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November 5, 2009
Taper Time!
Well here we are, just 1.5 weeks away from my last race of the season. At this time next week I will be in sunny Florida! Sunny, warm Florida! Yipppeeee!!
The taper has been going well thus far. I had Monday off. That was nice. Then on Tuesday I had my last hard efforts on the bike and on the track. Both went well – kind of out of the ordinary for BOTH to go well but hey, I’m not complaining. Today when I was swimming I pulled much faster than usual. That of course isn’t saying much because I am slowwwww at pulling. Yes I know, doesn’t bode well for wetsuit swims. :) But, my pulling is slowly but surely getting to be as fast as my regular swimming. I know most people can pull faster than they can swim but I have always been quite the opposite. Not sure why since my massively huge arms have such a strong, efficient stroke. :)
Anyway, all of this is basically me telling you that if I have a subpar race in Clearwater I have no excuse. :) I haven’t been sick. I’ve done 99.9% of my workouts ALL YEAR LONG (and haven’t missed one workout for this Clearwater cycle). I’ve slept well. I’ve recovered well. I’ve performed well during my bike and swim workouts and my running is even turning around. Yep, there are no excuses for me. That sure puts the pressure on. My coach told me that my fitness is certainly there, now it’s a matter of race execution.
Now about that race execution. That seems to be the hard part for me. :) I’ve gotten it wrong at this distance more than once, that’s for sure. A lot of my troubles have come from a lack of discipline – riding too hard (sometimes I just can’t help myself), not focusing on getting in proper nutrition when my stomach feels like it’s going to explode (in my defense here it is really hard to drink and eat when you are throwing up). But I can say each time I learned a little more and a little more and hopefully on race day this time I can use that knowledge to help me meet my goals.
Either way, I’m going to have fun. And I’m sure learn a little more. And I’ll certainly be enjoying the sun. And the beach! And my parents are coming! And O is coming (duh!)! And I get to race. I get to race! I GET TO RACE!!! Hehehe…life surely is good. :)
Posted by beth at November 5, 2009 4:27 PM
Comments
I love that attitude - No excuses. I am sure you will have a great race.
Posted by: Angelina at November 6, 2009 6:07 AM
Hooray for taper!!! Beth you are going to rock Clearwater, I know it! Enjoy indulging your inner couch potato :)
Posted by: barb at November 6, 2009 10:00 AM
Alright, Pukey McPukerson. I don't want to read about you throwing up all over the course this time around. Likewise, don't pull a Harrison and shit your pants. It's always better to be called Pukey McPukerson than Shitty Pants.
Have fun!! :)
Posted by: Deirdre at November 6, 2009 11:07 AM
YEAH! You are ready BETH! I am excited to race too! See you soon!
Posted by: Jen Harrison at November 6, 2009 11:51 AM
I know you'll have a great race - kick some ass!!!!
Posted by: Molly at November 6, 2009 5:00 PM
Holy Cow Beth - reading this post makes ME excited about racing :) Awesome - don't forget your belief. You have such a strong belief in yourself - let it carry through on race day. Everything is there...I'm EXCITED to see how fast you can go - because I just know you will. :) Hooray!
Posted by: marit c-l at November 6, 2009 7:41 PM
I think this is your time to nail the distance! You certainly have all the training done. Enjoy the taper :)
Posted by: maija at November 6, 2009 9:29 PM
I can't pull as quickly as I swim either. I suck at pulling.
You are so ready! I look forward to meeting you down there.
Posted by: Angela Kidd at November 6, 2009 10:13 PM
Well, for some reason my feed no longer works. Weird. I found this by fluke. All I see is October, and that is it.
Man what a great year of training for you, hope it ends up with a very successful final race. I think it will.
I will be thinking happy stomach thoughts on that day. Glad you get to spend the time with your family during this time, should be a great time for all.
Best of Luck!!
Posted by: Steve at November 7, 2009 5:24 AM