My next few days will be spent rounding up last minute necessities, small bits of specific training, equipment testing, and vowing to do things differently next time. But then race day will come and go, smiles will abound (I hope), and next time round, the cycle repeats. Alas.
So I dare tell the truth tonight: I am without the two boats I’d like to race, and will if lucky, be in them once before race scenario. I havent been on the tt beast for a month, since the puncture misery at Jailbreak in fact. I’ve just thrown a new stem on the new Specialized Epic I’ve not been on enough. I still need to scrape together my USN nutrition, well, I still need to order it… And so the list rolls on and on. In fact, between now and the canon blast, I’ll be least stressed hitting the water in Gordan’s Bay at 6am on Saturday.
But there seems to be some love hate, hate to love type energy I get from the uncertainty, from the added stresses. At least the pasta party at Lord Charles Hotel is on Thursday night now, and not the usual night before eventuality. I’d get distracted, talking my way around the room, catching up, only to realise my “still-to-do -list” as well as the need to graze somewhere round 10pm. And again there’d be the vow to do so differently next time…
On the physical front, I’d usually take the third day out as a rest day, and do all three disciplines, in this case all four disciplines in small portions the two days prior, with some sharpening in each. It also helps running through the equipment to be used, checking, checking and re-checking. I often feel it hardly matters what I do before that three day taper, as long as I get some tlc from my masseus, Francois, on the rest day and do the bits of sharpening leading up.
This week will be testing a new theory, as I didnt make it out the door today… Felt flat and low, and wind was gale force. So going to have to adapt a little. But thats the gem about sport – part science, part art. Despite being low today, I’m excited for the event in a big way. So many variables, so many challenges. The joker card is held by Mother Nature, and if she dares, there’ll be hell to pay.
An SUV aint an SUV without a boat on the roof and two bikes on the back, and this weekend I get to load Ruth’s little Tazz and get as close to the yuppy vibe as I can. Looking forward to all the self inflicted chaos…
(A photo of exiting the swim in Gordan’s Bay last year – Die Burger, 25 Dec 2007)
One Response to "Pre-race taper"
hey Dan
It is ‘good’ to see that we all have our challenges. Sometimes frustrating, but more than most we learn from it and it makes us ‘wiser and stronger’ for the next time. I also belive that a bit of ‘uphill’ toughens the best of the best as you have proved over and over. So get out there and do your thing. I believe that it would be a walk in the park – as always. Attituce determines ALTITUDE!
Godspeed
chef
PS: Glad i found your site. I will follow it from now with great anticipation!