Yesterday, a somewhat unseasonal, almost odd day. Wind light, but just enough to be a pain. Sun indecisive, peaking out periodically like it was spying on us. Air temp somewhat cool, but just a suggestion it would heat up at some point. This was the last last very long ride. Whereas last week was deemed the last long ride, subsequent discovery lead us to realize that the United Nations Ironman Team Training calculations fell one week too early. Thus we decided that we should repeat a week and begin to taper the training next week. Disappointment was apparent.
Never the defeatists, we set out on another century ride. A ride consisting of at least 100 miles. The bike course in Nice is hilly. Therefore, a hilly course was planned and it did not disappoint. Although we do not have the picturesque, long brutal climbs of Nice, we do have some "hills" of which we head out in hope of finding and climbing. They were there. We found them. It was the toughest mental ride of the training so far. To think that you were finished only to be told that a mistake was made and one more was needed was very discouraging. Thus, it took a great deal of effort to get back on the bike knowing there was another 100 waiting for you.
A positive for me personally, was to overcome the gnawing desire not to complete the transition run after the bike. I did manage to convince myself to complete it, even if it was only for 40mins. The first few steps are always the hardest, but after a mile I found a rhythm and Maggy (the dog) and I cruised along nicely, with a well deserved dip in the lake after.
The recovery was distinctly tougher, with a lot of fatigue involved. Very sluggish, but I felt it was down to dehydration more than any other nutrition. Who knows how Napoleon went out and pulled an 8 hour shift in the kitchen.
Anyway, it really is time to taper this time. Just a long run today with the Queens Jubilee celebrations tomorrow.
Good luck to us all!
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