Volunteers Please

If you have some free time this Dec 19th and 20th, help support a GREAT cause and volunteer your services for the year end TriKidz clinic and triathlon. It's nothing technical...you don't need to be an athlete or triathlete even! We just need some help from adult supervision to help guide and encourage and ensure the kids are safe when in the water, on the bike and run!!

Saturday 19th: Volunteers required for the Kidz Clinic
Sunday 20th: Volunteers required for Kids Age Group Races
Location: Putrajaya Swimming Pool Complex

Time: 7:30am - 1pm (both days)

'This is a 2-day event, the first day (Saturday) will be our Triathlon Clinic whereby our triathlon coaches will be teaching the kids everything they need to know about triathlon especially the proper techniques, training, nutrition and race tactics. Then on the second day (Sunday) will be the TriKidz Triathlon Race where everything that was taught on Saturday will be applied in a real triathlon race. By the end of this weekend your child will have the right to brag about being a TRIATHLETE, which is no easy task,' - TriKidz.

So what are you waiting for...it's gonna be a fun weekend, contact us and help support the next generations of triathletes!!!
Any time you can offer will be most appreciated. If you would like to volunteer please leave a comment or contact Me (Emma, directly).

Some Snaps from the Awards

Thanks to Bliss and Minsok for the pictures :) Gonna miss you guys :(
And finally, Me, not looking particularly 'FUN SIZE' - HA!!

Race Report: Phuket

Well, that's the last race of the year done and dusted. Did I get the result I wanted? NO. Did I improve on last year? A TAD. Am I annoyed? At the wheel suckers...YES! At me? No, not really...feeling a little flat at the moment but I am taking A LOT of positives from this morning. It was very hot out there today...so I am told. Look at the blue sky! Weird thing is...did not feel the heat at all!!! COOL...literally and physically:)

Here we go...

I arrived on Wednesday evening and this is the first race I have officially worked AND raced. It's not that easy. You don't get to chill out when you want, you stand on your feet all day and eating is something you do when time allows and you grab what the hell you can.

Having said that. I simply LOVE being around other triathletes. Talking and chatting about the sport and what we at TBB do comes easily...I love it. The only time it gets hard is when the crowds subside and then my energy levels start to lag. I feed off other peoples energy...I am an energy VAMPIRE!!

Another plus about working is I really do not have time to fret about the race. Each race this year I have managed to remain calm and relaxed (most of the time) and this weekend was proof that I am finally getting a grip on it. Nerves came this morning on cue as I see all the other almost 800 athletes waiting to run into the water.

It was very blustery this morning and the past few days I have experienced some nightmare headwinds on the bike. So windy this morning I didn't dip in the sea before hand. And am very glad I didn't, some people that did I saw them hopping around trying to stay warm. So in my books that was a VERY good call.

Swim:

I am slowly getting my head around this swimming lark. Today I was swimming WITH people. In the past I have done my utmost to find 'empty' water so I can swim alone and not risk getting hit. While it was still slow, I am proud of the fact that I was looking to swim with people and on their feet. This is what I need to do in races and I am finally getting the confidence after almost two years, to do it. I can go faster, because I know I swim faster in training..but in race conditions for me this is a huge breakthrough. I am still scared...but not as much :)

Came out the sea with Bliss and we headed into the pond for the final 680metres. Sun is directly in your eyes swimming this section but once again I just kept looking to swim with or on someone. Came out with Bliss, smacked her bum and into transition.

Time:37min

Transition: My bike was next to Bliss's...I threw my gear on while she wiped her face!!! She then smacked me on the bum...tally HO!

Bike:

Here we go head down big gear. On your right, on your right, on your right...I will be saying those words in my sleep tonight!! Got to the hills and carried on passing all sorts. Feeling very strong. Legs feeling VERY good. No Lactic?? No Pain?? Of course heart was popping out up the hills but then its back to normal.

Now I did a very SILLY thing today that may have lost me a minute or two. Very embarrassed to admit this..but it is my blog and honesty is the policy here. I forgot about the 3rd hill. A steep but short little baby. At the time I got upon it I was in big chain BIG gear. So when I went to drop the chain...of course it wouldn't go down. PANIC!!! There was no way on God's earth I could have grinded up that hill in the big chain #11. I made the snap decision to dismount and RUN. Go back down and start again would take too long and be dangerous. So I 'sprinted' in shoes about 50meters got back on and then had to re-overtake all the buggers who had just gone by me!!

