Fresh Start by digby8

Well, this is the time I hate.  I'm 5 and 7 weeks from my main autumn events and this is my least favourite part of the training.  The ramp up before taper, it's so tiring but it's so worth it.

Just as a reminder, I'm doing my first tri-athlon at Tatton - straight into Olympic distance as I don't do anything fast so a Sprint couldn't work for me - and the Kilomathon in Edinburgh (26.2 KM). 

Training is odd, I'm used to building up my long runs at this stage but having decided that the triathlon is my focus I'm simply not doing the mileage - still between 10 and 15 miles a week, which is mentally very odd.  However, I am doing 60-80 miles on the bike, 1 pool training session (c 3K) and 1 open water training session, plus my usual once a week resistance work out - so the weight is coming off 7 pounds in the last 5 weeks.

I finally did a long run at the weekend, 11 miles, first 8 with my running partner at her pace and then she ordered me to go run off at my pace for the last three.  The last bit was painful but my fitness is telling as I managed sub 8 minute miles for the last three (given my 10K PB is @ 8:11 pace I was really pleased).  So my legs can take distance!

Open water continues to be amazing and mad at the same time, neoprene is not my favourite look and I'm still firmly in the beginners set.  However, each time I am breathing less of the lake in as I learn to swim properly - I must remember to get Peter from work something for forcing me to do this as it has been absolutely invaluable to go, something on my own I probably would not have bothered with.

Fingers crossed I can do the tri in under 3 hours!