The dawn chorus

I love this time of year.  Every morning I am woken by the dawn chorus of the birds singing their hearts out.  Some people might not like being woken before 4am but it tells me it’s summertime.  The early day light helps me get in a good run before work and the mileage is building back up.
With work and training I had 4x 5am starts this week and with the increase in the training it’s fair to say I’m tired and glad tomorrow is a day off training.
The week has had the usual mix of recover runs, heart rate runs and tempo runs.  I was back in the swimming pool on Friday having been absent for over 6 weeks.  It’s like starting all over again except you pals are 6 weeks fitter and 6 weeks faster but I’d prepared my head for this before going in the water.  I’m in there to take the strain off my legs from running while getting fitter, not to become an amazing swimmer.
Saturday’s run was 21 km with my pals.  I was told to take water and gels and ignored the advice.  As a result the last 5km were exceptionally tough - note to self, do what your coach tells you!  Later on in the day we were out socialising.  A late lunch  stretched on and this was followed by a poor nights sleep.  Not good preparation for my 16km run today which was always going to be tough following yesterdays exercise and excesses!  This time I took water and gels and was grateful for it.
Once again I had company which makes all the difference when you know it going to be tough.  The pace target was 5:30 per km and we made sure we stuck to it.  By the end I was very tired and when I got out of the car at home, I was very stiff.
My wife was ready for me and had laid out two yoga mats so she could take we through a gentle warm down.  20 minutes later I was “a new man” and headed off for an Epsom salt bath with a protein shake followed by lunch (an no alchol!).  My training schedule will pick up from here so I can expect many weekends where I’m “burst” but this is what will be required to get me ready for Tahoe.  I’m sure in a month I’ll look back on this week and think how easy it was.  But just now I’m glad I’ve got my feet up.