Race Week - Day 3

Here we are, hump day of race week. Speaking as someone who is observing the process from the outside, I would say that the excitement is really starting to build around town. The local triathlon community is starting to hum. We are very much on the run down to race day now. Just a couple more days of the working week to go and then it is all on.

From my circle of friends the race buzz is just starting. There are more photos of Busselton on social media, more mentions of racing and tapering. Speaking to friends the tapers are really starting to kick in, the energy levels are improving. The jitters have started. The talk of 'I just want to get on with it' have begun.

For some people today was a day of travel, getting down to Busselton and making the race get very real, very quickly. For most people travel day is tomorrow and for some travel day is Friday. Whatever the case though, more and more minds will be turning to the idea of packing, checking and then double checking that things like helmets and bike shoes are in the bag. Starting to think more and more about race day.

Once they get there, the race venue will have started to take shape, setting up has probably already started and by tomorrow construction of the transition area and expo tents will well and truly be underway in preparation for official duties on Friday.

For me, once I saw that race village, that is when I knew it was on. Nothing quite like the little buzz you get when you first see the course, the transition areas, the Transition entry and exit, the Finishers Chute. When you see those sites you can help but visualise what will be happening at each of those locations on race day. All those feelings and others will be hitting people over the next couple of days as they settle into to Busselton.

For me I always used to like getting to race venues early. Wednesday was my favourite, but Thursday was more common. Being there a few days before the event really gives you a chance to settle in and get comfortable. You still get all the little jitters and buzzes when you see the race venue and course, but you have more time to get comfortable with them. I found being there a bit early really helped my nerves because I became a lot more relaxed in the venue. Everyone has their own process though and no matter when you get there, once you are there on Friday and Sunday with a couple of thousand other athletes you can't help but get a big rush.

Not long now, the countdown to race day is well and truly underway