racing

More this weekend than this whole year, I've been asked "are you racing Sunday?" or "are you competing?"

I can't get my mind around that and why I still find that incredibly funny.

I know there are people who are here and racing.

I am neither here racing or competing.

To compete someone loses. I think everyone at this race wins. To try this, to set out and see if you can is winning, even if this one attempt isn't according to plan. Anything can happen tomorrow. It can as they say- rain. (how many days of sunshine per year in Arizona...and are you kidding me?)
It can be 60 degree water temps and for a slower swimmer be a little risky at the end.

Knowing they have warming tents for after the swim on Sunday should be comforting, but somehow it's not. I definitely stuck that jacket in the bike gear bag.

I am here pacing. Getting through a nice swim, to get on the bike for three loops- each one a little faster than the last, and then the run- saving some for the last five miles and making sure to eat once I've got a few minutes on the bike - to catch up for the swim output and plan ahead for the energy on bike and run portions of the race.
I'll remember that other people's stomachs tolerate Gu and gels better than mine and pace that intake for later in the race when keeping the sugar up once you start it is the only answer.
I'll choose chicken soup late in the race for sodium and hydration.
And I'm not opposed to flat Coke if the situation warrants it.

Easy as riding a bike.
8 miles is not that far. Each run loop is only 8.5 miles.