Dua, run, bike, run . . a do run, run!

OMG!!! I do not know if I will be able to sleep tonight!!!!!! In the morning I will pack my car and pack my cooler and head one hour south to pick up my friend and have lunch together and maybe pick up a few grocery items from Trader Joe's. Then we will travel another three hours south/west to check into our hotel room and pick up our RACE packets for the DUATHLON (bike/run)!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a couple days ago, I was so disappointed in myself for not training more seriously for this race and for over training in other areas that were making me feel run down and tired. After backing off the intensity of my cross training and getting a bit more sleep, I started feeling better. On Tuesday I had my last training run. I really needed the run portion to be good. Running after cycling is difficult. It feels like I have 10 lbs. sandbags strapped to my thighs. It messes with my mind. I feel slow and clunky. So I push myself too hard in the first mile trying to feel faster and lighter, which then makes my breathing labored and I get a stitch in my right side that will not leave and increases with each step.

So on Tuesday night, I told myself, it's all about fun. If you aren't having fun you can stop any time. I did a .6 mile warm up run, hopped on the bike and did 5 miles (the race will be 15) and then I took off for a 3.1 mile run. I kept coaching myself in the first mile to run slower than I thought I should be. Ignore the thighs, listen to the breath, slow it down, exhale and stop striving and pushing so hard, relax and flow. By the time I finished that little head game I was in mile 2. The running felt more relaxed and I had the run I needed to have to feel confident about the duathlon this weekend.

I really started getting excited about this race on Tuesday or Wednesday when I got an email about the schedule for the event. It said "All ATHLETES must have their numbers marked on their body and their timing chip before attending the mandatory pre-race meeting" Okay. Confession. All I heard was someone called me an athlete and said I get body art!!!! Hello!

This evening after work, I gave my bike a good check over to make sure everything was ready and loaded it on the bike rack . . . you would have to know me to realize that there is a bit of a possibility that I would get so focused on loading the car and packing food, that I could forget the bike. I would realize it a couple miles from the house, but still!

My race day bag is packed with jersey (matches my race partners . . . we have been nicknamed the Twinkies. . . which I'm kinda liking!) race shorts, running shoes and socks, helmet, hair accesories (pony holder and headband) . . . oh and lip gloss!

I have no idea about my fuel pre race, during the race or post race. I usually have these things so very planned out, but I don't have a clue this time!!! Why? IDK!!! I am not stressed over it and I'm not sure why I am not. I feel good. I am excited. And I just wanna have fun my first time out and not wreck!

I will be posting some pics and doing a recap!!!! I hope YOU have fabulous things planned for your weekend! Try something new. Challenge yourself in a new way! Last night I made myself try a headstand. Why? Because I hadn't done one in years and was curious to see if I could! I did! I was so pumped up!!! Just makes me wonder what else I might be capable of, if I really tried.