Aargh, week 30 is here!!!!

Testing the new machine before making modifications and adjustments....
My 'borrowed' new black stealth bomber bike!!
Collecting my award for 'most stylish' at WBBC on Sunday

Well, there's no going back now - here it is, full taper this week, lots of sleep and constant anxiety!!

I have to fess up, I missed my last training sessions of last week for the World Belly boarding champs, and can't help feeling a bit guilty for this - there's no way to catch up with them now and not risk injury, so I have come up with a cunning plan! Do more bike and jig around to suit how I feel this week, luxury!!

Tuesday - I got up and had a great swim session, with my new clear Speedo speed sockets - so that I can see on race day!! I got in and swam - the water was cold, which is always a good sign - so much easier to swim than when it's warm! It still took me well over an hour - more like 1.5hrs to swim 3.5km, but I am okay with it now!!
The race swim is 2 loops of 1.2miles, with a short beach run inbetween - 300m out, 900m along the beach, 650m diagonally back in - an odd one, but I'm sure it'll be fine - as James pointed out, it's shorter stints against the current, so I won't be as tired (on my big swim it was knackering because the return was a relentless 1.2miles against the current). I didn't feel that tired after my pool swim, which is a good sign!

Tuesday pm was meant to be a 45min run, but at this point there's every chance I won't make it to the cut off - so I decided it's more worthwhile riding my bicycle, and as I have a new ride for the race I needed to take it for a spin to get used to it.
I took the 45min route as I call it, but in reality the first time in the dry it took me 49.59 and I felt like I was having a heart attack, I really pushed it hard! - on Tuesday in the wet and mega windy it took me 51.34 and I didn't feel strained at all, infact, nearly effortless! I was made up, a couple of minutes slower, but in rubbish conditions so no opportunity to go full tilt downhill with the buffeting wind and slippy roads.

I did this route again lastnight as part of my quick change session. It was getting dark by the time I headed out - so with lights on it seemed like a different ride! I pushed a bit harder, but still couldn't go full tilt on the downhills as on the first one I was silhouetted by the car following me.... by the second one, AG hill it was much darker and really drizzley - there was a fox in the middle of the road that I only saw at the last minute, so had to avoid him, then got a big fly in my eye, so could only see out of 1 eye for the rest of the ride. Still, I managed to get a PB on this route - 48.45 - which has pushed my average speed up to 13.8mph - much better than my usual 11.8 and makes my target 8.5hr ride achievable, woohoo!!!
The 3.5kgs lost by upgrading to Helen's lovely bike is such a difference - I have to remember this come race day and get some positive arrogance - I am going to NAIL IT!!!!!

It was really closed in and shitty by the time I got to run - only 15mins lastnight, so I did laps up and down the street outside - there's a small incline and meant I didn't have to worry about anything else - I managed 2 laps, which isn't much, but what is important is that I felt strong - a slight twinge in my knee, but overall great.

I a trying to fight the start of a cold and lots of niggling aches and pains this week, I think it's just my body going through everything it'll get on Sunday and winding up, or down, for the big day.

Anyway, more pics - Included me winning award for 'Most Stylish' at the World Belly board champs, as this is PMA for me - if I go out and enjoy it, it'll be a breeze!