24 days to another installment of Ironman Racing for me...and I couldn't feel more ready. With Kona behind us, I never lost sight of IMAZ 2011 in the run up to Kona...maybe because it is a hometown race, maybe because I had a good experience last year...who knows. I think this race gives me the best chance at performing my best---sleep in my own bed, eat in my own kitchen, no planes, no bike logistics to deal with...the list goes on. There is a bit of uncertainty in my mind (unwarranted I keep telling myself) that I will never have such a smooth day as I had at IMAZ 2010---if they were all that way, I would say I am one of the luckiest triathletes out there, but the sport would not be as rewarding. Simply it's a lot like life can be: what do you do when your body/someone else tells you "NO," those are the moments/experiences where I think we tend to be the most alive. Going in to this race, I know I am much fitter, faster, and more "veteran-ized" this time around, but that invites curve balls to be thrown my way for me to work through this time around. The cramps in Kona on the run were the challenge there, and I have to say the cramps won--enough so to say if that was a qualifying race, I would not have qualified. The mental junkie that I am, I think that was a good thing to have happen. I think I would be too relaxed going into IMAZ if the day in Kona was uneventful...but I do have this "you're only as good as your last race" thing in my head...9:59 is good, but again, not for qualifying...yup, just looked, that would have put me 16th in 2010. The concern is good to have...and I'm keeping the gas pedal floored. Odd thing about being more fit...it tends to hurt more as you expect your body to go faster and further, for longer periods of time. You simply don't have an easier time going faster...it tends to hurt more. Prime example is in my goals for IMAZ this year: 59 minute swim last year? This year, 56 is acceptable, and will hurt more. 5:02 bike last year? 4:55 I will accept as good progress (conditions permitting). I'll stop before I bring up the run...0:56 + 4:55 = 5:51...add in transitions (4:31 + 2:52 = 0:07:23, then trim by 1:00 by putting some giddy up into T1 and T2), and I am sitting right at 5:57:23 to start the run. If I run the same...finish time is 9:17:23ish. IF, though, I go for it, what am I shooting for? 3:10 marathon = 9:07ish....so there's a good number, and now is my goal for IMAZ 2011 (I can't believe I am putting this out there). Doable? Yes. Hard? Extremely. Will it hurt? A ton. Chance in my mind of hitting it: 25% Reason for not hitting it? Pain yes, nutrition problems, also a likely thorn...other curveballs exist, but that's the game within the game. I have a "pipe dream" of hitting 9:00...perfect conditions, perfect nutrition, a huge mental game to deal with the pain that comes with trying to go that fast. And you know that if I am within reach of it, I'll be clawing.
Still can't believe that I am putting this out there...but I think it has to do with keeping myself accountable. It's easy after the race to say "it was a good day" when you simply look at the numbers without putting out there what you think you can do--- I guess I am an open book when it comes to goals and IM racing. In then end, racing for me is all about going to battle with myself...having a clock to record the outcome, a course to complete, rules to follow, aid to eliminate stopping, and an event on a certain day to allow for the "measuring" of "fitness." Wow, I think I am turning into some sort of yogi ;-) Joking aside, I am noticing that this sport is changing the way I look at a lot of things---results are great to work towards achieving, but why stop at qualifying in this case? Why not go for finding what you can do...leave nothing, take everything, and just go for it. The risk of failure I guess is why. "Tin Cup"...why not lay up and take the EZ win versus going for the green on a almost impossible shot? There are those who "lay up" and those who "go for the green," we know where I fall ;-)
So that's all a bit of hogwash ;-) But it's how I am approaching IMAZ...the fire is lit, and I have the drive to go out there again and lay it on the line, and I don't think I am taking it for granted (which is a big worry of mine...this is "just" IMAZ...this is a huge race!). If I could have just one goal this race, it will be to run well--so time to expand on that... I feel like this entire year my run has oddly let me down a bit....every 70.3 and IM I have given in to the pain a bit more than I wanted to. So my goal on the run is one of Chris' mantra's "Find It, Hold It, Push It, Survive It" (or something like that). I think the fear of hitting the wall always creeps in there, but only on the run for some reason. There's nothing like running the first half of a marathon in sub 1:30, then running the second half in 2:00 (which I have done). The finishing time, 3:28 is a decent number (years ago), but looking at how I got there shows the failure. I have that on my mind whenever I think about the IM run, and I've heard many more stories about this happening to people than hearing otherwise. I guess the answer is stick to the physiology of Heart Rate Zones and stay on top of nutrition...that is your best bet! Hitting the aid stations and fueling up on a Gel + Water at one, then alternating with Perform Drink at the next will be my nutrition plan again. Throw in some No Doze (thanks Carlos for the tip!), and I just have to keep the Heart Rate steady at the top of zone 2, and be prepared to go for zone 3 as the marathon wears on---pain! The more I write, the more I end up looking at the swim and the bike as "they are what they are." Bike: plug in the wattage and just keep in close contact to that number. I'm curious if Chris will "up" this target a bit in response to me really wanting to push my limits. I think if I it is up, and ends up being a bit too much, I can still fall back on a "decent" run and finish well...which brings up ANOTHER question. If I am sitting in 4th place in my Age Group, and know I just need to trot in, will I dig in and still leave it all out there when that actual moment comes? I am hoping I will dig, but every muscle in my body will be saying---coast it! That is the battle...but such a good battle to have with yourself!
Anyways, more pyscho babble from me here..nothing new. Oh, and Chris, if you waste any of your time reading this..yes, I think WAY to much...can't help it, but I can't ever rest. Ants in the pants!
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