No biggie...just rather embarrassed about the whole thing and that incident lost me my sub 1:40 split!!! Grrrrr.

Flying along, nasty headwinds and having to really push at times. The weird thing is even though it was hard work, my legs were not complaining. I was passing quite a few people and thought to myself - 'I bet they are right behind me, this is so slow' but when I looked...there was no ONE in sight...COOL. I am STRONG :)

The only thing that got me peeved on the bike was the 2 tour-de-France sized Pelotons I saw whizzing back on the highway after the U-turn. I was just approaching the U-turn so was catching the girls who were tucked away inside there having a FREE 'insert expletive' RIDE.

Took a couple of gels on the bike...if I had more I would have had them too. Not that I needed them but I had a delivery of GU mint choc gel and they are GORGEOUS!!!

Time: 1:40

T2 -another panic...where was my slot??? running up and down looking for my rack I found it and 'threw' George on, only for the whole bloody thing to come crashing down!!! HELP. Thank you to whoever was spectating and standing behind, that erected the thing again. I lost serious time here too...Grrrr.

Run:

Out on the run, still shaking my head in disbelief at the bike rack crashing down. Again...very weird. I felt GOOD. I felt I was running at a good click but I had NO PAIN what-so-ever in my legs?? Breathing was under control. So now I am asking myself...push harder??? What do I do?? Once my feet got soaked and running on the grass the movement caused a lot of discomfort. It got worse but I kept telling myself you can handle it all the while you keep going. Deal with the feet when you stop. I really dislike running on the grass and trails. As soon as I hit the asphalt I felt the pace quicken. ON the second loop I was still in a comfortable zone. I was overtaking people...good looking people. Should I have pushed harder?

Finished in 3:17, just over a minute quicker than last year. I got 3rd in my age group and the 3rd quickest AG female bike split - but it was an HONEST split!

Physically I feel I could go do it all over again. Feel very fresh and raring to go. Boss tells me it was a training race. My race is in February. Yes it is.

I know short distance is NOT my thing...but I still want to WIN. Put me in a ballroom dancing competition and I will want to win...it doesn't matter what it is and if I am any good at the sport...I JUST want to WIN!!! Okay, so you get the message.

But, we can't win them all and I am happy with my work for today. I am pleased with the 'confidence' progress on the swim, pleased with the comfort and power on the bike and very pleased to run so comfortably that I felt I could have just kept on going for another 30k.

Next Sunday I will be doing my first of 8, 3hour runs in the buildup to IM MY. The real work starts when I get home on Tuesday...still awaiting instruction as to exactly when!!

But tonight...it will be a celebration. I am going to drink beer and dance and wear my NEW T-shirt that I have been saving for this night...the phrase on it says it perfectly...you will have to wait for the pictures to see for yourself :)

And if I happen to NOT have a hangover tomorrow morning...I will train. Why? Because training is my lifestyle and racing strong and healthy is my little reward:)

HUGE HUGE thanks to my 'boys' Daniel and Xion Chen for their awesome mechanical support this weekend. Thanks also to Alex and Erin for their support on the course and to Jens who sadly couldn't race but snapped these pictures and emailed me so quickly:)

Well done to everyone who raced today and a special WELL DONE to Mattie from teamTBB. He came in 2nd. Christmas has come early to Mattie and his girl Joyette...well deserved...awesome job!

