Don’t do that!
I binned it off at Helvellyn and regret it now.
My shoes were soaked (had a spare pair in my bag, which was right there) and I couldn’t be bothered running up that hill (I wasn’t happy about the scrambling on my recce in 20 odd degrees, let alone damp and wet)
However…I binned it off, got changed in a loo and drove home sulking.
Instead, I could’ve been having a post race chat with Adam and Chris about how they totally spanked me.
Think of how good it feels after the race.
I’ve never felt good after I’ve quit a race.
DNF due to freak events isn’t much you can do.
I know its a bit far back to see properly - but is anything glaring wrong. Starting to think hip is to closed. Dont want to mess with the position too much, but moving it a couple of mm to maybe open things up shouldnt make me need to adapt any.
Im not one that can pull results out the bag. My training gives me the confidence that thats what I can achieve on the day. So I’ll eek out seconds on a 5k, then wait for months for my next few seconds.
I think WAY to much; my brain does not switch off. So if things arent going well that’ll just be on repeat (I hate it).
So no fire away - I’m not fragile (well except for my shoulder and foot… and hip…)
So it might not be a pb day. If you can accept that now and get over it you might surprise yourself. Try and enjoy it. You’ve put the work in, that’s for sure
Just remember. After all this is done, it’ll be winter and you can beast all those punks on Zwift again. Get that weight dropped down 10kgs or so and BOSS IT MAAAAN.
Well… I hardly ever race. Not sure why I do the training now you’ve made me question it.
I know without it I become a right mardy tw@t. I do enjoy some aspects of it - found the zwift stuff a revelation this year (whether thats cause I started doing well with my aritificially enhanced numbers I dont know).
I certainly never find anything easy. Zero background in sport, absolutely nothing in the W22 gene pool. So Im never at the pointy end - but improving on my ability I guess was motivating factor.
Running pace completely evaporated last year (inline with lockdown and stopping bike commuting maybe the factor) but I’ve really tried to adapt to running slow (tho you’ll see my HR still hasnt adapted). I kept with it hoping that was the missing piece to the previous long distance stuff where the run didnt end great.
I think it really is just the bike leaving me so disappointed and low.
The swim will be what it is, lockdown and injury and I didnt think Id get round. Ive quite enjoyed the OW stuff this year tho. Yes it’ll be a struggle - but I’d say the swim is my weakness.
The bike I feel should be my strength. And no matter how hard I try and crank the pedals I’m just not seeing the numbers I want. I dont expect zwift numbers, take off 30watts for turbo discrepancy, take off another 30 for TT position… Im still masses down.
This is also the first year I’ve used power (outside) - whilst I thought that would be great to rein things in, I’m not sure if its done the opposite and Ive mentally allowed myself to cap the other end of the spectrum.
I want a result “I’m” proud of. No-one else gives a sh1t 2 mins after its been posted on strava or a forum. I’ve looked back many a time at my prev 2 LD races and taken ALOT of positives, strength and pride in those. I think thats what I want.
I cant see rocking a 12hour+ time is gonna give me those feelings.
So yeah assuming Boris doesnt change anything and this is entirely my decision and the race is still going ahead…
Relief - maybe… but completely overridden by Guilt/Failure/Self pity.
FOMO - on the event itself. Not so much. On the “what might have been” - then yes
I am going. I just wish certain aspects of the training had given me more confidence that I’d be crushing grapes rather than contemplating my version of “defeat”.
Hoping theres enough distractions for my brain to focus on other things.
AND after all that faff with the latex tubes - one of thems got a slow puncture
