I was talking to Amanda tonight and she told me that she thought people would be interested in what I think about for 5 hours when doing a 70.3 (half ironman) I actually think it’s a good question.

Before I started doing endurance sport I would often say, “I could / would never run a marathon. I mean what do you think about for THAT long?!!!”
And now, while I don’t run marathons, I do swim, bike and run for THAT long.

Funny she brought up this topic today b/c today on the golf course my buddy (and contractor / our kitchen renovation expert) Chris Veal asked me the exact same question. So here goes.

In the moments before the gun goes off to start the swim and then, quite frankly, for the entire swim (30-40 minutes) I’m just thinking of finishing that discipline. I know that’s not profound but it’s the truth. Just keep swimming a straight line, buoy to buoy don’t get caught in a crowd, don’t get swam over (literally swam over top of) by another stronger obnoxious swimmer. Just finish the discipline in a solid time.

Coming out of the water the thoughts are still those that are top of mind. Get the wetsuit off, goggles and swim cap off, rack my bike, glasses & helmet on, bike shoes on, any extra nutrition I might need besides the bottles already on my bike and then I’m off. Mount my bike and then start the 2.5 hour ride. (56 miles)

This is where you have a little time to think. For me though I’m racing so I am thinking about that. How fast am I pedaling (cadence) how hard am I pedaling (power) am I remembering to drink and eat? I also sing songs. Literally out loud. I have a few go to’s like Zac Brown Band – Knee Deep and As She’s Walking Away but this race I pulled out Phillip Phillips – Home and Gym Class Heroes – Fighter.

I also take a little time to check out the scenery. For example, the race in Augusta last week rode about 46 of the 56 miles in North Augusta, SC. Let me tell you, I’m from Nashville and I thought we had a lot of churches. Well, I have never, NEVER seen so many churches in my life. Little churches everywhere. No exaggeration .. . I bet we rode past 50 of them. Also, rode past stunning plantation homes but then there would be a little run down home next to it with a car parked on the front porch. (You heard me)

The National Guard was out for this race also and there were 2 at every cross street keeping the traffic at bay. I verbally Thanked them each time I rode by.

As the bike wraps up it’s back to the task at hand. Get out of my shoes in the last .5 mile. Jump off my bike, push it to my transition spot. Off with the helmet and bike shoes, on with my visor, race belt, and running shoes and I’m off.

The first 3 miles I am just thinking about going easy. See, when you first come off the bike your legs are still turning pretty quick so even though you feel like you’re running easy (slow) you probably aren’t. I have to make a conscious effort to go slow and stick to a pre-determined pace.
This race I thought a lot about my daughter Abbey. She runs Cross Country and I am always at her races yelling encouragement to her. (she may just hear me yelling) but I’m always telling her to NOT QUIT! EMBRACE THE PAIN! to GO! GO! DROP THE HAMMER! LEAVE IT ALL ON THE COURSE!
So, this race I started to really hurt around mile 9. I hadn’t fueled properly and I was bonking pretty hard. It’s the encouragement I gave her all year that I had to give myself. There was no way that I could tell her to Not Quit and to Leave it all on the Course only to quit myself (which I seriously considered.) I also thought of a message that Amanda sent me the night before the race of my 3 youngest telling me that I was “going to WIN!”
I had to finish. . .and finish strong. . for them.

So finish I did. As many of you know, I hit my goal of a sub 5 hour 70.3.

There you go, I just took you through my thoughts for a 5 hour race. See how fast it flies by? Aren’t you ready to try one?

Seriously, Triathlon is a great sport. There is a distance for everyone. If you’re in a rut or already in good shape and want a new challenge I encourage you to check it out.

Have a great weekend.