The cold from hell is now (touch wood) on the way out. It was a horrible one. Not bad enough to force me to take to my bed (although probably would have recovered quicker if I had) but still a nasty lingerer with a cough to rival that of a 6O-a-day smoker.
As I mentioned in my quick update, I had 4 rest days and then couldn't stand the guilt so got back on the horse last Friday. On the Saturday, I cut the planned 2.5 hour run down as I really wasn't that well but still managed 9 miles in a reasonable time. Paid for it on Sunday, however, when I went out on the Kingfisher ride. Just didn't have anything in my legs and, as most have or are training for Sprint and Olympic, I found the pace really hard-going. Didn't get dropped but just struggled. Rather than carry on with the extra couple of hours afterwards, I decided to call it a day and go home : (
This week was a bit of an improvement and even managed a swim which has been pretty neglected in the last couple of weeks. Have done quite a lot of turboing as Chris has been away and even dusted off the treadmill on Friday to do a brick. Brought back memories of last Winter and the garage wall, which became such a focal point back then, still looked exactly the same. As I was running, I started to think about life after Ironman. Have so many jobs that have been neglected in the last 15 months and the major one is sorting out the garage. We'd give Steptoe a run for his money at the moment!
Did longest run of the training programme today. 16.5 miles. Was OK although cold still hanging around a bit and I couldn't carry enough liquid or gels so the last hour was pretty grim.
Spend a lot of the time worrying that I haven't done enough training and today was no exception. In fact, seem to be spending an inordinate amount of time thinking about 4 weeks tomorrow. Part of me can't wait to get on with it but part of me gets engulfed in fear of the unknown. Have even started dreaming about it now and usually it's something like missing the start or something.
I picked up Don Fink this week to start looking at checklists etc and happened upon a page about fear. Think it's pretty apt this week. It basically said that there are only 2 types of fear: fear of death/injury and fear of embarrassment. I thought about it and there's nothing I can do about the first one. If it happens, it happens. For the second one, there isn't really any need to fear the embarrassment. Succeed or fail on 28 November, this journey has been a very positive experience in so many ways and my family and friends and especially my little girl will be proud of me, whatever happens.
Right, need to get my weary legs to bed. Not only did I run 16+ miles today but have spent all evening going up and down stairs putting Dora back in her big girl's bed!
3 comments:
You would, I reckon be unwise not to consider these thoughts. It is a damn sure sign that you are mentally preparing for the race, and makes no bones about it, you will be in the majority thinking through things as you are.
The fear of the unknown is, I believe, a great way to approach something like an IM race. Your 'worries' are only you readying yourself.
Also, FYI, I chose to go from super sprint races straight to 70.3 at Wimbleball, and boy that was the fear of the unknown!
YOU WILL ROCK.
Hear hear. I am immensely proud of you now. To get back training after you bike accident and cope with missing IM Austria and watch everyone else finish. And to keep on with ALL that training whilst managing to work full time with a 2 year old. You are awesome Xx
Ah thanks Jason and anonymous whoever you are (although think I can guess!).
It's encouragement like that that reminds me what an achievement this will be xx
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