STOKED, cooked, PSYCHED, fried, ON FIRE, baked....

Hey Gang
Anyone else feeling absolutely focussed, stoked, on task, excited, passionate, BUT feeling the body reacting to the training stimulus?!

That's me. I have ramped up training as my foot is finally ready to go. I'm a late entry into the Osoyoos 1/2 Iron, which means it would have been a good idea to swim, at least a little, over the winter and spring... SO, this means I've added swim and run to a healthy cycling passion, and it feels fantastic, but also super tiring.

The training plan provides some direction and motivation. I've done my best to build the volume to get you ready for IM, but it's your job to monitor your fatigue and recovery after key workouts. How can you do this? Here are some ideas..

- the step test: ramp up the speed or watts in 3-5 min intervals, and check the HR. Same as last time? Up, down?
- sleep: ideally you are getting a little more. Don't hesitate to take a 20min nap if the opportunity ever presents itself.
- let you family know that in the next couple of months, you won't be quite as effective at home as usual. Don't take on extra tasks at work etc.
- are you tearful, grumpy, anxious? your friends and family probably know...

If you have signs of stress, and fatigue consider taking 3 days off COMPLETELY. You won't lose a thing. You will get stronger while you rest.

Some of you have mentioned you're anxious about the LONG rides pre-IM. Physically, I think you are better off getting shorter (3-4 hr) workouts more frequently, rather than EPIC (5-7hr) rides less frequently. After 4 hours, you are really emptying your reserves. It'll take quite a while to recover. The only real purpose it to understand what the body feels like in that position after 6+ hrs. You'll learn how to fuel when you feel pooched, and how to rest your back and neck etc. So, my opinion is, do the uber long ride once to remind yourself what it takes, but then stick to the longer bricks, and shorter rides. You'll be a lot fresher than your fellow athletes on the start line!!

So, let us know how you are feeling?