Putting on my game face

The last couple of weeks, I've been feeling tired. Tired of training, tired of talking about and thinking about Ironman. I've heard myself say "I'm really looking forward to being done with Ironman," to more than one person. I say that I can't wait to have more time, less structured training and not feel obligated to spend the entire day on my bike, even if it is raining. These things are true, but I'm already starting to feel nostalgic for Ironman training. I have loved the journey (ahem, sorry Muggy!). Slowly I've gotten used to packing my assortment of workout clothes and snacks each night, waking up at 5 (6:30 feels luxurious), filling bottles of Gatorade and Perpetuum the night before a big ride, taping Gus to my bike frame. I look forward to the different post work-out sensations: the scent of chlorine on Mondays and Wednesdays, the tight calves after hard runs, the insatiable hunger that follows a six hour bike ride. I love pushing myself to my perceived limit, only to realize I can go further and faster.

After the hardest training weekend of my life, I've started my taper (woohoo!) and am trying to prepare mentally for the big day. This article provided a bit of perspective. I'm trying to think of the race as a celebration, rather than a dreaded test. Muggy, who was that teacher who called exams a "celebration of knowledge?"