Half Crazy

Watch out people, I’ve hopped on the half crazy train! HALF crazy, not full on crazy yet. Yet already I’m debating about the full on crazy train…what’s wrong with me?! Don’t answer that. So I’ve officially decided to do the White Lake Half. In less than 10 weeks. Oh crap. I’m not really sure what made me decide this was a good idea but I’m running with it (hehe). Seriously, I think I’ve gone crazy.

Let’s list all my concerns so I can just get it out there in hopes that it makes me feel better. Or at least I can try to prepare based on each one.

- Nutrition/bonking/stomach issues – I’ve admittedly done very little experimenting with nutrition. Long ride = Clif bar. Done.

- Bathroom - I don’t want to pee myself, sorry I just don’t
- Bike issues - I have zero idea how to fix anything. Have the tools but not idea what to do with them.

- Heat during run - average high is 90F and apparently there’s very little shade.

- Verrrry flat bike course - to me this is a bad thing, I like variety, not sitting at one speed/effort for 3.5 hours

- Starting with my strongest event and ending with my worst… oh wait, that’s every triathlon

- OWS – I’ve only done one at this point (will do one more during Lake Logan) and I’m not good at sighting. Not too worried about the swim otherwise.

- Heat - Did I already say that? Fine but I’m very worried about this!

- The run – Does this need more explanation? I’m not a strong runner and the idea of running a half marathon (my longest race) after everything else truly scares me. I’m so afraid I’ll blow up and end up walking half of it.

On a positive note, on a recent ride I was talking about the race and a woman over heard me who had done it before and said it was a nice course so that makes me feel a bit better. Just a bit. If it’s going to be a flat flat ride, I better have something interesting to look at.

As you might remember, when I was debating doing this I told myself this would have to be a “fun” race where I just see what I can do but don’t worry about my time. I’m trying really hard to have that mindset. But yes, I might already have vague times in mind. I like to not think of them as goals so much as I think of them as what I think I can do it in and therefore can tell my husband when to expect me during certain points in the race. I did this same method during my last sprint tri and it worked very well in that I was very happy when I crushed every time I had in mind. However, there’s a big difference between a sprint and half and I have no idea what to expect during the run.

So here is to 9.5 weeks of pushing hard through training, having some good races on the way and enjoying the journey. This is my life and this is how I want to live it. It will be tough but I am thankful my body is able to do it and that alone gives me the strength to keep on pushing.