Blog #9 for EndurancePlanet.com - originally posted on 10/7/2009
Last night I landed in Kona, the big race now just days away. Oddly, and unexpectedly, being on the ground here, seeing the many riders along the Queen K and the runners along Ali'i Dr, filled me with a sense of confidence.
The weather is holding just fine, which will be very important come Saturday. It's hot of course, but not too bad. There are winds of course, but nothing too terrible. And yes, there are nerves. But I'm not panicked by the sight of everyone with 2% body fat and their $14,000 bikes.
I can do this.
It really comes down to a couple of simple thoughts. 1) I have a plan that I know will get me to the finish line. 2) I know I have the ability to execute that plan.
That's really all it comes down to.
This is three very basic activities. It's a morning swim, longer than usual, but nothing that I can't do in under 2 hours. It's essentially a century ride up the Kona Coast and back. I can do that. In fact it will probably be much easier than the century I did in training, which was me by myself traversing the same old boring route along PCH four weeks ago. And then it's a marathon.
I've never done a marathon. But I've done 20 miles, also by myself. And also along a route that I've traveled dozens of times. This will be longer, but it will be new, exciting, and with a really great party at the end.
We are now four days away from Ironman. From the test of a lifetime. A day that will trump all days before it, and all of those yet to come. And I do believe that I am ready.
Or at least I will be by Saturday. A couple of rides along the course this week, a couple of morning swims and evening jogs, and the prep will be complete.
See you Saturday night at the finish!
The weather is holding just fine, which will be very important come Saturday. It's hot of course, but not too bad. There are winds of course, but nothing too terrible. And yes, there are nerves. But I'm not panicked by the sight of everyone with 2% body fat and their $14,000 bikes.
I can do this.
It really comes down to a couple of simple thoughts. 1) I have a plan that I know will get me to the finish line. 2) I know I have the ability to execute that plan.
That's really all it comes down to.
This is three very basic activities. It's a morning swim, longer than usual, but nothing that I can't do in under 2 hours. It's essentially a century ride up the Kona Coast and back. I can do that. In fact it will probably be much easier than the century I did in training, which was me by myself traversing the same old boring route along PCH four weeks ago. And then it's a marathon.
I've never done a marathon. But I've done 20 miles, also by myself. And also along a route that I've traveled dozens of times. This will be longer, but it will be new, exciting, and with a really great party at the end.
We are now four days away from Ironman. From the test of a lifetime. A day that will trump all days before it, and all of those yet to come. And I do believe that I am ready.
Or at least I will be by Saturday. A couple of rides along the course this week, a couple of morning swims and evening jogs, and the prep will be complete.
See you Saturday night at the finish!
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