Sunday 28 February 2016

Mind the gap

It's been a great weeks training.  I got the all clear on Monday on my hamstring and on Tuesday I did my first strength session and run in 3 weeks.  The strength session was tough and I certainly felt the effect of the lay off over the next couple of days.  But my run was amazing!  I ran 5km and felt like I was running on air - I even managed a fast time which wasn't my objective.  A 10 k run on Thurdsay and I knew my hamstring was "brand new"  or as one of my clubmates said a "refurb"!
My first swim was on Friday and no pull buoy - that was tough.  I had to work hard to compensate for not having the swimming aid but as it is unlikely to be a wetsuit IM then I need to be able to complete the distance without expending too much energy on the day.
Saturday brough a crisp sunny day.  I was scheduled for 3.5 hours cycling so went out on the club run.  It was so cold I had to borrow another pair of gloves.  My face ached with the cold but I pressed on and completed 92km.  I was also practising feeding on the bike and the xtra energy certainly helped.  While dodging pot holes, ice and crazy drivers I turned my thoughts to my race in 125 days time. My bike ride was half what I will be doing in IM, I'll have swam 2.4 miles and when I step off the bike I'll have 26.2 miles to run.
It's hard to image the improvement in my strength, stamina, fitness and endurance that will happen in the next 125 days.  The gap is large between where I am and where I need to be.  However I am on track with all my training with the exception of my running - but I'm confident that if I remain injury free I will be raring to go on the day as running is my strength.  My coach has got me in great shape and I know there is a lot of hard work ahead but I'm loving the journey.
So the week ended with a tough swim session today and another run.  I had been set a target pace and smashed it while feeling good - the refurbed hamstring it strong.  I've spent the rest of the day stuffing my face with food to replace the calories burned.  So I will mind the gap but not worry about what needs to happen to be ready for 3 July in Frankfurt.  The bar's set high and I aim to fly over it!