I had my longest swim to date this morning. 3900 meters a/k/a just a wee bit longer than the Ironman swim. And by a wee bit, I mean like 40 meters.
And it was hard, and it took me forever. Or at least it felt that way. In reality, it was about 1:35:00, and that was with breaks, fooling with my SwimP3, and drinking water. Still after about 3600, my shoulders and back were seizing up, and I was thinking….well, at least I don’t have to ride 112 after this.
Saturday, I am going up to Red Top Mountain for an open water swim with Mr. Swim Extraordinare, Coach Pete. His email reports the lake to be 50 degrees. I am really excited. Oh wait, NO I AM NOT.
We all know about the last time I swam in water that cold… No, wait. That water was only 60 degrees. This water will be 50. Super.
Lake Couer d’Alene will be between 50-60 degrees (allegedly), so I better make friends with cold water. But there are few worse things in the world than an early morning jump into frigid water in a suit that is completely unforgiving to the eyes.
And the only longsleeved wetsuit I have is this one.
Yeah, I haven’t gotten that one repaired yet. I’m just going to duct tape it and move on.
Wait… no, I think I do have another wetsuit somewhere… arggggggghhhhh. But I think that suit is big. Crapola. I hate wetsuits.
Today, I felt the Ironman “fire” light up a little bit. I was talking to one of Coach Monster’s athletes at the gym this morning… she finished IM Lake Placid in 2011, and said that finishing the race was just the best experience for her. To know that she had accomplished something that seemed so impossible. It was all worth it.
I really do not have much time left until CDA… only 14 1/2 weeks. (I just threw up a little.)
It’s a short period of sacrifice to make a big dream happen.
At this point, I don’t need to worry so much about how I am going to make 140.6 miles happen…but focus more into the right mindset for it to happen. Prepare the body best I can, but really focus the mind to believe that my body can do it. Because I am thinking that last 13.1 miles of the Ironman will require a brain that is telling the body all sorts of shenanigans to finish.
And I may not be good for much. But shenanigans? I am all about ’em.
In the end, it’s all just “going through the motions” to get the day done. At least that’s how I’m approaching mine right now. Just let the auto-pilot take you to the finish.
I don’t live to far from the event. We should create a Fan Club to cheer your on 🙂 LOL
Elizabeth and I love the Swim with Pete swims! He’s awesome 🙂 We aren’t going this weekend, but we do plan to hit it up a few times before our race on April 20th. I don’t have a long sleeve wet suit, so i’m waiting for the water to warm up a wee bit. Have FUN! And great job on your swim this morning!
For me ( IMFL last year) my swim plan BEFORE the race was the get in, get wet, remain calm and get it done. ON the day of the race, thanks for Hurricane Sandy and her after effects on the Gulf Of Mexico, it became get through it and down drown in the gigantic swells that the pro’s even had huge trouble with. What you need to remember is that you must trust your training. Always. The wetsuit will keep you semi warm and buoyant…and your shoulders won’t hurt as bad on the day because you STILL HAVE 14 1/2 weeks to train. For me the race always started after I hit the sand after the second lap. The last 13.1 miles of the run became each mile…then each half mile..then each quarter mile…then each minute ran…then each minute walked…then 1: 1…then 30:30…get where I’m going? BUT…12 hours, 42 minutes and 41 second later, I became and Ironman. And it became the BEST.DAY.EVER. You’ve got this.
*don’t drown.
Please don’t make me cry again… I’m congested enough as it is. Good job on your swim – and good luck with the polar bear plunge (ahem – I mean OWS) this weekend. You’ve got this.
You will do this if it takes you 16:59 and if it does well then you got every damn cent worth of your entry fee! You’ll be ready and you won’t know it fully until you step on the beach. This is something you can’t explain – it’s like trying to explain to a freaking out pregnant woman how mothering will come naturally once the baby is born (can relate right?). Do remember that you have probably have the biggest support group of any of those 2700 competitors out there & no matter what happens on race day we will keep supporting & believing in you because the journey itself has been amazing & inspiring.
You will be in my back yard…seriously…I live on Allatoona right by Red Top!! It is wicked cold but you can do it, I am so excited for you.
You WILL finish this because you have the WILL to try…TRI…sounds like you have a great coach to help and keep you motivated,also don’t forget about nutrition and hydration out there.I will be sending you positive thoughts 100 days from now…