Twas The Evening Before...

I figured I would steal this post's title from my daughter's blog. http://ambitionsontherun.blogspot.com/2011/10/twas-evening-before.html#comment-form

It is actually the morning before and I feel pretty relaxed (for now).  We got into Austin last night and it was a very smooth uneventful trip.  I took advantage of this and dumped my gear in the room (bike included) had dinner and relaxed and went to bed.  No gear check, no inventory, no preparations just eat, relax and sleep.  Sleep and rest is as important as exercise.  This is the time your body recovers and rebuilds (see the earlier post about periodization).

Dinner last night was fairly liberal as compared to my normal diet.  36 Hours before a race is the time to "carb up".  Carbing up is not what it used to be.  Consuming mass quantities of pasta the night before a race is no longer the recommended practice.  Too much the night before can lead to a number of problems; mostly GI related.  Here is a great general article:

http://walking.about.com/od/marathontraining/f/carboloading.htm

I did not read this article before I ate but I seemed to follow this for the most part.  I have been on a weight loss diet for the past couple of months.  I was 194 the past couple of days.  I have been consuming 1800 to 2000 calories a day, with a mix of 50% carbs, 25% proteins and 25% fats.  Really all I have done is make sure I am 2000 + for the last couple of days.  So last nights meal was chicken fajitas with rice and beans.  I am sure I did eat a little more than I should have but it was Gooooooooooooooood.

Today I will stay away anything that is hard on the GI.  Things like roughage, red meat etc are definite no no's.  A lot of what one may eat before a race is a matter of personal preference and body chemistry.  Until recently I prided myself on having an "iron stomach".  I could eat and digest just about anything.  About this time last year I was hospitalized for a blocked colon.  Probably the most painful thing I have ever experienced.  I was told that it is the closest a male will ever come to experiencing labor pains.  It occurred last year 3 weeks before this Austin race last year.  Since that time I have been a little more aware as to how my stomach reacts to certain foods.  Even if the reaction is a mild one.

Today meals will not be much different than any normal day.  Only 1 cup of coffee will I drink.  I just finished breakfast of a little sausage, egg white and fat free yogurt.  I will probably have toast later.  Water today to drink and other than the one cup of coffee, no caffeine.  Tonight's meal some fish and rice.  Also a trick I have learned, raid the hotel breakfast bar Saturday for Sunday's pre race meal LOL.

So, reviewing the previous paragraphs.  I am getting pretty pumped about the race tomorrow.  Think of it;  I have not been hospitalized (for a while) I have had solid training for the past 4 months and I am 20 pounds lighter than last year.  I cannot wait for race day!

Today I will do a few workouts, mostly to stay loose and get my muscles working a bit.  David (my coach) has a 20 minute open water swim, a 30 minute easy ride and a 15 minute light jog on my schedule.  Also today will be Athlete check in.  The Ironman events are really cool.  It is the big time.  Competing along side the top athletes in the sport is a rush.  The coolest thing is that everyone is treated like a pro.  Everything has your name printed on it.  In the transition area your rack has a sticker with your name on it.  You definitely do not have to worry about putting your bike in the wrong spot.

Here in Austin they to a great job.  If last year is any indication there will places to park near the Transition areas to get ready.  The swim area was open for today's workouts.  All in all a great event.  The New Orleans 70.3 did not provide any access to the swim area prior to the race.  I guess Austin has the advantage of have the swim area in a public park area.  With the great job the Austin folks do I am looking forward to a great day.

Time to start getting the game face on.

Look for bib number 811