Sitting still isn't easy...

Today is the first day I'm starting to feel somewhat normal, I'd say 75%. I spoke with John Barclay earlier today and he's also just starting to feel better.

Yesterday he still had stomach issues, but it looks like it's over. He's dying to give up his throne.

One thing is for sure, China kicked our asses. Or at least kicked everything out our asses. It's now been two weeks and were both still not 100%.

Looking at it optimistically, John netted out a 7lb weight loss and I netted 5 lbs. John said he looks anorexic and Alice said I feel skinny and Nazaire say I've noticeably lost weight. I can't say I'm complaining, thin is in. But I don't think my thinness will last long. Alice's cooking and my having some relaxing beers is bringing me back from the brink. Especially the beer. "Beer is to me, what spinach is to Popeye".

I already decided to make one slight diet adjustment for IMSG, I'm not abstaining from beer leading up to it. I most definitely WILL be having a beer or two a couple nights before the race. It also turns out that I'll be going to IMSG without an entourage. Even Alice won't be joining me. She got "spoiled" with the online Athlete tracker and much prefers to follow the race from the comfort of home.

I can't say that I blame her. I wouldn't want to look at my game face all week long either. I'd be as much fun as a "spinal tap". After Ironman Louisville, I remember Reid telling me how BORING it is to watch triathlons. That he was going to video tape the entire race and then make me sit down in front of the TV, and for 10 plus hours, make me watch it, and see how I liked it!!!

I posted on twitter, that I'm open to sharing a room with someone in St. George. There's nothing like starting a friendship by walking around a hotel room in your underwear with someone you don't even know. I'm not sure I'll find a person because I had very strict guidelines. "They can't be a serial killer". Although, truth be told, I'm flexible.

Back to present day. True to form, I almost went against my plan and did a bike session today. I was so close to going for an easy hour. Heck it was a unseasonably warm 15 C outside. It was tough to resist. At the last minute, I reconsidered when Alice became the voice of reason and gave the perfect argument, "Why"?

That was a good question and all it took. I was just thinking of going out because I was bored. John Barclay said he's already bored too. For the first time in a long time, last night he was sitting with Heather watching TV. It felt weird and he told Heather, "he felt like he was wasting his time". Apparently, it didn't go over to well. He's such a romantic.

Another recovery positive is my back started to feel better today. On Monday I threw it out cleaning the kitchen and it was BAD. I was having trouble walking. Yesterday I did three things that helped loosen it up; I went for a massage, I had a few beers and I didn't clean the kitchen.

As I was getting a massage, my legs felt like the muscle fibres had fused together. The masseuse was loosening them up and pulling them apart. I've never had that sensation before. I wondered if it was from the severe dehydration? Could dehydration cause the muscle fibres to start fusing together?

Today I also experienced a second recovery benefit. I was able to walk down the stairs in the morning without shuffling one step at a time. It's been a long time since I've done that. I almost didn't think it was possible. It's not yet perfect, put I think I can now get down the stairs faster than most 80 year olds.

Even though my body is not ready to get back training, I'm still feel I'm taking a risk. Although I have 14 weeks of hard structured training behind me, I'm essentially taking two weeks off and racing only 4 weeks later. Will the two weeks off, negatively or positively effect my performance at IMSG?

I can't imagine I'd lose enough fitness that couldn't be made up with 3 - 4 weeks of heavy training. Although, I'll know for certain in 37 days. I do know, I'm 100% committed to taking the rest of the week off. The only thing I am going to do is stretch and drink as much water as possible. I only see only upside in doing that.

Recovery Week - No Training

178.2 lbs / 20.7 BMI

8