It is touch over 7 days out from race day and I am about to go into the second week of taper. The taper has the usual feel to it.....'are we there yet' sort of mentality....I'm at the stage where there hard work is done...where is that start gun????
But in saying that and being a veteran of 2 IM you learn to have a little more patience throughout taper and realise that it is actually a very important part of the race preparation....it is a time where the mind and body become revitalised. And the competitive juices begin to build.......
Even though I have been here twice before there are still the nerves and the anticipation builds and really it even more prevalent this time round as the preparation has been a little interrupted and whilst I am confident that I WILL finish, I am far from 100% fit going into the race. I would like to think that I'm at about 80% fitness compared to other IM campaigns but I am 100% focused, mentally prepared and ready to give it my all to do my best and that's all I can ask of myself....there will be definitely nothing left in the tank this time round. I firmly believe that I will make that 20% up through mental stubbornness and determination.....I am not going to let a mere back niggle ruin my success of IM NZ.
This IM will be the one which I believe will challenge me the most, it is the one which will stretch my mental toughness to the limit....but it wouldn't be IM without this mental and physical challenge that's what makes it the one of the toughest sports around.
There are other challenges and issues that will arise this time round too. Competing in an IM in another country is certainly something that I haven't yet experienced.....well actually just going overseas is a first.
The goals for the race at this stage look like this:
- FINISH
- under 12 hours
- enjoy myself...even if it is managing a little pain
- The level fitness has improved, it probably got back to just below peak about 5 weeks ago, but like I mentioned before I would not say not back to full fitness. The base from previous campaign is definitely assisted in this development.
- The swimming is the area in which I am most impressed with my progress, I'm feeling 'fast' in the water....well in an IM way......the stroke feels good...I'm feeling comfortable and the I back to swimming in a 'smart comfortable' rhythm. We did a 5km ocean swim a number of weeks ago and just to get out there and swim without being interrupted by a wall every 50m was fantastic. Once I can get the first 800 to 1000m out of the way.....the swim is the happening thing.....The goal for the swim would be somewhere between 62 and 67min (IM1: 67m, IM2: 63m)
- The cycling this time round has been progressive and steady without being out standing....the usual dislike of anything more then undulating or that can't be rolled up from a previous hill has continued, but there has been progress. The trek around The Gap, Nebo, Glorious and Samford has become enjoyable rather then a chore. The 5hr indoor trainer session was a great challenge to prepare for the mental numbness that we will encounter throughout the ride at times.....the solitude, working through the pain...fighting the little voice...what a session...definitely worthwhile. The flat, smooth profile on the bike is still one I definitely favour and one that I can maintain a good solid speed for extended periods of time...the hills do help with some things. The bike looks like being solid but not my best. I am going into the bike leg in IM NZ with some caution I believe it could be bike leg that could 'upset' the back and make the run a little more difficult but with patience and focusing on technique and my race strategy throughout the bike leg I am hoping to get off the bike relatively unscathed. The goal for the bike leg is under 6hrs. (IM1: 5:56, IM2: 5:41)
- Running is the area where I initially started off behind the eight ball, and it took until about 4 weeks ago when it all began to fall into shape. The work in the hills has been worthwhile again and at time has been hard work, the legs not just wanting to participate. With grit and determination I think the hill work will have helped. Throughout the run training I have been managing the back and a related hamstring niggle. Within the last 4 weeks the rhythm and the form has returned. The use of compression socks have been a blessing and assisted in calf soreness. Plenty of stretching and massage have assisted in ensure the improvement of my running. The goal for the run is around 4hr (IM1: 4:18, IM2: 4:06)
As a whole I believe I am ready....as ready I can be. The mind is ready...just hope it drags the body along with it.
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