Another long 6 months is coming to and end. As we look forward and see the end in sight, just two weeks away, and the promise of rest in the near future.
Suffering is part and parcel of our training. Add to the mix, small children and developing careers and suddenly the training will seem that much more challenging. Sitting across the aisle from it all, spectating as others fight to even get their training done brings a realization in to focus that when all you have is training to deal with, you have it quite easy. Admittedly, it is tiring and my body is most certainly the most displeased with me that it has ever been, however, when I tire I get to sleep and rest. I'm not awoken in the night by a restless child, or by the thoughts of a very important meeting in the morning. Whilst others work, I have the benefit of relaxing at home with the most challenging part of my day deciding which part of the house to clean. When we believe our lives are challenging and full of strife, sometimes it serves to take a moment to reflect and, although difficult and a little tiring, it's likely that somewhere in the world, someone else's life is far more difficult.
The trouble with tapering, is that old adage of idle hands. Luckily, we have our everyday lives that keep us busy. However, when you've been training 16hours a week for the last 4 weeks, although you embrace the rest that is afforded to you during tapering, the ironman athlete tends to get a little "fidgety" during the final two weeks. It's important to peer through the keyhole of your life and keep yourself busy around the house. Fortunately, from now until we leave for Couer D'Alene, our front door will be a revolving hotel door with visitors abounding and keeping us entertained for the next 10 days. Oh, and Napoleon is having the small shindig for 400 people that our gullible group of friends offered to help with. What were with thinking :) My dearest wife will turn the illustrious age of 35 which will also keep us occupied for most of next Sunday. The poor lady always seems to have her birthday around one of my races. How inconsiderate, I alway tell her ;) It will be a great send off for our 10 days of traveling that will take us from the western USA all the way to Europe....and back!
We've managed to truly get in to the lake and wade out in to the open water for some useful practice. Napoleon and Constitution like the "zigzag" approach to open water swimming. Quite frankly, we pay a lot to do this race, so might as well use the WHOL course! :) I will say though, a glassy lake, whilst the sun crests the horizon, truly is one of the most peaceful and relaxing ways to spend your morning. Truly special! The water is cool and crisp at a balmy 60 degrees fahrenheit. Rumour has it that Lake Couer D'Alene beautiful and normally chilly waters (it's glacial fed) are going to be warmer than usual this year. Great for the swim. Not so special for the run. As regular readers know, I can often me found hesitantly approaching a body of water, less than keen to discover what lies beneath. However, I truly am looking forward to this swim and it's beautiful surroundings. Here's hoping it's a day of weather to befit the geographical surroundings.
Once again, unfortunately, I find myself entering tapering with injuries that will effect my race. My knee is the culprit this time around. The good news it is making my hip pain pale in comparison. The bad news is that I suspect it will have quite the impact on the 3rd discipline of the day. Fortunately, it appears to have zero effect on swimming and biking. Unfortunately, there's a marathon at the end, which may show itself to be more of a death march than normal. I have been able to deal with the pain (don't panic! I am not running anymore) and hope a run walk strategy will allow me to get the job done. There is simply not a chance that I will miss this race, as long as my legs will carry me, I will be starting in two weeks. Some intelligent racing and good decisions (not including the one to race on a bad knee) will hopefully carry me to the finish. Even if it means that I finish just before midnight. So be it. I do not wish to let my charity, and all those who have contributed to it, down. I doubt there will be any PB/PR's out there on June 28th, but at least we will be there. Quite frankly, the race will be straight forward. Getting up at 7am the next day will be the hard part!
The tapering will really kick in this week. Just a 2-3 hour ride this Wednesday morning. After a good cleaning, "My Boy Blue" will be dropped off at the shipping shop, beginning it's journey out to Idaho. The good news is we don't have to dismantle and pack up the bike or reassemble on the other end. Makes the cost well worth it! Even though the week will provide a busy schedule outside of training, I'm looking forward to being pre-occupied with anything other than training.
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