Spring has Sprung!!!

After having what I could only call a bleurgh August, I have begun September with a spring in my step, a determination to update my blog each week, and to get to bed by 10pm each night! Ok, so the last one will be a struggle with the forthcoming Rugby World Cup! I don't know how people get to bed much before then. By the time I've finished my training, had dinner, done the chores it's at least 9pm. And I do need some TV time each day.

This week I've been for a couple of 3-4hr rides which have been really good fun, a wind trainer session, some gym work- circuits and weights, three swims, lots of technique drills and a few runs. I had a great ride on the grading ride yesterday (it's a race which is used as preparation for the Five Passes- but I would never "race it"! and then I ran 6km to the gym, did a pump class and ran home, it felt really good, running at dusk with a beautiful sunset disappearing over the hills with a tail wind home.

My IM build up programme starts (officially) today, with a coached running session- core work and interval training at QEII stadium in Christchurch. Then Tues swim and Short Bays (about a 2hr ride-hills), Wed 1hr wind trainer session and 1hr run off bike, Thurs swim and 1.5hr hill reps, Fri technique/drills swim, Sat- tri club training (Bike/Run) then Sun medium bike (3-3 1/2 hrs) and short run off bike. Plus we have a tri club quiz night on Friday….and that is the extent of my social life this week ;o)

This is the start of my big bike base phase which includes the K2- I think I must be going crazy. I have never felt really really stuffed at the end of a race, and if this doesn't do it, well IM certainly will. I need to improve my bike so this provides a fantastic opportunity (and also to use my flash new race wheels!) I have never done a bike race before, and I need to do something that I am just doing for fun, taking away all that competitive go hard, go nuts from my race plan and just go steady - let's face it, it is 7 hours (plus?!, minus?!!) of biking hills! Most of my rides are hilly to build well needed strength, the hills are my friends….But I've yet to officially enter, I entered Taupo half IM this week, so will wait a while before another splurge.

This weekend I flew up to Auckland for the afternoon to meet Steve and Simone (the company owners) and the other sponsored Alpe d'Huez IMers in training, Graeme, Kathy, Kieran and Raewyn. It was great to meet them all and talk IM, tri and our aspirations and fears for the next six months.

Kathy, one of the other Alpe gear athletes has lent me a triathlete's guide to mental training - I read the Ironman chapter on the flight home. The advice and stories were right on the nail- now to read the rest of the book and put the suggestions and mental training into practice! The main thing I have learnt is to throw away all time conceptions I may have. I'm even thinking I may cover my bike computer, so it doesn't plague me and just enjoy the ride and the laps. I'm in it to finish it, it's my first Ironman, softly, softly catchy monkey!

This week will also see me hunting for a job in Auckland. I'm looking for a complete change and I've applied for all sorts of jobs, but anything with a sports bent is catching my eye. No bites as yet, but I'm not panicking yet. We need to sell the house and get settled first. Nevertheless if anyone out there has any suggestions or connections in this area, please let me know. I may be a qualified lawyer, but I have many talents, and skills in other areas which are transferable. Most importantly I need to be active!