There I was, running on an open field covered in icy fog. Gloves, cap, eyebrows and everything else was growing crystalline structures of alien beauty. Even out here, quite a bit away from town, the air was still thick with smog from the heating and the cars. Later in the shower I would experience myself coughing out residue.

Amazing, the pictures my mobile takes when it goes sub-zero. Anyway ... Most reports I write focus on heroic deeds done during some sports-event. However, this time I thought it was time to compile some remarks on the investments that take place outside of any limelight. After all these actions shape the form for the performance one delivers.

For reasons of safety, the bike ride took place in the snow covered forest. Visibility was established thanks to my amazingly reliable dynamo hub. After returning from the ride I was still scheduled for a run. My "coach" had advised me to do a 3x4000m at a set, brisk pace plus recovery stretches. When I arrived at the track I found myself stumbling over melted and afterwards frozen snow that resembled very much of what Neil Armstrong had taken his famous small step on. This was asking for some healthy exercise in flexibility. Instead, I decided to do the same times at the given pulse rates on the fields and trails in the vicinity of town. Unfortunately my shoes of choice were giving me a 1:1 feedback of the ice they would land on.

Under the bottom line I assume to have come quite close to the purpose of today's training. At least I feel like having done so.

Coming weekend the schedule is calling for another very long, moderate paced run (after ... I almost forgot ... a very long swim session and, yes, day after, another ride through the deep-freeze). Until then I have to recover my bones. Aside from all the fun and satisfaction of intensive sports, I sometimes become aware of how far out this sometimes is. But I supposed everyone inclined towards extraordinary exertions will have her/his valid reasons for doing so.

So, off for a shower, some food, some stretching, some sleep, getting up, work, training, ... I'm looking forward to the upcoming summer and the race course of the IM Nice.
Sure to be a hot one!

Peace Captn Crook a.k.a. Alex