So we’re officially one week away from 2014 Ironman Arizona, which means I am officially in taper mode. And it’s really been hard on me this time around.
Last Thursday evening I was feeling really crummy….just “off.” It had been a hard recent couple of days at work and I was scrambling to make sure my bike, Killer, was tuned up and ready to be shuttled off to Arizona with Tri Bike Transport, which meant getting her back from the shop, getting the race wheels on her that I want to use and doing all this while also packing a bag to ship off with Killer of race essentials that I didn’t want to haul out with me this week. So just a lot of moving pieces that were stressing me out. So as much as I didn’t want to admit it, I started feeling sick. My throat was hurting and I felt tired. Not good.
So I started out with Sudafed and that’s been helpful. Towards the end of the day Friday I felt better. Not 100%, but better. And I was doing everything I could on top of the Sudafed (rest, fluids, Vitamin C, Zinc, essential oils) to make sure I could bounce back. Friday was a rest day for me and upon waking up Saturday, I decided I’d rest again. I was having a group of folks over that evening for a IMAZ send off and wanted to just focus on getting the house ready and food prepped.
So today I’m still a bit stuffy and not 100%. I’m trying to stay focused and positive which is really challenging for me. I’m nervous on 2 fronts: 1. Taper always makes me second guess myself and 2. I’m fearful of not being 100% back to health by Sunday. My anxiety goes back and forth between these challenges depending on the time of day.
I’m trying to take one day at a time, stay calm and rest as I can. I rationally know that there is no gains to be made in performance or fitness in the last week before this race. However it’s still challenging to give myself the rest. I’m trying.
Send me your healthy vibes/karma/mojo. I need it.
Be Tapering. Be Brave.
