When A Plan Comes Together (and WWW: July 17)

You set a race goal.

HALF IRONMAN

You develop a training schedule.

You do the work.

Why, then, is it so shocking when the plan comes together? This is a simple cause-and-effect relationship that never ceases to amaze me.

I guess it’s because the wheels fall off right before everything solidifies. I had lost so much speed and power on my swimming. I could get through a long bike ride, but it felt like work. My legs felt like logs while running, which is to say nothing of my mental weakness just thinking about running. Pre-race anxiety was really taking its toll.

And then, just like clockwork, everything clicked:

• My swim intervals came back to pre-injury times and my first open water swim since Wildflower went very well.
• On the bike, I looked at my Garmin and was pleasantly surprised to see my average speed was 0.5 mph faster than the last time I rode that course without an increased HR or feeling fatigued.
• I have been running hills like they are flat roads. My mind has been focused on other things and not riddled by pain and self-defeating thoughts.

The work is done.

All that’s left to do is enjoy the taper. And enjoy the race.