Remembering the Basics

With Chris back in the fold - fresh with 2 broken ribs from a fall that, remarkably, had nothing to do with ale - it meant an early start on Saturday morning to the open water lake. I thought I would see if I could do 2 laps and when I got in, it felt much more bearable than last week. So, managed the 2 laps I wanted totalling 3k which is the longest open water swim ever. I was really chuffed and probably so chuffed I wasn't entirely thinking straight.

We got home and packed up ready for Essex and then grabbed a couple of cups of coffee and a sandwich in the car. Got to Jona and Susan's, had another coffee and Jona and I headed out for our run. It was a beautiful afternoon but deceptively hot and found the hills slightly testing (check out the run hill profile!).


We soon got into our stride and gas-bagging and pretty soon 2 hours were done.

Hosed the legs down in the garden with cold water and then had a shower. The moment I got out the shower, I felt weird. Dizzy and then stomach cramps. Chris was pressing me to eat and drink water but I felt so odd, I didn't even want that. It got much worse and I spent practically the next 3 hours doubled up in pain or feeling like I was going to pass out. All very gutting as Jona and Susan had laid on a lovely barbecue and they were all scoffing away and drinking beers and wine. Eventually about 9pm managed a little bit to eat before an early night. The others were still going strong at 3.30am (Jona not included) and Dora was a bit restless so consequently didn't rest as much as I could have done.

Still felt a bit rank when I got up at 6.20 and with Chris and Susan still sleeping, Jona and I delayed the ride and watched our fair share of Hannah's Helpline, Tweenies etc before sneaking on the London Marathon!

When everyone was up and Dora back napping, we headed out for a ride. It was supposed to be 4 hours but we cut it down to just under 2.5 as time was getting on and I still didn't know if I was 100%. Felt all right out there which is just as well as those cheeky Essex hills never really let me relax!

Thankfully it's a rest day today and I have been rehydrating constantly and had only one coffee. Still have a sluggish headache so clearly my schoolgirl error on Saturday has affected me significantly. I still can't believe that with all my years of training, I forgot such crucial basics and ran in the heat with no food in my stomach and gallons of coffee and no water or electrolyte in my system. All this despite my post not a week ago where I said I had learned my lesson. Well, this time I really have. Lying there on Saturday, I was seriously contemplating sacking the Ironman. I felt so odd and disorientated and could feel my heart fluttering in my chest. Really thought that this whole thing was too unnatural for the human body. However, in the clear light of day, I think that's an overreaction. I just need to listen to my body and be absolutely rigid about my nutrition and hydration, not to mention rest (also sadly lacking last week).

So, there ends Week 20 and the final week of the Build Phase. From now on, we move into the Peak Phase which is 7 hard weeks, plus 3 weeks of taper and then the race. All getting so very, very close now. Watched some Ironman Austria footage on You Tube last night and got shivers down my spine - fear and excitement combined!

YouTube - Kaernten Ironman Austria 2009 - best of Clip