36 hours to go...

I sit here 36 hours from my first triathlon with mixed emotions ranging from “I’m ready”, “It’s about the complete not the compete” and “what the hell am I thinking”.  This seemed so easy when it was three months away, now 36 hours away all I can think about is how “not” prepared I am for this.  I keep reminding myself that at this point I am as ready as I am going to get, so what will be will be.

Putting the whole race into perspective my biggest concern is with the swim, if I can get out of the water, I am confident I can finish.  About a week and a half ago I met with a professional triathlete, Leslie Howlett, and she gave me some suggestions and pointers on my swim technique.  (Checkout her blog at Triathlon-Mom, she will be racing the in the St. George Ironman May 1^st.)  I am been trying to focus on the information she gave me, but I really couldn’t make a ton of improvement in less than two weeks.  The swim is just like my run, I just need to put in the time in the pool.  This upcoming event is the only pool swim, the remaining events will all be in open water and almost twice the length as this one, so I need to continue to put in the time. 

I have ridden and run the course this week and it felt pretty good.  As for the ride, I am praying for either no wind at all, or at least a north to south wind.   When I rode it this week I had a south to north wind that damn near killed me on the 13 block stretch from 41^st South to 54^th South, all up hill, if I went any slower I am pretty sure I would have been going backwards.  Actually, the scariest part of the ride was the 13 blocks on 111 with the tailwind.  I was pretty much along for the ride and just hoping I could control the bike.  That stretch will be nicer with the traffic control and I will be able to go all out without worrying about cars, just the other riders.

As for the run, I would like to say my goal is not walk, but I am realistic, I may walk depending on how I feel after the bike.  The run has a couple good sized hills, but is mostly flat or downhill, with the last 400 meters on the track in the Oval.  When I ran it this week I was reminded that running outside is not the same as a treadmill or even a track.  I suffered from shin splints for a couple days after, I imagine that will be just one of my aches and pains after Saturday.  The weather just hasn’t been nice enough for me to want to run outdoors, and when it was I felt I needed to focus on the bike.  With this race, a 5k next weekend and the Race for the Cure 5k the week after that, I will need to put in some road time to build those outdoor muscles, but I am just happy to be running, outdoor endurance will come quickly.

This week I have backed off my training, I just don’t want to strain anything in so close to the race.  I have swam each day, but I didn’t really push myself, and frankly it didn’t help build my confidence.  I have also been focusing on my nutrition, I haven’t had any sugar, or fat this week, I have limited myself to good protein and good carbohydrates.  It has been hard, because have been hungry all week, I haven’t counted my calories this week, I have eaten often, but not a lot.  Leslie wrote a good article on the Triathlete’s Edge website about race day/week nutrition and I have been trying to follow it.

By the way, The Triathlete’s Edge website has added this blog to its featured blog page, which is very cool and I appreciate the support.  I also want to thank all my family and friends for their support through this process.  This week after I posted the before and after pictures I received a ton of comments about my success, and I truly appreciate that.  I especially enjoyed the reaction by friend who I have met after I lost most of the weight, they had no idea how large and in-charge I actually was.

Tomorrow, the day before the race, I am going to try and relax as much as possible.  I will put my gear together, making sure I don’t forget anything.  I will do some bike maintenance, checking tires and cleaning the change.  I also will be cleaning the house with the help of my girls, have to make sure it is presentable as my parents are coming down from Idaho to support me.  It is kind of funny that they never saw me compete in any sport in high school, but 22 years later I am.  In the evening I have to go to Lehi for packet pickup, I know I could do it Saturday morning, but I just don’t want any stress Saturday.

My next blog entry will be post race, I am just humbled at the thought of competing in my first triathlon.  I can thank my wife enough for making the decision in 2007 that we were going to change our lives and to start making healthy decision.  I am so happy to be an example to my girls, just as Stacy was last year in her first triathlon.  I love my family and my friends, thank you for all your support.

Before and After Pictures

So I have been asked to post some pictures of where I have been and where I am now.  So here are a few that best reflect my progress.

I am very happy with what we have accomplished and I am very excited to see where this journey leads.

This is fun...

I know that I am new to all of this, and that I will have ups and downs during my journey, that being said I am loving the bike. Stacy and I went out both Saturday and Sunday, Saturday we rode the tri course in reverse. We rode in reverse because I was concerned about the 13 block climb from 41st to 54th South on 6400 West, and rightfully so, we were on the brakes the whole way down. The problem was we forgot about the hill on 111, while the hill wasn't was long, it was much steeper. It was a 10 mile or so loop, very little wind, it felt great and I had a lot left in the tank.

Sunday, the weather was a little cooler (ok cold and windy), we went south down 48th to New Bingham to 111 to 54th and home, about 17 miles. That was the plan, we had a head wind for the first third of the ride. Once we hit 111, tailwind downhill, at one point I hit 38 mph, very fun.

Now while Stacy and I left the house together, that was about the last time we saw each other. I am not bragging when I say this, but she could not hang in there with me, and I know how frustrating that can be and my heart goes out to her. I waited for her at the 54th turn and decided that I was going to extend my ride, I wanted to ride to 41st and up 56th West.

I had that great tailwind on 111, which turned into a cross wind on 41st and a full headwind on 56th. On 41st I felt like I was riding at a 45 degree angle fighting the wind, making the turn on 56th I wasn't sure I made the right decision. The ride up 56th is going to be very similar to the climb on race day (hopefully without the wind). The while way up 56th I just kept listening to my spin instructors yelling at me to keep moving, that and a few primal screams I made it and frankly felt I could keep going. It was a 25 mile circuit, but I don't want to get to cocky about how I am feeling, because I know that is a recipe for a let down. So, I am going to accept my victory for what it is, a part of my journey not the end of it.

Now as for the swim, I am resigned to the fact it will take me as long as it takes me and I can't do anything about it. It will be 8 lengths in the 50 meter pool, I will start towards the end so I don't get run over and I will rest when I have to, and I will take it slow. This is my first event, I'm in it to complete, not compete. I feel if I can get out of the water with some energy left, I will be able to complete the bike and run. I drove the run today, and while it has a few hills it is most a gentle downhill grade, with the last 400 meters on the Olympic Oval running track to the finish. I can see the finish in my head and I get goose bumps.

9 days and counting....

T-15 Days and counting

So I am two weeks away from my first event. Depending on the specific moment determines if I am freaked out or confident. I have been training hard and I am definitely seeing some progress, but I'm not sure two weeks is enough to truly be prepared, however the clock is moving whether I am ready or not.

I think my biggest concern right now is the anxiety that I will have the day of the race. Namely with the swim, I need to make sure I don't burnout on the first leg. Talking with a friend today, he suggested that I need to make a conscious decision to go as slow as possible to start, that way I can build a rhythm for the rest of the race.

Speaking of the swim, I am feeling a little better. I am swimming four days a week and I am starting to build some endurance. Yesterday I met a triathlete who works at the pool I go to and she is going to meet me next week to work on my technique. I am very excited to get some professional advise.

As for the bike, I am spinning 3 days a week, I have some incredible instructors that really help me get the most out of the workout (no matter how bad I swear at them during class). The weather is finally starting to improve so I am looking forward to getting out on the road. I really want to be able to ride the course a few times before race day. The 13 block climb at the end has me a little concerned.

Now I say two weeks, but it is really only one week considering I need to taper as the race approaches. I have next week to train hard, then I need to start dialing back training so that I don't over prepare and not have the energy on race day. So that considered, freaked out is the more prevalent emotion, but regardless, I will be as ready asIi can, and I will do all I can, and I will cross that finish line.