Two ten

I went for a swim at Thorndon Pool today.  One word: Expensive.   I guess no more so than gym fees combined with rpm fees.  So, my first outdoor swim for this summer.  The theory is if I swim at lunchtime it not only improves my fitness, but the non existent tan I have.   Actually, last Monday, just by being on the bike for four hours and riding on a sunny day, I did get a little sunburnt.  So, I'm expecting my new bike hobby to reward me with an amazing tan this Summer.  Hot legs would be a bonus.  That is taking much longer :-<

The best thing I find about swimming is it helps stretch out a little.  So definitely feel better for the swim today.  Except I had to get out after about 40 minutes as I felt myself getting a little dizzy!

Count down now until my first "race" on Sunday.  I've set a time to achieve of between 2 hours and 10 minutes or 2 hours and 15 minutes.  This will be interesting given I currently don't have a watch and my new expensie computer is not yet affixed to my bike.

But wait: I have a strategy.  I'm not sure it's the best imagery to use.  But here it is.  I don't worry about the time re checking my watch (because I don't have a watch!).  I aim to go  as fast as I can at the start.  When the first hills come, I pass other riders.  They look at me in despair, as they get passed by a "fat lady".  And that's how it goes.  I get through those first three hill climbs as quickly as I can.  That's where I expend the effort.  From the start to get the edge in my head right.   I know I can ride the last stretch at a reasonable pace.  My strategy is just to focus on the rider ahead, and aim to pass them.  As long as there is a rider ahead of me.  The aim is to make as many people as I can "despair" - in a loving way, of course?  

I'm not as fit or as "lean" as I'd like to be.  That's my biggest weakness.  But what I need to do is focus on the strengths I have:

• I know I have a base fitness 
• I know the road and that I can ride it with relative ease
• I know where the hill inclimbs are and how to ride them in the right gears
• I know I can ride the road
• I know I can complete the route faster than I have been on training rides, but it will necessitate focus and pushing myself: and I know I can do that
• It will be two or more hours of my life that I will never get back but I want to make count:-)

I've not sure on the imagery.  Maybe I can make it more positive.  I think it will work though.