First Oly in only 9 days now...HOLY SH*T!&^#SY

I know ALL those thoughts, they're all going through my head right now and I'm just doing a mini-sprint this weekend!

Have a great time!

I just completed my first Tri (it was an Oly distance) last weekend. I had many of the same thoughts. I will tell you what I learned. I had trouble with my goggles fogging while training. On race day I was getting ready I spit in my goggles, rubbed it around then started talking to a guy next to me. I forgot about my goggles for about 15 minutes, by then the spit was dry. I simply rinsed them out well in the lake and put them on. They did not fog up at all. I used to spit in them then rinse them immediately. It appears that letting the saliva dry on a little helps.

If you are worried about cramps you can buy a product called Enduralytes by Hammer Nutrition. They are electrolyte capsules that yuo can take before the race to keep you from cramping. I used this product for the first time last night and I think it is amazing. The other thing you could do it mix Pedialyte (electrolyte solution for kids) with gatorade or drink it straight the morning of the race. If you want to use either try it before the big day.

You cannot control the weather or the road conditions. Don't worry about either.

I drank a bottle of water and a bottle of Gatorade on the 28 mile bike leg. I alternated between water and gatorade every few minutes.

good luck and enjoy the day.

chevy57        

Hey, the good news is that Taper Time (Pre-Race) is when this sort of stuff all comes out and it is very normal. I guess that is why they call it "Taper Madness"

The good news is that on race day, you won't have all of these thoughts rattling around to distract you and it will almost feel like your on auto-pilot.

You have some solid workouts in your log and are going to do great.

Best of luck to you this weekend

*sigh*

Amy, amy, amy, amy, amy. 

First of all, you are familiar with the lake.  Seriously.  It isn't like you've never been in this lake before.  Take it easy, and take it at your own pace.  You know that.  You've already done enough races to know that, distance be dammed.

Secondly, you've been putting in some decent rides lately.  Think back on those.  Think back to the times you were in and out of aero.  Remember, this isn't nearly as flat as SoR, but it ain't hilly by any stretch of the imagination.  Based on what I can remember in reading in your logs, put the chute on about a mile or two from the end to start stretching the tummy.

Running, just do it.  You have started to give yourself the tools to handle the cramps.  If they start to come on, work on your breathing.  And if they do, so what.  Walk a bit, run a bit, walk a bit, run a bit. 

To me, treat this like your very first race.  No time expectations.  Just finish.  And have fun.

That's what I'm doing for my first Oly the weekend after PP in Chicago. 

See you in PP.  You will do juuuuuuust fine. 

 i agree with gopennstate exactly, don't worry too much, the training is done and the race will be over before you know it.  I do disagree with her name "gopennstate" though Go BADGERS!!!!

I've taken a look at your logs also, and in my very very amateur opinion you have done the training. You know you can do the swim (I'm actually envious of your swim times). You've put the distance in on your bike, and you've worked hard on your run. Just put one foot in front of the other until you finish.

Will it be tough at times? Yes! But that is what makes the finish that much sweeter. Perhaps (and this is just a suggestion) during your taper week you could work on your mental game. Try listening to relaxing music or mental visualization techniques. It's amazing what your body can do when your brain tells it what to do. Just picture the perfect race over and over and over in your mind.

Plan ahead for Murphy's Law. Write down on one side on a piece of paper everything that could possibly go wrong (goggles fogging up, flat tire on bike, cramping during the run ect.) and on the other side write down what you will do for each scenario. If you are well prepared in advance it will alleviate most (but not all) of your nervousness.

And most importantly....don't forget to make as many new friends as possible, thank the volunteers and HAVE FUN!!!  Good luck!

nscrbug - 2008-08-08 10:11 PM I can relate...and have the same questions as the OP. My first OLY is this Sunday! To make matters worse, I just registered for it last Tuesday...AND...I feel like I'm coming down with a bug. Woke up with a sore throat for the last 2 days, and now having sinus congestion, runny nose, and other general cold type symptoms. I'm not all that prepared for this race, but it's too late now...gonna go out and do the best I can. I probably won't be at 100% on Sunday, but my goal is to just finish, so I'll do whatever it takes to accomplish that. Good luck at PP!

Thanks for the good luck wishes, and I am sorry to hear you are a little under the weather...booo!  I will be thinking of you tomorrow hoping you are not only feeling better, but that you do well in your first OLY!!  GO KICK SOME ARSE!!  Can't wait to hear about it!

Chill, chica. 

That is all. 

Well said!

Hook'em Horns