I’m Racing on Saturday, eeek.
Posted by katymoe on April 29th, 2010My first race of the season is Saturday. I’m doing the Napa Vintage Half Ironman. I haven’t raced at all in a year and a half, and I haven’t raced a half-iron distance race in 2 years! I’m feeling a little bit overwhelmed. I’ve been doing plenty of training for this race so I know finishing won’t be a big deal.
I’ve done quite few 1/2IM races, so I also know how bad they hurt. I don’t think a 1.2 mile swim is big deal, I don’t think much of a 56 mile bike, and I could run 13.1 miles right now without blinking an eye. I’m experienced enough to know that putting them all together, especially with a race atmosphere, means PAIN, lots and lots of pain.
I’ve been trying to think of Saturday’s race as a fun training day, but I’ve already looked up all my times from previous half Ironman races, all of my splits, and the results from this race from the last couple of years. Thinking, “if I PR I could finish in X-place”. I can’t help but planning on PRing in all of my races. Even when I’m completely unprepared, a little piece of me thinks I might be able to eeek out a PR.
My best 1/2 IM distance race was Oceanside 2007, I was also training for Coeur d’Alene when I did that race. I did a 5:36:23. I swam a 34:10, rode a 3:00:54, and ran a 1:54:19. I keep looking at those times and they all seem pretty doable. There is definitely a piece of me that feels like I can PR Saturday. What if I did sub-5:30?
Ultimately I need to work on my nutrition and hydration before and during the race, work on pacing, and just practice racing. Up until last year I would do about 5-8 triathlons a year so I’m feeling a little out of practice to say the least.
Wish me luck!
And don’t forget to check out my friends who are also racing Saturday at Ironman St. George. Checkout Ironmanlive.com you can track them live on race day. Scott Bolin # 990, his wife Lea Nibur is #288, and our friend
Mike Weathers is #202.
Tags: Napa Vintage 1/2 Ironman