Race Report: Miri

Finally, a little late. Okay, lets see if I can this short-ish.
Going into Miri my confidence was pretty low. I had a really bad day Wednesday, the body was not great and I was struggling to give half decent efforts on whatever discipline I tried. I then started asking lots of questions of myself. I knew it was normal...but have not been hit by such a downer in a while and I ended up getting emotional, angry with myself and basically just shut down from the world.
Thursday I did a swim and spin...more of the same. Never mind, my attitude was slightly better and I still had to run that night. By the time the evening rolled round I got in a short run but absolutely FLEW. Where the hell did that come from. Finished the day with a BIG smile on my face.
Friday off to Miri. Nasty early start. But good to get there early. I did nothing Friday, that was my plan. Even though it is a training race I am not THAT stupid and am sensible enough to know a little preparation is required. Spent the day working on a presentation for Laguna Phuket Triathlon Expo and built George.
Saturday...Swim/Bike/Run...all touch up stuff. Brake cable of George was buggered but was able to salvage it with Wong's help. It only had to last 40k's I thought (crossing my fingers). Actually there where quite a few problems with George. And not to long ago I would have been freaking out big time. Minor race or biggie - I would be going mental. What a difference a year or so makes. I am almost a nice person to be around prior to races these days.
Made a pact with Disco to draft him in the swim. You let me do that and you can sit on my tail (actually no, I said work together) on the bike.
Race DAY:
After a superb nights sleep on Friday I sadly didn't sleep as peacefully on Saturday evening. Alarm went at 05:40 and Bee and myself rallied ourselves and went down to breakfast. Now how that girl can eat so much prior to a race is beyond me. I had banana, muesli with spoon of yogurt. No milo, no condensed milk. Just my own brand of coffee. (trying to give up the condensed milk).
I didn't carbo load much the night before either. I look at the race and the amount of time I am going to be exercising (or estimate) and that tells me what I should and shouldn't (more accuratly) eat.
Swim: Still feeling or trying to stay calm. I have NEVER tried to draft in the swim before. Dave waited for me and the gun went off and so did Disco. I tried to keep up but just couldn't weave through the flailing arms and legs. I was however CALM. Very surprising. A little into the swim I saw someone I thought was Keat Soong. On seeing a tatoo as an arm came over confirmed this. RIGHT O, lets swim with him. And so we both exchanged places and swam together to the end. On exiting the water I felt a hand push my back (carpets were rather dangerously floating about) I turned to see KS helping me out. Thanks for that. time 29min - not great but at least I didn't panic.
Transition: Disco in front running to transition, KS behind me. RightO guys I yelled...together on the bike!
Bike: Disco and KS were out a little before, I came soon after caught up with Disco and said we stick together. Caught KS. "Hop on lets work together" I yelled. And then it was head down, BIG gear and OFF. No looking back.
My bike legs have been letting me down lately. Today they were on fire. Lactic fire...but nothing I couldn't handle. Breathing was under control. And so we started picking up other riders...occasionally I would put my head down to check Disco was still there. Yup sucking like a trooper :) All going to plan. At about 20mins in, a sizable peloton was building I pondered whether to come off the front. The idea was to share the workload so I beckoned a rider past. Expecting Disco to come up and take the front how surprised was I to see a different expat. Oh well I got behind him not wanting to loose my space at the front and the pace continued. A minute or so later he pulled out, I came alongside and looked at him questionably. "Is that it?" I asked. "YUP" was his reply. And so the ride continued picking up Don Khor, Jap Sam amongst others. I never knew the size of the group. And occasionally the lactic legs had a rest for a min or two when the other guy jumped on the front. Other than that it was MY BIKE and I was loving it.

The final hill is where I knew I would be taken. I dropped the gear and prepared to take the hill 'easy' to rest my legs a little. And then WHOOSH!!! every man and his dog went flying past. No clue how many. But I did have enough energy and breath to yell out "Come on guys, gimme a break...you B******d's!!! You F******!!! Funny though...not even that slowed them down. Never mind I caught them up again :P Time:57min.
Into transition and out onto the run with Disco, KS and basically every other bugger!!
As we went out I had another swear at Dave and joked with him about why he didn't share the work on the bike. His response? "I thought about it, and then thought...Nahhh"!!!
I knew I was in 2nd overall. 1st place, Radika an ITU pro and Powerman champ was long gone. So I wanted to continue to really enjoy the race and not kill the run. Dave similarly was happy to run with me so we ran together and chatted just like any other Sunday...except it was a bit warmer and MUCH MORE FUN!
Coming into the finish with about 200m to go I looked at my watch for the first time. Expecting to see around 2hr15 how shocked was I to see 2:05. I also heard a heavy patter of feet behind me. I had dropped Disco (only a very little) a while back. I always knew he was behind me or thereabouts and now he was trying to give chase!!! RIGHT! I turned around and shouted don't you even think about it. I couldn't stop laughing but somehow managed to put a spurt on and with a HUGE smile I am pleased to say, crossed the line in 2:06 and change. Last year 2:24.
I then rushed upstairs put my socks on and went back down to run the course again back to front with Disco. Did not realise quite at the time how smashed he was. (he did run Penang Marathon the week before). But like a trooper we ran again...confusing the Marshall's along the way and yelling out support to everyone we saw.
It was great, loved it. Thanks everyone for such a cool time. Miri is a super little triathlon that is a great excuse to get away for the weekend with friends and enjoy this wonderful lifestyle that we call triathlon. If you haven't experienced Miri before then mark your calender for November next year...I for one will be going back.

