Well folks, it’s here. I am within the one week window to Ironman Arizona and the nerves are here. The good side is that I am confident that once I am out in Tempe, I will be cool and calm and ready to face the day. The downside is that it means the next couple days are a little stressful, mainly because of one thing: packing.
Now, let’s look at the facts. This is my fourth Ironman. I have also traveled to several other large triathlons in the past few years. I am, by all definitions, a routine machine. I know exactly what needs to go, how it goes into each bag, and how to carefully pile them on top of me as I walk through the airport in a few days. But, it’s not so easy. Despite knowing everything I need – and having packed all of the neccessities last weekend – I have a classic case of over-packing syndrome. What if it rains during the morning? What if it rains in the evening? What if it blizzards? What if we go to a nice dinner? What if I want to get my nails done and need flip flops? What if I need to walk around for awhile and need sneakers, but not the sneakers I’d run in for the race – you know, like, cute-walkable-make people wonder if I’m going to do the Ironman because a girl wearing shoes that damn cute cannot also be an athlete-sneakers?
All of these questions haunt me until the moment I sit down on the plane. I’ll be sitting at work….thinking about work….planes…excel….codes…..data…..STRAPLESS BRA! Yes, I need to pack my best strapless bra for that one shirt that I might wear if we go to a restaurant between the hours of 5-7:15 where we might sit outside but it will still be a warm enough to wear that shirt with some nice shorts and my sandals.
A few hours later….more data….emails…..oh look someone brought twizzlers today….multiplication….ZIPLOCK BAGS. Definitely, need ziplocks.
This goes on all day, and mostly all night. I sleep with a pencil and paper next to my bed in case I wake up in a panic because I forgot to pack…..oatmeal? Ha. I also “lost” Amelia for a few minutes this evening and managed to convince myself that I had accidently packed her inside my bike box. Clearly, I am losing it. Carly got to witness this insanity.
In a couple days I will be watching the sun set behind “A” mountain in Tempe. But until then I apologize for everyone who has to deal with this crazy girl 🙂
One thing I can most certainly promise: we will not be going to any “nice” dinners. It’s Tempe.
GOOD LUCK ALYSSA! Love the pre-race nerves! It’s a good thing! Means you care. And I do the same thing about packing…which did me a lot of good on my current work trip – totally forgot my work shoes!!! Good thing I packed those “cute” sneakers! Can’t wait to watch you race!!!!
Easily.
YES the insanity is here, but so is the excitement!! Can’t wait to hear all about it, go out and cruuuuush people!!
I can relate to much to your thinking, and the exact same things happen to me! YOU WILL DO AWESEOME! I can’t wait to hear you met your goal! GO TEAM ALYSSA!