Keep the eyes on the prize

That's week 1 of training complete as I start building again.  As anyone who has suffered an injury or illness, coming back is never easy so starting slow and building up is the best advice.  This week I have ran two 6 kms, 1 x 7km, 1 x 8 km and this morning walked up Tinto twice.  I've done two gym sessions and five yoga sessions.  I'm tired but feeling good.  My fitness has a long way to come back but it will get there.  It needs to as I have a 50km trail race in 6 weeks time with plenty of ascending!
Having a race in the calendar always gives you a focus and motivation to push that bit harder.  I was struggling on my second ascent of Tinto today but realised I needed to keep going.  Beth had dropped me on the climb and I was not feeling great but I pushed through it.  On race day that will also happen so you need to replicate those conditions in training so you can be confident you can push through the barrier.
I mentioned I'd be doing yoga from my pre-hab and I have enjoyed getting back on the mat.  Even within a week I can see improvements but I did start from a low point!  I'm working on my breathing which has never been my strongest aspect but it is also improving and I hope the reduces my chances of injury.
URR starts in less than two weeks and I will be following the race with great interest sending my best wishes to the lucky athletes as they experience the adventure of a lifetime.  I may not be with them physically, that will have to wait another year, but I will be with them in spirit.  I'll let the race organiser Andrei sing 500 miles at the start line every day this time.  He's a much better singer anyway.  But joking aside, not making the race this year has been a disappointment as I had some unfinished business but everything happens for a reason and I believe that to be that I need to strengthen my weaknesses over the next 12 months.  My eyes are firmly on the prize and nothing is going to get in the way.  The countdown clock is already ticking for URR 2023. Sing along, da-da, da-da.......