Pre-Placid Thoughts...

Sometimes I get the idea for my blog entries on my long bike or long run workouts. Today, while riding my last "significant ride" before Ironman Lake Placid, I started thinking about how I am mentally for this upcoming race and where I was mentally before Lake Placid last year. (Picture to the right: IM Lake Placid 2007, 7th female overall). That thought led me to the next thought, "I wish I had this blog site then, so I could read my thoughts before the race last year", which led me to the thought, "how funny is it that I have a blog site?" (I never would have guessed this time last year that I would be writing my thoughts down for all to see, or for the few who read it to see). Thinking about that I started reflecting back on why I started this blog. Last November, a guy by the name of Terry Donovan introduced me to the idea of a Blog (sadly, I really didn't know what these "blog sites" were!) Terry is a very successful businessman (entrepreneur) and while I cannot write with complete accuracy all of his successes, lets just say that he is very successful and a "down-to-earth" guy at the same time. Terry invited Mike Monastero and myself to his house last fall to give a "crash-course" on the marketing side of being a pro triathlete (for me, and other advice for Mike). I would imagine that an opportunity like this would ordinarily cost quite a bit of money, but Terry took the time to type out a packet and go over some marketing ideas and the "business side" of being a professional athlete for no cost, just because he is a generous and nice guy. Let's just say that the marketing side of being an athlete is not exactly my strong point...not even a little bit. Trying to get sponsors and get my name "out there", (selling myself) is not something I am good at, and it is something that George also has given me advice on (you don't have to be the best in the world, but you DO have to find a niche, market yourself...basically-GET HELP DONG IT! It is not my strong point!) So, while I am still below average at this aspect of my pro career (I re-visited Terry's "packet of guidance" and realized there is so much more I could be doing!), I am happy that I started this blog. I was MORE than skeptical about writing it, and didn't exactly have faith in my ability to keep it going. NOW, I really enjoy writing in it and I even included the address on my business cards (yes, I got some cards for my coaching business printed up!)

SO, this time next year, when I want to reflect back on what was thinking and feeling before my fantastic race in Lake Placid, I can get on my blog and check it out! Thanks Terry!

So, here it is...the weekend before the big race. Probably my last pre-race entry. I can only assume that last year I was feeling quite nervous that IM Lake Placid was going to be my first Ironman as a pro. This year, I am more comfortable with this. I don't feel as much of an "outsider" as far as racing with the big guns. My training has been coming along (For fear of coaching myself completely before such a huge event-I am skeptical of self-coaching and like to have some outside input as I feel it helps "keep things real", I have recruited some help and guidance from Bobby McGee-run specialist- and Matt Dixon who runs Endurance PTC in California and coaches super triathlete Tyler Stewart amongst others...), my taper is going smooth, I am NERVOUS, but most importantly I am psyched to race! I look at the start list and feel that it will be a GREAT DAY for racing! I know what I have to do out there and I am anxious to see how it plays out. Reading Jaqui Gordan's blog (fellow pro triathlete...will be racing Placid too) gets me psyched and makes me realize how lucky I am to be in the mix with these other great women! So, this week will consist of short efforts, some hard efforts mixed in, getting all my gear together and soaking it all in, as I always try to do before my races. It's such an exciting time for me and I try to really appreciate and take in all the excitement around this event. My next blog entry will most likely be "post-Lake Placid" and while I look forward to writing it, I don't want to rush myself!