First of all I have to apologize to everyone who has been following us here through our journey for our Rev 3 Ironman. It is only two more months until the big event and I start to getting anxious about it. Meanwhile there has a lot been happening in the past month and a half. Therefore I think it would be great to keep you all updated on mine and Marks journey, so please bear with me cause this might be a long entrée!
I did not realize that the last time I wrote here was back in the end of May. So yes I really have to tell you all what has been happening. Due to numerous reasons I was not able to race the half Ironman Distance with Rev 3 but instead participated in the Half Iron Distance with the Mossman organization in Norwalk CT. Overall it was a small and well organized event which I really enjoyed. It was very eye opening and showed me where I have to work on for the big event and what I have to change. Prior to the event Jason, our coach, had given us a couple longer rides for the weekend with about 3-4 hours’ worth of riding, followed occasionally with a 30 min or longer run. In the beginning it was not easy for me to find a route outdoors that would bring me towards 3 hours but with the help of other riders I was most times able to find a good street to ride on. On and off Mark and I also decided to train together and explore the back roads of CT. For me personally it was not always easy to keep up with Mark but I most times tried my best. Very quickly I also realized that hills are my downfall. Once I see a hill approach in the distance, I already start sweating and get anxious about them. There are often times I yell at myself and I find that course language is often used when paddling uphill. But if it helps me get up the hill faster-I will take.
The week leading up to our first half Ironman Distance Triathlon, we had a meeting with our coach and had a long conversation about nutrition for our race. In the past six months I already realized how important nutrition is for an athlete, especially days leading up to race day. The race was held on a Sunday and Thursday was one of the most important days for us. We had to make sure to eat the right amount of carbs, especially during dinner time. I have gotten more conscious about what to eat and how much to eat but never did I put so much thought into my food prior to this race. I always had pasta the night before a long run- well that was about to change. I decided on pizza for Thursday night and started hydrating Friday and Saturday. I stopped counting bathroom visits after ten. And for the next two days I was very thoughtful about what I was eating and at what times. There was so much that I had to pay attention to and my roommate could tell that I was getting anxious. Anxious about weather I was doing everything right about my nutrition-which in the end of the day kept my thoughts away from the race. I paid more attention to my nutrition and hydration and forgot all about the race. The night before the actual event I had my girlfriends with me who made posters for me and we enjoyed a great dinner together. I have to say if it wasn’t for my friends and roommate I don’t know what I would have done!!!! On this note thank you to especially Karoline to always listening to me and to the girls for getting up early in the morning to cheer me on, and of course!
Race day- it was an early morning start and nutrition was once again on my mind. I have to eat, drink and take some electrolytes!!! Then it was off to the race. Getting there I got nervous- finally. I saw some very competitive athletes and got nervous about my performance. The race did start with a little bit of a delay but once it started I was in my zone. I swam- and finally for the first time during and open water swim I was able to swim freestyle the whole way. I got out of the water and felt confident and happy about my swim. Off I was to my bike ride. I had a quick T1 and out I went. The bike ride had some good hills incorporated with one called ‘Moss Monster”. Well I would say it was hard but not as complicated as I thought it would be. I pushed hard during the bike, especially the last 10 miles. Well and I guess there was my mistakes. I came back to transition area and felt very emotional. I felt great and just thought to myself “Wow Jeannette you just swam 1.2 miles, biked for 56 miles and now you have to run another half marathon….you can do it”. And so I did. I walked a lot during my run and got very frustrated with myself because I did something that I actually did not want to do. I stopped running and walked. I yelled at myself and felt like crying. But I had to finish and that’s what I have been training for. At this point this should be easier and I should be able to do this. I kept thinking about the full distance and I knew that I have a lot of work to do.
Right before the finish line waited some of my friends- which was the most amazing thing- and then my coach. It is so good to see familiar faces and people that care about you. I know that I did well and that I can be proud of myself but I could have done better. Even though I know my friends are proud of me I know I failed myself a little bit. I ended up walking and gave in. And for the next two months I will be working hard to change this.
I do not want to feel like this again during the long race!!!! I want to be proud of myself and say that I gave it my all. Not only during the swim and bike but also during my run!!
I realized a while back and even more today how important the relationship and communication is between an athlete and their coach. It is so important to keep each other updated and talk to one another and see what has to change. If the athlete is frustrated about something, well I guess it means that your coach is just as frustrated. And that is where communication is key- it is then when you have a chat with each other and you feel so much better afterwards. No matter if there were negative or positive feedback we all learn from it and take it to heart and make the best out of it.
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