Day 62

The practice race is less than 48 hours. I have been fairly calm all week about it, but then yesterday I had my meltdown.

We were given the map of the bike course. Since the kids were at camp, I was able to drive to Cato (about 12 miles) and take a practice run. It was HILLY! At least for me. It actually starts out with a steep hill, then it is rolling hills from there. The very last part of the race is a hill. I had to walk it for about 60 seconds both ways. The course is 8.3 miles. It took me 55 minutes. Of course this is the time where I am relaxed and my body feels good. I can't imagine what it will feel like on Saturday.

I went again today to bike the course, and on the very first hill the chain comes off in the middle of shifting. I tried for at least 20 minutes to get it back on, but it wasn't happening. So I had to walk the bike down RT 370 to get to my car, which I parked as far away as I could. I put the bike back in the car and went to the track to see how I would do. It was 80 degrees out, and the sun was just beating down on the track. I walked 3/4 of the way and it took me 20 minutes. Again, that is the stand alone time; without swimming and biking. I had to get out of the heat, so I went to Beaver Lake and power walked the 2 and the 3.1 mile loops.

So now I am worried about two things; the chain coming off the track (especially if it happens 5 miles into the ride) and the weather. It is supposed to be 88 and humid. Ugh. The race starts at 11 a.m. which means I will be on the track about 12:30. It will be hot. Knowing my luck, I will get heat stroke or something. My dad is afraid I will have a heart attack in the heat (thanks Dad!).

My plan is to treat each individual leg seperatly. If I am swimming and thinking about biking, I will panic. If I think about running while I am biking, I will probably cry. I just have to keep my nose to the grindstone and not freak out when everyone passes me. I can't worry about looking like I do not belonge there.

So I am done training until the race. There is nothing more I can do. I just need to relax and have fun.