It's all about the numbers

There's an argument that this is the time of year when you can take it easy, take some time off training and catch up with family and friends.  But having had a complete 9 week break after the Tahoe 200 and my hernia operation, I don't have that luxury. 
My focus is on rebuilding and I have 3 numbers in my mind and they appear on my countdown app. 96 days till the Keilder Ultra (50km), 151 days till the Loch Ness Ultra (3 marathons in 3 days) and then the A race, the Ultra Race Romania in 224 days (250km staged race over 7 days).  Every training session is designed with these races in mind.
My other numbers are all recorded on the Training Peaks app which my coach Genevieve manages.  After every session I report back to her and she provides me with her expert analysis of the session.  Sometimes, based on the out put, she adjusts the next few sessions and this is one of the main benefits of having a coach working with me.  She will deliver me to the start line of every race in the best possible condition - she always has.
But it is the festive season and last night I was out with the family and there was a significant amount of food and alcohol consumed.  When I woke up this morning I wasn't in the best of shape but I had a one hour run to do and it had to be early.  It certainly cleared out the cobwebs and the surprise is that my  pace and heart rate were good considering where I am in my recovery.  After all, I only started back training 4 weeks ago.
I now have power pedals fitted to my turbo bike and the numbers coming out make the training sessions more meaningful and interesting.  You can't hide from the numbers so I have to give it everything, in every session.
My swimming is slow but it will be another 3 or 4 weeks before I'll feel that I am getting that particular fitness back.
This will be my last blog of the decade and I wish you all a happy, healthy, fit and successful 2020.  Make sure know your numbers as they create he daily focus you require to reach your goals.  I'll leave you with the words of Mohammad Ali. If you are not frightened of your goals then you haven't set them high enough!