On plans
On plans
Success before the start line, the value of evidence, and the only moment of pride I ever felt
Success before the start line, the value of evidence, and the only moment of pride I ever felt
Oct 4, 2024
No matter what happens now, the plan did work. With a good knee, in the original choice of IM Barcelona which is this weekend, I think I would have projected 12h30, and probably competed for Sub 12.
Confidence is about evidence. This week, I put in the last piece of the puzzle.
I did a couple of open water swims this week. The first was with an intermediate group, definitely faster than me. It was hard. we did 2k at 2:14. The second was today, 2.5 at 2:13. My elapsed pace (the one that includes the breaks) was 2:30 which is my target race pace. This is great.
I’m now very confident going into the race. I really am. I think I will get the swim done, somewhere between 1h30 and 1h45. I think I will also get the bike done, somewhere between 7h15, and 7h30. with a 10 minute transition, I’m looking at 9h25, almost a full hour before the cutoff. This is not amazing, but it leaves some room for error which is what I always needed.
I will still have to run a marathon with a bad knee. But I have 6-7 hours.
Realistically, the only things that stand in my way are:
Issues swimming in a bunch. Everyone talks about it. Given how everyone has been right about everything so far, I expect this to be a thing.
Potential injuries: No need for heroics now. We need to get to the start line with no extra injuries. I need to be careful with bike falls, go easy on the shoulder in swimming and keep the knee rested. My calf is already giving me warning signs.
Race day energy: I have been experiencing burnout lately since the injury because of the inconsistent load. I have to manage this taper well. I don’t expect to sleep well on race night either. I will prepare to my best ability and hope for good energy.
Gastric distress or cramps on race day and everything nutrition related. I have been lucky with this so far, I think I’m actually pretty good at it, but eating off the swim is gonna be a challenge. And trying to take nutrition on the run is also not going to be simple.
These were always going to be there. Some are there even for the pros, let alone a first timer.
Knee injury aside, this is what I planned for. The plan worked. The plan worked.
No matter what happens now, the plan did work. With a good knee, in the original choice of IM Barcelona which is this weekend, I think I would have projected 12h30, and probably competed for Sub 12.
Confidence is about evidence. This week, I put in the last piece of the puzzle.
I did a couple of open water swims this week. The first was with an intermediate group, definitely faster than me. It was hard. we did 2k at 2:14. The second was today, 2.5 at 2:13. My elapsed pace (the one that includes the breaks) was 2:30 which is my target race pace. This is great.
I’m now very confident going into the race. I really am. I think I will get the swim done, somewhere between 1h30 and 1h45. I think I will also get the bike done, somewhere between 7h15, and 7h30. with a 10 minute transition, I’m looking at 9h25, almost a full hour before the cutoff. This is not amazing, but it leaves some room for error which is what I always needed.
I will still have to run a marathon with a bad knee. But I have 6-7 hours.
Realistically, the only things that stand in my way are:
Issues swimming in a bunch. Everyone talks about it. Given how everyone has been right about everything so far, I expect this to be a thing.
Potential injuries: No need for heroics now. We need to get to the start line with no extra injuries. I need to be careful with bike falls, go easy on the shoulder in swimming and keep the knee rested. My calf is already giving me warning signs.
Race day energy: I have been experiencing burnout lately since the injury because of the inconsistent load. I have to manage this taper well. I don’t expect to sleep well on race night either. I will prepare to my best ability and hope for good energy.
Gastric distress or cramps on race day and everything nutrition related. I have been lucky with this so far, I think I’m actually pretty good at it, but eating off the swim is gonna be a challenge. And trying to take nutrition on the run is also not going to be simple.
These were always going to be there. Some are there even for the pros, let alone a first timer.
Knee injury aside, this is what I planned for. The plan worked. The plan worked.
