Ready to Fly!!!

I'm close enough to my first Ironman70.3 that I can count it in hours. 46.5 to go! My flight to Jeju is this evening. Last night I packed my bike up and all the things I will need on race day, and Saturday. Lots of food, vitamins, protein, etc! Plus some clothes to wear before/after the race and my race outfit. I have 2 checklists to go off of to make sure I have everything! I also have some great friends out there who have been here for me to calm my nerves! They really kicked in last night! I about went crazy with mixed thoughts and emotions. Today, I've got my head on straight. My mantra is all I'm thinking (and about my race plan!) "Just keep swimming (running/biking)" is one mantra, repeated over and over like in Finding Nemo.  Another is "I ain't gonna stop until I die" A catchy line from a recent Black Eyed Peas song! Also, "You can do it"!!! That one got me though my first marathon!  

A friend helped me perfect my race plan this morning! He's done quite a few 70.3's and will be there this weekend trying to earn a slot at Kona, during his first full Ironman! Tonight I'll be able to go over everything with my friend at the airport. She will be doing her 3rd full Ironman and also trying to get to Kona! I'm so lucky to be surrounded with great, dedicated athletes!!! It's a real inspiration! 

My race plan is a bit detailed, but overall it is swim at my pace, quick though the transition, fuel ever 15min on the bike, bike at my pace, power though the hills, love the downhills, quick T2, and run slow and steady. The run will be challenging, but I know I can do it. I have 2 points to take in solid fuel and will rotate between water and Gatorade. I have times in my head for if the race goes GREAT, goes as expected and if everything goes wrong! No matter what, I will be out there racing MY race, giving everything I can to get across the finish line in the best time I can! As tempting as it will be to hunt down the people in my AG, I don't even want to know who they are until after the race is done. The last thing I want to do is use energy I don't have to pace with them or to find them and try and race them. My race is with the clock! It will be awesome if I can place, but overall I'm out there to have fun, to push my body to the limits and to love my sport!!! 

Remember you can find me on www.ironmanlive.com! Can't wait to write up my race report! Weather I finish in 5 hours or in 8 hours it will be a good one, because I will be a (half) Ironman!!!!