to do and RUN to T1, as it was, I took my time and calmed myself, forcing the focus to turn from panic to joy, knowing that the bike was next and that is my favorite part. Had I run, I would have been unable to turn off the panic as quickly as I did and I would not have enjoyed the ride as much. There are better reasons to listen to your body, but this is the one that applies to this race for me.
17. Do as your coach says, even if you think it is crazy, or you have to get up at 0330 in the morning to do it. I would not have been NEARLY as prepared had I not trusted in his judgment. (This could also be: hire a coach that you trust)
18. Going back to 16 - if your body says to walk on the run, WALK ON THE RUN. This will prevent injury and aid in recovery later.
19. It is ok to walk with another person, whether for your encouragement or theirs, especially if you have the time. The race is NOT about beating anyone, but about reaching a goal. Yes, there are times to focus on getting a PR, or meeting that goal for time, but there is also a time to RELAX and enjoy the journey. You've worked very hard to get there - now enjoy it!!
** This is not to say that I am not competitive, I have just learned that ultimately, I am competing against myself, and this is one I needed to finish to prove to myself that I could do it. I was not aiming for a particular time, just a strong, upright, and smiling finish. And I GOT IT. **
20. Take advantage of the free massages at the end, the stretching those people give is AMAZING and may just be the difference between, "I can't walk" and "I'm a little sore" the next day.
21. KEEP MOVING! Do NOT just stop and stay still. Get up. Walk around a bit.
Last, but certainly not least:
22. Having an amazing support crew is INVALUABLE. There are NO WORDS to describe having people who love you enough to come and support you and offer sunscreen and lotion and unconditional "You can do it" power. Angie and Alice, I will be forever in your debt for what you guys did this weekend. Much love and many blessings to you!
That is a lot and I feel like there are so many more that I have not added here. Perhaps that will be for another blog post. I did an hour long bike ride 3 days after the race and felt fine (I expected it to be rough, but it was not)
If you made it this far - bless you.
KEEP MOVING FORWARD. 12 minute miles are just as far as 6 minute miles. Just keep moving.
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