HOW I CALM MY NERVES ON THE START LINE

READER RICK ASKED HOW I CALM MY NERVES on raceday. I gave it no thought, just riffed on what I do...
... during those final moments before the gun goes off.
I shared it with Surfergirl,
she had a very different take.
My riff was about gratitude...
- for being on the line
- having the luxury to race
- the health and stamina necessary
... all while my eyes are closed.
A private moment of silence.
The importance of knowing I'd done all I could do.
It is time to go for it, and let the chips fall where they may.
Winning is nice,
knowing I'd left it all on the course is better.
She looked at me and said..
... I thought you just like to get pissed off?!
Oh, that, too.
TBH, the angst is often...
- training alone
- warming up for the race
- maybe a dis that got back to me
.... she's right, there's always something to fire me up.
Then, the aforementioned calm before the flag drops.
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160.6
8 hrs sleep
No strength work
10 minutes recovery
60 minutes reading + Journaling
74 (fitness per training peaks)
30 min vision therapy