At this point I'm trying to put on the finishing touches of my training year to maximize my performance in Hawaii. Right now the physical part of it is relatively easy...the intensity is still high intermittently but the volume tapers. Oftentimes, I think people (& myself in the past) with the taper are afraid to go with much intensity. I've found what works best for me to not show up flat on race day is a cutting down the volume but keeping the intensity high about every 2 to 3 days, along with a couple of rest days that are to come next week. The mental aspect is the greater challenge. At this point it is easy to question if I'm ready, if I will be ready. I certainly don't feel ready at this point. My legs are still heavy and I'm still tired. This should change over the next week.
The focus the past week was getting acclimated to hills and heat. I've done a few treadmill workouts, a few hill running workouts, and taken a couple Bikram yoga classes last week to get some time in warmer temps as I don't have access to a sauna and simply don't stretch enough. Another aspect I'm working on right now is to cut down on my eating--especially the snacking and asking myself when I eat if I'm truly hungry or am I just eating out of habit. People often gain weight in the taper and I still have about two pounds to lose in the next two weeks.
Unfortunately this past week I've developed a slight sprain of one of the flexor tendons in my foot. It doesn't bother me much but I had to take a couple days off running workouts last week in hopes for it to feel better and let me run unaltered for the next few weeks. I don't foresee it bothering me on race day, I just need to be smart about what I'm doing and stay off my feet as much as possible the next two weeks.
Today was also a big day for packing. Melissa & I leave this Saturday, followed closely by family/friends who are coming to watch the race as well. That will give us a full week before the race the following Saturday to get acclimated to the surroundings/weather etc.
For just a brief update on the non-triathlon stressors of my last post...
1. Fellowship applications--all apps are in & I've received invites to interview at almost every program I applied to, just waiting for a couple more interviews to come in so I can finalize my interview schedule.
2. Work interruptions--fortunately my two prenatal patients both delivered this past week and I can plan out the rest of my schedule before leaving for Kona.
3. Research--the IRB has yet to approve either of my two studies & it looks like one may not happen until next spring if I don't hear in the next day or two. Again, just need to worry about the things I do have control over. 4. Buying a car--to pile something else on the plate, I did buy a car last week. For the past two years, I've enjoyed (mostly) biking to work, usually either 11 or 16 miles round-trip. It's great when the weather is nice but it is nice to have another option. I'll still probably leave the car at home most days and bike to work as I just don't like sitting in traffic & I can often make it home faster than the flow of traffic during rush hour. For the rest of this week though, I will be driving as it is just safer than biking through the streets of Chicago.
So with the official countdown at 12 days, if there are any questions anyone wants to know, please leave a comment & I'd be happy to answer it. Again, thank you all for the emails, calls, questions, and support that people have given me. It is really nice to have the support!
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