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
You got this!
ReplyDeleteVictory is yours!
ReplyDeleteAnd also, I always took "in the nick of time" to be... nick = like a small cut when you shave your legs. In other words, just a small bit of time left.
Curious, I just googled it. Apparently, it's all about nicking sticks to measure time?! Weird!!
"in the nick of time"
def: at the last possible moment
Usage notes: A nick was a mark on a stick which was used in the past to measure time.
That video is insane! You'll do awesome!
ReplyDeleteYou CAN do this! Just be careful about putting too much pressure on yourself; this is supposed to be the hardest course, especially because they are doing it in the middle of the summer in Boulder. Why would they do that after a week of straight 90+ degree days? I have a friend doing it and I may be up there cheering, so I will look out for you!
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration to me! I know you can do this and you will kill it!
ReplyDeleteAlso, that video reminds me of a bunch of newly hatched sea turtles trying to make it out to sea. Not sure I could ever do an ocean swim like that!
you are amazing and a rock star!!!! that video scares the crap out of me...... as much as i'd LOVE to try an ironman... i don;t think i could handle the crush of the swim...... i really admire you... such an inspiration... thanks :)
ReplyDeleteYou are strong and have trained hard for this. You are going to kill it. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the course. I am considering Boulder for my first IM next year (your input may sway me one way or the other). :)
ReplyDeleteYou got this!!! But you know this already!!! I do BELIEVE I saw you at 1:12 in the video....heehee
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! Go out and kick some major Boulder Asphalt!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that posting. I'm heading to Montreal on Friday for the World's Masters Swimming Championships. I was excited for months and am now scared to death. Reading your blog made me think...OK...I can do this. It's normal to go through this freaking out stage.
ReplyDeleteGo for it!!!!
ReplyDeleteExcited for you, Bethie! It's going to be a great day; you've done some super hard training and now it's time to shine. Will be cheering from you all day!
ReplyDeleteYou are iron, you will do this. Try not to think about time comparisons, just enjoy the day. The finish time will take care of itself.
ReplyDeleteI am excited for you and nervous for you (just in the sense that I hope you achieve your goals!) I hope you have a great race day and finish happy in spite of the suffering!
ReplyDeleteOMG that video was equal parts terrifying and exciting to me. How do you keep yourself from panicking with all of those other swimmers on top of you?
ReplyDeleteYou are such a rock star, Beth! You are going to own the race because that is what you do in your pursuits. You always seem to give your best effort and this race will be no exception.
Good luck! I keep sharing your post with my husband, who is training for a half in Sept. He has a goal of doing a true Ironman soon. I will make sure he reads your race report! Carol- WV
ReplyDeleteNo doubts that you can...and I think that nerves are part of what show you give a shit and probably the adrenaline a lot of us need to not back out!
ReplyDeleteDo you know your bib number yet?
ReplyDelete411!
DeleteThanks for that "information!"
DeleteYou are ready and can do this. Looking forward to seeing you in action. And SO glad it is not today, it would not be fun in this weather, but Sunday is looking good! Good Luck Beth!
ReplyDeleteYou know you will be suffering, but you also know that there is no doubt that you'll finish! You got this! And I know what you mean about race nerves. I just ran the San Francisco marathon on Sunday, and I really wanted to as well as I did in the marathon before this one, where I PR'd. But the courses are completely different - hills to no end in San Francisco versus flat as a pancake in the prior marathon. It's easy to lose perspective on things - that I should be grateful that I am physically able complete these tough challenges. Not everyone can say that, whether it is their choice or not. Then again, I didn't bust my butt in training for a mediocre performance!
ReplyDeleteHoly crap, that swim start is crazy. It makes me nauseous just watching. You've definitely got this!!
ReplyDeleteWow that video!!! You are going to ROCK that race!!!
ReplyDeleteThat swim start was crazy. You can do it, Beth. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteInstead of trying to beat your time from Florida, how about trying to beat your relative placement? So if you finished X% overall in Florida, aim to finish higher than X% this time. That cancels out any differences due to the course or temperature. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYes, good point.
DeleteGO BETH!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your inspirational messages. Have "fun" this weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt IS a sick/twisted sense of torture what we put ourselves through during a race but I will take it any day over never having experienced it. Anxiously awaiting to see how you do this weekend but most of all ENJOY the ride. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! You have provided me with much motivation and humor along your journey. You can do it! When you start dragging, just remember that a day will come when you can no longer do this and race day IS NOT THAT DAY!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Go Beth Go!
ReplyDeleteWishing you THE BEST OF LUCK this wknd!!! Go kick some girl ass!!!!
ReplyDeleteI read that Chrissy Wellington read Rudyard Kipling's "If" before every Ironman.....it's pretty amazing: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/175772
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