It’s race week – again. I thought I’d be long done with the tri season, but I’m happy (and grateful) I’m not. We’re on the road to Tuscaloosa soon!
Race week is also a little nerve wracking – we’re just days away from the big race. I’m nervous, but also excited, and feeling ready. I do enjoy racing – putting all 3 sports together and giving it my all. I work hard on the course, but I’m happy to be out there – pushing, challenging, and celebrating. Afterward – there’s a natural high like no other.
Practicing T2 this week- sliding in and out of my shoes and dismounting my bike while moving has boosted my confidence….suddenly T2 isn’t so long and cumbersome. If you can, clip your shoes into your pedals, ride in your bare feet on top of your shoes, slide them in while riding slowly. It’s so much easier that running out of T1 without your clip shoes on and it just simplifies the whole process. No need to worry about shoes – just grab your bike, helmet, and glasses and your off. I did this at the Bangs Lake race and I had the fastest T1 in my age group!
So, with that said, Kim and I practices lots of cycle- run bricks this past weekend. We felt strong and transitioned smoothly. Our legs are ready – and now our minds are also.
Bruce and I are trying out Shark Salts- as suggested by pro Jenna Shoemaker. It’ll be HOT down in good ‘ol Alabama, so we plan to take our sodium tabs so we have plenty in our system as we race.
Thanks to Kim and Mark for a good tri suit find at the Chicago Triathlon Expo…they met Andre with Kiwami. We can’t wear wet suits for the race, so they were looking for a cool tri suit that will be fast and comfy for the whole race. We tried them on and – WOW- so sleek, cool and comfy. Andre said a many athletes going to Kona in Oct are ordering these since they can’t wear neoprene..I’ll be wearing mine swimming in the pool tomorrow (also 83 degrees – the predicted temp of the river in Tuscaloosa) so it’ll be perfect. Check back for you Kiwami tri suit review tomorrow…..
Then it’s pack lightly , check over our bikes and load up. Bruce did take my bike in for a tune up over the weekend and I highly suggest you do so at least once during the season and certainly before a race. My gears were tight and loud – and they adjusted them so they are now smooth as silk. Gotta like smooth riding!
Swim, Ride, & Run on!
