This is a loaded question I get all the time before a race. It comes from coworkers, running partners, sponsors, and family. “You ready?” has a heavier meaning before my first race, a half ironman in the pro field this Saturday in Oceanside, CA. Am I ready physically? Yes – my training has been consistent, my FTP is at its highest ever, and I’ve put in more running and swimming this winter than any other offseason – and I have the straw-like hair to prove it.
Am I ready mentally? Ready to compete in the pro field with names like Heather Jackson (2nd in 2016 Kona for my non-tri readers), Holly Lawrence (2016 World 70.3 Champ), and Jeanni Seymour (Multiple 70.3 Ironman Champ)? Truthfully, I do not expect to contend with them, but HECK YES I’M READY TO COMPETE ALONGSIDE THEM! To not be ready mentally implies I’m intimidated, which implies I don’t belong. But you know what? I belong there! I’ve done 15 mile long runs on a weekend trip with friends, long trainer rides on weekend mornings (this means 6 total hours of KICKR whirring since my boyfriend and I take turns on the same one!), and even a race-specific swim created by Laurel – the only other thing she could’ve done was ask the pool manager to make the water 20 degrees cooler! I’m always topped off on fuel (thanks to Picky Bars!) and my bike feels brand new, tuned with fresh tires, and ready to go (thanks to The Rover Cycle Company!) Shit, I even opted to go fat-biking over XC skiing when I was in Vermont because it was more event-specific (ok, and because XC skiing is freaking hard.)
Kelly O’Mara said it best:
“The idea that you shouldn’t take your elite license, challenge yourself, move up in competition, because you don’t meet some other imaginary standard — besides the actual standard that has been set by USA Triathlon — and won’t be good enough and should be embarrassed is wrong-headed and is hurting the women’s side of the sport.”
It’s bad enough that women feel imposter syndrome in their professional careers, and I’ve been guilty of this at my full time job too. But I’m making a conscious decision to not feel like a fraud in this array of my life.
I’m ready for the run-in beach start, the 55-59 degree water (depending who you ask!), the 56 mile ride with one real climb that is 20% in one spot, and the flat, warmer-than-I’m-used-to-due-to-the-northeast’s-eternal-winter two-loop run. You can track here!
You know who didn’t ask me “You ready?” My coach. Do you know what he said instead?
“You’re ready.”
Gee Nicole, I imagined I was on that journey with you! All the details made it a great read. Kudos to you for your first pro race and the writing of your story was truly impressive! I’m a super proud mom. Btw you are sooo a warrior!.