Active rest

Another busy but quiet day today. Busy because we were still up at Guilderton this morning and needed to get back to Perth by the end of the day. Quiet because while we got up to lots of things today, training wasn't one of them.

It is strange because I really feel like I could train. My shoulder is feeling pretty darn fine. Still a bit painful where the stitches are, much like yesterday, but beyond that it feels close to normal. In fact rather than protecting it I think one of the biggest challenges will be getting used to trusting the shoulder again. While I need to be gentle with it I don't need to be shielding it completely like I have been. I did something with my right arm earlier today before I could stop myself (I can't remember what it was) and I was surprised to find it was fine. Getting used to using it again will be a slow process I think.

Proper Summer in Autumn day in Perth today. Getting up into the high 30s. Guilderton is a lot of fun and not a bad place to spend a hot day, but you do tend to be out in the heat a fair bit, which means the whole family is exhausted at the moment. Just kind of collapsed in a collective heap until it is time for bed. Shattered, but happy in the knowledge that it is a well deserved exhaustion.

More resting tomorrow, although I am going to try and get hold of Dr Hewitt just to get some clarity on what I can and can't do, how careful I need to be etc. It is not that I am seeking permission to train with the shoulder, I am happy to give it week to heal as instructed. It is more that I would like some certainty around how strong/weak the joint is, risk of re-injury etc.

Besides relaxing and enjoying family time in the Sun, the other thing I have spent some time doing today is tracking the progress of Craig Percival as he completes his 8th Ironman in 8 consecutive days. Each one in a different state/territory of Australia. Craig has been undertaking this amazing feat to raise funds for the John Maclean foundation. Watching his progress over the last week or so has been absolutely amazing. Not only has it been a phenomenal physical effort, but also a logistical one. Watching Craig complete an Ironman then jump on a plane or into a car to get to the next state/territory to start all over again, sometimes with little of no sleep in between has been awe inspiring. Today is the last leg is this longest of journeys and it seems like a real party atmosphere is developing over in Melbourne to cheer him to the finish. Amazing achievement.