So, here I am, the Thursday before my first triathlon on Sunday. I have trained for 3 months; where I
have completed 4 training open water swims.
1. 4th lake Adirondacks, NY (used wetsuit)
2. 4th lake Adirondacks, NY
3. Atlantic Ocean, Kiawah Island, SC
4. Blue Marsh Lake, Leesport, PA
(5. non-official, Hudson River Swim)
-completed 3x weekly swim sessions
-completed up to 50 miles a week runs
-completed not as many bikes as I should have but accomplished two 90 minute rides
I think I have the conditioning covered.
Regarding the nutrition, I have had my ups and downs this summer. I lost some weight, regained some weight and am settling right in between at this point. I can’t say I am happy about it but I am lighter than when I started.
I met with my Personal Trainer Katie last week, she took my measurements. Yep, the slight weight gain increased my inches – BUT – my muscles are stronger and not as tight as I was 6 weeks ago. I am also running faster! My typical training run used to be between a 9:00 – 9:30 min mile for up to 6 miles. NOW it is between 8:30-9:00 min. miles for training runs up to 6 miles and that is after a bike or a swim. So, I have to say – I am happy!
Ok, so like I said, and like the title says “Pre race contemplations, days before my first triathlon” I have set the following goals and I am excited to see where I land on race day.
The event is 1/2 mile swim in the bay, 10 mile bike, and 3 mile run.
Plan C (worst case scenario)
Swim 30 minutes
T1 5 minutes
Bike 50 minutes
T2 5 minutes
Run 30 minutes
Finish time 2 hours.
Plan B (middle of the road scenario)
Swim 25 minutes
T1 5 minutes
Bike 45 minutes
T2 5 minutes
Run 28 minutes
Finish time 1 hour 48 minutes
Plan A (pie in the sky scenario)
Swim 23 minutes
T1 4 minutes
Bike 43 minutes
T2 4 minutes
Run 27 minutes
Finish time 1 hour 41 minutes
What ever I do will become my base line so I really, I just want to finish without my shirt ending up around my mid-section with my belly hanging out, my helmet be on straight for the photos, and I get through the finish line with a smile and a tear of joy!
Now briefly, back on nutrition. 
It is without a doubt completely unlike me to not have everything planned to the complete ultra second, my clothes, my shoes, my hair, my visor and my nutrition timing. But this go around, I guess since I am so wacked out because I have very little clue what to expect on race day, my brain went blank. So I am thinking I’ll do some Nuun, (Baby Nu-nu, as my niece and nephew lovingly call my Nuun bottles), two scoops of Mikes recovery shake, and a Gu gel just in case. I think I will be fine, it’s only 2 hours right? I’ve trained for much longer than that on less. Oh yea, I’ll eat oatmeal and a banana before race time. The night before I think I will do some vegan mexican. Yea, that will work.
I’ll talk more later about my big stress of this whole thing in another post. (Don’t get me wrong, I am loving every minute.)
I want my baby nu-nu.
So, what do you think? Are those reasonable plans? Any tips or tricks of the trade you want to pass on to me?
erintris 