After the last race the training sessions have started to become longer. The midweek training was about the same. Maybe a little more intense than usual but nothing crazy. The weekends on the other hand really hurt. The first weekend the main goal was a 2.5-3hr run. I assumed that I could get in anywhere from 25-30kms at a nice easy pace. Well I say easy pace but not easy on the body. So that morning I started out trying to not take off too fast and keep the heart rate under control. It was all going well and then 4kms in while I was looking around at the world and not where I was going when I rolled my ankle. I had stepped on a seed pod from a tree. I should have seen it as there was a heap around but I was reading a sign at the time.
I thought about continuing on with the run as I hoped it wasn't bad but after a few steps I changed my mind in case I did more damage. So the rest of that day was all about recovery.
I talked to my coach about the incident and we moved a few things around so I could still get the run in a few weeks later. The next day was a 90km ride and a 3km run off the bike. I was told to take it easy and see how the ankle feels. I ended up only doing 60kms and calling it a day. There was a little bit of pain above the ankle bone which while it didn't stop me riding as such it was annoying. Once again I rested it as much as I could.
The next week I didn't have to run until Thursday and every day my ankle was getting better while walking. On Thursday I thought that it was all good. Once I started running on it I realised it wasn't as good as I thought. It didn't stop me running but I could tell that it was weak and I needed to be careful of the angles I put it on.
On the weekend I had a 4km swim Saturday and Sunday was the 180km ride. The 4km swim went better than expected. Yes boring as watching paint dry but I got though it feeling fine. The ride on the other hand just hurt. It started out ok. Got through about 60kms to the first turn around then then I found the headwind. So that really took a toll on me. About 100kms in I was busting for a pee. 25kms later I pulled over after finding a quiet bush location and made myself more comfortable. I could not bring myself to just go on the bike. 10kms later and I had a puncture. Feeling so over it and getting a flat does not really make you a happy rider. Once fixed I got back to riding and headed towards home. Near home I needed another 24kms to make the distance. I did a few loops around town including some bike paths. What a stupid decision that was. People just don't care about giving way to anyway. They will walk and ride where ever they want. I mean really can't they just stay to one side. Even when they are heading right at you on your side they seem to want to play a game of chicken. Apart from idiots and a small amount of cramping due to some nutrition issues I got through the rest pretty well although slowly. Finally it was over with. The next time I ride that long will be the race.
The week after that included an Easter long weekend so 4 days off work and it was a rest week. What a joy. Knowing I had to still do my long run I shuffled the training around so I could do it on the Monday of the long weekend which was the start of the next weeks program after the rest week. I had done a couple of small runs since the incident and the ankle was still in a little pain so I was worried how it would hold up. The run once again started well. I followed the same path as last time and really made sure I didn't stupidly trip. The ankle was ok. Not strong but if I kept my foot in line it seemed to be ok. I made the first loop with a good pace that I was looking for. Heart rate seemed to be under control so apart from my legs knowing I was running things were looking good. The first loop was a little over 17kms. Stopping at home for a quick drink I went out for the second loop. This time closer to home as I did not know how many more times I would like to stop at home for another drink.
At about the 23km mark I had to follow the path down into a park. Down the sharp downhill section I seemed to over stretch the sore ankle a little and I got a sharp pain. I hobbled along for another 20 meters and stopped for a moment. I had done a pretty good job already and needed about 3kms to make the minimum time. After thinking it though I decided to keep going and just see how it feels. Lucky for me the pain subsided and I was able to continue. At the 26km mark I had done 2.5hrs and was back at home. Not wanting to push my ankle anymore I thought I should end it there. I had completed the minimum planned task so I was happy.
Looking ahead I can see one more painful day which involves a 120km ride and a 21km run off the bike. That's not going to be fun but the rest of the plan is starting to get easier until race day. Which is pretty close now.
