It never ceases to amaze me just how different we all are, how people who are 99.99999% genetically similar, living in the same place, with the same kind of upbringing, with the same basic moral and ethical grounding can be so different. And so it was on Sunday, with fit looking athletic types unable to hold it together while a 17 stone woman, with no more than a pink tracksuit top and a mountain bike could guts her way through at least 2 hours of pain and anguish. I couldn't do what she did, knowing she was the slowest, knowing she was not ready for it, but still she finished, crossing the line smiling. The next time I'm in one of those dark places it's this kind of thing that makes me know I can pull through. If she can I can.
So why do we put ourselves through this pain and anguish? It's quite simple, it's for that feeling of pure elation and satisfaction, that sweetness, the joy, neigh bliss, that emotional high that makes you feel so alive, that strange feeling you get when your body is screaming 'stop this stupid crap old man', but your head tells the body to shut up I'm enjoying this, come back in 45 minutes when normal service is resumed. That and the celebratory meal of a full rack of ribs, chicken, salad and pasta at the Harvester Sunday afternoon, obviously.
Week 4
I always find Monday rest days a really frustarating day. I'm usually a bit drained from the weekend, but I always feel like I want to get back into it, that I'm strong enough to cope with some more training. I normally resist, the wife says I'm always a bit cranky on Mondays so I suppose I should listen to all those professionals in all those magazines I buy that all say that recovery is as important as training and to listen to your body and to blah blah blah blah blah blah. No one likes a smart arse and yes that's me admitting I'm wrong.
Tuesday morning I realise why I rest on Mondays, it's because at 41 recovery does take a bit longer and the early morning spin class was fun today becuase I did manage to walk up the stairs unaided. An early ride means I'm ahead of my calories and I'm happy to food test for the wife in the afternoon. Cup cakes - my favourite, well that and her coconut sponge. Crappy weather in the afternoon meant I put off my run til late evening, no point in getting soaked for no reason. I enjoy a tough challenge but a cold I can do without. 10K to the casino and back did the trick, I really enjoyed the middle distance run plus i only got a little damp.
What a waste Wednesday was, it's days like these when you envy the pros who just have to concerntrate on their training not the idiots you have to work with. It's not easy to concentrate on swimming when you'd rather be throttling someone from work. I did swim but not as long or anywhere near as well as I would have liked. Thanks for nothing dipshit.
Up to head office again on Thursday so I was restricted to a spin class in the evening with the craziest instructor yet. She screeched and screamed and sounded like a cliche in lycra, very funny. Decided today that I'd move my rest day to Saturday this week and see how that affects my long run on Sunday. I've got my first cricket nets as well on Friday so 3 sets will be a challenge. Also I seem to have aquired a cold and it's really rather annoying.
So Friday here I come, got all my work out the way and then did 45 minutes or the turbo trainer, some more work, a spot of lunch at my desk then a 3 mile road run before the school run. Finished off my work, had a spot of dinner then out to cricket nets. After I'd finished nets I popped around to see Big Steve and we treated ourselves to a chinese, I'd definitly earnt it. Now Steve is one of the main reasons I'm doing this and he hasn't been able to join me this year due to a change of job. He quit his day job to take up singing professionaly. Apparently endurance training isn't rock n roll enough, but I don't blame him, he's living the dream and loving every minute of it.
Saturday was a complete break from training, but I did manage a trip to the shops to buy a snood and a water bottle belt. I'm so obsessed. It could be worse, I could be a drunkard gambling addict; at least this addiction is good for me. The marathon training goes up a notch on Sunday so hydration, fuel and warmth will be key. Hopefully I can shake off this man flu I've got as well, the snot and tissues thing is starting to get on my wick. 85 days till the London Marathon.
Sunday morning was bright and crisp and the cough and snot seemed to have abated a bit so that was good. The run of 12 miles went reasonably well considering how I've felt for the last few days, time wise it was slower than I would have expected, but I know I put in a good effort so I can't really ask for more than that. Rest and recovery for the rest of the day and hopefully fit and ready to resume on Tuesday. On the plus side thats 1707 calories to replace and I'm going to enjoy every last one.
Training this week
Swimming 0.5 hours
Cycling 2.25 hours
Running 3.5 hours
Cross 1.0 hour
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