IMWI RACE WEEK!
RACE WEEK!
It's Race week and its all about your ONE THING! (If you're like me you have 4 of them!) Couple of thoughts mushed together by myself, the coaches and other teammates.
Everyone started this journey for different reasons, at different times and here we are, coming together to execute and CRUSH the Ironman Wisconsin course. It may be your first or another one of many but each time we have to dig into ourselves and find out "WHY DO WE DO THIS CRAZY THING?"
You're welcome to share your "One Thing" or keep it to yourself but remember, practice this now. Look yourself in the mirror and say it out loud. Your body hears what your mind says. Tell yourself WHY however many reasons and one things it takes.
Remember to focus on the mental game. Do not underestimate this 5th Ironman discipline, it might be one of the most important ones.
When you are in doubt remember this….YOU HAVE ALL THE TOOLS YOU NEED! You've put in the hard work, the learning, the training, the tank is full, you have all the tools. Put it all together on race day and be proud with whatever outcome you see. Smile and enjoy this day. Remember to be kind to your family, friends, volunteers. Represent EN well. Take time to thank the ones that have gotten you here. Love on those friends, spouses.
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Doing everything right for 20 weeks, executing perfectly on the swim and bike is only going to get you to the The Line as discussed previously, but make no mistake, it will come and when it does, have those One Things ready at the forefront!
Summary: During the course of your race day, expect your body to have a very convincing conversation with your mind: "Look, Mind, you've had me out here slogging away for 132 miles. This is really starting to get old and very painful. If I see another Strawberry Banana Gel I might throw up. You need to give me a good reason to keep going forward. If you can't give me a good one, I'm gonna slow down and you can't stop me!" If you don't have an answer ready, your day could be over right here.
Advice: Before the race, you need to be able to answer the question: "Why am I doing this race?" In other words, you need to determine what is the One Thing that put you in this race? To finish in the daylight with a smile on your face? To run a 4:10? .
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Whatever your One Thing is, be absolutely clear and rehearse your mind/body debate beforehand. Practice makes perfect and this is a critical thing to have ready for when your body starts to push back.
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Be warned: your body can be a helluva good negotiator at mile 18, especially if your mind hasn't prepared its rebuttal arguments beforehand.
Now team, do me a favor, take a deep breathe.... yes I mean it.... in through the nose, out through the mouth and SMILE. Are you doing it? Still not joking, DO IT!!!
It has been an honor to be your Race Captain. I am here all week if you need to vent, have any questions etc. Please try and make the dinner, its so great to hang out together before the BIG day!
Mushy part over.... GO CRUSH THIS COURSE!
I believe everyone has all they need admin wise, everything for the dinner is listed in that thread and you have my number in case you need to get in touch. GROUPME should be starting on Wednesday I believe and we can all start chatting in there.
Coach Rich and I arrive on Thursday and can't wait to see you all.
Comments
One thing:
There will be young ones watching. Whether in person or virtually, Dad has explained that working hard and working smart get great things accomplished. Now its time to back that up with action. Young people are very much influenced within the ages that my four kids are 13 - 17. Actions in my house speak more than any words can ever motivate. So, come 9/11, my one thing is to back up what I have drilled into them verbally. Gonna take a lot to stop that One Thing.
One thing #2: Sharing the course with 47 other incredible, hard working, smart, strong and amazing team mates. Drive support into the team, no one gets left behind, all make it home and across the finish line on this day.....
May all of you have safe travels this week and make it to THE LINE well prepared and ready for what is has to offer you.
When that conversation begins at THE LINE, think of it as a game of inches. ".........Life is a game of inches......the inches we need are everywhere around us.........."
Paste this link into your browser and watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q4oPnsJQwE
Looking forward to seeing you all very soon.
SS
Transition closes at 630 so if you leave by 620 AND DONT TAKE THE HELIX (use the stairs next to the elevator where the picture will be on the south side of the helix) then you will have enough time to walk down there, get a quick pep talk, take a picture and walk with everyone else towards swim start.
Use groupme or text me personally if you have any questions. Once I finalize my spectating plan, I will post that here as well just in case.
Cant wait to cheer you all on!