- stocking up on energy drinks/bars for the day
- what kit are we going to wear
- practice change over
- book in a sports massage with the excellent Angela Mudge at Knead To Relax
- planning spare food/breakfasts for the morning of race day
- checking over the bikes
- locating cardboard boxes to safeguard the bikes in transport to the start line.
- labels for bags so we can gather our gear again at the end of the day
- general panicking about whether or not we have enough training miles in on the bike!
We have now done a 'last long' run (15-16 miles on the forest trails at Aberfoyle) and a 'last long' cycle (I did 40 miles taking in the hill climb from Bridge of Allan to Sherrifmuir and circling back via Callendar); and are now considering which runs to do for our taper to ensure we maintain our fitness but don't succumb to injury now we are in the final straight.
It really does seem most surreal to be at this stage of training already, I think that because we had our wedding in early May that we were so focussed on that and the training very much became part of planning for the wedding; therefore with only having done another 3 weeks training since returning from the wedding, the Highland Cross seems to have come around very quickly!
From a fitness perspective both Colin and I were really happy with our run on Saturday, but Colin was shattered on Sunday again and for the first time I've ever known he struggled on the bike ride because he was so tired. I wasn't so bad but am definitely achey today. I am not sure I'm as fast on a bike as last year but I think I can complete it if I can just stay fit, injury free and not put on weight in this last fortnight. The not putting on weight might seem a strange thing to say but it's this fortnight when it is most likely as your body is used to eating the extra carbohydrates it needs to power long runs but you are actually doing less training and so burning fewer calories. It takes tremendous will power to eat what you need and not what you want! (or is that just me???) - anyway it's all part of the preparation and planning is something I thankfully enjoy doing or so I am telling myself anyway. Any tips of helping with this will power and final fortnight taper diet will be gratefully received!
Speaking of gratitude, I'd like to thank those of you who have sponsored us, your support is really very much appreciated. Don't forget you still can by clicking on the Just Giving link on this blog.
By the way did I say - 12 days to go... gulp!
It really does seem most surreal to be at this stage of training already, I think that because we had our wedding in early May that we were so focussed on that and the training very much became part of planning for the wedding; therefore with only having done another 3 weeks training since returning from the wedding, the Highland Cross seems to have come around very quickly!
From a fitness perspective both Colin and I were really happy with our run on Saturday, but Colin was shattered on Sunday again and for the first time I've ever known he struggled on the bike ride because he was so tired. I wasn't so bad but am definitely achey today. I am not sure I'm as fast on a bike as last year but I think I can complete it if I can just stay fit, injury free and not put on weight in this last fortnight. The not putting on weight might seem a strange thing to say but it's this fortnight when it is most likely as your body is used to eating the extra carbohydrates it needs to power long runs but you are actually doing less training and so burning fewer calories. It takes tremendous will power to eat what you need and not what you want! (or is that just me???) - anyway it's all part of the preparation and planning is something I thankfully enjoy doing or so I am telling myself anyway. Any tips of helping with this will power and final fortnight taper diet will be gratefully received!
Speaking of gratitude, I'd like to thank those of you who have sponsored us, your support is really very much appreciated. Don't forget you still can by clicking on the Just Giving link on this blog.
By the way did I say - 12 days to go... gulp!
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