Taper?

I've not done anything remotely like the distance of a middle distance triathlon before so this week building up to the race is pretty much guesswork from me.

A very valuable trip up to the course last weekend has got me worried about falling to bits pretty early in the run so although I don't want to do too much this week I felt I needed to put in a bit of distance too build my confidence a little.

Anyway, with the wisdom of Tommy blaring out in my internal monologue I set out for about an hour last night. I ran with the most comfort and ease I can remember for a very long time. I stayed light and up on my forefoot for all of the 12 km. As a consequence I felt like i was running faster or as fast but for less effort.

This was borne out when I checked my Garmin back at the flat, the run had taken 57 mins which would be about normal for me I suppose (I've only ever managed 48mins for a 10km) but my average heart rate was about 10bpm lower.

For the rest of the week I think it's back to taking it easy. I'll have an hour or so on the bike to dial in the position with the new seatpost and aero bars and Wednesday I'll get along to Loch Lomond for an open water swim. the only new thing I'm considering is a sports massage on Thursday.

The only cloud on the horizon at present is that my boss, who I spent the whole day yesterday sat next to, is currently at home on a swine flu quarrantine...................................

Training this week

Having deluded myself that the Aberfeldy Middle Distance was some years away I've come to the stark realisation that it's this weekend.

Last weekend provided a much needed wake-up call when I went up to recce the course with Peter Morag and Mr V.

I rode the 90km of the bike fairly strong - I took off up Scheihallion Road ahead of the other 3 thinking Peter was ahead of me and stayed ahead of them for the rest of the ride.

A very worthwhile session though. I realised that I was planning to start eating too late in the ride and I'll now adjust the plan accordingly. I think I was putting a few too many anaerobic effort getting out of the saddle when climbing and therefore a bit more sitting and spinning will be the order of the day to save my legs a bit come Saturday.

Coming off the bike I couldn't comprehend doing 21km of running but it'll need to get done so I'll just need to get my head round it and shuffle on through.