Let's GO!

Well, it seems surreal - almost - that I'm racing tomorrow. Yes, a change in plans has me toeing the line at the local San Diego Tri Club Half Ironman instead of the Lake Stevens 70.3. Which is totally great, absolutely fantastic! Rather than worrying about the stress of travel, airline fees, and post-race-sickness that tends to always happen when I fly, I decided the hometown race was simply the way to be.

I had mixed feeling about bagging Lake Stevens, though. I really DO love to travel, and having spent a good amount of time in the Pacific Northwest this past summer, I was eager to visit again. But with Kona rapidly approaching, I just didn't want to risk getting sick or a travel burnout.

So... the local Half Ironman proved to be too good to pass up!

And while I realize it's not a WTC/IM-brand event (YES - I'm OKAY with that! Support the local races!), there's also a bit of a grass-roots feel to this race that I'm downright excited about.

We're just going to race, just showing up to have a great time, to work hard, to push ourselves in ways we wouldn't normally in a practice. And yes, this is a RACE - but no one is concerned about getting a slot, and I have absolutely NO CLUE as to who (or is it whom?) I'm racing.

Which is totally fine - because I'm just going out there to have a great time, to really WORK, and to take risks that I wouldn't normally do in a super serious event. Race strategy? Well... I suppose swim like I'm not biking, bike like there's no run, and run like there's no tomorrow. How about that?

In all seriousness, I just want to throw caution to the wind, push myself, and throw down a great workout. Anything else is just icing on the cake.

Err.... but I would be SUPER excited if I manage to not get lost on the run course. With 60 participants and only 2 aid stations during a 13-mile loop, I'll do my very best to follow the people ahead and PAY ATTENTION to the markings on the ground.

Other than that - all bets are off.

One thing of interest: somewhere around miles 5 or 6, I'll be running past the San Diego Crew Boathouse. One a long long time ago, in (seemingly) a galaxy far far away, I used to row. Will it be tempting to jump into a boat? Who knows. One thing for sure - I'll be doing what I love, and as long as I don't get too lost on the way - I'll be happy.

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend! Let's go and have a BLAST!