And so it came to pass … there are some 4 days to go until IMDE08-day, the day that I’ve been waiting for nearly a year to arrive. Now I’m in the very final stages – more a case of waiting and trying to suppress the nerves and anxious anticipation, avoid any stupid rows with the wife ‘n’ kids….
Thanks to those of you posting comments, good luck text messages etc . Much much appreciated!
Officially according to the text books, and general best practices as laid out by coaches and those in the know I’m in TAPER mode. Essentially i’m allowing the body to rest up, recuperate and generally ready itself for the long day that is fast approaching. However its not a case of doing nothing, instead its a case of reducing the volume of training from some 2-3 weeks out, and in the last wee while reduce the intentisty of the training.
My taper has been a wee bit longer perhaps than I would have liked as my two week holidays in Sunny Sunny Spain (note – i didn’t see rain for the entire time @ Salou on the Costa Durado), however i didn’t pedal a road bike in that time either. Thats what happens when you’re only an amateur athlete with family and other commitments. On the holidays i got some runs in – again in keeping with the taper philosophy these weren’t anything over 2 hours, and some swims .. .the good news being that i swam in the sea without the wetsuit. Come the big day, my head is now prepared if needs be to swim 3.8km without the protection of a wetsuit. Sure it won’t be easy, however mentally i’m ready to do it … there’s nothing more boring to me at this minute as swimming in the sea on your own for 45-50 minutes. I’d hope that swimming in the lake on Sunday morning with some 2000-odd (very odd) swimmers around me / under me / over me will help pass the time and the journey somewhat.
- I’ve had the bike serviced – new tubes, new tyres, check this – check that, clean the chain – all the good stuff. Just need to take it for a spin this evening between showers and then it goes in the box for the airport.
- One swim tomorrow morning bright and early with the Glenalbyn crew.
- Went for a 30 min run last night, with some fastish 200s thrown in to juice it up.
- Had a body massage this morning with the guy who works for the International Soccer team who is now a huge Trappatoni fan. He reckons a huge difference from previous regimes …
We fly out to Frankfurt early – o very early – on Friday morning and get ready for the off on Sunday morning.
At this stage, I’m alternating between ready to go rioght now and please give another 3-4 weeks to be ready. I think myself a week / 10 days after Lanzarote would have seen me at my peak, but as i’m told just go with it, trust my training – don’t go out too fast.
Next post is race day plan!!!
