Final laps

Today was our last tri class. I would feel more relieved if I wasn't racing tomorrow.

We piddled around in the pool, and some people chose to swim timed trials. I practiced my freestyle. I can make 50 m pretty easily now, but I start getting pretty tired when I approach 100. My breathing gets very strained to where I have to roll onto my back and take a few breaths while kicking. But I can still make all 350 m without absolutely stopping, I think. I guess we'll see how it goes tomorrow. There's always breaststroke.

Tomorrow we will have to line up according to what we think our swim time is so that we can swim in that group (and ideally match paces so that there isn't too much passing going on). Mandy said it is a big waste of energy to try to pass people and that it is better to get in a faster swim group and have people passing you up than the other way around.

I don't like this idea, of course, but I'm still trying to focus on just doing my best and having fun. It's just swimming and it doesn't really matter enough (in life) for me to let it make me panic. I keep coming back and back to that idea.

When Mandy was calling out most people's times today, they were all around 8 minutes and I was over 10. I asked Mandy if I should go in the 10 group tomorrow and she said I should get toward the middle or end of the 9s. I think I've improved since the day I did that 10, but I didn't care enough to tire myself out with a timed trial today.

Also, I think I'm going to wear my padded bike shorts, even if they slow down my swim, so that I won't have to pull them on in the transition area. I'd rather wear a wet diaper and be comfortable on my bike than look sleek and think about how much my crotch hurts for 12 miles. Another plus about swimming in the shorts is that I won't have to worry about re-shaving my already red and bumpy bikini line.

Today's challenge will be trying to stay in the moment and not worrying about the race. The most comforting thought right now is that there isn't anything else I can do to prepare except for pick up my "race packet" this afternoon and get a good night's sleep tonight. I'm going to bed at 8 and waking up at 5. Mom and Dad are sleeping over, waking up with me, and coming to the race, along with Leif. That should help my nerves.

Also, I'm going to drink water all day today and tonight before bed, and I'm not going to have any alcohol or crap foods at the family party. Unless you count jambalaya (which I don't).