World Aids Day

I am totally ignorant of whats going on in the world some days - actually a lot of days. Just never seems to be enough hours in the day. Luckily my friends keep me up to speed with what is happening. Today is World Aids Day. Freddie Mercury - gotta love him - a timeless act, I never tire of his music.
Thanks TSB :)

Your Age By Chocolate Math

This is WAY COOOOOL....thanks Cheong :)
Don't tell me your age; you'd probably lie anyway-but the Hershey Man will know! This is pretty neat.
DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!
It takes less than a minute.

Work this out as you read.
Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!

This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun.
1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate (more than once but less than 10)
2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)
3. Add 5
4. Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator
5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1759...If you haven't, add 1758.
6.. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.
You should have a three digit number
The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).
The next two numbers are YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)
THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2009) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS.
Chocolate Calculator. : )

10 Down 1 to GO!

The race report is coming later on. Just wanted to say firstly what a great weekend I had. My tenth race this year. I put consistency of my training down to being the key reason I stay healthy. When my confidence takes a dive like it did a few days ago one little weekend like this puts me right back up on cloud nine - loving life.

The weekend was training and work. I have a lot of work to do of late and so did my roommate Bee. So it was the perfect arrangement. Both of us when in the rooom, heads down online, writing, working - me marketing - her doing...actually I don't know what she does but I know it's important banking stuff!!! :D

Anyway...baking a chocolate ginger treacle cake to take to TBB later on (makes a change from the Donuts I traditionally take when I win something). The house smells divine. I shall swim later on and enjoy getting ready this week for my final race for the year - Laguna Phuket!

10 down - ONE to GO!

I Do Feel Loved

My confidence has been taking rather a huge nose dive of late. I pondered on whether or not to post this brutal honesty. So far I have not shied away from saying what and how I feel so I won't stop now. And every time I write something that is pretty painful for me to put out there and admit - it does actually help and in turn I also think/hope that others can relate and know they are not alone when having a bad day/week/month and start raising questions about what they are doing.

SO. The last time I had a good weeks training and blasted all the sessions was - I can't remember, most probably never. This is a reality I have to accept. When fellow athletes are blasting training, kicking your butt on the run...just accept it. Turn away, close your eyes do not let it deter you and start questioning your abilities. This is so much easier said then done especially when, speaking for myself, you are competitive - even when training. But it is a fact of life. So just quit grumbling, moaning, whining and accept it.

There is a training Olympic distance race on Sunday. It is training. But of course I want to do well. I think I can. BUT. My body has been like a trawler in the pool...I can never seem to keep warm, running, my legs are so sore...I blast a session one day then the next it is as though I am a different person or at least the same person but with someone elses legs that just WILL NOT work.

Then there is my bike. Again. Blast a session to the point I think is this right? I haven't done that before. Then two days later...WTF. Who came took my legs and replaced them with lamp posts?? Come on own up...where are they - I need them!!! Grrrr.

I trawled along the bottom of the pool this morning...cold and sluggish as hell. I then trudged to TBB and hopped on George for an easy spin. Easy?? small chain ring and very easy gear - oh dear that wasn't easy at all.

Later I will run. Intervals. I keep at it because even though my confidence has run away and hidden I know what I have to do. I am sure it will come back, hopefully in time for Phuket. As for this weekend I would be grateful to enjoy myself, be able to give some good effort and not totally screw myself up. I have not done a race swim since Putrajaya and I am scared as hell about it :(

While spinning on the bike trying to pedal myself out of the black hole I looked at my bar tape and saw it seemed cleaner. I then looked down at the bottom bracket and saw gleaming shininess. Just when you think nobody cares and you get lost feeling sorry for yourself I am reminded that I am loved (or at least George is). I left TBB last night with George set up ready to jump on this morning. He was still there when I opened up but I noticed he had been ridden. Through my tired eyes however it took a while to focus and realise that he had received much TLC last night after I went home. THANK YOU boys...I DO feel loved :)

I cheered myself up then with Simon & Garfunkel. Yes I have diverse tastes in music. I like the lyrics/stories of their songs and when Cecelia came on it actually got me spinning a little harder and faster...can you believe that?? Forget techno music to train to, Folk is the way to go - well that and Sinatra!

