The amount of training is taking its toll now, we’re finding it hard to do much else and we’ll soon be resigned to nothing but the essentials. The office decorations are coming along very slowly and we definitely won’t be undertaking any more DIY until after June.
I can see muscles growing now, I think I look like Popeye but Carsten insists I’m still more Olive Oil…
People think we’re a bit mad doing this, but that’s the point, it is a bit bonkers…if I think about it seriously it scares the life out of me…but then there’s the chance that I might just pull it off. I think and speak in positive terms but inside I know there’s a real chance I won’t make it. A bad training session allows the negative gremlins in the back of my head to take over and fear of failure creeps in, but I fight it back quickly. I’m putting a lot of faith in the training plan, I convince myself if I follow the plan I’ll be alright. But I still don’t think I’m fast enough. The day I can write a blog and know I can do it I’ll be very happy….watch this space.
I’ve stolen a quote from a cycling club buddy, she’s done two ironman races….”when your mind says give up, hope whispers one more try”.
So this week’s cycle was 4 hours followed by half hour run, we’d decided to skip the run as we had limited time but headed off looking forward to the cycle. Carsten watched the weather report and apparently it wasn’t going to rain over here. So off we set on the posh summer bikes. Cycled to my clubs meeting point so we knew our way there, from then on we tried to follow a Garmin route, alas not very successfully, “off course” were the words of the day and patience was wearing thin, not helped by the downpour of rain, so much for the weather report. But we managed to make a course of our own and it used up enough time so we cycled back towards home a bit wet and cold but still feeling good. The rain eased up which was nice but our bodies and bikes were still being caked in spray, we looked more like off roaders. Not far from home the inevitable happened and Carsten got a puncture, our summer bikes have old back tyres on them as we use them for turboing….not a good choice for wet roads full of splints. I managed to say my second “told you so” for the day and we set about changing the inner tube, well Carsten did, I just watched and held on to things. It was a disaster….we tried two tubes with gas and hand pumps but couldn’t get the air to stay in the tyre. It got a bit ridiculous and we ran out of ideas, so I had to cycle home, get the car and go back and get Carsten and his bike.
On a positive note eating on the bike has improved. Top tube bags and small chunks of bars are working well, though I have space issues with the food bag and Garmin computer fighting for poll position. Most people seem to find a favourite bar and stick to that but we like variety and go for the smorgasbord approach.
----------------------------------------------------------It feels as if we are further than half way as the last month has a fair number of events in it plus we tapper down, but then I look at some of the future training sessions and I don’t feel half way at all. I think it’s around week 23 or 24 when our long cycle consists of 6hrs on the bike followed by a 2hr run, and the long run consists of a 2hr bike ride followed by a 3hr run! I’m looking forward to getting there and being able to do it but at the same time can’t quite believe it … self doubt creeping in. Reading the ironman books and getting advice, apparently a third of the race preparation is mental; it’s about being in the right frame of mind, being mentally strong and positive.
I’ll add a little bit about our cycle too … I know I can mend a puncture, and I definitely know I can replace an inner tube but for the love of God could I do it on our cycle! Talk about frustrating, and as Melanie said a little worrying too, what if it happens on race day? Hopefully it was because we couldn’t get a proper seal around the valve due to our bike rims being deep, and I’m sure … no, I’m certain it is something we can sort out soon.
We went to the Triathlon expo at Sandown race course today. I spent too much money but got a well needed new wetsuit, an Orca Sonar that I just know will make me swim all that much faster! I also bought a few more compression bits and pieces (socks and quad sleeves that are meant to enhance performance and promote recovery, and it does actually feel as if they do). Apart from the wetsuit the best buy has to be a baseball cap - one with the Ironman logo etc, a bit premature maybe but definitely something to wear on the day.
Back to training tomorrow, positive thoughts …
