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Hay in the barn, deposits in the bank... and other pre-race analogies?

It's horrifying to type this out but... my Ironman is 3 weeks from yesterday. SHIT. That's so soon! I'm getting asked "how are you feeling?" and "do you feel ready?" to which I've been responding with analogies that I think are real like "well the hays in the barn" (is that a thing?) and "I've made all the big deposits in the bank" or something like that. First off, are these even real analogies? Unsure, but no one has challenged me yet so I'll go with it.

But, what I MEAN remains true. Am I ready? I've done every workout I was supposed to. In the last 6 months I've missed two swims and one lifting session. I've raced only twice leading into this - the first was terrible and the second was great. My hamstring has been mostly good. I've been seeing what I'll call an "ironman versed chiropractor" who does mostly ART and graston type work on my body every couple weeks to try to stay tuned up. I've run well, I've biked alright, and I'm still swimming decent. I've gotten in quite a bit of open water swimming which is good. I've also ridden more outside than normal. I've been "celebrating" life quite a bit, which has made training more challenging, but life a LOT more fun (wouldn't change that). I'm tired and sore all the time, and that means it's working, right? 

What I'm trying to do now is start realistically thinking through race day. How will I mentally approach each portion? How will I keep running at mile 18 when everyone is walking and I'm tired. What are realistic goals to try to hold myself to? What am I going to eat and drink? Time is ticking and I won't pretend like this race hasn't snuck up on me, especially since I feel like my personal life has really lead my year, instead of training being my top priority.

So, to answer "am I ready"? I couldn't tell you. It feels impossible to be ready for a day with so many external factors. Do I feel like I've done a good job preparing? Yes. Do I trust that my coach knows what he's doing? Yes. Do I have the mental discipline to keep going through the dark points? Yes. Is my coach adding actual visualization time into my training plan the next three weeks? Yes.

I guess the REAL question is - what kit should I race in? My wattie hit squad kit, OR: 



But in all seriousness, I do this because it terrifies me. All the crazy feelings I'm feeling right now are because I've picked "the toughest day in endurance sports" (not sure if this is true, but I've heard it said). I mean, just think about this for a minute - you've somehow made it through over 7 straight hours of working out, heart thumping, race pace. You're fairly depleted, you're mentally fatigued from watching things fly by you on the bike for 6+ hours. And now, it's time for a FULL MARATHON. GAHHHHH. (insert pounding heartbeat here)

I have to remember that I've put in the work. This will be my 4th time lining up for a full ironman. I'm a great swimmer. I usually manage on the bike. And I am going to FUCKING GET AFTER THIS MARATHON so I don't have to keep saying that I want to work on my marathon. UGH! LET'S GO.



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