I'm sure the stomach upsets I had 2 days before Turin are a major contributor to that unexpected weight loss, which now makes me wonder if they indeed did have a negative effect on my race - up to now I had thought that I had gotten away with it, if only just.
Whatever the circumstances, I am reasonably pleased with my performance in Turin. It was a tough course on a tough day and I gave it everything I had - I could not have asked for more, and neither could the team. Before the race I probably would have been slightly disappointed with 215.7k but afterwards it seemed a perfectly reasonable performance. Not outstanding and not entirely what I would have hoped for but easily good enough to justify my place on the team.
As I sat there on the sofa the other night with a glass filled with alcohol, a mountain of chocolate half eaten, watching the football on the telly, I thought to myself, so this is how the Normals live. I guess I could get used to that - better start running before I do!
And with that, we move on. Another target race done, another cycle begins. I'm not ready to retire from competitive running just yet, so this will go on for a while longer. I started on Tuesday morning with a very slow 5 mile jog, starting with my tried-and-tested recovery protocol. Usually it's not quite as slow as that, but after running 134 miles my legs aren't quite bouncy yet. I will still be able to feel the lingering effects from Turin until August if previous experiences are anything to go by. At least it's already getting better.
- 21 Apr
- 5 miles, 47:06, 9:25 pace, HR 144
- 22 Apr
- 5 miles, 45:48, 9:10 pace, HR 143
- 23 Apr
- 5 miles, 47:59, 8:48 pace, HR 144
That's surprising. You must have lost weight and been weak going into the race. More couch potato living is needed ;-)
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