Cadence Kona Challenge, Day 1

Tonight, I learned what a 'field test' is. I'm going to have to cycle as hard as I can for 20 minutes, and then run as far as I can in 12 minutes. They're going to have us hooked up to a Computrainer that will let us race against each other and see our wattage, mph, etc.

I don't have any idea what I'll do on the bike (wattage? what's wattage? what's power?), but I'm hoping to run at least 1.6m.

They keep saying they're not looking for the 6 fastest people, but instead people with potential that have good human interest stories. I'm not above smiling for the camera, so I'll just be as personable as possible and do my best during the race.

My wave doesn't start until 1:15, so I'm going to go to the group run tomorrow morning and run a few easy miles before heading into the city, just to loosen up. Then, I'll compete and afterwards find out 'my numbers'. (Regardless, I'll come out of this knowing more about myself as an athlete, so that's pretty cool in and of itself.) Afterwards, I'm hoping to go to Central Park to get some more miles in. (Philly is now only a month away; I can't really afford to lose another weekend.) And then at 5PM, it's verdict-time, and I'll see if I'm one of the chosen ones. It was pretty cool being there; video cameras, all-star judges, food and champagne...we were definitely treated well.

Tomorrow night, I might go to a really cool show that people pay thousands of dollars to see, and get turned away for not being dressed well enough...cause yeah, I've got connections. Of course if I advance I'll come home and get a good night's sleep instead, but if I don't...it might be just what I need.

I used to get pierced after flute auditions; I think I'm over that, but there is still a definite need for stress release after intense competition. Going out with some friends might just suffice.

You know, I do get nervous for this stuff, but not nearly as nervous as I used to get for flute auditions. And the cool thing is that I don't get as nervous for flute stuff anymore either. I don't think I've 'used up' all my nerves or anything, but I think that I've just gotten so much better at handling them, through both athletic and musical experience. I really think that it's the combination of dealing with the different types of performance stress and nerves that has helped. It's pretty neat to see the two main aspects of my life so clearly working in conjunction.

And so without further babbling, here are some pics of the gear they gave us. A Zoot Race Kit and Cadence Kona shirt, complete with Suunto Heart Rate monitor watch...