Carb Loading

Despite my best intentions (and lack of complete will power) training hit a bit of a bump in the road this week.

After much deliberation I opted to combine a visit to the triathlon show in Surrey and run their 10K race rather than the Eastbourne half marathon last Sunday. I came to this decision as I figured I have been running 14+ miles every week, so why pay £25 for a training race, and a 10k is short enough to go hard and try to PB.

After a decent hockey win on the Saturday, I did everything by the textbook to ensure a good race on the following day; recovery drink- check, recovery calf sleeves - check, plenty of water – check and then rest and put my feet up on the sofa – check. In the evening, two good friends had separate parties, so the plan was to visit one, have a quick pint, and spend a few hours at the first party before moving to the other party and the get home before match of the day.

So as planned I arrived for the first party and had the first pint. Which is where my plan unraveled.

After numerous pints and an inability to successfully maintain a straight path of direction, I was rescued from the local shot bar and the prospect of Eastbourne nightclubs by my girlfriend who listed patiently to my one repeated headline of the night before I fell asleep in the car.

DESPITE this I had the intention to run. That is until I woke up. And remembered I haven’t drunk a lot since December. And remembered exactly why.

We did make it to the triathlon show, but a full two hours AFTER the start of the 10k. We also missed all of the seminars, although out of my drunken haze I did spy Chrissie Wellington a mere 3 meters from me whilst I was sat waiting for my girlfriend outside the facilities; I didn’t think it was appropriate to ask for a photo when she may become intoxicated purely from my presence.   

Lesson learnt. Harvey’s Beer is not an appropriate method of carb loading.