The Day After...

I thought it was supposed to be the most dreadful day. I thought I will be sore all over and can barely get off my bed. As I was watching the telly at half 9, I could barely keep my eyes open despite the cracker of a game between man u and liverpool.

As it happened, my eyes opened and i awoke at 5 am as always. I was surprised. I sat my alarm to wake up at 7 am to go to work but my body was used to the routine of old, 5 am for a run or bike. I was aching a bit in the calves and quads but not too bad. I scampered out of bed and  changed up and got ready for work instead of a workout.

I had a killer of a clinic but was doing a post- mortem subconsciously of my race. I was particularly interested in my thoughts at each segment of the race.

Pre- race: I was strangely detached though not in a negative way mind you. Rather I was not anxious and did not think very much about the potential difficulties. I was thankful the weather was decent and that my preparation was as good as it is.

Swim: I focused on turning my head and looking at the blue sky and tried to sight every 10 strokes, and kept my breathing even. I was mildly anxious when i noted the other waves were overtaking me and I saw very few yellow cappers. I thought about those hours in the pool and tried to use my core muscles.  I emerged 220 of 240 but felt good I kept to my race plan and a heart rate at 130/minute.

Bike: I kept my eye peeled on my speedometer and tried to keep my cadence at 80-90. In the first lap, I focused on following the rules of non-drafting and realized  everybody was doing with every given opportunity. I thought of my rudy project glasses and what a scoop for me to have bought it as it really came in handy with the dusty road and the crud you get on on the Sheares bridge. I noticed the debris from the Sands resort at the side of the road. I was conscious of my right quads, then left quads and debated on the merits and demerits of getting out of the saddle given the sorry state of my fatigued muscles. I tried to look for SE but could not see him. On the second lap, the muscles relaxed somewhat and i started to enjoy the ride. I was pedalling with decent efficiency in the aero position. I saw some cool guys with the aero helmets and resolve to buy one when i finally hit average 35 km-40 km/hour( hah that probably means never). By the third lap, I was suffering again, my back and bum was killing me. You know someone once told me you are never consciously aware of your arse till you get hemorrhoids, then it becomes conscious and in the forefront. It pre-occupies your mind with every movement. It was like that with my back and bum. With every pedal stroke, I was experiencing excruciating pain and had to grit my teeth and finish the 10 km.

Run: I focused on running form but before long I was so fatigued I could not go any faster before cramping up. I focused on getting from one aid station to the other and looked at the other runners in a similar plight. WIth all their sunglasses on I could not see in their eyes but could probably fathom what was in their heads.It should probably be like mine, which is "what am I doing fighting as I am fighting to  put one foot after the other". I told myself this is where the race starts and I have to dig deep into myself and summon every limited ounce of energy to keep moving. I smiled for the first time when I saw WL and the girls cheering me on excitedly.Who wouldn't? with the finish line in sight, I tried to regain some form and ran past the finish line with a grin on my face, glad it was all over.

So what is next? SE suggested Phuket 70.3; I thought Busselton is a possibility. When I mentioned to WL, she rolled her eyes and said plainly that I was plain looney.

Yes, probably I am but hey you only live once right?