At a friend's request, I participated in the COMBAT sprint on Saturday before this race on Monday. My coach (Jeff Booher) gave me strict instructions to keep my pace below threshold during this race, so that I would be fresh for Captex. His plan was flawless. There were times I wanted to chase the other competitors down (for ego sake) but I kept to the plan.
Jeff then gave me instructions for how to race the Captex and, being my first Oly, I got carried away. I never could find my form during the swim and by the time I exited the water, my heart-rate was way too high. The hills and wind were horrible on the bike. I kept repeating to myself that it was the same for everybody but I didn't listen to instinct nor my coach. I pushed higher than he wanted me to and by the time I got to the run, I was spent. I re-focused by using my time to encourage others and lift them up; it always helps prevent self-pity.
I blew up on my first Oly. I crossed the finish line, which is always something to be grateful for but I learned a valuable lesson. Stick to the plan! The Apostle Paul wrote these words in 1 Corinthians 4:6, “Do not go beyond what is written;” a warning not to exalt man’s plan above God’s. Spiritually speaking, God has prescribed the exact training regimen and race instructions in His word. When our ego gets the better of us and we think we know better than Him, we are going to pay a price. God is also full of grace and forgiveness. Physically, I will recover and refocus in preparation for the Redman HIM in September. Spiritually, I am given a second chance, yet again, to keep my life within His bounds.