Pre-Race: Emporia Spring Migration '09

I'm sitting here nursing a few injuries . . .

 

  

  

The first two are from a little wipe out I had this morning while doing a cornering drill at a cycling clinic. We were using water bottles for cones, and I cut it a little too close. Hit the water bottle dead on and completely slid out. So I got a little road rash on my hip and elbow. The third picture is from last week's transition clinic. I was practicing a flying mount (with all of my athletes watching, of course). Missed the seat and landed on the back wheel. Ugly, ugly bruise on my inner thigh, wrapping all the way around the back of my leg. You should see it in person; it's epic.

Anyway, I'm nursing my injuries, packing my bags, and preparing for the first real race of the season: Emporia Spring Migration. 400 m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run. The swim is in a pool. The bike is flat and fast. The run is ridiculously hilly (um, for Kansas). Last year, I did 1:17:36, 1st F 20-24, 7th F overall. I really want to do better this year, and I think I can. Maybe knock 30 seconds off the swim, a couple minutes off the bike, a couple minutes off the run. I think I can come in under 1:15, if I have a good race.

Forecast is for 52°, possibility of light rain, and winds from the northwest at 13 MPH. So it's probably going to be chilly. That's my main concern. Warm clothing takes time, and I don't particularly want to spend that time in transition. I'm hoping that adrenaline and exertion will keep my body temperature high enough that I won't need arm warmers, leg warmers, or a jacket.

For the rest, I'm just going to go out tomorrow and do my best. First race of the season. We'll see how it goes.

Edited to say:

You know what I'm really wondering? I wonder if I have what it takes to race tomorrow. I've been getting faster and faster in all 3 sports. I did a 1650 yd time trial in 29:31 on Monday; that's 1:47/100. I've been biking at 20 MPH. I ran last weekend at an 8:40/mile pace for a full 10k. But what if I get into the pool tomorrow and just don't have the get up and go? What if I fail to access that very special intensity? What if I can't get in the zone? What if I find myself unable to do much more than coast through? And what if I end up unable to match last year's performance?

The questions don't matter; the result is the same. I rest well tonight, prepare myself as best I can tomorrow, then get out on the course and do what I can do. My preparation has been in line; now I just need to withdraw on the deposits I've made up to this point.