Taper…
I know I’m posting much more often than I have been, but with the race just five DAYS away, can you blame me? I really can’t concentrate on anything else right now. I’m even more jumpy and antsy than normal and I can actually feel my blood running through my veins.
I guess this is what everyone warned me would happen during the taper. My body has gotten used a certain level of physical activity on a daily basis and that has really been slashed over the last two weeks. My body is used to being more tired and is channeling extra energy into my extremities in the form of foot tapping, head swiveling and hand wrangling. All fun activities, especially for someone who has a hard time sitting still under the best conditions!
Also, I’m not sleeping very well. Coach John (and Friel and Byrn in Going Long) said that if I have to make the choice between sleeping and training during the taper, I should sleep. Problem is that I’m waking up in the morning with my brain already doing backflips thinking about the race and my day and the planning and everything else under the sun. So, once I’m up, there’s no going back to sleep.
Finally, I’m having some pretty sick mood swings. Up and down and up and down. Poor Elizabeth is bearing the brunt of it all. But, as always, she’s being a great sport. Thank goodness for her!
After re-reading the above, it sounds like I’m a disaster right now. That’s not the case. I actually feel good. We’re headed up to Lake Placid tomorrow morning. We should get in at some point in the afternoon and we’ll take tomorrow night to go to the grocery store and get settled in the house. I have a feeling that come Thursday morning, I’m going to be buzzing to check out the scene. I’m sure these next few days are going to fly by! I’m excited to get up there and be part of the environment. And way more than that, I’m excited to RACE!
Swim – July 15
Distance: 1.65 miles (2,904 yards)
Time: 59 minutes
Ocean Swim – Brighton Beach
Swim – July 16
Distance: 1,600 yards
Time: 40 minutes
Bike – July 17
Time: 40 minutes
Average heart rate: 123
Indoor ride
Run – July 17
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 40 minutes
Average heart rate: 142
Course: West Side Highway
Conditions: Hot, humid, clear