Getting Nervous

So it's 3 days until my first HIM. AND THE NERVES JUST SET IN

This is just a little rant to try to get things off my chest and let the nerves out.

I managed to get sick at the 9 day out point, so my taper turned into complete rest. I think it did my body good and feel like I'm recovering. Still have quite a bit of chest congestion but it seems to be improving daily. I dropped my gear off with my family yesterday as they will be driving to the race (they are making it an extended vacation). When I woke up this morning, I realized that I fly out tomorrow and the nerves really set it. I'm starting to question my training plan and keep questioning if I'm ready for this race. I'm not out to win any awards. My goal is simply to finish. I'd be really happy with 7hrs. I have taken the last week completely off and prior to that I worked a string of 4 nights so I didn't really get much in during that time except some stretching, I'm hoping I haven't lost too much fitness.

My plan is to start out on the far left for the swim. It's a clockwise triangle. I'm hoping to avoid most of the contact at the start so that I can settle into my pace and keep my breathing and HR in check. I'm also nervous as I had planned to wear a sleeveless wetsuit and the last water temp measured 2 days ago was already 79 degrees. The reservoir is fairly shallow and the temps can change drastically over a short time. No other measurements are expected until race morning, so I'm hoping it stays where it is and I'll have the option to wear the wetsuit (and obviously forgo any awards, but I'm not going to be anywhere close to the podium, so it doesn't matter). I'm hoping the extra buoyancy will keep me relaxed for the swim. My last open water tri went very smoothly. No panic and breathing was great. Unfortunately, the race before that keeps creeping into my mind. That race went terribly. Im not sure if it was the water temp (60s and had no chance to warm up so the water was a shock as soon as I put my face in) or if I went out too fast initially. About 200m in, my HR spiked and I couldn't get my breathing under control. I completely panicked and ended up breast stroking most of the Oly. Not in the game plan. I don't want a repeat of that race, so my plan is to stay out of the crowd as much as possible while maintaining a good line on the buoys.

My plan for the bike is average 15-16mph. I want to stay relaxed and save as much for the run as possible as my run training has been less than stellar. Nutrition plan is Infinit 4 scoops per bottle. One bottle over 2 hours. 2 bottles for the bike course. water in the BTA bottle to refill along the course as needed. Additional water bottle on the down tube to refill the BTA as needed. The course is fairly flat with only 1 or 2 small rollers. The majority of the course is on a 4 lane highway, closed to traffic so that part should be a dream. According to some of the guys that have scouted the course, there is a short connecting road heading out to the highway that is VERY rough and has been launching water bottles off the back of some bikes. This should be a short stretch so I'm not too worried about that part. Overall I feel comfortable with the bike portion.

I think I'm equally nervous about the swim and the run. I'm not a fast runner anymore. In shorter races, I can average in the 8s but for longer distances (half marathon), this creeps up to around 10 min miles. With my work schedule, I had a really hard time getting in my long runs. The longest in training was 8 miles and felt good throughout. My plan is to walk the aid stations and run between. Plan is to take a GU heading out of T2 as well as at miles 4 and 8. This may have to adapt on the run course as the reports are constant rollers for the entire course and the forecast shows temps in the 90s with high humidity. I don't mind the hills much as where I live is hilly (not mountains, just hilly) but am worried that the lack of run fitness will show after the bike.

So, all in all, I'm just nervous. I know that I need to relax and trust that I can finish this. I'll be so much happier after that gun goes off and my face is in the water.