The RFO (Race Freak Out) has finally settled in. I knew it had to come sooner or later. Up until this point I was feeling more excitement than nerves, but now things flip flopped.
My son Sam asked how I was feeling.
Him: How are you feeling?
Me: Excited. But, nervous.
Him: Why are you nervous? You know you can do it.
Me: Yeah, but I also know I’m going to suffer. <(which is funny that I’m scared of that because that is kind of in a sick way why I do it. To suffer, challenge myself then to be victorious!)
I think I am also putting a certain amount of pressure on myself to beat my time from Ironman Florida in November, which was 12 hours, 50 minutes.
I don’t know why I think I have to do that. Settle down you damn over achiever.
The two courses are so different – as in - apples and oranges, pee and poop, beach and mountains. Boulder will be much more difficult, particularly the 112 mile bike which is the bulk of the day (4,400 feet of climbing). I think it would help a lot for me to let that go and just do what I can and take it as it comes. That sounds very mature, doesn’t it?
I got this email from one of our coaches today, and it came in the nick of time (<where does that expression come from? How come it is not the “Beth of Time” or the “Sam of Time?”).
Final Words of Wisdom
Have courage. This distance is challenging, but each one of you has it inside of you to have an amazing race. You've done all of the hard work, and all you have to do now is put yourself out there and believe. Believe that you have it in you, believe that you are capable, and believe that it will happen.
I also watched this video of the Florida ridiculous swim start and it got me excited. If I can do that I think I can do most things (I am the one in the pink cap):
5 more days!!!! More to come on goals, indigestion, etc later this week.
SUAR