Show off runs (knowing the course)

Do you have that one run or bike course that you do so frequently you could do it with your eyes closed?  I have a run that I did this weekend that I do all the time for many reasons.  I leave right from my house so it saves time, I know it by heart and know when to give or take for optimal performance on this course, and for some reason it always makes me feel really strong, and it's one I do sans stroller and dog.  It's only 4 miles and if you haven't ran it before you aren't aware it's slightly downhill on the way out but as soon as you turn around and feel the uphill you realize.  I do this one when I can run alone because it's near traffic so I can't take the dog cause she goes nuts near cars but it means I get to run solo and go at my own pace not worrying about pee stops or spilled sippy cups.  When I happen to run it with a friend that is close to me in splits I usually do better but only because I know the course so well.  I always push myself on the way back too on the uphill part mostly because I want to get it done but also because I'm confident in the fact that I know exactly how hard I can push myself without dieing before the end. 

So with this little theory in mind you'd think that I would make sure that any time I do a triathlon I'd know the course.  At least drive it before hand or look at some course maps to know whats coming right?  Because based on this it would benefit me to know when I should take advantage of a downhill or when I should save some energy etc.  But no I usually prefer to go into a race blind, not know what's coming that way I can't dread it.  I've been taking that approach for more years than I'd like to admit.  Well, I think that I am changing my mind and approach!  Yes, you heard me right I am admitting I was wrong.  I usually sign up for races to keep me motivated to keep training and stay in shape.  But maybe if I try to change my mindset I could actually train to I don't know actually race a race?  :-)

Views from my ride

That being said I'm already going to contradict myself.  I'm signing up for an Olympic distance race at the end of June that I'm pretty sure I will be under trained for because I didn't officially start my training plan for it until this weekend.  When hubs finally found out he could watch the kiddo for me on the day of the race I had to decide do I sign up or sit it out due to lack of time to train?  I decided I'm going to sign up and just hope for the best.  Besides then I'll pick another sprint race to do right after and I'll be trained up for that one.  These days I have to take advantage of opportunities whenever they present themselves and it may not always be in the ideal situation but I make it work.  Kind of like people say if you wait until you can "afford" to have a baby you'd never have one!  Well if you wait until you have enough time to "train" I'd never race.  But I will take a look at the course and see what it holds for me and try to train accordingly.  I did get a nice solo run in this weekend and a ride on the actual road outdoors with sun and hills and all!  It was only 19 miles but that's a nice start to my training!  8 weeks and counting!

I started going to a master's swim group this morning at 5 am and hope to stick to it because there is just no other good time with pool schedules and work etc to get it in.  My plan is to go twice a week.  If I'm feeling really ambitious three times in one week might happen. 

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Just please please tell me waking up at 4:30 am gets easier!!!

How do you train?  Do you train specific to your course and do you know your race course by heart or do you just go for it?