Gator's Eve

The night before a race is always funny. Your only two goals are 1) make sure everything is ready to go, 2) don't get too anxious.

Then, when everything is packed and accounted for and you plop down on the couch, you start thinking about things. "In 10.5 hours I will be jumping into a lake and going after my first half-iron." From there, a million different scenarios influenced by a million different variables play out in your head. Before you know it, those eight hours of sleep suddenly relented to six... that is, if you can sleep.

The game plan is simple.

Swim
Take it easy, man. No need to worry about that front pack. Stay aerobic as much as possible and focus on technique. You'll have plenty of time to play later.

Bike
Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition. Stay on top of it. Take the first 20 easy. Pick it up on the next 20 if all pistons are firing correctly. Stay steady on the last 16, back off slightly and get ready for the run.

Run
Start out easy. Find those legs. Hydrate and gel. Build. Build more. If everything clicks, build some more. Bring it home on the last 5k.

And above all, have fun. Learn from the experience. Realize that you are lucky to be doing something amazing. You have incredible friends, family, and health. Use it.

After all, it's just another day in paradise.