Cranky? It's normal!!

For some folks, the week before a major race brings with it a bout of crankiness / moodiness.

It's a VERY common thing. Triathlons are very emotional things in general, you're pushing your body and your mind into new territory. No matter what your experience level, there is always a sense of "I wish I had one more week to train", or a fear that you just haven't gained enough ground in one of the three disciplines. Often there is a frustrated sense of prolonged anticipation, almost as if it were Christmas Eve...but for a whole month. Your race is all you can see, think, dream about -- and even you are getting a bit tired of it!

So if you find yourself cranky, moody or grumpy - don't struggle with it, don't fight it, don't spend a lot of energy trying to figure out why - just roll with it. Let it wash over, and through you. It's just your body's way of dealing with the increased intensity of your training and the anxiety of knowing that your race is a little over a week away. Relax, and let it happen.

The best way to manage through it is to visualize dealing with an extremely over-tired 2 year old. Yup, you guessed it - you can't really manage an over-tired 2 year old. The best you can do is to manage the situation that the 2 year old is in -- and take steps to prevent the 2 year old from becoming over-tired in the first place! Same thing with your triathlon moods.

Below are a few ideas and thoughts that will help to save your sanity (and therefore sanity of your loved ones) during the final week to 10 days before the big race:

1. Give yourself some extra "quiet" time - cut down on your social and work-related committments

2. Make sure that you're "banking" sleep this week and next (lights out at 10pm)

3. Focus on eating well (protein, carbs, the right portions)

4. Explain to the folks around you that your race is coming up - and that your a little hyper-focused on it (as a way of asking for some space, or even forgiveness depending on just how bad your pre-race crankies are!)

5. Get a massage (but no later than 5 days before the race, you don't want to massage any sooner to a race)

6. Put the TV and electronics away. Sounds crazy, but find a peaceful place and open up a book. Reading is one of the best ways to get your body calm, centered. TV, computer and music often "over-stimulates" your brain..which is exactly what you DON'T need right now

7. Go for a swim, or a run outside - but leave the heart rate monitor /watch off. Get yourself outdoors and let nature apply her magic. Instead of focusing on your RPE or heart rate levels, look at the sun bouncing across the pool and smell the fresh air. Don't think about form or function, just enjoy the feeling of moving through the air. Remember why you started doing triathlons and focus on having fun again!

And most of all...give yourself a break. :-)

You're about to go do an amazing thing, and you are READY! You've done the training, you've worked really hard. Have faith in yourself and in your training. It's going to be a GREAT!