RACING into 2025..... again...

 

LOOKING FORWARD…. Again… to RACING IN 2025, part 2!

So, I had intended to possibly do a February race (somewhere warm) which didn’t happen.

So, I was excited and registered for a half marathon in Richmond in March… sprained ankle, didn’t happen.

So, here I try again. I AM WORKING BACK from this injury, rising up, and NEXT UP is Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania in early June. 

This is a new to me race, and I Haven’t done a different 70.3 in quite a bit of time, so I’m looking forward to new sights, experiences and challenges. What got me signed up for this race is that it is near Ryan’s Aunt who is turning 75 this year and this race is right around 75 days before that, so it is fitting to go there and celebrate her birthday- we won’t be able to at the actual time of her birthday.  ALSO:  they are all Penn State fans and this race finishes in the PSU stadium (more on that later).

When I sprained my ankle, I was disappointed initially and really worried and crushed.  And then I pulled on my big girl pants and got FIRED THE HECK UP. I rode my bike on my trainer for hours, started going out for long rides, even if I wasn’t pushing, and really got what I hope was some really solid bike base fitness. I think I’m actually earlier in my bike progression for a 70.3 this year than I would be for a typical 70.3 cycle, which is good in many ways.  One being that this course is hilly- through some serious climbs in PA, and that is one of the hardest things in my opinion on a 70.3 is adding climbs to the bike which then just crushes the legs and body even more prior to the run.  I have been really focusing on leg/core/back and hip strength to be in the best place possible for the bike portion.

I have been consistently swimming once/week since I sprained the ankle- all with a pull buoy- UNTIL this past week! I finally could do a little kick without the pull buoy. I’ve been consistent and swimming really just all aerobic and continuous with pull buoy/paddles since I haven’t been able to kick. I feel like some of these changes are forced changes to get me into a different pattern of training than what has been my “go to” way of doing things.

My running was slow going getting back onto my feet, but I’m getting there in distance for sure. Speed?  Well, there isn’t much of that and that is absolutely A-OK with me. Goals have changed, my outlook and perspective is so much different than what it used to be, and I’m actually really thankful for it. I may not be reaching as intensely and tightly for my goals, but I’m trying to really enjoy the athlete life- the daily fun of following the plan, knowing that what I do DOES make a difference, and seeing that play out.

For my 70.3- MY GOALS:

*Swim solid and calm.

*Bike hard and relaxed while (calm again) and fuel consistently and smart throughout (energy management). 

*Run consistently with mental patience and fight.

I want to know that I Have done my training fully and without cutting corners.  That I have set myself and my training as a priority, done the work to my ability, and now I get to just go out and do my thing- the focus on race day will be on not giving away my energy mentally, being patient, and ENJOYING THE DAY.  If I remember to keep reminding myself that this is what I LOVE and ENJOYING the day, the new sights, the new to me course, and being curious with no expectations, it will lead me to my goals.

I know that there will be VERY BIG STRUGGLES physically and mentally during the race.  It is my job to train myself body and mind to get THROUGH these.  Not to not have them… because.. it is a half Ironman… it is not going to be easy, and I will not mislead myself into thinking that training will make something easy. Sometimes it is easy to think that way.  But no- there will be at least 1,2,3x that I have to dig deep within and WILL myself through. I will work on that grit in my training so that I Have the best possible chance to get through the rough patches.

I am highly cognizant that my goals seem to have no numbers, paces, finishing rankings, because I will know on the inside if I am happy with how the race is going and finished.