It was pretty tough mentally today. I got a late start (9:45) because of the weather, and I couldn't help but think about the fact that when I got back at 4:30 I would still have to run! I hung in and eventually finished the 200 kms in a slow 6:46, but then had a decent 10.3 km run in 50 minutes and change.
Interestingly enough I have discovered time and time again when I look back to my workouts of 2009 that in most cases I am slower now than I was then. As an example, the same workout in 2009, at the same point on the schedule was 10 minutes faster on the bike, and 1:30 faster on the run. Why this doesn't worry me I'm not sure. I believe that I am simply fitter overall and this will prove out on race day. Maybe I'm fooling myself but I simply feel different now. Time will tell eh?
I hope so, because for all intents and purposes I have arrived at the point in the training where there will be no more fitness gains. The remaining four weeks are about maintaining most of that fitness, while very gradually bringing my body to a completely rested state. Oh, and not gaining weight in the interim.
I tried out some new race gear today as well and I am glad to say that went quite well. I have a new one piece tri suit which is absolutely fabulous. I have never worn anything so comfortable, most notably feeling just super on my ass and my legs. I also tried a new pair of shoes today. They are ridiculously light at just 6.9 ozs each. Compare that to my regular training shoes which come in at a hefty 12.9 ozs. The other contenders for race day are the shoes I wore in 2009 ((9.4 ozs) and the very cool "Ironman" model(10.9 ozs) that I've shown you before. Anyway here's the new ones.
They felt very good over the 10 kms but that's not a real test. I am considering trying them out for my long run on Tuesday. They would have to survive that if they are to become a contender for Penticton.
One bonus thing that came out of my workout today was that I cleared my head. I was extremely pissed off last night at those assholes in Guelph at the Co-operators Insurance building. I realized while out there riding that those people don't know anything about me, and as such what they think don't matter spit. Before I Ieft I was thinking that with the lousy attirude I had going the last thing I needed was to go and ride for 7 hours. Once I got out there I realized that with the lousy attitude I had going, the first thing I needed was a 7 hour ride. Of course I had a little "attitude" coaching from my wife as well. She reminded me that how any person or any entity chooses to treat you, is not any kind of reflection on who you are. Besides, I would be willing to bet that there is not one person in that office tower that can go out and run 10 kms after having rode 200. And if by chance there is, that's the person I want to talk to about my insurance!
(ride 200 kms - 6:46, run 10.3 - 50:12)
"Character is the result of two things: mental attitude and the way we spend our time."---Elbert Hubbard
Interestingly enough I have discovered time and time again when I look back to my workouts of 2009 that in most cases I am slower now than I was then. As an example, the same workout in 2009, at the same point on the schedule was 10 minutes faster on the bike, and 1:30 faster on the run. Why this doesn't worry me I'm not sure. I believe that I am simply fitter overall and this will prove out on race day. Maybe I'm fooling myself but I simply feel different now. Time will tell eh?
I hope so, because for all intents and purposes I have arrived at the point in the training where there will be no more fitness gains. The remaining four weeks are about maintaining most of that fitness, while very gradually bringing my body to a completely rested state. Oh, and not gaining weight in the interim.
I tried out some new race gear today as well and I am glad to say that went quite well. I have a new one piece tri suit which is absolutely fabulous. I have never worn anything so comfortable, most notably feeling just super on my ass and my legs. I also tried a new pair of shoes today. They are ridiculously light at just 6.9 ozs each. Compare that to my regular training shoes which come in at a hefty 12.9 ozs. The other contenders for race day are the shoes I wore in 2009 ((9.4 ozs) and the very cool "Ironman" model(10.9 ozs) that I've shown you before. Anyway here's the new ones.
They felt very good over the 10 kms but that's not a real test. I am considering trying them out for my long run on Tuesday. They would have to survive that if they are to become a contender for Penticton.
One bonus thing that came out of my workout today was that I cleared my head. I was extremely pissed off last night at those assholes in Guelph at the Co-operators Insurance building. I realized while out there riding that those people don't know anything about me, and as such what they think don't matter spit. Before I Ieft I was thinking that with the lousy attirude I had going the last thing I needed was to go and ride for 7 hours. Once I got out there I realized that with the lousy attitude I had going, the first thing I needed was a 7 hour ride. Of course I had a little "attitude" coaching from my wife as well. She reminded me that how any person or any entity chooses to treat you, is not any kind of reflection on who you are. Besides, I would be willing to bet that there is not one person in that office tower that can go out and run 10 kms after having rode 200. And if by chance there is, that's the person I want to talk to about my insurance!
(ride 200 kms - 6:46, run 10.3 - 50:12)
"Character is the result of two things: mental attitude and the way we spend our time."---Elbert Hubbard
Love
Peter
be grateful that you can ride and run that long...the rest of us just say "thank you" when those bastards fuck us over!
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