Thursday, April 29, 2010

It is what it is.

That is my new mantra.

We own two houses. Is the old one going to sell? WHEN is it going to sell?

IT IS WHAT IT IS.
(We actually have a contract this morning. Woot. Woot.)

My half IM is this weekend. Am I ready? What is the weather going to be like? Too hot? Am I going to have a 13 mile death march like I did at ING Half? Will I beat my time from 2007? Is my swim going to be faster? My bike? My run??

Eek.

(Deep breath)

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

Yes, I have worked hard for this race and yes, I really want to do well, BUT, the pressure I was putting on myself to constantly beat my old times and be more serious and hardcore was starting to make all of this really no fun.

And that is really what it is supposed to be.

Fun. A hobby. Time for myself. A way to be competitive again.

I love racing and I love triathlon. But, was starting to want to break up, or at least start seeing other people. The desire to have a "normal" weekend (sans 6 hours of run/bike) was getting strong.

And just mentally taking that pressure off, has me so excited to get down to Panama City and smile and enjoy the sun and enjoy the day and be happy and thankful to be racing. At the beach! Regardless of whether I am out there for 5:21 or 6 hours.

My goal for this race? To finish just like I did in 2007.

smiling my ass off.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

10 comments:

Angela said...

Good for you Kate! Hope you have a great race and an even better weekend!

Angela and David said...

Good luck and have a great time! Damn. You are also one of those people who manages to look cute while racing. I'm so jealous.

Michelle Simmons said...

I totally know what you mean about the pressure of getting faster all the time and how that can wear on you. And it just gets harder and harder to do as we get faster and faster. Remember back after you just gave birth and how every time you went to workout it was 100x better than last time? Those were the days, man.

jessica said...

Oh my gosh, I have to de-lurk here: I'm so flipping inspired by that picture! I have already put pressure on myself to achieve A, B, C... and I haven't even started a triathlon yet. Now I want to bump those goals down a notch and focus first on getting myself one of those moments, thoroughly appreciating it all. Love it!

Allison Chapple said...

GOOD LUCK!!!!! I am with you - when it stops being fun, I don't want to do it anymore.

GetBackJoJo said...

Have a great race and HAVE FUN!!! :)

Rebecca DeWire said...

What an awesome smile in that pic! That kind of smile at the finish line is what this sport is all about. Good luck this weekend.

Jennifer Harrison said...

Remember when you sent me your time goals for this race? I looked at them and said, "Doable, but throw them away and just have fun!" That is what next weekend is: FUN and it will be a success! YOU are ready, kate! :)

Unknown said...

I'm just reading this now, but I just posted about basically the same thing. Of course, you said it much more elegantly and succinctly as usual. :-) I was struggling with remembering the fun part too! Now my plan is to race as fast as I can so I can get a nice cold beer at the finish! You'll get the reward of an awesome vacation at your finish line! Can't believe we aren't racing together next weekend, but I'll be cheering you on from knoxville! Go smile your ass off!

ADC said...

I hope it went well (I am reading this after the weekend). Great attitude.