Ok so we are nearly there. I’m just about to set off to the airport and I wanted to make 1 last update to the blog. This event is billed as “The Hardest Ironman in the world” – Maybe it is & maybe it isn’t but there’s no doubt it will be tough, but I guess that’s why I and everyone else who entered is doing it; becuase even in a world of extreme events even other Ironmen have said to me ” Wow that is extreme! I’d love to do it!”
In a previous blog I think I said that I wanted to stand on the ferry ramp on Saturday morning and ask myself if there was anything else I could have done to prepare better. As it stands at the moment the answer is no. The cake is made, looks great and ready to eat (see the previous blog if you don’t follow)
However that doesnt mean something can’t go wrong. I have a back up crew for mechanicals and I have a plan for pacing.
Rule #1 – Stick to the plan. I’ll be aiming for the Black T shirt cut off which is actually 14 1/2 hours not 13 1/2 as I previously wrote. My race strategy has plenty of wiggle room if I slow down but the key is to pace the ride & first part of the run and stay fuelled & hydrated. I wont be chasing other Brits or other guys in my age group early on in the race. Mentally I’m treating it as an adventure race
Rule #2 – Deal with the pain. A race of this magnitude does come with some pain built in. I have to deal with it. The run has been a weakness for me in the past but as Julie Dibens (thanks JD) pointed out, when the demons enter my head I have to say “Shut the door” and keep them out
Rule #3 – Eliminate the negative thoughts. Once I have shut the door I have to replace any negative thoughts with a positive one immediately…
Rule #4 – Take strength from others – Most of the other guys around me will be suffering at some time. Knowing that I am not the only one will give me extra energy and eventually if I keep going I will feel better again.
Rule #5 – Enjoy the Journey – Its a beautiful place and I might never come back so I will be enjoying the scenery. I’ll also be reminding myself that I chose to do it.
So thats the mental strategy. All that remains is to thank everyone who has sent good wishes and remind you that you can log in to race updates from 6am Saturday morning on www.nxtri.com
Next update is the race report
