Envy

Feels good only having to update a couple of days' training. Had a good ride on Saturday all round the pretty Northamptonshire villages with Chris, Paul and Alice. We had been promised an Indian Summer but despite leaving at 11 and stopping for a while for a cream tea (clearly not into race simulation just yet!), the sun didn't appear once. In fact, it was pretty damp and gloomy. Did some cheeky hills here and there and think we did about 50 miles although difficult to tell as forgot to restart the Garmin at one point. Timewise, did an hour less than was on the programme for the week but I don't care. I'd sooner go out with friends for a shorter and suffer on the day, than spend 5 hours scared about cars not seeing me. I'm very lucky to have such supportive friends and family - while we were out, Mum and her friend, Marval, looked after Dora (and Gregor and Gabriel who were there too) and got back to a nice big slap-up dinner and X Factor (much to Chris's chagrin) and following the Ironman World Champs in Kona on the web/Twitter. Macca and Rinsta are just awesome. How quick were their run splits off the bike??? Both sub 3 and Mirinda sub 9 in 100 degree heat and serious crosswinds?! Also great race by Julie Dibens and our old team mate, Stu Anderson (who works full-time and put in. 9.17 and first GB age grouper performance). Had serious Kona envy. Never really occurred to me before as it's so out of my reach but how fabulous it must be to be caught up in that atmosphere.

Sunday, we travelled back home. Quick unpack and then it was out for the long run and finally the Indian Summer rocked up. Chris and Dora went on the bike and I ran and kept catching them up when they were feeding the ducks. Did about 12 miles in the end and in that heat, suffered a bit on the dehydration front. Going to have to get that cracked before Cozumel. Cannot afford to throw it away on the basics.

And so, to today and the other bit of my 'envy'. So, I've been thinking about pros a bit and how fantastic their lifestyles must be (as well as tough, emotional and frustrating at times). But pain and hard work aside, I bet their rest days do what it says on the tin. Mine started today at 5.30am, involved a nursery run, spent most of the day writing a speech and a PowerPoint for one of my bosses, did the weekly shop, cooked dinner, put Dora to bed, did washing and ironing and am now sitting down absolutely dog tired. Rest? What's that?

Hey ho. time to stop moaning, get to bed and get ready to start the merry-go-round again tomorrow. : )


Zzzzzzzzzzzzz