I've never done THAT before! but, 3 things i DO know...

so, it is raining today.  And, it will be raining tomorrow.  and, you know what that means?  It means that it has been a full day of HTFU workouts today.  But, surprizingly, the HTFU workouts have turned out to be some of my best of the season, thus far.  Which is really nice.

 I went into this a little bit "ugh" due to the rain. I wanted to really control my ride (because, i knew that if it was a ride like last week, i would NOT be happy. Hard +rain= grumpy). It was certainly a HTFU ride. Cold, decently windy, and WET!

I started off with a big climb, to warm the body up. Then, down (slowly, due to fear of wet falling and crashing!), and over to the F-1 track, for about 2.5 hrs on the track. round and round and round. Mostly, what i thought about, was resulting out of your blog the other day: consistency, and RPE. So, I have my HRM file, but, since I don't have HR, all I have is (most of my) laps. Not really sure as to why I got quicker towards the end (less wind? More "zen?" warmer?)

anyway. it felt REALLY good. I really started off with a lower RPE, because i knew it would get tougher towards the end. it was focused, steady, consistant movement. I didn't drink as much as normal (it was cold, and wet), but, I peed WAY more, than normal (is that because of the rain?).

And, so... great to start the day with a great ride and then eat a delicious brunch at Lawrence Restaurant. it was a little more expensive than what i would normally spend, being on a student budget, but it was DELICIOUS.  It was core friendly, only in the sense that it fit into the "workout window" and served as a recovery meal.  Besides... I'm racing tomorrow.  Today is a day for carb loading.

RIGHT!

I am racing tomorrow!!!!

YAY!  the triathlon season is officially beginning!  

in my 3 years of triathlon (2008: 3 olympic distance; 2009: 1 70.3, 1 olympic; 2010: 2 70.3's, 2 Olympics), I have never done a sprint triathlon.  Nor have I ever done a pool triathlon.  So, tomorrow, I have a "I will be doing two brand spanking new things" day.  

and, to tell you the truth, i am really excited.  There is prize money to win for top 3 overall in each gender.  Now, I highly doubt that I have a chance at that.  but.  it is kinda nice to think about (there ARE only about 30-35 women in the race... and, i do always aim for a top 10-15% finish).  because, anything would really help with that aforementioned student budget.  In truth, I have no expectations.

it will be wet.  It will be cold.  It will be early. It will be in a pool, with lane swimming that looks like THIS.  How the heck, do i flip turn under a lane rope!??!   anyone have any last minute tips?  What do i wear?  I was going to test my Hawaii race suit, but, it is going to be cold.  Do i wear the TrainThis super hoodie?   or, a jersey with arm warmers? do I bother putting socks on?  it will be wet! it is a sprint! do i have time!??!  (but, i do know that i will be wearing SOME sort of Train-This gear, with pride!)

HA!  so many questions.  this is the type of thing I like.  Not actually really knowing what is going to happen.  There are so many discoveries to be made.  there are a lot of things i don't know.  

three things i DO know though. 

i love triathlon. 

and i love racing.  

and i LOVE that the season is starting!