Another week done

Started this past week of training full of enthusiasm, after the easy recovery week, but finished off really dragging.
Tuesday and Wednesday workouts went OK but on Wednesday evening we had a small party for some of our friends on the island. For the last month we have been working on the house trying to get it into a reasonable enough shape where we can entertain. A few friends have helped us and we have had many friends who have had us over to their places. Anyway our little party to thank our friends was attended by over 50 people and although we had indicated we would provide food and drinks from 5pm to 7pm the last folks left just before midnight. Being a little hungover the next day I was forced to have an extra rest day and missed out on doing an hour and a half on the bike. Friday I was in the ocean before sunrise and immediately followed the swim with the run. Back home by 8am, with just enough time to grab a bite and head off to the Friday committee meeting for a charity event we are helping to organize.  The meeting morphed into lunch, then into a few afternoon cocktails, then happy hour at a local bar and finally a bowl of soup before an 8pm meeting with the race director of a 5K run that is to be held on the island in two weeks time.  When 5.30 came on Saturday morning I was ready to roll over and go back to sleep, but somehow or another I managed to get up and clear my head on a decent bike ride. 

So apart from some self inflicted pains the week to then had not been too bad.  Sunday was going to be a busy day as we were committed to be at a pig roast by noon and then had reserved a table at Jax’s Bar for the game…but we had to be there by 4 or they would not hold the reservation.  So early night on Saturday…in bed by 9pm.  Usually am asleep by the time my head hits the pillow, but not to be this night.  Seemed to doze the whole night, watching the clock and waiting for 5.30.  Checked the forecast, cloudy with a few showers and a high of 85F.  In the ocean just after 6am and it was calm.  The first time ever there was no wind and the ocean looked like glass.  By the time the sun came up I was half way through the swim and feeling pretty good; that was when the sport fishing boats started to leave the marinas and all of a sudden I was getting swamped.  The next half hour was like being in a washing machine.  Out of the water at 7.06 and a quick jog home, fortunately only a block.  A fairly slow change while eating a banana and then next door to borrow the old mountain bike.  On the road at 7.22.  Leisurely ride down the west side of the island, deep in my own thoughts.  About 10 minutes into the ride a guy on a road bike (in full biking gear, but without a helmet) zips by me.  Nobody on a bike has passed me on this island, but then I have never seen a proper road bike on the island.  So off I go in hot pursuit….dumb.  I kept the guy in sight for a couple of miles but he gradually disappeared from view and by the time I turned to ride back along the east side he was no where in sight….by then I was feeling a few aches in my legs so I throttled back a bit and a did the rest of the ride at a more comfortable pace.  Got back home about 8.25 swallowed a peanutbutter and vegemite sandwich and out on the run by 8.30.  I drank a bottle of water on the bike and had a another full glass while I was getting ready for the run.  By now the temp was around 80F and the humidity was 100% and I immediately regretted my failed attempt to chase down the road bike.  A mile into the run thyough and I was not feeling too bad, my legs felt good and there was a slight breeze coming in off the Carribean and I had thoughts of keeping up a good pace.  Reached the planned halfway point in my run in 26 minutes….so going at about a bit less than a 9min pace.  Two or three minutes later everything seemed to hit me.  The sun was burning a hole in my back, my legs felt like jelly, my clothes were soaked and the sweat was running into my shoes and all I could hear was that squelching sound every time my feet hit the road.  There is just no shade on the island, and at this point no breeze.  I started to feel nauseous, but kept running.  At the 40 minute mark I stopped and walked for a minute, did the same at the 45 minute mark and then at 50 minutes I walked for 8 minutes….could not talk myself into running again.  Finally I hit town and managed to run through town to home….ended up at 1 hour and 2 minutes for 6 miles.  One large chocolate milk and many glasses of water and I began to feel normal again….just starting to get a bit dehydrated I guess.   An hour later I felt fine and of course by 10pm I felt even better with the Packers being the champions. 

One more bike ride and one more run tomorrow morning and then I head back to La Crosse, where I am told the Thursday bike ride will be on trainers in Angies basement at 4.30am….can’t wait!!!!