Bear alert!

We all look forward to our holidays.  Usually we arrive there frazzled but some rest, relaxation and sun does the trick.  It was all going so well till I started to get a sore throat.  Training stopped as it went through the normal stages of a cold.  I’ve been struggling since returning but am hoping the “green lurgy” will disappear next week but I haven’t ran once in 10 days which isn’t good.
There are 9 weeks to go before my 65km ultra and although I may have accomplished 115 km 2 months ago, it’s still a very significant distance.  And I was aiming to push it i.e. see just how fast I could complete it in, even if it meant “blowing up” in the race.  It’s still my intention on doing that but I’ve a tough 9 weeks ahead to get ready in time.
While not being able to train I’ve been looking at my “A race” next year which I hope will be the Tahoe 200 - it’s subject to planning the family holidays.  It’s a 205 mile non-stop race climbing 40,000 ft over 4 days.  If you sleep the clock doesn’t stop.  I read a race report this morning that clearly outlined the challenges; altitude, impact on quads and knees, shredded feet, navigation, sleep deprivation, hallucinations, bears (yes bloody bears!) plus the 205 miles.  Sounds like an amazing challenge that will take a year to prepare for it (Sept 2019) and quite different from any challenge so far.  However at feed stations they serve cheese burgers and beer so what’s not to like?
I wouldn’t normally be looking at the detail of my next race but as I’m laid low there’s not much else to do.  But this week the focus will return to the task of my 65km ultra.  It’s going to require my full attention and every effort will be made to deliver the best result possible.  At least there won’t be any bears to worry about!