I am heading off to Burlington, Vermont later this week to race in the USAT Short Course National Championships.  It has been awhile since I raced Nationals – since 07 in Portland.  I was on my way in 08 to Portland again but that was the year I was hit in my car and it totaled my car (the driver was texting).  I am very excited to be going to Nationals this year and be in a position to race in shape and feeling GOOD.

I love LOVE short course racing.  In fact, I this it is the bread and butter of our sport.  It keeps me fresh, excited and most importantly:  honest.

See, Nationals is no joke. It is an opportunity for the best age group athletes in the country to come together – and race head to head.  And, to me, that is all I want.  I have raced a LOT and sometimes people ask me, “Why Nationals?” when we have a ton of fun, local races here.  And my answer:  To race the best in the country in my 40-44 Age group.

Honestly, I just want ALL the top 40-44 girls to show up, on the same day, on the same course and hammer it out to see who is the fastest that day.  I crave that competition and trying to raise myself up to that level.  The Midwest is not short of talented 40-44 year olds that is for sure….and many I am lucky enough to coach..but at the end of the day, it is me versus the top 40-44 girls and I am excited to have that chance to suffer.

I woke up this morning a little nervous actually.  And, all year, I have not been nervous at all.  I have been challenged but for my Age Group, I want something bigger.   And, Saturday I will get what I have asked for!  Last year Susan Wiliams won the race and my AG.  If you do not know who Susan Williams is, Google 2004 Olympics.  I have not looked at the start list.  The ONLY person I know who is going is my friend Mary Bradbury, who I am hoping to see in the swim at some level!!

For this training cycle – to peak for Nationals I have been:

• Focused
• Eating well:  This means eating healthy but enough to fuel my workouts and help me recover.
• Be at what I think is my ideal race weight – NOT too light or too heavy
• Sleeping 8+ hours/night
• Mentally sharp, positive and visualizing my race on Saturday
• Doing my exact workouts – not more/not less – and being PRESENT for every workout
• Reducing stress
• Recovering like a champ

On Saturday Elizabeth and I did one of our crazy trainer/track repeats together.  We had a good time and both ran and rode way faster than we both thought we would do.  It was a great confidence boost and workout the weekend before Nationals!

The great Spencer Smith used to tell me, “Jen, when the flag drops the shit stops.”

When I show up on the start line at Nationals on Sunday, I will be as prepared as I can be.  And, I will be ready.  I will race my guts out and have no regrets.  And, let the cards fall where they may…but it will only be MY fault if I do not race well.  All the preparation has been ideal.  No excuses, just hard core and fast racing!

And, an opportunity to race the best in the country at short course — when I am at my best for 41 years old.  I can’t ask for much more and I will shred myself apart to hit my goals.

Well, maybe the only thing I would ask for is NOT to always put the 40-44 women LAST….it has been a hard adjustment to me as I turned 40 — it is like all of a sudden, BAM, in the back…but, I digress..