41 Days: The Unknown

I've learned a lot since beginning my triathlon career a year and a half ago. For three sports that appear so simple on the surface, they sure are difficult once you really hone in on them. And once you realize how difficult they are individually, go ahead and throw them together. What a mess.

My Ironman race is quickly approaching. I'm not intimidated or worried that I won't finish. I am more concerned about the unknown; concerned about the bridges I have yet to cross since my racing began. One would think after 4 half-Ironmans that I would be ready for what is about to thrown my way. But to be honest, I might as well be standing at home plate with a blind fold on.

Your body responds differently than mine, and my body responds differently than the next person's. No one person gets through an Ironman the same way. Then again, I am only going off of what I have read and seen online. I have hit some large training benchmarks but is that enough? I've rode my bike for 6 hours then hopped off and ran for 45 minutes; the leg wobble is incredible. I've swam 5000 meters then got on my bike for a couple hours; I would compare the first few minutes to vertigo. What I haven't experienced is all three sports together.

Yes, I know, I've completed half-Ironmans. That should be all the experience I need right? Wrong. What are my legs going to feel like after swimming in a river for an hour then running into the first transition? Yes, I can simulate this to the best of my abilities but nothing compares to a race scenario. What are my neck and back going to feel like after roughly six hours on the bike? I know after three hours during previous races I am more than ready to get on the run. What do miles 14, 15, 16, 17,....26 of the run feel like? What do they feel like after 112 miles on the bike?

There are things I don't know and I wish I did...

But then again, that's what makes this journey exciting. It's the feeling of not knowing what I'll be experiencing during the race and figuring out a way to push both my mind and body through it.

It will be hot, humid and hilly. Those are the things that are certain. Everything else is up in the air!

One last question...what do I do after I complete an Ironman?

Happy training!

P.S.- Shout out to my parent's neighbor Tami (I hope I spelled it right). Thanks for reading!

P.S.S- Go U.S.A!