Entered - Oliver Half Iron

First race of the season - June 6th.

The Debate

My internal debate continues and today is decision day. I haven't yet made up my mind.

The question: Enter the Oliver half iron and seek to qualify for Ironman Canada? Or wait?

Waiting isn't any easier.

It's now 6.30am here and I'm somewhat delaying an early morning spin on my trainer. I'll get there momentarily.

I'm keen to be more fit than I am now. I think - rather I know - having the focus of a race will make it easier for me.

Seven Days of Swimming

In the last few weeks, I've been in touch with three friends - two are coaches.

I've written a seven day program which involves swimming at least once seven consecutive days, starting on a Monday.

The idea was sparked by my continuing fascination with 'epic' training. But this pending swim week isn't about volume - it's about feel.

In the last year, having eased significantly on overall volume and crazy brick sessions, I've become more technically proficient at each sport.

Swimming is, of course, the hardest to master from a technical point. I feel like I'm swimming superbly and then I see someone in the lane beside me zooming past with what looks like far less effort.

That's OK. I don't need to be the fastest swimmer. I won't ever be the 'fastest' swimmer in a race but I am determined to become faster and swimming seven days in one week is my plan to bolster my feel in and of the water.

I'm not simply going to swim seven days next week. In fact, I've been building towards this for several weeks now. I don't want to injure myself.

I'm now swimming four times a week and I'll bump that up a bit over the next two weeks. And I'm continuing a three times a week push-up regimen found on onehundredpushups.

Signs

Superstitious? Me?

Not really.

But I do like it when I see things that validate what I'm thinking and perhaps bolster my decision making.

This weekend a very good friend qualified for Hawaii at Ironman China. He earned his spot after years of hard work.

I also caught a glimpse of a former pro who lives in the town where we do, on the same day.

Two signs not be to ignored.

Back at it

I had news this week of a key development .. a good mate of mine has put in a final push to race Ironman China later this month - next weekend.

Like me he's been training on his own for the most part and like me he lost a bit of motivation to train in the last few months.

But he was inspired again, and the Koach has put him on a strict one month schedule to get to the start line as best prepared as he can.

It's helped me get back at it this week.

I hopped on my mountain bike for an outdoor spin, went for a good run and have hit the pool two mornings in a row.

Now, I'm still a long way from being what I consider to be 'fit' or 'in the zone' in terms of training to race.

But I have to start.

A year ago I was so highly motivated at this time. I was hammering myself in the pool and on the treadmill. And I was spending hours and hours on my indoor trainer.

Life has subtly reminded me that there is more to it than Ironman. And while I can acknowledge that point, it doesn't mean that I have to give up the sport or my preference to train at the highest level that I can find.

And so the 10 x 100m all out efforts in the pool today were a bit harsh but they woke me up in more ways than expected.

Margreet's book now available on amazon.com

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Here's the link.

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