Motivation

Sometimes I could do with a little day to day motivation. Some days it gets a little rough and it would be nice to have someone in my face YELLING. ANYWAY...found this calender from 2006...so nobodies yelling but the images are pretty motivating...this could well do the trick :) :)

Anyone know where I can get the 2010 calender ??? :D

Why I Don't Do Groups!

Sunday funnies

I have had a VERY lazy Sunday thus far. After a fun morning run I assumed my usual vegetative position on the sofa and have not moved except to see if the refrigerator has magically filled itself with naughty goodies. Each time I am disappointed :( Movie time and ice-cream calls a little later on but until then I started looking at some online funnies...this little ditty particularly made me smile...

Last 4hour hour bike

Today was my final 4hour Saturday bike session. Next weekend I am 'training' in Miri. The following weekend I am racing in Phuket. After that Ironman training is upon me and my Saturday bikes will comprise of 5hours in the saddle and God knows what else in the afternoon...GULP.

A stark contrast to my ride last week, I did the same route and hoped that it would not be easier...it should never be easy...I just hoped I would not blow up and be able to maintain my effort. Not my quickest up Perez...a minute short of that. The weather this morning was very cool...I was and have frozen my butt off all week whilst training. I am sitting typing this in Starbucks wearing a long sleeve T. I do not operate too well in the cold...I keep saying it, but it's true...bizarre but true.

ANYWAY...last week my heart rate was shooting through the roof on the bike until the body started complaining and fatigue hit hard.

Today was a quicker time but I am confused. I do not follow HR but occasionally wear a strap to see what is going on. I have been feeling a little more energised this week and this morning gave a good solid effort. But getting my HR up when on the rolling fast stuff it just wasn't happening. AVG HR 133 for a 4hour ride?? Hmmmn. I am currently researching what this means. One of two things I guess. I am getting fitter. I am being lazy. I secretly hope the diagnosis is the former...watch this space :)

Oh What the Heck!!!

Had a rather unusual GMail conversation with a friend earlier this week - have no clue how we got onto this subject matter. I was sent a link from a forum I don't pay much attention to other than for light entertainment and have since been umming and arrring all week whether to post this link. What surprised me is that it is a ladies 'problem' / topic, yet it is mainly men adding the comments??!!

Purely for entertainment purposes only you understand? Although some may find it useful!! ENJOY :)
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/Slowtwitch_Forums_C1/Triathlon_Forum_F1/Do_Pro/Ellte_Women_Have_A_Sex_Drive_P2544399/

Wheres the Tropical?

I have lived here for 14plus years. I LOVE the tropical climate. It suits my poor blood circulation and crappy set of lungs perfectly. So whats up with the weather lately then I ask you. I don't mind the rain, it is good for the earth, cleanses the soul, saves me washing my Avia after running, saves me washing the sweaty salt off George after riding and helps mimic race swim conditions when in the pool.

I don't recall rainy season being this shitty though. And I have seen a lot of them. I stopped putting air con on a long long time ago...I just get too cold. And last night after my swim, oh my gosh...that swim...well I turned into an ice block.

Think Bukit Jalil pool temperatures and worse. The good thing...I had the pool to myself. The negative...it was not comfortable. I tried thinking happy warm cosy thoughts but it wasn't working. I tried not to think about the cramp that tried to attack my calves and feet...that did work. Relaxing is key to keep cramp at bay - in icy water not easy but I managed my full set with out any spasms :)

So out the pool and under and steaming hot shower to thaw out. Then a hot milo. I was still cold. Cold to the bones as we used to say in the UK on a nasty winters day when the wind chill would be deep in the minus numbers. Well there was no wind chill yesterday because this is the tropics. But nights like last night remind me of those cold nights back in the UK where one can never get warm no matter how many layers of clothes you put on.

There is only one day n the year where cold is good. And that is Christmas day. All other days in my book should be toasty tropic days. This body only works well in warm climes...too cold and she needs a jump start !!!

The Week That Was...a MONSTOR

Disclaimer: This is a REALLY REALLY long post...you have been warned...

