Twenty

55km week, only managed to run on 5 occasions due to exams and health. However, this was a great improvement in contrast to the week before(5km). Was largely unwell and decided to rest in light of my upcoming examinations(then). There was a slight reluctance in the incredible reduction in mileage - 80km to 5km. However, I convinced myself that 1) IB was the greater priority and 2) this functioned as a taper after completing 250km in Oct. In addition, I had to believe in my training and believe that my sickness was God-allowed for a purpose - perhaps the reconsideration of priorities.

Anyway, my main run during the week was the 30km MP run during the Team BMW Mobile Run at ECP. Began with a slower pace for the first 4-5km and remained behind the 4:00 pacers for awhile. Caught up by the 6th k and stuck with them. I managed to utilise 3 gels - at the 9, 16.5 and 24km marks. Perhaps it was the short run the day before(3km at MP) and my deliberate attempt to consume slightly more carbs, coupled with the consumption of gels, which left me feeling great at 20km. Fatigue began to set in towards the 27km mark, but this was likely due to how I went ahead of the 4:00 group. Pace felt mildly uncomfortable, but definitely manageable for at least 8km. Over the remaining 3km, I believe I moved ahead by 30-45s, hence probably finished the 30km with a sub-2:50 timing. Hoping to finish with a sub-4 gun time during StandChart. If I don't crash, chances are it'll happen on race day, taking into account the outcome of this MP run.

During my previous MP runs(18-26km), all I'd consume was a single gel at 9km(been experimenting with different flavours), thus this explained the fatigue I experienced beyond the 18km mark. Furthermore, I used to do a moderate run(10km) the day before my MP run, hence carb stores were slightly depleted. It is indeed encouraging to have completed the 30km feeling fine, albeit the unavoidable joint pains after finishing the run.

The race has yet to arrive, however I think I've learnt some (obvious) lessons through the course of training, as I gradually begin my taper leading up to the race. 

Firstly, consistency is indeed a key to success. As I write this now, I've covered >700km in perhaps 80 sessions over 4+ months. The result should come, not through a few extreme efforts, but multiple moderate efforts. This requires much self-control as ALL of my runs have not been the lung-bursting workouts that I used to do during season. However, I do state that consistency is a key and not the key because I acknowledge that many other factors are involved.

Secondly, rest is necessary. I've fallen ill twice through the course of training and both demanded that I dropped mileage significantly. In both instances, I forced a run through that period. Looking back, I think I don't ever regret not training harder, rather, not training smarter and deciding to rest when threatened with even the mildest form of illness.

Finally, faith. This faith transcends the faith in one's self, training and abilities. Instead, it is faith that God is the penultimate determinant of the result. I know it will disappoint me if I fail to achieve my goal. Yet I know that having entrusted this to him, I will be at peace, whatever the outcome. These pursuits only provide ephemeral satisfaction if the intrinsic motivator is devoid of the spiritual aspect.