10) Weather! That would mean choppy water in the swim, strong winds for the bike, and excessive heat during the run. Strange as it may seem I am not afraid of rain under any circumstances, and in actual fact it would be a blessing for the run.
9) Bike problems. I truly believe that you can almost completely eliminate this concern with good planning and an intimate knowledge of your own bike, but shit still happens. The most minor thing would be a flat, while the most major would be anything that would prevent you from moving forward.
8) Upset stomach/bowels. Again this one should not be a problem if once does his homework well. As I mentioned this means having the pre-race evening, and race day nutrition well dialed in. I still need some more rehearsal here over the next few weeks.
7) Swim anxiety. The greatest impediment to a decent swim is a poor state of mind. Swimming is not a natural mode of travel for a human being, and as such an agitated state can mean poor breathing and the accompanying waste of energy.
6) Injury. This is probably more of a current concern than a race day issue. Ever time I drop something as little as a spoon on my toe I panic for a few moments, lest it cause the fracture of some obscure little bone somewhere.
5) Chaffing, burning, itching. All issues that would only be the result of poor planning, and yet just the other day I came back from my bike ride with a very red and irritated right testicle! Did I use too much cream or too little?
4) Poor pacing. The only area where I have a little concern is on the bike ride. My first time around I was so scared to go out too hard that I managed to keep myself in check. I know I will feel very strong for the first couple of hours and hopefully overconfidence doesn't set in.
3) Accident. Heaven forbid that anyone goes down on their bike but it inevitably happens to several people. It can get pretty congested at times, and riding defensively is critical lest someone else mows you down.
2) Poor transitions. Like so many of the other fears thy can be mostly alleviated by practice and yet the fact remains that when you are soaking wet, your heart rate is elevated, you can't see very well, you can't hear very well, and you are trying to change your clothes while avoiding collision with 2600 others trying to do the same thing, can be a bit overwhelming.
.....and the number one Ironman fear that would make the whole exercise pointless....,
1) Not having fun! To consider for a second that there is any good reason for this whole undertaking other than the desire to live life to it's fullest would be ludicrous. After all, I don't see Nike or Trek coming to me with an endorsement contract after the race. Sure, there are the fringe benefits of good health, both mental and physical, but for me that's all still about having fun. And so on this note I think I need to take a little step back. I'm pretty sure that the only real risk in not enjoying the day comes from the need to complete the race in a given time. I have had my goal time in the back of my mind for many months now, and yet not shared it with anyone other than Claudette. I believe that goals are important to keep you focused and driven, but at least in my case that drive can become a bit counterproductive. Secretly carrying those self imposed demands may per chance lead to the horrible realization of my number one fear.
So! My solution? I have decided that I no longer wish to carry this pressure alone and as such have decided to enlist you in my ambitions. I have decided to tell you my goal time.
...tomorrow...
(ride 50 kms, easy swim)
"If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?"---Confucius
"There is not a truth existing which I fear... or would wish unknown to the whole world."---Thomas Jefferson"
9) Bike problems. I truly believe that you can almost completely eliminate this concern with good planning and an intimate knowledge of your own bike, but shit still happens. The most minor thing would be a flat, while the most major would be anything that would prevent you from moving forward.
8) Upset stomach/bowels. Again this one should not be a problem if once does his homework well. As I mentioned this means having the pre-race evening, and race day nutrition well dialed in. I still need some more rehearsal here over the next few weeks.
7) Swim anxiety. The greatest impediment to a decent swim is a poor state of mind. Swimming is not a natural mode of travel for a human being, and as such an agitated state can mean poor breathing and the accompanying waste of energy.
6) Injury. This is probably more of a current concern than a race day issue. Ever time I drop something as little as a spoon on my toe I panic for a few moments, lest it cause the fracture of some obscure little bone somewhere.
5) Chaffing, burning, itching. All issues that would only be the result of poor planning, and yet just the other day I came back from my bike ride with a very red and irritated right testicle! Did I use too much cream or too little?
4) Poor pacing. The only area where I have a little concern is on the bike ride. My first time around I was so scared to go out too hard that I managed to keep myself in check. I know I will feel very strong for the first couple of hours and hopefully overconfidence doesn't set in.
3) Accident. Heaven forbid that anyone goes down on their bike but it inevitably happens to several people. It can get pretty congested at times, and riding defensively is critical lest someone else mows you down.
2) Poor transitions. Like so many of the other fears thy can be mostly alleviated by practice and yet the fact remains that when you are soaking wet, your heart rate is elevated, you can't see very well, you can't hear very well, and you are trying to change your clothes while avoiding collision with 2600 others trying to do the same thing, can be a bit overwhelming.
.....and the number one Ironman fear that would make the whole exercise pointless....,
1) Not having fun! To consider for a second that there is any good reason for this whole undertaking other than the desire to live life to it's fullest would be ludicrous. After all, I don't see Nike or Trek coming to me with an endorsement contract after the race. Sure, there are the fringe benefits of good health, both mental and physical, but for me that's all still about having fun. And so on this note I think I need to take a little step back. I'm pretty sure that the only real risk in not enjoying the day comes from the need to complete the race in a given time. I have had my goal time in the back of my mind for many months now, and yet not shared it with anyone other than Claudette. I believe that goals are important to keep you focused and driven, but at least in my case that drive can become a bit counterproductive. Secretly carrying those self imposed demands may per chance lead to the horrible realization of my number one fear.
So! My solution? I have decided that I no longer wish to carry this pressure alone and as such have decided to enlist you in my ambitions. I have decided to tell you my goal time.
...tomorrow...
(ride 50 kms, easy swim)
"If you look into your own heart, and you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about? What is there to fear?"---Confucius
"There is not a truth existing which I fear... or would wish unknown to the whole world."---Thomas Jefferson"
"Things done well and with a care, exempt themselves from fear."---William Shakespeare
Love
Peter
don't do it!!!
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