Harden the Head not just my Butt!

“harden the head” ?  because I might fall off and hit it ?.. well although that’s entirely possible although not the reason - the reason is because I need to believe.

Believe that my legs and glutes are strong enough get me through this.

Believe that my fitness is good enough so I can recover every day ready to start the next without too much tiredness and too many aches and pains

Believe that my will power will be enough to keep my feet pedalling round and round and round and round ...

Yesterday I discovered that I can sit my bum on my heals and stand up again - all without using my hands - it’s a new trick and one that’s surprisingly easy even when I’ve got a Switch on my back licking my ear ... and I know for sure that it’s a trick I could not do 6 months ago!

On Sunday (4th consecutive day in the saddle) I cycled a route that we had done at the beginning of our training back in October... I remember being miserable and finding it difficult- I had nearly killed Phil for taking a wrong turn and putting 1/2 mile on our route! But this time I was cycling against a 15-18mph wind. I wasn’t desperate to stop for a break - I wasn’t desperate to get back home and drop into a hot bath. In fact we came back the long way - tacking against the wind - which is great if you’re windsurfing but not brilliant on a bike. Something that 5 months ago would have sent me into a spin!! I .. and when I got home? I was ok, not exhausted, not desperate and that’s when I started to think - this might just be ok! 

Today I’ve done my final Pilates session before I go and it was a tough one. My glutes have taken another bashing but I’m not worried that I won’t be able to walk tomorrow - I know in my head it’s all within my capability!

I just know that I’ll be able to do the last 25 mile training ride that I have planned and that the 90 minute gym session on Thursday will be ok. 

... so finally, I do believe that I’m fit enough, strong enough and tough enough to do the cycling and finish the route...and it’s a great feeling. 

. finally I think I’ve hardened my head!