Less than 10 Days

It's been a challenging week, to say the least. I thought the long, hard workouts would be the challenge, but noooooo! This taper, and the way my body feels, well it really stinks! I hope I'm not the only one tapering for an IM who feels this way.

I woke up this a.m. feeling really bad: crabby, achy, tired, thinking "what the heck was I thinking when I clicked the button on the computer to register for this crazy race?". Maybe we just shouldn't go. What if I'm so nervous I forget how to swim, or breathe, or ride my bike, or what if my knee hurts really bad after the bike and I can't run? Can I walk an entire marathon?

I haven't ran in the dark for over 15 years. What's it going to be like to run/finish in the dark? Will there be other people around me? Will I be able to see where I'm going? Have I spent all this money and time for something that's going to be a bust anyway? My son REALLY doesn't want to go, but he's not old enough to stay by himself, and we have no one to stay with him. He's going to miss two days of school, which is a whole other story. His absences will be "unexcused" and it's up to the teachers whether they let him make up the work or not. More stress!

While today was supposed to be an "off, or rest" day, I woke up so wound up that I went to the pool and swam a real easy 1000 m outside. For the second time this week, I saw a woman swimming who was being coached/trained by a young lady from the deck. She was a good swimmer. She was wearing a cap from Steelhead, so I know she's done some triathlons. I know everyone can improve on their technique, but it made me feel extremely inadequate. She could swim circles around me. She's got a coach. I'm doing an ironman and don't have anyone helping me. SOMEBODY HELP!

OK, so I pulled myself together, telling myself it doesn't matter, I'm just going to do the best I can. It is what it is!

Ran some errands, did some shopping.

I've decided that I have no choice but to use the drink the race will be offering, which is Gatorade Endurance. Is it easy to find? Absolutely not. The lemon-lime flavor is the only one sold commercially, even though they will be offering orange also on the course. So I'm going to bring some with me and start on the bike with it. That way, I'll be drinking the same drink all day.

I'm really worried about nutrition. How am I going to carry everything I need for the bike ride? Hopefully I'll find my special needs bag and I will have packed all the right stuff for the bike and run. How much to carry with me, what will fit in my pocket/fuel belt, what to pack in my special needs bag? Yikes, way too much to think about!

I just found out there are 24 women competing in my age group (50-54). There are four women named Karen! It was a very popular name when I was born. Most of the time when I meet someone named Karen, I know they were born about the same year as me.

I am the only "homemaker" listed. Several "fitness consultants" (a.k.a. fit/fast athletes), several nurses, and even one lady from Mexico! Should be an interesting group.

Oh, by the way, my race number is 2400. Should be easy enough to remember, right?

Weather forecast for Louisville on 8/31--86 degrees (hot, but hopefully not 90's) and sunny.

There was a short time yesterday when I was stretching that I was starting to feel excited, not just nervous. It didn't last long. I'm hoping it will come back. After all, we'll be in Louisville one week from today.

Enough babbling for now. If anyone has any kind words, good advice, atta girls, or whatnot, please feel free to comment. You don't have to be a blog member to respond.

Hope everyone had a great week and has a greater weekend!

Until next time--God bless!