Racing like you train

I am having a hard time controlling the butterflies in my stomach. According to Wikipedia, "butterflies in the stomach" is a phenomenon characterized by the physical sensation of a fluttery feeling in the stomach. This sensation can be a physical sensation related to the body's fight or flight response or it can be an ineffable experience related to the psychology of nervousness and excitement. Some believe that this is caused by the release of adrenaline when one is nervous, which pulls blood away from the stomach and sends it to the muscles. This reduced blood flow, in turn, causes the stomach to temporarily shut down." Adrenaline = good. Reduced blood flow in the stomach = bad. As much as I have complained about this week being extremely busy at work, it has kept the majority of this nervous sensation at bay. Unfortunately, I am leaving the office at noon today, so adrenaline will rapidly course my veins for the next 48 hours.

I had an epiphany yesterday on my morning walk with Winston (seen in his natural habitat below).

As part of our walks each morning, I pray for all of my friends and family, for the work I have to accomplish during the day and for the strength to serve rather than be served. About halfway through the walk it occurred to me that I should be focusing on racing like I train. I knew instantaneously that this message had metaphorical implications along with its obvious literal reference. Have I been training properly? For Ironman, yes. Spiritually, I am not so sure. Everyday for me over the last 6 months has been training and not all of  it was for triathlon. I have been swimming, biking and running over 15 hours per week and increasing the duration and intensity of my quiet times and spirituality. I have physically raced in a couple of races and done well, training approved. In my spiritual life, I have had several "races" and found it difficult to compete. I need to train harder.

As Ironman Texas approaches, I am becoming increasingly aware of the fact that there is no incremental training at this point that can provide any additional value to my race. However, the training to become a better person and serve a higher purpose never ceases. I guess my point is that in life, unlike Ironman, there is no 17 hour time limit. The finish line is much further away and takes much more discipline to reach. It takes training 7 days a week with no rest. I am glad I took part in the journey to race Ironman for many reasons, but the most impactful came to me yesterday when I saw this life parallel.

I spent the better part of yesterday evening organizing all of my "gear" and setting out all of the nutritional supplements that will be needed on the course. It's amazing to me what the event requires in terms of preparation. I have heard horror stories of folks who have gone out and raced with no plan, so maybe I am taking the opposing view and planning too much? In any event, the entire downstairs portion of my home is covered in hammer gels, electrolyte tabs and various articles of clothing and electronics all of which will guide me along the route. Every 10min on the bike requires liquids. Every hour of the race requires food and salt intake. Every discipline requires different clothing items. In the midst of it all, I have had to make sure to stay focused on having fun. Fun. Yes, this was all voluntary and in my opinion, voluntary should equate to fun.

Athletes are required to be in The Woodlands by 3pm today for packet pick-up and stay in the area until 8pm for a mandatory meeting. I'll then shoot down the Hardy toll road to get to my house for a final packing up of all of my stuff. 7am tomorrow I will be back on the road to The Woodlands for my last swim/run in the morning, and various check-ins throughout the day. In the middle of all of this, it will be important to remember to stay hydrated, calm and most importantly, in good spirits. My plan on race morning is to wake up initially at 3am to take in my first does of supplements and breakfast. I'll get up for good at 415am to hydrate and get all of my things together and be at the transition area by 530am. Gun time is 7am.

All I can hope for at this moment is to race like I have trained. It has been a rigorous journey with a few ups and downs, mostly ups. I have achieved many milestones over the last 6 months and I am in the best shape of my life. The flip side is the exhaustion and the aching body...my knees hurt and I am tired. But I can see the finish line and hear the people yelling. I can see the faces of my family members and friends, and that is what keeps me going. I don't want to think about Sunday and beyond, as I am living in the moment. I praise God for reminding me that life continues on after the race and that there is still much training and many races to be run.

Bib# 447
Ironman Texas
May 18, 2013