Getting ready for my first 70.3!

So, here I am on Thursday night, 10:30pm, going through my pre-race checklist and procrastinating packing for the trip to Lake Stevens . This makes me recognize that I have kept myself busy enough over the past 2 weeks that I have not had time to think about the magnitude of the event (70.3) that awaits me. I am going to choose to be open and vulnerable in this Blog to profile an honest journey. When I evaluate my procrastination, I realize that part of it comes from the fact that I am scared. The fear of failure overwhelms my inner thoughts at times, I try to drown out the seeds of doubt, but if I am honest those fears exist! Then there is the fear of the unknown, somewhere I have never been. And even though I have seen others go before me and soar (which has inspired me to want it) it is uncharted territory for me personally, and my inner fears interrupt my positive thoughts. I am aware that once I start packing, for me, that locks me into my race. That is when the anxiety of “what the heck” was I thinking has to stop, with all my strength and determination I push my fears aside and I have to mentally and emotionally proclaim that I am actually doing the race. That is when I start to get nervous and excited, that is when I go into “mode” and I start to focus on the details of what will get me to the race start and across the finish line. That is when I start thinking about all the people pulling for me and how much that means to me, filling my “words of affirmation tank”. And when I am forced to once again look inside for motivation I look for all those reasons that inspired me in the first place. The reasons that drive me to do what it takes on a daily basis to move towards this goal. It is then that I begin to fill my mind with all the reasons that I love Triathlon for what it brings to my life, health and self esteem. That is also when I begin to try and channel that fear into energy that will inspire me and give me the courage I need to drown out the fears and self doubt and get me to the finish line.

Today I received a blessing in the form of a card with words of encouragement and inspiration, that could only come from someone who has gone before me shared the same fears and survived. I will carry that card with me and allow the encouragement feed my soul! Thank you Jessi for the timely card and word of inspiration today, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” –Aniais Nin. And “When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to Fly! –Barbara J. Winter

P.S. If you are free Sunday morning you might try to log onto - (www.ironmanlive.com) – you may be able to follow the race.

P.S. Thank you Kim for the cut and paste lesson and for taking the time in your crazy weekend to get this on the blog.

I look forward to sharing the details of my 1st 70.3 with you.

Love Kathi