Well, I've been here in Arizona now for 5 days, and I've got just another 11 days to be ready to smoke the competition at the 70.3 World championships in Las Vegas, Nevada. I chose to come out here and train so that I could try and get my body used to the conditions. Life seemed so easy training in the benign London summer. (What summer? ) but here its a rather different matter.
I can say that I am loving it here, the change of environment, the culture of enjoying the outdoors, plus some absolutely inspiring views and training venues... take a look at these:
I'm in Scottsdale, and I've always loved the desert here. Lots of spikey things, including Javelinas - I saw one on my Sunday ride. Like a pig but with spines. Plus I also saw a mountain lion which was just magical. We are close to a range called the McDowell's and the wild animals seem to be fairly close to humans - particularly around dawn and dusk.
I'm pleased to say that I'm eating healthier than ever - shopping in a great farmer's market and cooking all my own food in a bid to try to show my host how eating lots can be healthy! I don't want to get on my high horse, but it does seem that there are misguided views that prevail about what is healthy here.
Why have a bottled salad dressing or a fat spray for your food in place of natural ingredients such as olive oil and real butter? Why drink cans of soda, so-called energy drinks full of nasties when some orange juice with a small amount of salt tastes just as good. No sweeteners, no additives. I am using only single ingredients, and putting together meals quickly that keep me feeling full of energy but not bloated. Oats with fresh fruit, yoghurt and agave nectar for breakfast. Plenty of salads, sweet potatoes with some leftover steak and black beans, with some home made tzatsiki to top it off for lunch. Fresh fruit is easy to come by (raspberries for $89c!), avocadoes, lovely big tomatoes, fresh basil and some mozzarella. Roasted aubergine, peppers and onions with some couscous is another favourite.
So far, I am managing to stay perfectly hydrated (mind you, this means bathroom trips through the night) and my sweat rate is up to that of a local now. After about 10 mins on my bike its like someone turned a tap on. Today was my second big test, after an 80km ride Sunday which caused me to lie on the sofa for the rest of the day. The challenge this morning was an hour 30 ride into an hour's run. My least fave pre-race session even when its normal weather. Unfortunately I can't say that the run was anything other than miserable. I managed to lose 3kg of fluid in the hour I spent gently cooking at 38 degrees. (oh, and I was drinking electrolytes throughout the run). What's worrying is, I got home at 10:20am. On race day its likely that I will only start the run at this time!!
I think what's needed is a really strong mind. I know I've done all the training. My body is ready for this, like never before. But I've got to toughen up when that little voice says 'I can't,' I need to block it out and replace with 'I can'. I am sure that some amount of dealing with conditions is in the head.
So the next 11 days will be for training the mind. Building Callouses as Chrissie would say. And maybe searching for a few more Javelinas amongst the cacti tomorrow.... time to hit the trails I think...
I can say that I am loving it here, the change of environment, the culture of enjoying the outdoors, plus some absolutely inspiring views and training venues... take a look at these:
I'm pleased to say that I'm eating healthier than ever - shopping in a great farmer's market and cooking all my own food in a bid to try to show my host how eating lots can be healthy! I don't want to get on my high horse, but it does seem that there are misguided views that prevail about what is healthy here.
Why have a bottled salad dressing or a fat spray for your food in place of natural ingredients such as olive oil and real butter? Why drink cans of soda, so-called energy drinks full of nasties when some orange juice with a small amount of salt tastes just as good. No sweeteners, no additives. I am using only single ingredients, and putting together meals quickly that keep me feeling full of energy but not bloated. Oats with fresh fruit, yoghurt and agave nectar for breakfast. Plenty of salads, sweet potatoes with some leftover steak and black beans, with some home made tzatsiki to top it off for lunch. Fresh fruit is easy to come by (raspberries for $89c!), avocadoes, lovely big tomatoes, fresh basil and some mozzarella. Roasted aubergine, peppers and onions with some couscous is another favourite.
So far, I am managing to stay perfectly hydrated (mind you, this means bathroom trips through the night) and my sweat rate is up to that of a local now. After about 10 mins on my bike its like someone turned a tap on. Today was my second big test, after an 80km ride Sunday which caused me to lie on the sofa for the rest of the day. The challenge this morning was an hour 30 ride into an hour's run. My least fave pre-race session even when its normal weather. Unfortunately I can't say that the run was anything other than miserable. I managed to lose 3kg of fluid in the hour I spent gently cooking at 38 degrees. (oh, and I was drinking electrolytes throughout the run). What's worrying is, I got home at 10:20am. On race day its likely that I will only start the run at this time!!
I think what's needed is a really strong mind. I know I've done all the training. My body is ready for this, like never before. But I've got to toughen up when that little voice says 'I can't,' I need to block it out and replace with 'I can'. I am sure that some amount of dealing with conditions is in the head.
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