Jelly Legs

Wow, tough ride last night. It was a fairly standard session that we do most weeks, and for some reason it kills me every time. I am not sure what it is about it, it is a couple of hours of riding and includes a lot of strength work. On paper it looks harmless enough, but nearly every time I do it I end up with shaky legs and just holding on for the last 10 minutes of the session. Last night was no different. I was near my limit by the time I finally finished up.

Still these are the sessions that make the differences.

As a result of the killer ride last night I just wasn't up for running this morning. I am pulling a similar stunt to Tuesday and will do my run tonight, although I will do it from home this time, rather than running from the City. The plan had been to run this morning, but once I crawled off the bike I just knew that my legs didn't have it in them. Hopefully by this afternoon they do, but once again, even if they don't, heading out and getting something done is the key. Something is better than nothing.

I am still getting used to this whole part time work thing. For me this is effectively Friday, my weekend starts this afternoon. I don't say this to rub it in, it is more that this morning that fact dawned on me. Sounds obvious I know, but there you go. That fact is significant because I have a long run tonight. Doing that sort of run on a weeknight takes a bit of mental effort just getting yourself out the door. Doing that sort of run on a Friday evening more just feels like a nice way to wind down the week. Doesn't sound like much, but it makes a big difference mentally.

A lot more information has come out for Busselton 70.3 recently. Start lists have been released etc. All becoming very real. Big pro field with some very solid names there. Lucky number 13 is my bib number. Very different style of racing to Putrajaya and Subic Bay. Busselton is just plain fast, which isn't really to my strengths. Give me a tough day out any day. After the sufferfests of Subic Bay and Putrajaya though it will be nice to have a day where it isn't just all about survival. I would by lying if I said the nerves weren't kicking in a bit more for this one though. Big race, in front of the home crowd etc. I don't feel any pressure of expectation on me, but it is very hard to not place some of that on yourself. Really though my focus is internal. I had a good race last year, but I am in much better form now than I was then, so if I can have a better day this year than last year, then I will call that a win.

For me now though the trick will be to not spend the next two weeks obsessing over the race and instead keeping myself centred in what I am doing here and now. Stressing about the race won't make my performance on the day any better. Focusing on my training and making sure I am getting the best quality out of it that I can will.