We all have our strengths. In our sports, in our lives, in our work. But since this is mostly a blog about triathlon, let’s stay on task.
I have friends who are fabulous swimmers. I so envy them. Some are monsters on the bike, and others can run like the wind. I am decent on two wheels, and I’m not a horrible runner (especially when chasing down a thief in Ecuador, but that’s a funny story for a different day…), but these are not my real strengths.
I am lucky to be equally blessed with strength in not one, but TWO disciplines:
The TAPER and the RECOVERY.
Yep, these are two very important elements in triathlon, and I take them on with nothing but utmost respect and seriousness. In fact, my beloved coach, Matt Russ, who is not one to shower his athletes with praise, openly gushes about what a stud I am when it comes to the taper and recovery. He brags to other athletes (rolling his eyes) about how GREAT I am at . . . doing pretty much nothing.
It’s not easy, people, but if you work really hard, you can get there, too. hehehehehe….
Maybe because I trust my coach and I trust the process, but when he says REST, I rest– sometimes too much. I am not one to overdo it, ever.
However, I have recently risen to new ranks in my taper, achieving new levels of personal success that I had not previously thought were possible. I’m one week out from my “A” race (Eagleman 70.3), and this past week has been a debacle of training (or tapering). Due to the new job, travel, and getting sick twice in the past 10 days, I have accomplished a whole lot of nothing in the training front. Yes, I’m a little nervous about it, but I also know that at this point there’s not much more we can do to prepare for a race anyway (but everything to screw it up, as Matt says).
It’s game time next weekend. And as a special treat, my Dad and Debra are coming to Maryland to support my race. I can’t think of a better way to spend Father’s Day than waking up at 5am to stand around all day! (He’s so lucky to have me!)
And . . . a little birdie told me that my favorite Kiwi chick and Machu Picchu travel buddy, Bianca, will also be there. She even plans to ride a mountain bike on the course while I’m running, but if she does that I may force her to give me the bike and make her run, since she’s faster anyway. 
Below is one of my favorite pictures of us on our trek through Peru last November. Can’t wait to see you, B!
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Well first – GOOD LUCK at the race – you’ll do great! Matt is right – ALL the hard work has been done…and really its better to go into a race under trained than over. You’ll do fantastic.
NICE photo – looks absolutely lovely!
The little birdie was right!
I’ll be yellling, smiling and riding close as I can on the MTB ( without breaking any rules, of course)
See you on Sunday.
xoxo B. p.s you survived Peru, so this is a walk in the park. None of those girls could survive Peru!
hehehe…. Thanks, girl. Such a pity that traipsing around developing countries with few showers and very crowded buses is not an organized sport, huh? I foresee big things in my athletic future, if only the Olympic Committee would consider it.
Hilarious Amy! Congratulations on having such a fantastic taper. Best of luck at Eagleman!!! I’m sure your dad will love chearing you on!
Oh Amy you made me feel so better. I, too, have been sick, have a really sore hip and haven’t touched much in the last week. HMM….just crossing fingers for the hip biz to go away. If not, perhaps the aquavelo. Nothing you can do but your best. Hope to see you out there.
This is a very funny post. I’m good at resting and tapering, too. Except I’m not training for anything, but still resting like a champ. I’m gold medal quality in napping. Hey, we all have our strengths! I’m sure there’s a “special place in HEAVEN for people like me” right?
Hey Amy! Wow – I’m so behind on reading your blog. Good luck at Eagleman! I’ll be fallowing you no doubt! Rub off on me a bit for tapering! -I just can’t sit still! But recovery? Well, that’s another story
Good luck again on your “A” race – you will rock it ou no doubt. But I’m sure snoop won’t be there that night…