I posted a tweet yesterday poking fun at my own hilarious pre-race routine. So, with my final triathlon of the season tomorrow, here is how you can tell what stage I am in for a race.
Pre-Race
- My workouts are cut back significantly. The “Taper.”
- I’m irritable because of the the “Taper.” (I feel like I should be doing something; not enough exercise makes me a little a crazy.)
- My diet is even more healthy than usual and I’m very careful about what I put into my body.
- No drinking. (alcohol that is)
- Lots and lots and lots and lots of water! (hydration is important)
- My laundry room has exploded and about 80-90% of it is spandex.
- Haven’t shaved my legs in days.
- Lots of pasta/carbs consumed.
- Bedtime hours that are only shared with 7 year olds and 70 year olds.
Race Day
- Wake up call hours before the sun rises (and probably about the time my friends are going to bed)
- Lots and lots and lots and lots of water, gatorade, nuun. (still no alcohol)
- Bizarre morning ritual of breakfast and about 200 bathroom breaks.
- Limited talking. (please don’t let the freaked out newbie stand next to me and chat about how nervous she is)
- Shaved legs!
- My body is coated in Body Glide and Hoo Ha Ride Glide.
- My body is covered in at least 80% spandex.
- Salt crystals from sweat.
- Copious amounts of sport nutrition consumed. (Sport Beans, Cliff Shot Blocks, Luna Chews, Stinger waffles or chews, Gu Chomps, or whatever I happen to have on hand)
Post-Race
- Ice bath, then hot shower to rinse off sweat and various other “glide” coatings.
- Big fat nap!
- Big fat banana consumed.
- Eventually a beer or other celebratory drink.
- A little stiffness.
- New race shirt and possibly a new race medal adorning my badass post-race upper body.
- Finally waking up my friends who slept through all of it.
- Furiously researching my next race.
- Most importantly an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and pride that I’m a badass girl athlete!
good luck tomorrow! as someone who has never done anything remotely close to a triathalon, it’s actually really cool to hear about the prep, day-of, + post-race activities. you’re gonna rock it!
Thank you Amy!
Godspeed!
Thank you!!