Mislaid plans...

Intention is generally laced with good will.  However, at times, this foresight is over-excited, ambitious and occasionally, completely confused!  Here enters the expression of my bold plans from last weeks blog.

So, I had stated that I was aiming for two 200km weeks of running (with a small gap in the middle) in the lead up to BVRT 100miler.  Shortly after posting said blog, I did some calculations and actually realised that I didn't even have that much time with a taper and a couple days off after getting tattooed to fit those two weeks of training in.  Completely confused.  Idiot.  Sometimes I just laugh at myself.  Error number one.

Secondly, after starting the first week shooting for the 200 I quickly realised my left knee still wasn't 100% and to do such volume for volumes sake was ridiculous and utterly unproductive.  Trying to hit a number ‘just because’ isn’t always the wisest thing to do.  So…..project aborted.  Error number two

Thirdly, I have had a reoccurring health issue resurface which really hit me mentally and has had me not feeling great.  I had a day feeling particularly down but after a short pity party, I picked myself up and got back at it.  I seem to be on the mend now and hope to have no trace of it come race day.  Not really an error but still sucks.

In saying all this and coming up with some weak but probably valid excuses, I have still got some solid, good training in.  It still isn’t really that far removed from UTA but here we are….two and a half weeks out from BVRT 100miler.  Am I ready?  Well, the fitness is certainly there and apart from being a bit tired, with a taper I will be ready to throw down on race day.

Whilst it is great to set ourselves lofty goals, and in years gone by I would have killed myself to achieve them, I am learning after many years of training and racing that it is not always smart to destroy ones self in seeking to fulfil them.  Sometimes the smarter thing to do is to not run (yes I just said that), to re-adjust and to keep the bigger picture in sight (says he who just did six training sessions in three days!)  So, whilst this is not an excuse for laziness by any means, listen to your body.  I am mainly speaking to myself here.  It is always talking to us and sending us signals that we can choose to listen to or not.  I am learning….slowly.

I look forward to continually setting myself big ridiculous goals and mini targets.  I also look forward to staying healthy, getting smarter as the years go by and not just killing myself with youthful vigour.  I am in this for the long haul and want to run into old age….crushing massive goals in the process.  Are you willing to do the same?

Much love friends….until next week…..get and stay smarter!