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Confession & Accountability......
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 2010-09-24 7:19 PM |
 40 |  Subject: Confession & Accountability......I've been running forever, but just started triathlon this year. My second race is Sunday. Not feeling as prepared as my first race due to (1) more distractions than normal at work & home, thus affecting my focus & training, and (2) it's my first OWS in a race setting, and I'm terrified. This morning I decided I would not do the race. Just don't feel ready. My decision bothered me all day long.....so as soon as I left work, I went straight to pick up my race packet so I could do the race after all. I figure regardless of my performance, this is what I love, and I need to go out and do it. Plus I've been training hard even if I've lost focus these past few weeks, and I really need to face my fear of doing OWS in a race setting. Sink or swim (literally) Just thought I'd share. I'll be out there on Sunday. I'll let you all know if this was a good call or not. I also wanted to post this now to hold myself accountable and not change my mind again  |
| 2010-09-24 7:32 PM in reply to: #3116886 |
Member 146 | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... It's a good call - you'll be great. Just start the OWS slowly and don't get caught vying for position. I'll bet you haven't lost any conditioning over the last few weeks (you're just well rested). Treat this one as a learning experience - you have to get your first OWS out of the way, so let this be the race you do it in - you don't have to "race," you're using this for the experience. Take deep breaths at the start, take it easy, and just keep swimming. If you can, get in the water and get used to not being able to see the bottom before the race starts. It made all the difference for me. |
| 2010-09-24 10:25 PM in reply to: #3116886 |
Master 2202  St. Louis | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... Wetsuit? If so, they float you as well as a life vest. Good luck. And like the other poster said, get in the water beforehand and it will make a world of difference. |
| 2010-09-24 10:59 PM in reply to: #3116886 |
| , Arizona | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... Just start slower (as in much slower) than you think you want to go, if you feel good after 200m then go a little faster until you've reached a good pace. I hear so many people say they went out too fast too early and panicked or were gassed, I'm guilty of this too. You will rock it! Good luck! |
| 2010-09-25 12:09 AM in reply to: #3116886 |
New user 76 Colorado | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... You'll be fine - just try to enjoy the experience. I've realized this year that I don't have to be 100% prepared for every race I do - I don't have that kind of dedication or natural talent to be in "race shape" all the time. I try to think of those "races" as "well organized workouts" (and they're always good learning experiences) Good luck! |
| 2010-09-25 7:20 AM in reply to: #3117074 |
| 40 | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... Thanks for all the encouragement, it is exactly what I need to hear! Oh and about a wetsuit, nope here in hot Texas the water is still 82 degrees. Edited by Cindymc 2010-09-25 7:24 AM |
| 2010-09-25 7:38 AM in reply to: #3116886 |
Regular 609 Raleigh | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... You'll be fine! I'm a confident open water swimmer, but did my first open water race last weekend. The start is a different experience, but just hold back and let the experienced folks go. x2 on don't start out too fast - I was guilty of that (even though I held back at the start I found myself front half at the first buoy and consequently lost pace at the end). Long and slow! I guarantee you won't be the only one. HAVE FUN! and let us know how it goes. Edited by JollyRoger 2010-09-25 7:38 AM |
| 2010-09-25 8:01 AM in reply to: #3116886 |
Extreme Veteran 442 Ohio | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... Something someone told me that has helped me tremendously (especially when it comes to the OWS) "My Race, My Pace". Do your thing and you'll be fine. Good Luck. |
| 2010-09-25 9:15 AM in reply to: #3117058 |
Master 1440 | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... Synon - 2010-09-24 11:59 PM Just start slower (as in much slower) than you think you want to go, if you feel good after 200m then go a little faster until you've reached a good pace. I hear so many people say they went out too fast too early and panicked or were gassed, I'm guilty of this too. You will rock it! Good luck! X2! BTDT. Take your time and enjoy yourself. and seriously someone once told me that the worse the stuff hits the fan for you the better the story you have afterwards. Good luck and run your race not the guys next to you or ahead of you. |
| 2010-09-25 10:00 AM in reply to: #3116886 |
Master 2426 Central Indiana | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... Congrats on getting that packet!! Almost everyone feels they could have trained better before an event. Today-don't feel guilty about missing training. Remember that tapering your training efforts for a couple weeks (like marathoners do) can be a good thing. Look at those course maps & break up the course into parts. As a runner, let the run take care of itself. Maybe think about navigating each swim segment (buoy #1, turns, swim exit). Look at the bike course map to know basically what to expect (hills, head wind/tail wind sections, etc.). Then your 'inner runner' will take it home. Race day- Start slow & try to avoid the most crowded swim lanes (esp right near the buoys). Above all enjoy the experience. BT is rootin' for ya!! Let us know how it goes. |
| 2010-09-25 10:19 AM in reply to: #3116886 |
Master 2484 St. Louis | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... At my first tri I ended up going out too fast and getting out of breath. I treaded water for a bit, looked around, smiled that I was actually doing a triathlon, then started back at my pace. It worked so well, I planned to do that on my second tri. I no longer plan to do that, but keep that as my back up plan. |
| 2010-09-26 2:38 PM in reply to: #3116886 |
| 40 | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability......(update) So......I did it. My first OWS in a race setting. I'm not gonna lie....it was a bit ugly at times, and anything but elegant. As expected, I panicked at the beginning and had to regroup mentally several times throughout the swim. But I used many of the tactics you guys recommended, and they helped tremendously. I was able to get in the water to warm up about 30 minutes before my wave started, and that made a huge difference. And I did grab hold of a kayak one time to rest, I think this was more mental than physical...had it not been right there to grab, I probably wouldn't have needed it. Many thanks for all the support & advice....second tri is now down in the books, and more importantly the big scary first OWS is complete! Sweet! Still waiting for my final results, so will share those later. Bike & run went well! |
| 2010-09-26 2:47 PM in reply to: #3116886 |
| Regular 609 Raleigh | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... Well done! |
| 2010-09-26 2:49 PM in reply to: #3116886 |
Master 2538 Albuquerque | Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... very nice! |
| 2010-09-26 2:55 PM in reply to: #3116886 |
| Subject: RE: Confession & Accountability...... Good job on not letting fear or self doubt paralyze you. Way to finish with a sense of accomplishment! |
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