All In Our Head

We have reached the point in training where it is all about the race in our heads.  During our year of training we have been in our heads before but this time is different.  Now in our head is a race course filled with photos taken by others, stories of the course, numbers, configurations, good races, bad races, and voices.  With the resting and staying healthy phase starting there is no better or worse place to be than with our thoughts.
Every night I race the race in my head.  Sometimes we race it together talking out transitions or running strategies.  Other times we race alone, noting the sun in our eyes as we swim, the heat on our back as we bike, and the view of a perfect sunset as we run.  But it all ends the same, at a finish line where our names are said and our affirmation that is now only said in the bathroom mirror will be said to the world.

Start of NOLA 70.3

Finish at NOLA 70.3

The path to the finish line is narrated by the good voices, supported by the positive number configurations.  But sometimes in the midst of joy and positivity comes thoughts of "what if".  What if I crash?  What if I get a flat? What if it wasn't enough training?  What if I forget my bike at home?  What if my run shoes get lost?  What if, what if, what if.  At this point we can  not ignore these thoughts, so what do you do with thoughts you can't ignore, you work through them.  We look at crashes as an opportunity to get back up, we talk to those who have done it, we read about those who with broken bones pushed out to the finish line.  We learn and train how to change tires.  We carry our spare tire supplies, checked often for accuracy.  We talk to those who mid-race changed tire, after tire, to know how they handled the mental pressures.  We trust our training.  Good or bad we trust it.  We make packing list (I make packing list), from the big things like our bikes to the small things like ear plugs.  Also, we remember we are going to a place that is made to be a rolling running, biking, and swimming shop, if we forget it it will be there.  The "what ifs" start to fade once answered.  They are silenced for brief moments and we move forward back to the race.

Augusta 70.3

It is all a game in our heads the good voices will win our mantras will crush the negativity.  We will stay positive, we will be strong, and we shall press on.