Hmmmm, Deep Thinkery

I had a nice positive swim this morning. The Wednesday morning swim can be a real mental battle and so it was tough getting myself down to the pool. But once the swimming got going I found that I was feeling pretty good, managed some good times (for me) etc. As tough as the session can be, there is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment that comes from getting though it, particularly if it has been a positive session.

It was also the last swim for those crazy people doing the Rottnest Channel Swim on Saturday.

Madness in swim form

Paul gave a little speech before the session in which he said 'take confidence from knowing that you have never been fitter or more prepared for a race in your life, and you may never be again'. Good point. Anyway, good luck to all those awesome people doing the race. I take my hat off my mind boggled head to you (well I would if I was wearing a hat).

During the swim session this morning I also had a couple of interesting moments where people asked me about what happened at the Geelong 70.3. Once I explained that I was still getting over a cold, most people nodded understandingly, fair enough, after all it is a pretty reasonable reason. The interesting bit happened when I said that as well as being sick, I think by the end of the bike I had mentally disengaged from the race. When I mentioned that, I got the same understanding nods, those looks of, I know exactly what you mean. Some of those nods came from very good and very experience triathletes. It made me realise how common a problem it is, to switch off from a race and defeat yourself mentally, well before a race defeats you physically. It just reinforced for me how important it is to remain positive and confident, both through training and in racing. It is very hard to ask your body to give everything, when secretly you are doubting whether it can.

Hmmmm, he says in a serious and deep thinking sort of way.

Anyway, enough of that.

This afternoon it is bike time. That is riding the bike, not just spending quality time together over a coffee of something. Although that would be nice too.

I haven't really looked at the weather today, but I know the temperature is supposed to get up to 37 today. So I am going to head out on a limb and guess that my ride this afternoon is going to be a couple of hours of hot blowiness. On the bright side though, I haven't ridden in the afternoon for a couple of weeks and so whilst I am not looking forward to the conditions, it will be a nice change. The mornings are getting dark enough now that being out all ride in the daylight (and the heat) will be a bit of a novelty.

Should be good.

Although a coffee would be nice as well.