My race taper official begins now!
First off I need to tell you that on my last post on Sunday I accidentally left the impression that I did my long bike that day as opposed to Saturday. I mention that because I actually took Sunday completely off, and then yesterday did only a very short easy bike ride of 30 kms.
Despite the 2 easy days I woke up this morning with my heart rate still too high. Not a lot mind you but when I'm feeling good I am always under 50 bpm and this a.m. it was about 56. I didn't need to check my heart rate however to know that I was still not completely recovered from Saturday and as such had a tough decision to make. Whether to try a longer run, or to just go swimming and wait another day.
I decided to give it a shot and while it sure was not the kind of last long run I envisioned a couple of months ago, right now I'm gonna take it. I decided that the 4/1, walk/run routine was in order and I finished 27 kms that way. I was shooting for 30 kms but at 27 I knew it was over, and I walked home from there. It was really interesting as it played out as I was feeling pretty decent throughout, and at 24 kms I was very confident that I would finish the distance without any problem. One of the reasons I was feeling pleased at that point was because my heart rate had been creeping up gradually, and finally passed the140 mark at that point. Based on my recent struggles I seen this as a very positive thing. Over the next 3 kms I started to feel the symptoms that are now becoming familiar to me. Laboured breathing and tightness in my chest, accompanied by a slight 'drop' in my heart rate. I have finally gotten it through my thick skull that continuing the abuse when I get to that point is completely counterproductive. I am breaking my body down instead of building it up.
Anyway. despite the struggles of the last few months I'm in a pretty good spot mentally. In 26 days I will be doing an Ironman with my grandchildren watching, and I think the best way to give them a positive experience will be by having one myself. I have made more mistakes this time than in my previous attempts but in the course of those mistakes I have learned a ton. I've also worked a whole lot harder than before, and as such I deserve a good race day. I have no idea what my finish time will be but that's not the measure of a good day. If I stay within myself and don't get hurt I will call it a success.
I have 5 key workouts left starting with a complete race simulation this Saturday. It will still be a tough workout but the overall duration will be only 4 1/2 hours. Of course I'll let you know how it shakes out.
Love
Peter
First off I need to tell you that on my last post on Sunday I accidentally left the impression that I did my long bike that day as opposed to Saturday. I mention that because I actually took Sunday completely off, and then yesterday did only a very short easy bike ride of 30 kms.
Despite the 2 easy days I woke up this morning with my heart rate still too high. Not a lot mind you but when I'm feeling good I am always under 50 bpm and this a.m. it was about 56. I didn't need to check my heart rate however to know that I was still not completely recovered from Saturday and as such had a tough decision to make. Whether to try a longer run, or to just go swimming and wait another day.
I decided to give it a shot and while it sure was not the kind of last long run I envisioned a couple of months ago, right now I'm gonna take it. I decided that the 4/1, walk/run routine was in order and I finished 27 kms that way. I was shooting for 30 kms but at 27 I knew it was over, and I walked home from there. It was really interesting as it played out as I was feeling pretty decent throughout, and at 24 kms I was very confident that I would finish the distance without any problem. One of the reasons I was feeling pleased at that point was because my heart rate had been creeping up gradually, and finally passed the140 mark at that point. Based on my recent struggles I seen this as a very positive thing. Over the next 3 kms I started to feel the symptoms that are now becoming familiar to me. Laboured breathing and tightness in my chest, accompanied by a slight 'drop' in my heart rate. I have finally gotten it through my thick skull that continuing the abuse when I get to that point is completely counterproductive. I am breaking my body down instead of building it up.
Anyway. despite the struggles of the last few months I'm in a pretty good spot mentally. In 26 days I will be doing an Ironman with my grandchildren watching, and I think the best way to give them a positive experience will be by having one myself. I have made more mistakes this time than in my previous attempts but in the course of those mistakes I have learned a ton. I've also worked a whole lot harder than before, and as such I deserve a good race day. I have no idea what my finish time will be but that's not the measure of a good day. If I stay within myself and don't get hurt I will call it a success.
I have 5 key workouts left starting with a complete race simulation this Saturday. It will still be a tough workout but the overall duration will be only 4 1/2 hours. Of course I'll let you know how it shakes out.
Love
Peter
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