Thursday, July 06, 2006

Three days before Half Ironman...

Hey all. It has been a long time that I have posted. There ain't too much going on here. I had a very good time going to my Church's conference over the weekend. Afterwards, there were a few questions I have to ask myself and pray for.

Over ate this weekend (had some junk food) and little exercise, I gained 5 lbs by Monday. Woah. Good thing by now, I am back to normal.

I didn't kill myself throughout the week. Just low intensity stuff and keeping it short. It is weird to ride 40 min when most rides I done were in hours. It is also weird to go for a run with no worry about water and gel.

Body is very ready for the race. But the mind is almost there. I keep thinking that it is much longer than a marathon. And first time ever to reach such a distance. Need to focus on the nutrition and hydrtion. I am also trying to lighten up for the race. I got it from this article, Process Focused vs Results Focused. The article talks about Scott Molina advocating the need to love your training (the process).

For endurance sport, I know this is very important. I find this very simliar to our working career. People are burnt out (at work and at training) b/c largely they don't enjoy the process.

Earlier this year, I did not enjoy my training. I was over focus on my results. Everything I do is too slow and not fast enough. Training your body is an interesting thing. It ain't like work where there is a set quantity value that you know you are over this level. At work, you can work for abc years or xyz profit to get recognition. But the body doesn't work that way, running for xyz times will not have a guarantee you to go faster. Sometimes progress is slow, sometimes progress is fast. But the more you do it the more progress you will gain. Only after I started to enjoy my training again, my motivation came back.

On friendster, here is what I wrote about myself:


I can't explain why I do what I do. I can't explain why I would get up at 5 in the morning to ride for hours and run afterwards (and enjoying it at the same time). I do know I have seen some of the best sun rises ever. I have seen rolling hills prettier than the one on my desktop. And for that, I am grateful to be alive.

I am feeling quite calm with the taper. Half calm (for a half ironman) is more like it :). As the race gets closer, I found myself needing more alone time to think and relax. Of course, I have anxiety too. Anyone has them. Just like a date :D. U have every detail plan out. Everything down. But on the actual date, u will never know what to expect.... :)...the only difference is I don't wear spandex on my dates and don't sweat as much.

I am only thinking about my strategy. When should I go all out? I figure I treat this like a Ironman. Not thinking about racing until the last 5-10 km of the race. Everything before the run is just a warm up (low HR, eat + drink). I do hope I get my running legs back. If I do. SWEET. If not, it will be a long long day.

I probably won't post much until after race day (this Sunday). Mike, I got the tag and will post it later. Have a great one, everyone.

21 comments:

Trisaratops said...

Good luck! You have trained well and are ready. Excited to hear how it goes!

You mean you're not supposed to wear spandex bike shorts and helmets on dates? No wonder that guy never called again....

ha ha ha

Born To Endure said...

Hey!! Best of luck, my riding friend Dennis is also doing that race...you will have a blast!!

Cliff said...

any girl in bike shorts and a helmet is HAWT in my books ;)

Donald said...

I think you're exactly right with your race strategy. Start conservative, build a little momentum on the bike, and let 'er rip during the last 6-8 miles of the run if you're feeling it.

Good luck and have fun!

D said...

Good luck! Can't wait to read your report!

anners said...

you are SO ready. good luck, and don't forget to ENJOY yourself!

Nic said...

Good luck, Cliff! I love what you wrote on Friendster, btw. :)

Anonymous said...

GOOD LUCK! you've trained well.. now go for it!

Anonymous said...

GOOD LUCK!!!

Robin said...

Yes, Cliff, process is key. It's about the journey, after all. That's what I thought reading your post.

And as for your race. Good luck, race safe, and most of all, ENJOY yourself. You are ready! YOU ROCK!

Can't wait to read your race report. HAVE A BLAST!

Thomas said...

Good luck! Don't wear yourself out while swimming, and keep going.

William said...

Just get it done. Don't worry too much about time, it will worry about itself. You are as fast as you are and pushing faster will leave you hating the race.

Pretend it's an IM and go through the motions and I think you will build you confidence big time.

Can't wait for the race report.

This is the culmination of 10 months of training!

Lora said...

Good luck and savor the moments!

Anonymous said...

Best of luck with your race! Strong and smooth, and hang in there during the tired moments.

Bolder said...

rock that course dude!

look forward to the report.

Darren said...

You are going to have a great day Cliff. Keep the intensity down, fuel/hydrate and go with the flow. Last half of the run, let er rip, leave nothing behind. :)
See you in the transition before the race. I should be there around 7. Cheers Cliffy!

Unknown said...

Have a great race Cliff. I'll be cheering for you here in Washington.

Mike said...

Cliff,
Enjoy the day and stay in the moment- you're going to do great!! Looking forward to your race report.

Kewl Nitrox said...

All the best for the 1/2 Ironman! Juding by your attitude in training/races and the miles you have put in, you should do just stellar! (No pressure) :)

Anonymous said...

good luck, can't wait for the race report.

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