And heading into glorious taper. Oh how I am enjoying the easier sessions and relishing in making myself feel nice and fresh and relaxed. If I remember back to Port I was freaking out about going into taper as I thought I was going to lose all of my new found fitness, when the reality of it is, this couldn't be further from the truth. Our bodies need this down time to help repair our muscles. Have a read of this ARTICLE that I found which sums it up nicely.
I felt so fresh in the water this morning going for my swim with the squad. But I also felt strong and in total control of my breathing and stroke for a change when I was being challenged to maintain an even time over the course of 10 x 100's. My normal pacing over that sort of set seems to be about a 1:25 per/100 or slightly slower, however today I don't know what got into me but I was STOKED. I came in on each 100m in about 1:20/1:22 and then got plenty rest as we had to leave on 1:45. I couldn't believe it. I normally feel really fatigued and delirious when I push hard but this morning was a totally different kettle of fish. It's really exhilarating when something like that happens.
Then heading out for we were short one person - Sarah - we missed you. You did however retain the green sprinters jersey as the only thing we got chased by this morning resembled a hairy little rodent and did nothing more than than yelp and try to assert itself. Kind of funny watching a little dog try to act like a Great Dane.
And as always there were laughs to be had. I couldn't help myself - I had to have a ride of Jen's bike. I was suddenly transported into a feeling of being in a circus. My knees were touching my elbows in aero and I had to sit and pedal with my knees pointing outwards. It was so funny. Like watching a clown at the circus.
After all this fun on the bike it was then time to run. It's amazing how your perspective on a distance changes over time. When I first started running, the thought of running 8km's on it's own would seem so painful and so out of reach, let alone having to do it off the bike. But somehow over time and a few km's under my belt it doesn't seem like such a daunting thought anymore. I remember hearing people say "oh I only have to run 10km" and thinking to myself "My God, will there ever be a day when I can say JUST 10km's". And now I find myself saying the same. I never thought that day would come and it has. WOW. I feel so blessed that my body has allowed me to keep moving forward. I don't ever want this feeling to end.
This week has also been great because I won the TriShave 3in1 competition and scored myself $300 towards my next adventure. Well, having no idea of what my next adventure should be, all I could think was that I know I didn't want my current adventure to end. Life has been too much fun over the last year so the best way to capture life itself and all the riding I do was to put that $300 towards a :
GoPro HD Hero Helmet Camera.
I can't wait to get it. It's already been shipped. UPS tracking system says so. Imagine the awesome photos I will get out cycling without having to fumble with my iPhone. I'm excited. I could even get some cool shots on our club races. Mmmmm, the mind is working overtime.
Thanks TriShave.
