Ready to Race

Tomorrow we leave for Cambridge, MD. for the EagleMan 70.3. I feel good and iffy. At some points I still feel tired, but then others I feel like racing right now. One big element missing is the coffee element. I haven't had a cup since LP Camp and I can feel my true level of fatigue. The massage yesterday helped and I still have 2 more days to come around 100%. I am confident that on race day I will be all systems go. With some coffee and FRS, I will be ready to toe the line.
The race wheels are on, the race suit packed, nutrition dialed and shoes laced. It's time to put the fitness on the line and see how much I have improved. My main goal for the race is to go into the unknown. In looking at past events, I have held back just enough so I would finish strong. My fear being blowing up and suffering to the finish. In order to improve, I have to test my boundaries and see how far I can go. I have tried to implement this in my training, but it is on race day that you see if you are truly willing to take that necessary risk and step into the void. I have a feeling that I am not going into a void so much as I am opening the door to new and undiscovered places where I can push through previous boundaries. To walk into that space and let it consume me is what I am after. I have had a few races where I was so focused and so in the moment I can't remember any details. That is where I want to be again. It is a scary idea to push that far, but the reward is great. You will always finish knowing you gave it everything you could. If I win great, if it all goes pear shaped, fine. I need to feel the physical effort replaced by the euphoria of speed, pain, exertion and accomplishment.
So, next time you are out there on the bike, or on the trail, think about what it truly holding you back. Is it physical? Or is it fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of discomfort or maybe even fear of success? My fear is to look back and say "I could have done more".
I will try to write up a race report as soon as I can. Thanks for reading.

All the Best,

AJ