This summer (my first season doing tri’s) (mind you I’ve done over 15 marathons) I’ve done one sprint, one oly, one half Iron. And have my first IM in Nov. I didn’t really “race” my half iron. I felt fine doing it-- finished in 6 hours, and resumed IM training the next day. I wasn’t sore…etc.
There are somedays that I still can’t wrap the IM distance around my head. How can I get over the “holy shit” can I really do that… questions? I’m doing my homework (workouts everyday) etc… but I feel like I need to be doing more…?
Mind you-- I LOVE working out, if I don’t workout 6-7 days a week, I feel off. Please help on how you first initially got over the “holy shit” factor.
You have those “oh Shit” moments because you are a smart person.
It is the eating an elephant thing. Try not to look at the endeavor as one big thing. Break it down to elements. Complete the swim and move on. Ride the first half of the bike course and move on. do the second have of the bike course and take a very brief break. Put your shoes on and jog 13.1 miles easy. While you;re at it, keep on going another 13.1 miles. When you see people waving and hollering, stop. You’re done.
It is the eating an elephant thing. Try not to look at the endeavor as one big thing. Break it down to elements. Complete the swim and move on. Ride the first half of the bike course and move on. do the second have of the bike course and take a very brief break. Put your shoes on and jog 13.1 miles easy. While you;re at it, keep on going another 13.1 miles. When you see people waving and hollering, stop. You’re done.
We’d tell you, but they make us promise not to divulge the secret…
Seriously, it’s the one thing that I regret - I put soooooooo much mental time and anguish into worrying about the race: I calculated everything, planned every workout, logged everything into my little spreadsheet. When I wasn’t training for IM, I was talking about IM, or thinking about IM…it became all-consuming, and in the end cost me far, far too much…
I finished the race - 13:29 IMLP 2007 - and never once on the day was I in awe of it, or scared of it, or even for a second thought that I might not finish. It was great.
This year, with IMFL looming, I haven’t planned any workouts, haven’t logged a damn thing, and only work out when I want to/am able to. I’m not swimming nearly enough, but I’m not worried - it doesn’t scare me. Mentally, you get past it…
That is an excellent way of looking at the ‘Elephant’ that is IM. I might add one little thing, and that is the confidence you have in the preparation.