Be Possible

It was July 2001 when I completed my first endurance event: Tanqueray AIDS ride NY-->Boston. We rode over 250 miles in three days. It was the first time I'd ridden a 100 miles. First time I'd done that many miles in so few days. I was hooked immediately. I loved how I was challenged and how my body responded. The theme for these rides was IMpossible. I've carried that with me all these years. The next year I ran my first marathon and vowed to never do it again. I did my first sprint triathlon two years and later and swore I'd never do an Ironman.

Next week I will do my 6th 70.3, Rev3 Quassy. I signed up for this event 'cause it would be a good prep for Lake Placid. People say if you can do this you can do LP. It will make LP seem easy, they say. This week I've been reviewing the course profiles. I knew it was going to be tough, but forgot just HOW tough. I've been in the time. Done the hills. Done the work in the gym. Done the time on the trainer. The laps. I'm ready. Just how ready....not sure.

I am fearful that I won't be as successful as I'd hoped. Not as fast. Not climb as efficient. The voice inside my head tells me its a training day. BUT the other voice tells me that I must be awesome. I must PR. It's unlikely for that to occur. It is the hilliest course that I have completed. (I think...Mooseman could be up there). The logical Kristi will win and I'll approach it as a training day. I'll be happy no matter how I do.

GOALS: Swim 38 minutes, Bike 3:30, Run: 1:45. The plan is to push the swim, go out a little harder than I normally do. Pace myself on the bike, work the hills like a training session: hard but controlled, push the flats and the descents. Work on my descending. Pace myself on the run and get a negative split. Be smart with nutrition. O and have fun! I should have Speedy back which will likely ramp my mph on the bike significantly. I've been averaging 16 on my long rides on Ole Reliable. I suspect that would have translated to over 17 on Speedy. Practice Race.

I have been feeling really great on my workouts. I ended the training block on a good note. Longest run so far: 20 miles, longest brick 85/7, longest swim 70 minutes (3350 yards), longest open water swim (and only...its been cold!) 1.28 miles. I felt strong in the water and strong on the my brick to end the week. I have been feeling faster and stronger towards the middle to end of my workouts. I feel my endurance and fitness improving weekly.

I have been fatigued all week. But I finally woke up today feeling rested. I had a good recovery swim last night. By Monday I'll be ready to start challenging myself again. I am excited to have a weekend free of huge plans. Free of an alarm clock. But I am looking forward to that regimen next week. To pushing myself beyond what I thought was possible. Seeing what I can do on this course.