ECG Results

I went in to see the Cardiologist today for a check up ECG - it was perfectly normal! My resting HR is now 36 - pretty low - which he said was an indication of how fit I was. After what happened last year, I'm just so pleased that this will not be a barrier to me doing the Etape this time around. I need to go back again in 6 months but he said that the longer I stay in normal rhythm without going back into flutter, the less likely it is that I will go into flutter again.

Unfortunately, despite the good news, I still don't feel 100% and I'm not sure how much of it is physical and how much is psychological. The sore throat came back again and has been with me for about 5 days now. It's worse on waking and the nurse thought that it might be hayfever. She also prescribed antiobiotics for me as I had had it for 5 days with no sign of it going away. I still have a bit of an ache in my back/kidneys area but not sure if this is down to all the core work I was doing last week. Back extensions would certain work the muscles in the area where the ache is. I'm hot and a bit clammy but who isn't in this weather?
I spent most of Saturday trying to rest - Colin did a grand job of entertaining the kids so that I could get a sleep. On Sunday, I tried a short ride but I went out with a "I feel weak" mentality. Consequently, the first bit of the ride, my speed was pathetic. When I got into some busier traffic, I forgot all about feeling weak and my speed was right up as I cycled amongst cars. So was I really weak at all or was it just in my head?
Shortly before today's ride (another short loop) I had just been told that my heart was fine. My attitude was one of "yeh, I'm ok" and I felt much better on the ride.

I am definitely not 100% because this slight sore throat is not in my imagination. But I think I may be exaggerating these small ailments because I'm so afraid of not being able to compete in 3 WEEKS!!!! 3 WEEKS!!!!!

I have ordered a couple of sports psychology books from Amazon to do a bit of reading on the subject. I feel that once I'm in the event, I have some mental toughness to see it through - anyone who finished the 100mile polka dot has a fair bit of mental toughness. However, in the run up to events, I seem to become a bit worked up and start to think I'm about to fall ill. Plus, I still don't know how the hell I'm going to sleep the night before Etape - hopefully, these books will give me a few pointers.

On the weight front, I need to lose 3lb and I will be at target weight. COME ON WOMAN!! I have to do this. I was surprised at how low my weight was this week considering that Colin and I went out for his 40th birthday treat. I decided, for once, to completely forget about any restrictions and have a bit of whatever I fancied. The calories were sooooooo worth it - it was absolutely divine. So with 3 weeks to go I am 81.6kg. I know that in my final week I will increasing consumption of carbs so I have 2 weeks to get it done.

Next sportive on the horizon is the 3 Counties Challenge. I will be doing the 65 mile route as it will be only 15 days before the Etape. I have one new element to test during this event and that is breakfast - my usual breakfast of porridge will not be available in France so I'm going to try a tin of Rice Pudding and see how it goes. I suppose my other option is Pain au Chocolat :-) Should be plenty of that in France and much better than a cold tin of rice pudding.