Swimmer's Group (Olympic Distance Animals) - OPEN (Page 9)

Cross-cultural-exchange opportunity.  What are bickies?

It sounds like they'd put a handle (or two) on me!

Matt

Well, I have my first (ever) Oly coming up in a bit over a week.  I'm hoping to learn a bit more about pacing in a longer event, but I'm guessing it's still just redline redline redline (if not, I'll certainly find out!).

This was to be at the end of my second and last build block (3 weeks build, 1 week "rest and test") before an oly specific 2 week peak and one week race taper for the July 21st race.  BUT, having signed up for a HIM in August has scrambled things a bit.  Still approaching next week's race as before - just a recovery week prior, rather than a true peak/taper cycle.

But, for the next Oly, instead of a 2 week peak (decreasing workout length, increasing intensity up to all at race pace) and one week taper, I'll be doing a 2 week build (the second week being just a BIT lower volume that normal) and one week taper.  Not sure if that will shed enough fatigue to really hammer the Oly, but I am now wigged out at the thought of losing fitness before the HIM!

Kind of bummed, as I wanted to treat the last Oly as my A race this year, but I'm just as pumped about the HIM.  So, looks like I'll have an "A-" oly and an "A-" HIM.  All in, worth it, I think!

This will certainly be "educational," as it'll be my first full season of tri's, my first Oly distances and my first HIM.    I know I should approach this with the idea that I should try to finish feeling good and just learn, but I can't help think about how to pace for my best race.  As I've said before, if I have a number on me, I'm going for it.

Anyone here have advice for how to mentally wrap one's head around accepting that a race might not be the best you could do (not tapering enough or the like means you race hard, but won't go as fast)?  I need some "mental floss" to get my head screwed on right!  

Matt

RR up.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=493897  

Had a GREAT time at my first Oly. 

Matt

Originally posted by Moody1775 Race report: swim was smooth but started with ails panic attack I calmed down and pushed on.... T1 was faster than I thought it would be.... The major hills were not as hard as I thought .... Bike section was going great until shortly after the turn around... A huge storm came in and they canceled the rest of the race due to the thunder very disappointed but happy that I did the swim and4 out of 5 of the climbs with no difficulty

Wow - total bummer!  

Well, dealing with panic on the OWS is a great learning experience, and I suppose the rest has to be chalked up to good training.  Small consolation, I know.  I'd be torqued with Mother Nature, but I guess less so than if I got struck by lightning!  

I hope the next one goes better for you.

Matt

Congrats - great race!

Sounds like you hit the bike perfectly, and sometimes a swim that feels "easy" sets up a good race (the old saw: "You can't win a tri on the swim, but you sure can lose it" comes to mind).

As for getting in and out of shoes on the bike, I go to a little parking lot next to my house a few days before the race and practice just getting into and out of my shoes (I ride without socks, too, and run without them up through Olympic distances - I think I'll probably wear them for anything over Oly's, though).  It helps a ton with confidence and the time saved in transition is easier to get than running faster!  

Congrats again on your first Oly.  PR!!!

Matt