Pre- Race Muskoka 70.3

So lets start by saying I am more nervous then I have been for any other race in my life, and have not been this excited since Dirty Girls 12hr Night 2011.

 

I signed up for this race so I would have a long term goal to keep me motivated through out the summer to keep training and excited to compete  and not get fat. I wanted a big goal. Something new, with a new challenge and Muskoka 70.3 fit. After convincing some Saugeen tri peeps to join in, it was set, complete with some training Mondays in Muskoka. 

 

So sounds all good in concept right?? Except it is not all good yet. I did my best trying to get in swims- but really adult onset swimming self taught can only go so far. However, I did over come the fear of swimming open water by myself. Will do that now and just stick close to shore. The problem with swimming is just that it is just so damn boring. This is not Hawaii, I am not seeing any fishes and other amazing aquatic life, I see murky nothingness at Pearl lake.

As for the bike, yah it is hard to get in long rides. Lonely and slow if I go on my own, and frantic peddling when I go with friends to hang on to their rear for dear life.  I did commit to riding 20k to work and back every single shift except on my first night since I signed up and only missed one day.

The course is just so hilly and LONG 94k is long!! This past week I was up in Muskoka to ride the course and it was just to wet and thunderstormy to do it. I just wanted that last really good ride. I knew I would be riding with somebody slower than I so I was counting on getting 100k and at least 2k run post in. Yah but that didn't happen. As for my actually bike- I desperately need a new one. I feel like this past month has been a money pit. Sure a tune up is ok. But I bought a new wheel, tire and inner tube. Oh and my chain snapped- which was actually only a matter of time but I was trying to cheap out. Not to mention new bars, and tape for bars. Oh and new race shirt to match bars. Again, felt, cervelo, devinci, cannondale. swift, trek, orbea, quintana roo, blue... wanta sponsor a middle age grouper who is awesome???

 

Run, well if anything has gone to pot it has been my run. let just say I am not the fastest female in the tri club anymore. Often a week has passed and I realize I have not run. My mileage is the worst it has ever been and that includes the winter! Have I mentioned the run course is the hillest I have ever seen? Seriously, as a stand alone half marathon I would be 2hours. I figured I could let my run go a bit cause I already know how  to hurt but get it done on the run.

 

Training time will seriously improve drastically as soon I will be the parent of children who go to school full time... but a little late for this race. So right now I am trying to follow my training plans taper... but really how much can I  follow while working shift? Not that I want to quite shift but .... going slightly insane!!!

 

I am told Muskoka is harder than Mount trembant and I will have more time to train for it, and it is sold out. BUT I am signed up. So I do have a second chance if Muskoka is bust.