T minus three weeks and counting.. The freak out thread!!

[Running Mommy]

Ahh here we are less than three weeks to the big dance! And as expected, I'm FREAKING OUT!!!
As you know I've been sick, so I feel like I had some kind of wierd reverse taper. I'm actually going hard this week with Next sunday being my last hard day of training. I'm going to keep swimming long until race week, but I'll cut back on my bike and run training. Not that my run training has been all that much. My bike training has been solid though, so I should make some improvements there. My worry as usual though is the swim. Ohh the swim. If you remember from last year I am dreadfully slow in the water, so missing the cut off is always in the back of my mind. And this year I just don't feel like I put the time in the pool like i did lastyear. So right now that is my current worry/obsession/point of anxiety/etc.....
And that is just the swim anxiety. The run anxiety is also lingering back there "you didn't run enough long runs. It's been a long time since that marathon in January. And you pretty much walked that. Are you going to wimp out and walk this marathon too"....
And on and on it goes!!
Oh and then there is the fact that I have no idea what I'm going to wear! I can't find a bike jersey I like!! OY!!! I can't wear the same thing I wore last year. No way! I need a cute bike jersey, that fits over my gut and doesn't make me look like an oompa loompa! And why is it that tri companies consider and xl top to be a 12-14??!!! I'm a 14-16 and 12-14 has always been a large to me!

Ahhh this is the hardest part of training. Surviving the taper without losing your mind!

The one thing I keep telling myself is that I've done it before, and that I CAN do it again! And I will dang it, I WILL!!!
Stay safe!
Denise

Oh, one other thing I wanted to talk about. Last weekend I attended a benefit concert for a local tri celeb/ coaching couple that were hit on their bikes last November. The Gage's - George and Jane Esahak- Gage are wonderful people. George almost died, in fact it's a miracle that he did not. Anyway, they have started the Gage safer streets foundation. There are already new "share the road" signs being put up around certain popular cycling corridors in the Phoenix area. They say "share the roads" and have a picture of a bike next to a car and then they say "bikes get 3 feet". I haven't seen the signs in person but I hear they are 8x3 feet.
Anyway, George was talking and one thing he said struck a cord with me. He said "ya know. I was just like all of you out there. I would hear about cyclists getting hit and I would think ohh how terrible. And feel bad for the family and rider. But then I would go about my business. I would think something needed to be done. But I didn't act. Well now I am that person. I am the one that everyone is saying "oh how terrible". Well it's time for me to act. I am going to take action because this has got to stop."
So that got me thinking. And I have decided that I'm going to contact the Gages and see how I can help them in their foundation. I was thinking about how I could go to high schools and talk to young drivers. Get to them early and hopefully strike a cord with them.
So that is just one idea I had. But what can you do? What steps can you take to effect a change. If all of us take small steps it can lead to something big. We need a shift in thinking out there. We need non cyclists to realize that we are really just like them- only on bikes.
So what will you do today to make a difference??

read about the amazing Gages here:
http://www.azcentral.com/community/a...te1201Z14.html

And be safe out there!
denise

[crazycanuck]

wahooooooooooooooooooooooooey!

RM-I'm sure all the training you've done will get ya to the end with lots of time to spare!

As Douglas Adams wrote " Don't Panic"

I'm sure you'll find the right jersey. Since i'm the same size(well in aussie sizes i'm 12-14), i would lend you my AV jersey or even my tri top if i lived close enough to you!

You're a funky chickie

C

[Bluetree]

You'll do awesome Denise!

The anxiety will pass, breathe deep... you'll hit that water calm, cool and collected.. you''ll get into your rhythm, the miles will start melting away... and then you'll kick some serious butt!


And the perfect jersey is out there, waiting patiently for you... you'll find it!

[Offthegrid]

Denise, I hear you about the sizing!!! It makes me very frustrated that I have had to buy men's cycling clothes in the past. But keep looking -- there are so many more options now and I know you'll find the right jersey to inspire you.

As for the swim, I hear you there, too. But I know that you can do it. And you'll have all of TE cheering you on. (Make sure to post your race number again when it gets closer ... I'm forgetful!)

[Wahine]

Denise - you're already there. You will swim fine. By virtue of the fact that this is not your first time in a mass swim, you're guaranteed to do better this year. You've trained enough that your body has not fogotten what a marathon is and as you said, your cycling will rock and that's where you can make up the most time. AND, you'll have better nutrition this time round.

Hang in there. Taper is tough but just keep that mantra going, "you've done it before, you'll do it again."

[rocknrollgirl]

Freaking out is not an option. You are going to do great. Like Yoda said, your body will know what to do and you have another year of experience and of training banked.

We will all be with you pulling you along, every step of the way....

You can so do this!


Ruth

[colby]

Stay strong, Iron Mommy! You're almost there.

[Running Mommy]

This morning I did what willy prolly be my last 2.4 mi swim before the big day. Well I was pleasantly surprised to finish in 1:46!! Now for most that is dreadfully slow, but for me that is a PR by 4 minutes!!! I was stoked to say the least. Now I just need to do that same swim on 4/15/06 in Tempe town lake!!
Today must have been my day because I went out for an hour ride this afternoon and I averaged 17.1 mph without much effort!
SWEET!!!
One more long brick this weekend and then I let the body get rested up and ready to rock!
Thanks for all your support girls! And I promise to try to come in with a bit more time to spare this year. I know last year I had a few of you stressed out because I cut it soo close.
Stay Safe!
Denise

[rocknrollgirl]

Greta Job Denise!!

YOU ARE AN IRONMAN....

You are going to do great.

[Offthegrid]

This morning I did what willy prolly be my last 2.4 mi swim before the big day. Well I was pleasantly surprised to finish in 1:46!!

AWESOME! To me that time is unimaginably fast. You ROCK!

Go out there and don't forget to have fun.

[KSH]

Denise,

You are prepared and ready to go. I know that this year you are going to amaze yourself and the rest of us.

Good luck. You are going to do an outstanding job!

[Wahine]

Way to go Denise. I'm sooooooo excited for you. You're going to do really well.

[Tri Girl]

Denise- I'm sooooooo proud of you!!! Your bike and swim times are just GREAT!!!!! No matter what happens race day- wind, rain, extreme heat- you'll be ready and you CAN and WILL conquer the desert once again! You are iron, baby, and you can do ANYTHING you set your mind to.
Surviving the taper is the hardest part, it's the part when I lost my mind (crying for no reason, sooo tired all the time, couldn't hold a thought for more than a nano second). You'll get through the next couple weeks just fine. Just rest, relax, prepare mentally for the race, and take good care of yourself.
Oh- and the right jersey will come flying along... it'll be cute, make you look like MJ, and help give you speed on the bike.

You know we love ya, girle, and your fan club is already cheering you on for the race!!!!