16 Days until IM Louisville

I haven't blogged for a long time. I've been too busy training. I'm well into my taper now and find myself having time to do things I haven't had time to do for a while, like blogging.

I'm happy to report that my training has been going very well, and I'm really getting excited for Ironman Louisville. I've been going to the pool consistently twice a week since early June, survived 3-100 mile bike rides, and my knee has held up through my limited running. I find myself feeling like I haven't felt since April . . . RESTED! It's a nice feeling, but something that is somewhat unfamiliar, because I haven't experienced it in months.

I feel ready for the race. I have one concern about the race and that is maintaining my mental concentration on the bike. I have really been working on this, but I still have some doubts about staying focused on race day.

It's all really a big mental game though . . . I've been trying to visualize myself staying focused on the bike and having a great ride. Is it helping? I think so. I'm starting to feel a little better about it. You need to be confident going into a race!

Your mind really can affect your training or your race. Therefore, we must not only train or bodies, but train our minds. Visualizing yourself having an awesome training session or an amazing race is a simple, yet highly effective way, that using our minds can help us achieve our athletic goals. It is also helpful to walk through "bad" scenarios in our minds to help us prepare for those. Examples of this include: going off course in the swim, getting a flat on the bike, or cramping on the run. How will we overcome these situations in a race? Walk through the steps mentally, so that you are prepared for everything come race day. Being prepared will lead to confidence, which will lead to success!