A week out .....

……to live the dream, put it all together and finish the journey! From now to race day it gets tough mentally. Those probing questions from within begin, self doubt, the what ifs and have I done enough?

Looking back on my training diaries this past couple of month’s rate highly as one of my better efforts in recent years. I doubted that I was capable of maintaining a build up over such a long period; however after embarking on months of training I am happy with the journey so far in terms of the quality and volume. The pleasing factors are the running and the bike/run bricks.

I have made some alterations to my programme for the 3 weeks leading into the race to ensure that I will be well rested and raring to go. In previous years I tended to do too much in this critical time and got to the start line feeling flat and tired.

Coming to terms with the reduced training and resting is difficult. It is tempting to go out there and test the body but following the programme, cutting back and resting up will pay off. The body feels like it is shutting down and I’m feeling a little lethargic. It’s hard to not think that I’m losing it and the need or desire to go out and test myself.

Two weeks ago I did a “dry run” over 150 km ride and a 14 km run. This included testing everything from nutrition, clothes, water bottles, bike set up, right down to the socks for the day and whether I change them at T2. This session gave a good a benchmark of where I am at. It also provided me with some confidence. From now on there is not a lot to do in terms of equipment or clothing its all sorted. There is a big temptation in the couple of weeks before a race to start changing and altering things.

The excitment is starting to build and I'm looking forward to a great day. All that remains is to put the plan into action and acheive the target times.

Three weeks out ...

With three weeks left the training is going according to plan. This last week has been pretty similar to previous weeks, with 11 sessions - 4 swims, 3 bikes and 4 running. Totaling up the time at the end of the week showed that it was dominated by running. 3 hours, a 2 hour plus and two 1 hour plus run sessions. Somewhere around 75kms for the week. The bike took a bit of a back seat this week, although the previous week had included a 6 and a half hour ride and Saturday's brick was over a reasonable distance. The indoor trainer sessions for the week included a couple of high intensity work outs, built around pyramids, off the bike exercises and some fun with the one legged exercises. Yeah right. Anyone who has tried the one legged exercise knows how hard it is! But it sorts out the technique, is a great for strength and a real mental test.
Saturday's brick was a bit of a blow out done over a 60 km circuit close to home. A decent road surface with little or no wind on an undulating course with a couple of steady climbs. Two and half laps gave me 145 km and then straight into a 1 hour plus run. Felt pretty comfortable getting off the bike and got into a reasonable rhythm and managed to keep the form tidy. The only down side has been the heat and humidity. Recovered pretty well and got into a 2 hour plus run on Sunday again in the stinking hot humid weather. Just a quick update but with three weeks to go its time to start thinking about winding down the big miles, tapering, resting up and putting it all together on the day!