The work is done.
The race is 2 days off.
Feeling good.
First, wanted to thank everyone for the amazing outpouring of support I received today in response to the PETA piece. I received an overwhelming number of e-mails as well as Facebook and Twitter posts & ads. It was really cool.
But the coolest thing was that an inspirational hero of mine Eric Shanteau “re-tweeted” the article to his Twitterati. If you don’t know who Eric is, you should. Not only is he currently one of the World’s greatest swimmers, he is a cancer survivor. Just one week before the Olympic Trials, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer yet competed nonetheless, qualifying for the 2008 Olympic team in the 200 breaststroke. He delayed treatment and stay on the team and despite his obstacles, Eric swam a lifetime best at the Olympics. After returning home, he underwent surgery and was officially declared cancer free. Since that time, he has begun working with the Lance Armstrong Foundation where he is a new voice for young adult cancer awareness. Not to mention some eye popping performances in the last year which has catapulted him to super-star swimmer status.
Anyway, it was a great honor that he not only took the time to read / watch the piece but that he found it worthy of re-tweeting to his followers. Super cool!
So I’ve been out here in Kona for a few weeks, but I still feel like I just arrived. Days have been spent either training, working or running around doing countless errands. I often feel like the logistical prep for this race is more trying than the even itself. Just when I think I have everything I need, I realize I need 10 more things, then rush out the door again. A lot of this is neurotic over-prep — making sure I have more than enough of everything in the event something goes awry (on the bike). My biggest fear isn’t the distance, or the pain — its the unexpected. A mechanical, a crash, etc. But I am meditating on removing these negative thought patterns. I need to be prepared, but I also need to simply focus on what I can control. As a result I haven’t been getting as much rest as I would like, as the organizational prep seems to be endless.
Just today I realized I had no CO2 cartridges — these are small metal compresed air cartridges used to rapidly inflate a tire on the road. Now they are laying all over my kitchen table. When the maid came in it looked like I had been doing drugs all afternoon.
I also bought a series of large plastic bins at Wal Mart. One bin for each day, separating out all my attire for each day’s segment so I can easily find what I need. Plus a bin for race nutrition; a bin for post-race clothes, etc. Was this really necessary? Of course not. Again, neurosis in action. It seems I am looking for excuses to not sit still.
The care packages continue to roll in. Today I got a big box of the Jai Ultra white t-shirts for my crew which was pretty cool. All my race attire has arrived and just waiting on one last package of nutrition from Compton at Ascended Health – hope it gets here tomorrow!
Today I spun out on the Queen K for 2.5 hours and felt really good. Legs adapting well to the rest and feeling strong. Good sign.
Tomorrow I’ll put in a short ocean swim in the morning. My coach has me doing a 90 min run as well but honestly not sure about that. I’ve followed his program to a “T”, but at this point I am feeling like rest might prove more beneficial; I’ll decide when I see how I feel on Wednesday.
I also need to register tomorrow, which involves signing a ton of forms, etc. Then I need to grocery shop for Thanksgiving dinner — as the stores will be closed on Thursday, tomorrow is the last day to get everything I need, including dinner for 8! Then I’m heading up to the “Paddler’s Warehouse” with Jason Lester for another meeting with our paddlers. Hopefully I will still find some time to chill out – I need it!
I’ll check in again tomorrow…..Until then, Mahalo.
