Someone please disable Google!

With two big races that have materialized within a week, I have spent too much time Googling race reports and results for both IMTX and Age Group Nationals.  I have seen cool and motivational YouTube videos, read some good race reports, checked out hotels, etc.  The thing that scares me is seeing the race results, especially for AG Nationals!  For the AG of F35-39, the results were 6 pages long for last year.  To find a times even comparable to what my most recent performances are, you have to go to page 5.  WTH have I just gotten myself into?!?  So, with that, I think that my goal that day is to not finish dead last!  I would be thrilled to have my time show up on page 4 of the results!

Seriously, let's be honest.  I am a working full time teacher, with two kids, who does triathlons to not kill people in my every day life.  It is a fun hobby I took up because I got bored with just running, and even that I took up to lose 15-20 pounds.  I don't train with all the high tech stuff.  I have an entry level aluminum road bike with clip on aero bars (though I do love my Belle).  Until recently, I only trained and raced with a $20 Timex stop watch or the free Strava and or Nike Run apps on my phone.  I don't have coach.  I'm not on team or with even a club for that matter. I don't have a $5000 tri bike with $2000 wheels.  Most of my training is trial and error with what I read online. I qualified for this event because I podiumed and landed in the top 10% of my age group at a small local triathlon.  I never figured I would do any race that requires anything more than me paying a registration fee.  Things like Boston, Kona, and AG Nationals are way beyond my reach..right?

So what I am trying to say it, I think I am way out of my league here!  Now, that may very well be, but I am a positive thinking person and deciding to take this as the privilege that it truly is, to race among the best and top age group athletes in the Nation.   This is the same race that qualifies people for World's and the Olympic team on Team USA.  But, I know that I can't expect to be first out of the water, or among them, like I am at most local races.  I am going to have my butt handed to me, no doubt about it. I am going into it with realistic expectations to do my best.  From what I have read, this could be a good course for a PR.  It is pretty flat, and fast from what I have read.  So, that is my goal for both this and IMTX.  Just do my best.  That's all I can ask for.  And, I thoroughly look forward to seeing some serious bike porn while there :)

So in the meantime, Happy Racing and Training....and stay away from Google!