Sunday, April 12, 2009

Some Pre Rage Thoughts

RAGE is six days away!

Wow seriously where did the time go?

Training has been going well except for one thing: I skipped my open water swim practice yesterday.

Do I think that will negatively impact my race? No.

Do I feel badly about skipping anyway? Yes! I feel badly because I had no real reason to skip it except that I just didn't feel like going. I really really hate it when I do that and no amount of trying will stop that behaviour. Because I either go. Or I don't. There is no try. Really. There isn't.

Cool I got that off my chest.

Other than that glitch, training has been going very well, including swimming!!!

Last week on the bike (KEY workout) I pushed harder than I normally do and was rewarded with a higher average speed than I normally get. That felt great!

Today (another KEY workout) I didn't push as hard as I could have on the bike but I pushed my 30 minute run off the bike. I need to just swim, bike and run faster than I normally do and know that it's okay to be uncomfortable. OKAY! It's supposed to be uncomfortable!! I am getting better with this. Slowly but surely I am getting better. I plan for this to show in my race results this year!!

I'm very excited for Rage! As long as I hold the mind games at bay I should do really well. Definitely should smash last year's time. Last year I was DFL in the Olympic distance. Not just in my age group. Out of everyone! So there's nowhere to go but up.

Last year at this time I was staring down the barrel at my third attempt at the Olympic distance. Last year, under Liz's coaching, I got my first finish at Rage, but not before Liz had to bitch slap me though the computer because I was nervous to the point of being hysterical.

This year? Oh I'll be nervous, no doubt about that. Hysterical? Not so much.

Because I have TONS more experience and confidence now! And I do have (a lot) more speed in me I just have to be brave enough to bring it out.

It's funny I've been humbled so many times out on different race courses and in different parts of races that I'm not sure what goals to set for this race or how to formulate my race plan. I want to set a reasonable goal but don't want the bar to be too low, know what I mean?

I need to mull this over a bit more.

One thing I do know -- I will have a plan! And my nutrition will be ON!

Who am I kidding I want a HUGE PR out there!! HUGE!!

More later.

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

11 comments:

teacherwoman said...

6 DAYS?! Wahoo! I hear you about skipping those workouts. Can sure be frustrating, especially when you skip them and have no real significant reason why you did so! Oh well. Move on, right?!

Molly said...

Stef! You are going to ROCK it! Yesterday on the bike, I just kept thinking of how Marit described her ride in last week's race - "comfortably uncomfortable" - and tried to push myself to that place. I can't wait to cheer for you from afar next week!!!

IronWaddler said...

You will do well- the training is in the books. Good luck. Can't wait to hear about it.

KodaFit said...

If it makes you feel better, I ditched my neighbor on the 18 mile run we had planned today... Spent the day consuming chocolate and hanging with the fam. The more I think about it, it was probably the right decision - training-wise - at least that's what I'm telling myself!

Sounds like you're ready to rock it though... Looking forward to meeting you and all the other folks down at the race!

Unknown said...

Best wishes. You've been working hard. Can't wait to see what happens on race day. :-)

Texas Gal said...

Yes! First race of the year!! It'll be fun and you will do well! Just wait, some of that "uncomfortable" line will keep getting pushed further and further back!

Wes said...

I can just hear the determination in your voice. I love it!!! If I know you and Liz, you will base your race plan on heart rate. If you can execute that, you will know you've done your best. Time will take care of itself.

Ummmmm.... I'm excited :-)

Unknown said...

It sounds like you are ready to go. You are going to do awesome! Good luck and Happy Easter!

RBR said...

I CAN NOT WAIT!! You are going to sooo rock it!

I am excited that your wave is after mine so at least I will see you when you pass me! ;o)

Are you doing your NO WIND dance? You need to be doing the NO WIND dance EVERYDAY!

See you Friday!!

ShirleyPerly said...

Wow, this race sure has come up fast! But you really sound confident going in. And why not? You've already done the Silverman half which is a much longer and tougher race. You've improved in swimming and cycling. You're going to do well at Rage, it's just a matter of how well. I look forward to hearing about it soon!!

Formulaic said...

Rage?

Rage?

What's that? I mean you did Silverman. Let me say this again:

Silverman H-A-L-F!!

A olympic? Your body will barely be in zone 2 before your done with the bike!!

Then it's ON for run.

You are going to smoke it out there.