23 days to go, Long run.

Friday June 21st.... 23 days to race day.
I wasn't really looking forward to today as this was pencilled in as a big run day. Finding jobs to do around the house still didn't bring the onset of rain which was the excuse I was looking for to bin it off.
I find it easier doing my long runs on unknown courses, the unfamiliarity of it prevents the boredom. Getting Josh to bike by my side with my water bottle also helped, even though I don't think he heard a word I said with his earphones in.
16 mile in total done at 7 min 40 secs average was near enough to plan.
It's no secret that I don’t care too much for the running but I have to say I'm probably running as good as I have been since starting out in triathlon. Mainly due to 3 reasons…..Weight loss, having 6 month injury free so I can train, and this last little nugget of info…..
During a training run in Mallorca Clarky and Dean would spend time running side by side with each person offering advice. It was Dean that spent some time with me, our conversation went like this………….
'Steve how tall are you?'
'6ft 2", I replied.
'Well I'm 5ft 9" why are we talking eyeball to eyeball?'
His point being that I was slouching whilst he was upright with an obvious spring in his step.
'Get your ass in under your body and lift that head!'. My pace increased immediately.
This simple piece of advice has helped me massively, don't get me wrong I'm still nowhere near being able to call myself a good runner and I still fall into my old 'natural slouch' when I lose focus but it certainly works for me.
My old viewpoint on running was you can't learn to be a 'natural' runner, unfortunately you are stuck with the cards you're dealt. I still do believe this for elite running, after all at school sports days nobody was taught to run but someone always romped home yards in front of everyone else. But, a few simple style changes can make a difference to some, and these, (along with shorter energy saving strides) has certainly helped me.
Had a great Friday night pub meal to replenish the calories at the Lincolnshire Otter with Angie's Uncle Darrel and family.

Saturday June 22nd. 22 days to race day.

Managed another 3K swim in the Ancholme after work, still dog slow though. I'm in desperate need of a new wetsuit. My Foor Quantam must be the cheapest suit on the market and is riddled with holes. It's the same suit I had when starting out and I weighed 3 stone more then so it can't possibly be fitting me correctly.
Got massive cramps on the return in both legs forcing me to float until it disappeared. I've never had it as bad as that before, it was horrendous, I was shouting in agony.
More beers watching a DVD before an earlier night to bed.