Tonite's training review.

Me:

In actual fact, I was going out there feeling a little sluggish but I tried to brace up so my sweetheart can feel more motivated and less grumbling.. Things got a little better for me into my 10th lap of swim as I noticed there's this uncle with pretty bad strokes catching up with me.. pretty interesting.. I was just slightly ahead of him for the next 4 laps and he hung in there.. on the last lap, I kinda went 85% and didn't see him beside me until 10 secs after i reached the end. I stopped and he continued. Interesting guy even though I didn't see his face.

The rest of the bike, and run was pretty ok for me cos its not really my training day, its about her today.

So..

Her:

During the swim, I felt she was a little sluggish and seemed quite alone.. in the sense that she feels that she's so far away from me and she's gonna do an incredible distance tonight and just not up for the whole thing... the no phone for whole day thing just seem quite wearing too.

Whatever that was, her swim was pretty normal, nothing fantastic but nothing bad either.

Her bike was pretty strong I thought, averaging about 3km/hr More than her usual speed at the beginning until she kinda bonk into a wall after abt 15mins (probably due to insufficient carbohydrate and lack of mental preparation. Solutions to be discussed later.

We shortened the route and we went back to get our shoes for the run..

So, the run..

I was in fact quite impressed with her run. I knew from the bike that she couldn't carry on.. still, i pushed her on.. Yes I'm kinda risking her tears and her quitting everything and also disowning me here and then.. but I believe if i discount my trainee (whoever it is, however young or old), I am being unfair to them.

She conquered her sluggish mind for 8 times and we finally reached about 1/3 of the run distance and we turned our engine off for dinner. That was really fantastic.. it shows she's really trying no matter how much her mouth was fucking things up. It shows she really wants to get out of that sluggish state but her mind was still on the winning end. It wasn't bad.

I just don't understand why some ppl have to tell themselves "I stopped 8 times leh!!!"... why can't you tell yourself "I conquered my mind and body 9 times.. because i started running again everytime i stopped!.." And the next time, I'm gonna fight it til the end.. I'm gonna win the battle RIGHT FROM THE START!

Its not about the result.. but how much you put in to fight yourself and your own lousy attitude when the going gets tough..

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Back then when I was in officer cadet course, I was hated because I push everyone too hard and expected everyone to perform like me. Now, I find that I still do that, but not in terms of physical capabilities but mental toughness. I understand that not all the non sporty ppl around me can swim like me, bike or run like me.. but what really matters is that they know how to push on when their mind starts saying no.

One very easy way to do so is to set yourself mental milestones in the bike/run.

Next traffic light, one more traffic light, one more lamp post, just one more stretch, until the bend.. com'on.. just 1 more minute.. Start counting down on the 60and really slowly to 1.. before you know it, you'd be at the end already.

All those are useful self talk.. Anyway, can't afford to not do the sprint distance by this sunday. Have to complete even if have to walk to the end. That's the minimum.. so we know where we stand and what to expect on race day. To prevent also a heart attack.

Remember dear, its about the Glory of becoming a triathlete that your dad, adam, and all the chest pumpers and morning swimmers dare not try.. You have what it takes.. Definitely have. I remember the very first time you go jogging with me and you finished 7km without any training. Who can do that? 2/10 maybe? Last time when i didn't train, i can't even complete a 1.6/2.4..

So yes, everytime you do your tri training and race.. remember.. its abt doing yourself proud. Its abt enjoying the atmosphere and its abt SPEEDING ON THE GOD DAMN ROAD BIKE BABY!!!!!!!!! :D

Let the Tough gets going,
Sinner

PS: Congrats dear, you're unofficially a triathlete. :)