Forward Planning

I signed up for my first summer triathlon yesterday. Registration opened on 4th March and by yesterday evening over 80 of the 220 places were taken. Last year I signed up for this August tri three weeks beforehand (116 completed the course). It certainly is one of the fastest growing sports participation events. One of the more popular sprint tris, the Schull/Fastnet triathlon was sold out within a hour or two of opening for registration. I notice there is a duathlon in Killorglin next month that might be worth a look at (a 15k bike ride sandwiched between 2 x 5k runs). Signing up for the triathlon last night was all the incentive I needed to get out on the bike this morning for a repeat of the 21.5 mile hilly bike ride I did last Sunday. I think I may have pushed the first hill a little hard as I dropped a few gears and stood up on the pedals for the steepest section, pushing my HR to 170. A strong westerly wind was blowing which hit me on the final 4 miles out the Ballincollig Bypass. That westerly wind has intensified during the day and brought rain with it, which is to intensify overnight which will be ideal for tomorrows Ballycotton 10. In addition a cold spell is also forecast. So I'm looking forward to freezing my ba#*s off for the hour before the start and pushing my heart to the limit for the hour+ after. Someone told me it was all good fun! I checked my last years log for the week before Ballycotton to see if I am as prepared this year. Last year I did 20 milers back to back on the preceding Saturday and Sunday, 9 x 400s on the Tuesday and 3 x mile repeats (06:08 to 06:18 pace) on the Thursday. This time round I did a 17.5 miler last Saturday, 4 x 800s on Tuesday and a big fat zero on Thursday (I did an easy 6.8 miler yesterday though) Am I better prepared? I think not. Will I beat last years time, I think (hope) so. The wind, rain and cold may play a bigger part than I want. Good luck to all running tomorrow.