Taper week
In our world of swim, bike and run with the race looming at the weekend this week is taper week, as mentioned before training volume reduces but a degree of intensity remains like some sort of comfort blanket, a reminder you are fit, you can do it and you will smash it come race day.
Both Ben and I have had a satisfying week, splits of our 1k runs and 50m sprints in the water have headed south, PB’s (personal bests) smashed, wahooooo!! Those who have read each installment of the blog are probably as familiar with our training regime as we are! Mon afternoon means a run. This run was surprisingly uneventful, no yapping dogs, no charging cows, just Ben hot on my heels!!! However, never dull, we witnessed a local using trees as a boxing punch bag and a man practicing his violin skills but no violin just an imaginary one in his head. We did a ramp run, start steady and build the pace up, finish on a high! One hour later with a high achieved job done.
Tues am was a steady 40k ride with your fastest 1k run straight off the bike. Whilst out riding I also got a lesson on what 7 meters looks like!!! Whilst racing on the bike leg drafting is illegal, i.e. being closer than 7meters behind the cyclist in front of you, 7 meters and 1 cm behind the rider in front of you is legal, no penalty and you get about a 10% energy saving. Jurgen had us cycling in a line 7 meters apart, he said I was more like 12 meters. Why is it girls always have such a poor gauge of measurement when it comes to size!!!!
I had promised my legs once again the 1k run was the last time that I had to run like the wind until race day, it was now time to reward them. Purely for research purposes, I of course, had the check out the Sea Salt Body Scrub which is on offer at out new favorite massage destination, Thai Carnation. Let’s just say it did not disappoint, my skin did exactly what it said on the tin, glow! I also had a cheeky 1 hour massage after that to ensure I was completely relaxed. No offence to anyone I have spent 2 hours with but those 2 hours will take some topping!!
Ben opted just for the Thai massage and met his match! I did want to write ben likes it hard, oh whoops I just have but what I meant was he likes his massages firm, of course!!! And “Knock” his masseuse today delivered exactly what he asked for. Just for further clarity …….. with all the pounding we are giving our bodies day in day out a deep tissue (firm) massage is part of being a pro or wannabe athlete.
The day was topped off pretty well, seared tuna with salad, my kind of dinner and all for less than £3!!
Thurs was an organized, police escorted cycle of the bike course, we had cycled most of the route over the past few weeks but there were a few new twists and turns which was great to see pre race. Next was a practice swim, the swim course takes in the ocean (1.2k), a small beach run then a swim in the lagoon (600m). The ocean is exactly as you may have seen in some pics white sand, crystal clear water, AND THEN….. there is the lagoon!! The best way to describe It for those familiar with open water swimming it’s like a lake in the UK. For those not familiar with lake swimming, picture this……..swampy, muddy, black, dark, reduced visibility, am I selling it to you!!! The lagoon is a far few degrees warmer than the sea, this is what it must be like to be in an incubator! I just hope the excitement of swimming in the sauna race day does not keep me awake the night before with excitement!!!!!!!!!
Thurs eve we were out to dinner with Gift and her family, it was to be our last supper with them. They chose a fab Thai restaurant in Phuket town which resembled a tree house. With all the food pics and menu choices we have talked about you may have got the impression it’s hard to go wrong in Thailand with food and I have yet to have a bad meal. Now that’s something from a fussy eater like me who thinks some oil or sauce will mean instant obesity!!!
Friday, today was the first day since we have been in Phuket an alarm was not set, does one detect a lie in. Although yes you have guessed it a lie in for team benben is not want most would put on their Christmas list as a lie in. It was 7 something so good for us!! Not only were we treated to a lie in but it’s a full rest day where feet up, sipping on electrolyte drinks and cat napping is the order of the day. Bikes will get a polish too!
Oh and how did I forget to mention in between and alongside all of tasks for today, R N R, my golf knowledge will be once again be improved. We have Euro sport on the TV which means the Golf Channel, rest and watching golf now appears to go hand in hand! I can quite comprehensively tell you who has a great swing, who is going to have a dislocated shoulder in the post from their somewhat erratic swing and that there is LOADS more money in golf than triathlon!!!!
Oh and how could I let you read on without this golf gem, on the PGA Tour Rory McIlroy is 116 under par!!! Do please let me know if you would like to nominate me as your “phone a friend” on “Who wants to be a millionaire” Golf Christmas Special!!!!
Talking of jingle bells we saw our first Christmas tree, it felt very bizarre to me witnessing twinkling lights as beads of sweat rolled down my skin, Ben was of course the opposite, it felt very normal, more familiar to him.
Next update will be post race with a full account of blood, sweat and tears!!!???
Team benben xx
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