“Visualization and Affirmation” - these were the words that northern Virginia triathlete and Olympic hopeful Margie Shapiro shared with me a few weeks ago in an email. These two words are the key to my 8:29 race at the Quelle Challenge in Roth, German - 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run.

Visualization: I think about Roth every day. I play through the race in my mind. I did the race in 2005 and 2006 so am familiar with the course and the experience. I know what to expect.

Affirmation: I will swim under 54 minutes. I will bike under 4:40. I will run a 2:50 marathon. At face value, my race is very simple - hit my time goals. Each time goal by itself is not extraordinary but all together, they become something special. When I line up at the swim start line behind Chris McCormack and Thomas Hellriegel, I will be in the best Ironman-shape of my life. My coach, top German pro Olaf Sabastchus, has guided me towards this race since last July. I will also be racing with the best possible equipment - a Quintana Roo Superfull wetsuit, QR Lucero bike, DeSoto shorts / race top, Zipp disk wheel, aero helmet, etc. However, my mind is what will make the difference between a “sub-9:00″ and a “sub-8:30.” My mind will be sharper and more focused than ever.

Why 8:29? I admit that it’s an arbitrary number, but I need to aim at a seemingly impossible goal. I’ve already hit “sub-9:00″ so I need to chase something more difficult.

My race number for Roth is 34 but my goal time will likely put me top 10. Am I being unrealistic? Perhaps. However, I believe that I can and will do this. I have no doubts.

To quote Metallica: “Nothing else matters.”

David

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David B. Glover
Experiential Writer, Elite Athlete, Coach and Race Director
Author of Full Time and Sub-Nine
Personal Web: www.davidglover.net
Business Web: www.enduranceworks.net

©2007 David B. Glover