So here we are, week 29 of 30 and well into taper.
It's been an incredible 6 months, starting over Christmas week (and yes I did train on Christmas day) enjoying every weather the British climate can throw at us... snow, rain, hail, fog, lovely sunshine and just about everything in between. Whatever the weather on 7th July I have the security of knowing I've trained in it.....except the 28 degrees forecast for next Sunday....Better stock up on the suncream.
After the big push weekend I was surprised to have over 9 hours in my training schedule, but was down to a little over 5 hours last week.
So what have I been doing with the extra time? I've no idea, but I've been considering what might go wrong and planning for it, visualising putting on my goggles and swim cap, getting in the water, turning the first (and last corner on the bike), thinking how I'm going to cope with 8 hours in the saddle without the girls for company and what will get me around those last miles when I hit the wall on the run but most importantly how amazing it will be to cross the finish line.
The highlight of the training week has always been my Saturday morning KVG ride, I love the club ethics of looking after to each other, sharing hours of pain (and pleasure) in the saddle, and most importantly never leaving anyone behind. Only this week we lost someone, my fellow Outlaw in training and illustrious Saturday leader Paula. Whoops, sorry chick but in fairness it wasn't our fault.
The advantage of short rides meant I was back home in time to watch the first stage of the TDF, and as Sophie pointed out, nearly as many crashed as we had in Belgium.
On Sunday the sun came out to play, and oh my goodness it took some serious will power to go out late in the afternoon, but perhaps good prep for next Sunday. Now added dehydration and sun stroke to my list of worries....
Afterwards I sat down, took a (very) deep breath and watched the TV programme from last years race which my fabulous boyfriend has kept recorded for me for the last year. I felt extremely sick watching everyone slipping into the lake, the start gun going off, running through transition, but it did help me get my head around the race and I might have been blubbing by the end as the last runner came in at nearly 11pm.
So bring it on, the training is done, the packing has started and I'm about as ready as I can be. I'm scared, I'm nervous, but I'm calm and I know I will give it my best shot. Strangely I'm looking forward to it!
If you are able and want to, supporters in Nottingham are VERY welcome, the more the merrier. Race starts at 6am at Home Pierpoint, but if you want to be out on the bike course or by Notts forest football ground in the late afternoon please do come.
If you want to track Paula and I online on the day you can at: http://www.onestepbeyond.org.uk/the-outlaw-triathlon-live-results.php and search for competitors 104 (me) and 206 (Paula) (plus Olly our token Kent Velo Boy at 539).
Thanks for reading, it's been great sharing the journey with you and I'm looking forward to telling you all about it :-)
It's been an incredible 6 months, starting over Christmas week (and yes I did train on Christmas day) enjoying every weather the British climate can throw at us... snow, rain, hail, fog, lovely sunshine and just about everything in between. Whatever the weather on 7th July I have the security of knowing I've trained in it.....except the 28 degrees forecast for next Sunday....Better stock up on the suncream.
After the big push weekend I was surprised to have over 9 hours in my training schedule, but was down to a little over 5 hours last week.
So what have I been doing with the extra time? I've no idea, but I've been considering what might go wrong and planning for it, visualising putting on my goggles and swim cap, getting in the water, turning the first (and last corner on the bike), thinking how I'm going to cope with 8 hours in the saddle without the girls for company and what will get me around those last miles when I hit the wall on the run but most importantly how amazing it will be to cross the finish line.
The highlight of the training week has always been my Saturday morning KVG ride, I love the club ethics of looking after to each other, sharing hours of pain (and pleasure) in the saddle, and most importantly never leaving anyone behind. Only this week we lost someone, my fellow Outlaw in training and illustrious Saturday leader Paula. Whoops, sorry chick but in fairness it wasn't our fault.
The advantage of short rides meant I was back home in time to watch the first stage of the TDF, and as Sophie pointed out, nearly as many crashed as we had in Belgium.
On Sunday the sun came out to play, and oh my goodness it took some serious will power to go out late in the afternoon, but perhaps good prep for next Sunday. Now added dehydration and sun stroke to my list of worries....
Afterwards I sat down, took a (very) deep breath and watched the TV programme from last years race which my fabulous boyfriend has kept recorded for me for the last year. I felt extremely sick watching everyone slipping into the lake, the start gun going off, running through transition, but it did help me get my head around the race and I might have been blubbing by the end as the last runner came in at nearly 11pm.
So bring it on, the training is done, the packing has started and I'm about as ready as I can be. I'm scared, I'm nervous, but I'm calm and I know I will give it my best shot. Strangely I'm looking forward to it!
If you are able and want to, supporters in Nottingham are VERY welcome, the more the merrier. Race starts at 6am at Home Pierpoint, but if you want to be out on the bike course or by Notts forest football ground in the late afternoon please do come.
If you want to track Paula and I online on the day you can at: http://www.onestepbeyond.org.uk/the-outlaw-triathlon-live-results.php and search for competitors 104 (me) and 206 (Paula) (plus Olly our token Kent Velo Boy at 539).
Thanks for reading, it's been great sharing the journey with you and I'm looking forward to telling you all about it :-)
