So it seems like forever since I have written anything. And it has been. With the exception of a my plea for support for raising funds for charity this morning, its been probably 3 weeks since I have contributed a post — and even then it was only sporadic. So what have I been up to? Well… to put it bluntly I have been working, training, eating and doing a little bit of playing too….
The last few weeks have been mostly a back and forth trade between my new job — a “Member Engagement Advisor” (MEA) (aka sales person) at the Lifetime Athletic Health Club in Mississauga, and my commitments to long workouts in the final weeks of training prior to the taper period leading up to my Ironman in Mont Tremblant.
I spent a week in Minnesota being certified for my new job. Spending long hours in the classroom learning “The Lifetime Way” and being trained on how to tie a membership to Lifetime Athletic to the athletic aspirations and/or fitness goals of any and all people who I encounter in my role as an MEA. I was able to continue to train through that week, and refreshingly there were actual some mandatory group workouts as part of our schedule as well — including an indoor cycling class. So the week was a great one from that perspective.
Working at a health club has also afforded me some extra opportunities to get workouts in — especially my swimming. With both an indoor and outdoor dedicated lap pool (open all the time the club is open) I can always get my swim in – no matter what hours I am scheduled to work. In fact, I am super impressed with the :policies” of Lifetime in that they have built into our daily schedules an hour of time we are “recommended to take as a workout”. What other company essentially says — please take an hour out of your day and go be healthy. I love it.
Outside of the long hours at the club, I am also committed to long hours in the saddle or my sneakers – ensuring I run and ride on almost a daily basis. I have not been great at keeping track of the actual hours over the past few weeks — but suffice it to say when you’re out for 4-6 hours in one go, they add up quickly.
My legs are tired. My body is tired. But my mind is fresh… and I am nervous and excited to be only 15 days away from the race of a lifetime. My heart pounds when I visualize myself standing ankle deep in the water waiting for the gun to go off. I know I have put in the work. I know I am bodily prepared for the long effort that will go into completing a 226km course in (hopefully) less than 12 hours. I am only concerned about my mental preparedness at this point.
Starting Monday I will be into my “taper”. Reducing the volume of training to ensure my body is well rested and ready to go come race day. My appetite will need to be controlled as well through that period to ensure I maintain my current 165lbs and don’t go into the race any heavier than I need to be …
I raced in Cobourg last weekend — essentially a training day for me. With good results — having been able to grind out a 44:50 – 10km run at the tail end of an Olympic distance race. I was proud of that time — not knowing whether I had any speed in my legs after all the long-slow workouts. It was nice to prove to myself I still did have some speed… and to feel fresh still after I caught my breath. Of course, then came the cold dose of reality when I was the only one amongst my group of friends who didn’t end up on the podium that day! 
I can confidently say that I have enjoyed every minute (well almost every minute, I still detest headwinds on the bike!) of the last few weeks — between working, training and spending time with friends.
The next couple weeks will be hard for me mentally as I hold back on the training (and the eating and drinking) to ensure I am in my best form for race day. They will also be a change for me as I reintroduce my kids to my new schedule — the kids returning from the east coast over this weekend after being away for over a month. I can’t wait to see them, hug them and find out how they’ve changed and grown.
