Ironman 70.3 St. Pölten: A lesson in expectations

The season has begun in full and three weeks ago I pulled together a decent first race at Challenge Fuerteventura.  I had not put any expectations on that race because I was very unsure of where my fitness was.  To my surprise I was better than I expected. 

Now with 70.3 St. Pölten I had a very different mindset going in.  I knew I was in good shape and very excited to race.  Out on the course I was doing pretty much everything I could and mentally very happy how the day was going.  I knew my swim was not the best but it certainly felt better than a few weeks ago.  On the bike I was certain I had one of the top times, at least based on how fast I was going up the climbs.  And onto the run my legs were rolling better than ever before.  So it came a quite a shock how far back I finished to the winner after crossing the line. 

I had expectations before the race that with the fitness I had right then, and if I performed as I knew how to perform, I would surely finish within a few minutes of the winner and hopefully in the top 5.  But in reality I was far behind the winner.   It was a massive mental let down and frustrating to explain. 

Yes, there were many positive parts I can take away from the race, for example that my running is very strong now and the time was only 6 seconds slower than my best ever ½ marathon.  

So what lesson does this teach me?  Ironically its one I have learned before but had let the ‘heat of the moment’ blind me.  Expectations need to be kept to very distinct areas that are within your control.   My mistake in Austria was to let my good form build expectations that went into the area of results.  In reality I did a very good race for the fitness I have now and the speed my body allows.  But when I set expectations how that would compare to others, it was a recipe for disappointment even though I raced a very strong race. 

In three weeks I get another chance to do this a different way.  Ironman 70.3 Switzerland is another race I have had success at in the past and am very excited to race again.  I am certain I will be taking a different mental approach as well as a new level of fitness to the event.  

Looking forward to that day!