Whilst my body recovers from the recent exertions, I cast my mind back to the race, and thought more of the psychological race than the physical. The chimp book provides some insight, but although I agree in part, I don't have the time to create a new thought process. What I try to do, is eliminate some of the possible variables, and create a plan for when it doesn't quite go right, shit does happen, so when it does, how can you stop it from wrecking your well earned and invested training time.
As they say it is never over until the fat lady sings, if you have time, can you realistically finish the race within the cut offs, if not, what benefit can you get. Do you push on, or stop and save your energy. A long distance race is not cheap, but the training for it is fitness in the bank for next time. If it goes wrong, what will your exit strategy be, to make you less upset, and seek positives ?
I forget where I read it, but, some thought process I use, and try to instil in my trainees at work is " to forget the IF it happens, then I will do this", but concentrate on " WHEN it happens, THEN, I will do this ", the first saying allows you to be too relaxed in your preparation, so when it goes wrong, the resultant reaction is slow, but, the second saying, allows preparation for the reaction to be instinctive, the mind not having time to think.
As they say, perfect planning, prevents piss poor performance. You cannot work out every conceivable variable, but, working on enough to ensure if it does go rapidly downhill, you can compensate in some way. There were just under 65 DNFs at IMAUS, some were obvious, bike crash, ambulance pickup at the side of the road for some on the run course, is the bike crash due to a third party or bad handling, the collapse on the run course due to a catastrophic drop in body functions, or not paying attention to slight deviations in the norm, whilst one can appreciate that trying to get a place at Kona may be the goal, and the ones pushing for a qualifying time may push beyond what the body can take, maybe it is sense and sensibility taking over with my thought process these days, that stops me from doing stupid things. For those that intend doing a long distance race that goes into the cooler night, handy hint would be to put a warm shirt in your special needs bag. The temperature drop at the race was quite quick when the sun went down, unlike IMCH, which stayed warm as darkness fell.
I would be interested in knowing other people's thoughts about their psychological battles on race day, and what strategies they use to cope.