Every kid knows that you have to get it just right. The sand must be the right consistency, not too dry or too wet. If it is too wet then it flops into a cow paddy, too dry and it does not hold its shape. Just the right combination to bring out the little turrets, towers and walls that elevate this mud cake to something special. Elevate it above mere recreation.

So too with our architecture for an event. Our turrets of Load, Recovery, Nutrition, Sleep, Work etc all need to be in the right balance and position for you to build a higher and higher fortress that holds shape, is supported by each pillar and does not fall over. If you are lucky then you have built above the high water level and your tower survives a few rogue waves. Well maybe not a spring high but race day’s high tide.

M got sick (I don’t blame her one bit) but I do admit that it added to my stress. Trying to stay germ free and getting enough sleep (with a coughing partner) were adding up to dilute my sand sculpture. I was trying to add some harder sessions in order to sharpen up before I taper. The great tired set in pretty fast and hard. What I failed to understand for the last 6 days is that I needed to restore balance. Drastic action was required. I decided to cut my losses and take an extra rest day today instead of the planned long bike ride. Marcel’s Frozen Yoghurt and take away coffee replaced my bike ride. Afternoon snooze replaced bike clean (Bert is still dirty and growling at me). DVD replaced recovery shake.

Tomorrow was a planned rest anyway and I will stick with that. I hope that two days will kick the recharge button.

Some times you have to build a moat rather than extra gun turrets to protect your palace.