Week 23 saw me being very tired after my Half Ironman attempt. I had felt pretty strong really considering while doing it, but then you're always going to be tired afterwards. I quite revelled in having an easy swim, then another on Thursday - we overslept so only ended up with about an hour to swim - I had a leisurely 64length swim (1mile) in 36minutes and generally felt pretty good. On Friday I had a 1.15hr run to fit in - so found a lovely, if slightly busy route towards bigbury and back along the road.
On Saturday I was scheduled for the longest ride so far - 5hrs, with a 45min run afterwards. I wanted to aim high and do a route up onto the moor via Buckfast and Princetown, but I got as far as Venford res in 2 hrs and realised I had left it a bit late to head across the moor. (I have vowed to do that this weekend with James in support vehicle!) Thus, I ended up only having a 4hr 15min ride, before heading out for a 45min run along the valley road - so after the initial lump, its pretty flat until about 25mins in. Overall I felt okay considering, and on Sunday headed out for 45min bike, followed by 2hr run - I found James' new bridlepath, which is great, and found some new tracks to link up when we get finally get back on our mountainbikes. I saw a giant ferret too!
Week 24 started fabulously, my swim session was great - the pool was quite cool when we got in - perfect for swimming faster! I swam the whole 3.5km and felt great doing it, even swimming at the same pace as James for alot of the time. Then on Tuesday evening we had a great run - James is tapering now so joins me for shorter sessions, then I continue alone! 1.15 and I still felt okay.
Tuesday evening I had a bit of a late one with work and bam - now I am feeling it. I felt exhausted all day yesterday so was not really looking forward to coming home and doing a QC session, I nearly didn't do it at all. I had to give myself a talking to - I haven't come all this way to opt out just because I am tired - and besides, on race day I'll be tired for the entire day and will still have to keep on. Due to the risk of injury when tired, I made a compromise, and had a slightly shorter session instead - 45mins low intensity bike, followed by a 15min uphill run and a slow jog and run home.... I figured this was better than doing nothing as I really needed the fresh air and I found a great spot for a summer evening picnic for watching the sunset.
So, on to this morning's swim - I could not wake up at all, so you can imagine that this was not going to be very succesful - the water was really warm, which is not very swim friendly and my left shoulder has decided to give me some pain. I managed a very slow 64lengths in about 45mins before conceding to the clock - James had to get to work! After James dropped me home, I had a recovery shake and took myself back to bed for a couple of hours. Luckily I can do that, but I really needed it. I still don't feel amazing now and have to face up to an 1.5hr ride, I think another easy one is called for.
Tomorrow I have a 1/5hr run, but I am quite excited about this as have looked on a map and can see how to link up loads of bridleways.
I am really not nervous about the race at all - I think it'll be one of those things that will just happen and it'll hit me once I finish exactly what a tough journey this has been! Between now and then James has Norseman next weekend, so I will have a new training ground for a few days - fjord swimming and running in some stunning scenery, can't wait!
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