A painful day. My first withdrawal.

Today I will be withdrawing from my 2.80.20 Cairns. I'm not injured, I'm probably fit enough, I've got the essential gear and I could get the time off so what gives? Basically, while I could just about squeeze everything in that's exactly what it would be, a squeeze. My gravel was reduced go getting there as late as possible, leaving virtually as soon as the race finished, going alone with the family staying behind and with none of the little upgrades( some Aero wheels, bar end Shifters etc) I'd promised myself.

So I could do it I just don't want to start my ironmonger experience that way. So rather than half search it I have withdrawn.

But this is a tactical redeployment, not a retreat from ironman distances. Stay tuned for news on my replacement event.

One week, some disappointment, but triumph

So, one week into my 29 week program and already off plan. I had a simple task this week, just 9 hours training, in a preparation phase so nothing extreme. My plan wasn't difficult, my basic anchor workouts (riding to work and my lunch run/swim bricks) knock over 6.5 hours so a few gym sessions and even a little work on the weekend and I was done.

But I didnt make it to just nine hours - instead I only managed 7:39, what the?

So why the shortfall? First, my bike broke - nothing serious, just a little wheel problem but three days off line and I lost a few training options. Secondly what was supposed to be three hours of swimming because 90 minutes as I simply couldnt get in the pool as much as I wanted to (and my arms gave out as I started training for the first time in 20 years.). But probably worst of all, I had nothing for Saturday and had to take the day off.

But there was an upside. Friday.

Denied my ride, but getting home early I decided to go for a run. A few minutes done and a k and a bit behind me I felt good. So I hit my usual turn point but thought fuck it, I'm feelin good - lets press a little further. So I just kept running. Then I hit the beach and I love running along the beach, so I did. Then I had to come home and well I could run along the beach a bit more so why stop. Finally it was a quick run to home and well...actually then it stopped. I was spent, the joy was gone. But now it became the challenge. I would finish this, I would. So a little prep and off I pushed.

The last bit was a grind, but I made it. So that was that. In the end I ran my first ever 10k. I felt shattered, I hurt all over, I wanted to die. I was in love, this was great. But it cost me training on Saturday.

But you know what? it was worth it. That 10k has pushed my through a barrier. Today I ran (and swam) my work brick harder than ever, felt great and could have gone longer harder except I had to get back to the office. It hurt, and put me behind schedule, but that 10k has pushed me to a place I've never been before and a place I plan to push past.