I realized this morning that I’m exactly 30 days out from my first ever Olympic distance Triathlon!
(source)
Here’s the race description: The Longleaf Triathlon is one of the Tampa Bay Area’s premier multi-sports events offering a swim in a pristine, freshwater lake; scenic bike tour through Starkey Wilderness Park’s nature bike trail and a fast-paced ride down SR 54; and run through the quaint town of Longleaf. This event is a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Seven Springs and competitors will find exceptional race management and friendly volunteers along the race course.
I knew I wanted to try an Olympic distance race this year & when I ran across the Longleaf website it definitely caught my attention…for a handful of reasons:
- I could fit in a full 11 week training session and build up mileage after the Sprint at Siesta
- Somewhat close to home (2+ hours away instead of 4 like many other Olympic races that fit my timeframe)
- Price – only $90 if I signed up early!
- Lake Swim
You read that right – I purposefully picked a race with a LAKE SWIM.
My very first triathlon was in a lake & I panicked. And I’m a glutton for punishment I’ve always felt like I needed to give lakes another shot. Especially now that I feel a bit more confident in the water & actually practice in open water every now and then.
Training for this event has been progressing nicely week by week. Well, except for that whole foot injury…which is feeling pretty good these days now that I’ve decided to follow the run/walk method!
I’m still working on my "goals” for each leg of the race. I don’t want to be to aggressive, and I don’t want to sell myself short either. I think I’m going to steal John’s idea & have a series of goals:
- Main Goal = What I think I’m capable of based on my training, previous race-day nerves & decent race day weather.
- Secondary Goal = slightly slower than the Main Goal, allowing room for nerves and rough weather.
- Ideal Conditions Goal = fastest of all (and not necessarily realistic) assuming no heat, no wind, no panicking in the water and perfect hydration/fuel.
I’m interested to see what I come up with. Seriously. I’ve never really considered all of the “what ifs” of race day & it’s sort of fun to think about all of this and come up with estimates for each scenario.
Hopefully things will continue to go smoothly & my training will continue to progress nicely – It’s DO OR DIE TIME now baby!
WHAT ABOUT YOU: How do you decide which events/races you want to do?
I’m shocked you haven’t done an Olympic tri. You’re always doing such long, hard workouts, I honestly thought you had a ton of them under your belt! I know you’ll kick the swim’s- and the entire race’s- booty
I’m just super slow – that’s why they seem so long!
Seriously, thank you. You put a big smile on my face!
I’ve heard all good things about that race. Unfortunately, I’ve never gotten a chance to do it b/c it always conflicts with something else. One of these days I’ll get to do it. I know this may sound lame or too simple but I was always a nervous ninny with OWS (lakes or ocean) and I tell myself over and over, swim like you are in the pool, swim like you are in the pool. I have to tell you, it does calm me down and helps me find my groove.
I just might try that – I’ve done OK in practice swims in the gulf – provided I’m swimming with someone else anyway. I think reminding my self that it really *isn’t* any different than a pool swim would be helpful!