I do not blog as often as I used too. It's not that I have nothing to say. We all know waffle is one of my areas of expertise. No, the reason I don't get to blog as much is because my days are pretty jam packed. By the time I get home in the evening I am running on empty. Putting fuel in the tank is first on the agenda and then shortly, very shortly after...bed. The weeks have been flying by, I can still say I have had no illnesses, a cold, a sniffle, a fever...but training does come round and whack me up the head every few weeks when I least expect it. It usually lasts a day or so. I take a day, recharge and battle on. Last week however I followed instructions to the best of my commitments, time and ability and still hit wall after wall after wall and am still ploughing through them today.

It's kind of like the Grand National of tri-training. I am a race horse of sorts and can see the obstacles in front. Some pretty big, some pretty average. I get ready to jump and end up crashing straight into Bleachers Brook again and again.

Powerman was I think the start of the downhill. Two easy bike/run days and normal swims was the post race recipe. Trouble is I had to teach Turbo Night on Tuesday and that ladies and gentleman is where I really started to unravel.

So I could have taken the classes easy. By no means did I give 100% but two hours and not finishing until late at night was pretty tough on this 9pm lights out girl.

Wednesday a long swim, an evening run...pretty pooped, but back into it was the idea. Thursdays turbo didn't start until way after store closing. Finished training at 11pm...ouch. Friday I took a days leave. Took a fellow visiting TBB teammate from Melbourne to Ulu Yam. I know, I know not a normal ride day but it was social.

By the afternoon my days leave was turned into a Melbourne marketing meeting at La Bodega. Finished at 7.30pm.

Saturday, Ulu Langkat and Perez. Great, great ride with a big group Daniel and Wong had put together. I enjoyed being with the group even if I did go off the front...just can't handle sitting in a pack...ya know. I knew I was in trouble, it had been brewing fast all week. By the time I approached Perez I knew it was going to be smelling the flowers assent. I probably could have walked faster up there. Got to the top had a nice group shot and we rode down to Batu 18 coffee shop. That 10k strip from the foot of Perez to Batu 18 is a tempting TT. And as buggered as I was I told myself 15minutes. Just 15minutes of pain and suffering...can I do it?

I did. An average of 40kph thru to batu 18...I think the first time I have managed that. I got off the bike and that was my mistake. Flashbacks of last year of falling over. And I nearly lost it. Could not focus, I was Bambi...wobbly legged without the doe eyes!! No, my eyes were rattling around in my head, and my head...well it somehow was still attached.

It was a lonely ride back. I let the group catch me after I set off first and then saw them go past. Staying awake and upright was my priority and not getting too upset with myself, had a cry, had a shout, told myself to HTFU and onwards.

I got back in one piece, showered refueled and rested. Swimming next. That was ok...or so I thought but then pretty much more of the same falling over after it was done. The brick run...GREAT. Smashed it and then promptly needed help standing up. Are you getting the picture?

Sunday run. Was I looking forward to this? NOPE. I started off with Julie. I needed to go slow. Things not working well. By the time we stopped to cross at Jalan Duta there came that falling woozy sensation again. I told Julie how I felt and said I wasn't sure I could complete it. As we were going past the mosque I saw May Senn and Mac walking the other way. I really wanted to turn and walk with them.

Julie told me to turn back shortly after. But I figured that was a mistake as I had no fluids only GU chomps. I said I would go to Petronas not do the loop and get a cab. Five minutes later I told her F*** IT. I am doing the whole bloody thing even if it takes me my whole two hours to do it. Usually my 2hour run sees me cover 24/25k's not just 21.

I finished. It was a bricks and mortar week. Nothing was pretty about my training. EVERYTHING was mind strengthening and proof that when you are on empty there is still more to be found. I was not under eating...I have fueled up more this weekend than I have for a good few months. A training fatigue wall that was probably long overdue, I am still nursing myself through it now. Wondering what next will happen. How will I complete the turbo session this evening?

I know this much. Unless I am told don't do it. I will do it. And if I start my training...whatever session it is and no matter how crap and bad and ugly it gets I will always FINISH it. Time on these days does not matter. That is why I NEVER log my training times and distances. It simply doesn't matter. Completion is all that matters. If you must walk, then walk. If you must pedal in the granny gear then pedal in the granny gear. And if you must swim slower than you thought humanly possible then do it. Training through this is only way you learn how to handle emotions, fatigue and test your body so that on race day you will start and you will FINISH.

How do I feel now? Still like crap. But its ok. I am just training and I am never supposed to feel my best. My best I save for when it really matters and we all know when that days is!

E.