Pneumonia, racing and winter training continues...

Pneumonia, racing and winter training continues...

During the month of February I have had a strange time, firstly I was diagnosed with Pneumonia (life and training came to a halt), I turned 27, and then at the weekend had a terrible race! All in all a wonderful month to forget.

After being ill you only realise just how ill you actually are when you look back. I can now see that I was ill and it had been coming for a couple of weeks. I was forever tired, and didn't have the drive I usual have. But when the Pneumonia really came on, I didn't want to give in to it. I wanted to carry on, but I just couldn't. It was the strangest feeling. I was eating and eating and making sure I stayed in control of my weight, and didn't put a kg on because my body was fighting infection and needed fuel. I found my love for caffeine again and haven’t looked back since (although I need to cut this down again). It was a strange experience and one I don’t want to re-live to soon. Although I did realise that a few days off from time to time will not hinder training, and if anything might actually make you stronger…but haven't and didn't learn this lesson. 

After having Pneumonia I was on a mission to get back to normal and use some extra time I had to invest in making myself faster and stronger ready for the upcoming races. I came out of a weeks rest and felt very strong, actual felt extremely strong and loved every second I was training. I was flying through sessions faster and faster. But it was unknown to me that my body was getting weaker and weaker, and it all came to head this Sunday at Castle Combe race circuit where I had my first duathlon of the season.

The race is always a great season opener and I love the set up of the race. The track is always windy and no place to hide. On this day the wind was even stronger and made for some terrible racing conditions. My first run was slow to say the least, felt slow and was slow. Heavy legs from a tough training block really showed as I had neither speed nor kick. The wind was extremely strong and made it very difficult on the bike as the race circuit is very open. My bike leg was again slow and was over taken by what seemed to be the whole race field. I then ran a little better on the final run leg taking a few positions back, but just didn’t have a kick. All in all a very disappointing race. But it was to be expected, I had a massive training week and nothing really suggested that I was going to race well. I now need to rest and let the recent hard work sink in and pay off, that is one lesson I am learning quickly. To go quick you need to rest!!!!!

After this weeks rest I will be making sure that I have a good solid race at Peopleton Duathlon and then take some form into the First of two World Championship Qualifiers.

Something I am learning is that rest is so important and just because there is a plan written down on paper for you, if your legs won’t go, then don’t force them. If your head says not today, you need to listen. It is important that you learn to understand and get to know your body. After a heavy block of training…rest and let it sink in!