5 days and counting....

I realized I haven't updated much on my ankle - been busy these last 2 weeks.  The first week after I hurt my ankle I thought it was healing pretty well - I could walk on it with out much of a limp.  Then about 7 days in - holy hell.  I had pressed it the wrong way getting up one day and pretty much had to start all over again.  The swelling came back - couldn't put all my weight on it, etc.  Now it's about 2-1/2 weeks after the initial fall and it feels pretty good.  I got a compression wrap to wear and that helps a lot.  It just feels more secure.  I've ridden the bike, gone running and swimming and it feels pretty good.  Aches for a while afterwards, but feels ok during the actual activity.  So I'm sure it will be fine for the race - however, I'll still wear the wrap for the bike and the run portions. 

My final swimming lesson is tonight - they have helped a lot and I've learned some great tips and things to work on.  I've been promised a whole lane tonight - so far I've just been working in about 5-6 meters, flipping, breathing, etc. and have only swum lanes on my own.  I'm having issues with the 3rd/4th breath while I swim and at that point I flip over because I'm not getting good air.  I'm hoping to correct that and get better.  If not, well - then I'll just do more flipping during the race and that's ok too. 

The race is Sunday.  If the water temperature is below 84 degrees, they will allow me to wear a wet suit which will provide me with more buoyancy, and I'll only have to focus on forward movement.  I'll get done faster, but won't be eligible for finishing prizes.  That's ok - I'm a ways off from that.....
While I will feel more comfortable during the actual swim - I'll be a bit anxious about getting the damn thing off during the transition.

My friend Anne (aka Debbie Downer) has told me that she thinks the water temp will be warmer than 84 because we've had such a long warm spring/summer.  (That's ok Anne....I still love ya. Little does she know I'll be attaching a rope to her ankles so she can pull me along....)  No anxiety about the transition without the wet suit.....now just the water.  Which I'll be fine anyway - just will take longer. 

Here's my expected finishing time for each portion......
Swim - 30 minutes
Transition to bike - 4 minutes
Bike - 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes
Transition to run - 2 minutes
Run - 30-35 minutes

My starting time is 8:15....so I should be done around 10:15-10:30 depending on how much my ankle yells at me for doing all 3 at the same time.  I'm really upset that I hurt my ankle at all.  I mean I was only worried about the swim - I felt totally comfortable with the bike and run portion.  Now, it's my ankle that makes me think those parts will take longer - well, on the run anyway.  And that last leg was going to be my favorite part.  Well, maybe "favorite" is too strong of a word - but it was the part that I knew the best.  I know what I will feel like, I KNOW that I can do that portion well, I know how to calm my mind and body down when it's telling me to stop.  I'm getting there on the bike....I'm more comfortable with it, and I know what my body feels like on a long ride, and how I can get it to just give a little more without stopping.  That "override the brain" feature is what I'm missing in the swim.  My head says "What are you doing!?  You can't do this!  Flip over and grab on to something!"  I remember those thoughts going through my head when I first started running too.  It'll come.  I'm just not sure I enjoy swimming enough to keep trying.