I’ve been thinking alot lately about my goals for Pinehurst, which is my “A” race this season. It’s unlikely that I’ll make the podium at Pinehurst.
I figured that out a couple weeks before doing the Duke 1/2 race. At the time, I figured getting a sub 6 hour at Duke this year was more likely than getting a podium spot at Pinehurst. So, I skipped some key workouts in my Pinehurst plan to taper for Duke. Then the blazing heat at the Duke race threw a monkey wrench in my plans and I didn’t even make that goal.
I was supposed to peak last week in my Pinehurst plan, but was just too tired from Duke to get in quality workouts. The best laid plans…sacrificing my training plan for one race trying to make a goal for another race, and I probably won’t make either goal.
So, where does the Pinehurst goal stand? There were two super fast chicks signed up for Pinehurst before this week (whose names I recognize – there may be more). At best, I’d be fighting for third place. Now, one more super fast chick just registered. So, I’ll be fighting for fourth at best, against alot of fast chicks. So even fourth place is questionable. Is it even worth fighting for fourth place?
I am fast, but I am not super fast (yet). I don’t know what it takes to make the jump from fast to super fast. I know my running is still my weakness. I have made progress there, but not enough to be super fast. Perhaps it’s just telling myself I can do it and mentally psyching myself up for a great performance. But, I’m wary to do that because I did that at the Duke 1/2 2007 race… I was so pumped up for that race, and so positive that I could make a 6 hour time that year. And, when I came in far off that goal, I was depressed for two days. Since then, I’ve been protective of my ego (yes, women have egos!) and I’ve been going into races not expecting too much, and sometimes surprising myself with a 3rd place finish.
If I had gone into those races expecting great things, what would have been the result? Maybe I do better with a lower bar because I am more relaxed. Then again, at White Lake Sprint (my best finish yet) I did go in with the expectation for a podium spot. And I got 1st place! Surely, Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals because he EXPECTED to and he fought for it.
Sometimes I wonder why I put alot of pressure on myself. In the grand scheme of things, triathlon is really not that important. 
It’s alot more fun to just relax and do my best – which is what the heat forced me to do at Duke this year – and I had alot of fun there. But, it’s also a fantastic feeling to have my hard work rewarded with at trip to the podium.
So, what to do…I must formulate a goal that will make me strive for greatness, without being so far out of reach that I set myself up for disappointment. Still thinking on it…
I was curious how the Pinehurst course compares to other races I’ve done this year, and my normal running grounds (to the lake and back). So, I photoshopped the elevation profiles to compare. I still don’t know how I did so well on the bike course at Bandit’s without trashing my legs. Whereas at Lake Norman, I toasted my legs on the bike. I need to repeat what I did at Bandit’s at Pinehurst.
Bike Courses:
Run Courses:
There are sooo many ways to screw up a race and sooo many ways to win one. I’ve learned to never predict my race outcomes because I’m always wrong! Something will always happen that is out of my control…either to my benefit or against it.
I finally learning to just go with the flow of race day.
Good point! Actually, one of my races this year (over the mountain) had a steep climb up a road coming out of the water to T1, before the timing mat. So I guess you could say that there are hills in the swim for that event!
You forgot to compare the elevation of the swim course of the three races. How does Pinehurst compare to the other two? 😉
Your doing great. Instead of going for a podium, have a timed finish as your goal. Triathlons are not about where you finish, but about going out and competing in a race against yourself, and seeing how far you can punish your body. If you go out and race your guts out and beat your goal and look back at the race and say I gave it my all, how can you be disappointed in that, even if you dont finish top 3.
I’ll defintely be at the Pinehurst finish line knowing I gave it my all, hope you have a great race there!
It is well know that a person going into an event thinking they can win has the best chance. Forget the podium. You never know who has a bad day. You should really be fighting to compare yourself. You have really worked hard this year, and I think you have something to prove. Beat your own time from last year. Beat your total time and beat your time in every event. You did the work, and now you got the equipment!
I remember a couple of years ago I missed my half marathon goal by two minutes. I was so frustrated. I worked months in advance to get meet my goal. The week after the disappointing half marathon I ran my fasted 5k time ever–and probably ever will. Won second place in my age group.
Duke was your hard workout for Pinehurst. Time to taper and start building up your confidence. We have faith in you.
Bob
I say hammer on the bike/run. Those are the two sports you seem to love the most and you are also AWESOME at them. The bike course doesn’t seem nearly as hard as Bandits and you did well there–so …. Hit that hard and then hammer on the run too. Coach Troy’s DVDs have you in awesome FAST running shape so don’t worry! And so what if you make the podium or not? I would say just go for really good splits on the bike and run and see where the chips fall. If you podium–GREAT! If not–you have great bike/run splits.. Have you done this race before? If yes, then maybe try to beat your splits from last year… 🙂
Don’t ever give up the fight! Maybe you should come up with a goal that is within your control (i.e. push hard the entire run, etc). It is impossible for you to control who shows up to any given race so going for a podium isn’t always the best goal to have. Also, you have had a great season and have pushed your body hard through all the training. Rest up for Pinehurst. I am a big believer that when you go into races really rested is when you can truly push your body harder than you ever imagined. I am big into the taper! Not sure if this is the best way to do things, but I take the taper very seriously.
YES! It’s worth fighting for! GO, DO IT!!