This weekend's Nation's Triathlon in DC marked the final triathlon of my 2010. While my race season isn't over yet, it's in its definite last gasps. I have a half marathon, and the warrior dash which are coming up in subsequent weekends in October, but for all intents and purposes I could say my race season is officially over. I have no aspirations other then having a good time, and finishing those two events.
Six races this year. I'm to understand that's a good amount for a first year triathlete. I've enjoyed most of them, some more then others, there was one I wasn't really fond of at all. This last one, Nation's might have been the most fun and enjoyable. My training for this particular race was sporadic. The lead up to Nation's was nothing like the beginning of my race season where I religiously made sure I did EVERYTHING my training schedule dictated. In fact, I was suffering from mental fatigue from a long, grueling season. A season that included a foot injury, burn out, disappointment of finishing times, and trying to incorporate a life into an already busy schedule among other things. I wasn't feeling my best. A few weeks before race day, I was even wondering if I was as strong as I was at the beginning of the season. Poor training sessions, led to self doubt, which led to absolutely no goal for this race. The previous races, I had put some sort of pressure on myself to perform well. Sometimes it was a goal I had set for myself, trying to simply prove something to myself, or I just wanted to be sure I performed well for those that came out to support me. I had none of that to worry about during this race. In fact, I was certain I was going to have a pretty shitty race.
The two short practices I had the week leading up to the race I had some revelations that things might be looking up. I realized that I wasn't in that terrible of shape physically, and if I could just manage the mental side of the game, I might actually put up a good performance. I was actually slightly excited to be racing in the next few days.
Race day came. A wet, rainy, cold, miserable morning. The lady and I woke up way too early, you know that time of day where it's actually more night then it is morning. The dreary conditions didn't help morale. However, surprisingly I found that I was getting butterflies in my stomach as I was waiting on the dock to enter the water. Before I knew it we were off, and my mind was wonderfully blank. A feat I had been unable to attain in recent training sessions. I just swam. It was glorious. I didn't give a shit about what any of the other racers around me were doing (Okay admittedly I did care a little when I got elbowed, kicked, and smacked a few times), I was swimming. It felt good.
This feeling followed me into transition where I was cool, calm, and collected, as opposed to the rushed and rattled of my past few races. The bike is usually where I have the most fun, and it didn't disappoint. There is something so fantastic about riding in the rain. It hurts yes, riding into raindrops averaging 20 mph stings a little bit, but sure is fun. I was chatting up whoever I could, as I passed or as they were passing me. I felt like a kid again just riding around the neighborhood.
The run has been the roughest part on me this race season. I have had some knee pain at times, sprained some foot muscles, and some other various problems, which have led to me not being able to run the entire portion of the run. I ran all but 100 yards, where I had some slight foot pain. Again, I was having a blast. Chatting it up with other racers, high fiving spectators I didn't even know, and just plain tomfoolery. For example, I sprinted down the finish chute with me arms over my head, or swinging one arm Peter Frampton guitar style, while pointing towards the finish with the other. I hit the finish line only to realize I had crushed my old personal record by 5 minutes. That is a lifetime in this sport.
I had finally learned to race my own race. I wasn't worried about anyone else, or anything else, but what I had to do to finish successfully. I wasn't competing with the voices in my head telling me to push harder, push faster. I was in tune with what my body was telling me, and adjusting accordingly from beginning to end.
I have learned a lot the last few months from this sport. Lessons in mental toughness, perseverance, friendship, priorities, health, and myself. One lesson I will struggle to hold on to, is the one of racing my own race. I'm hyper competitive. I'm often too concerned about how I pair up against other people. I want to be the best, or at least better then you. I need to stay focused on me, my race, and simply having a good time. Turns out, good things will come from that principal.....in racing and in life.
Just as the title suggests things for this race season are winding down, but training for the next season will follow shortly after those last two October races. Here's to two Half Ironman distance races next year.
Rock on!
