6 weeks to go to the Nationals and training is looking good. The performance plan Peter created is being adhered to with TSS and CTL on the mark which is what we are after.

I have been using a circuit around Mt Cootha which has a similar profile to that of the Nationals. I am hoping that doing some training around this circuit will better prepare me.

I guess that is one thing to consider when preparing for a goal race. Is there somewhere that I can train that will help me adapt better to the race circuit.

What is a struggle now is the heat and we haven't even hit summer yet!!! Training in 35+ degree heat along with about 80% humidity makes for one tough day out. (A plus is my cycling tan is coming along awesome!!!!:))

With that in mind I am also looking at effective hydration. 

Obviously hydration is key, but in situations like I had on the weekend, my body couldn't replace the fluid quick enough.

Of note for people who train first thing in the morning I think it is important to realise that there is a high probability that you will wake up a little dehydrated. I make sure that:

1. I have a good drink before I go to bed and I even have a bottle beside my bed

2. the first thing I do when I get up is drink some water.

3. I drink fluids straight away on the bike. 

Also I have already made a note that if on race day the tempreture is hot, I will have some spare water bottles to use as cooling, ala Floyd on that stage in the TDF 2006.

So for the next few weeks I will be still loading up on training to toughen me up, mostly concentrating on low L4 and some solid L3 sessions.:) It will be hard but I need to put in the work to get the results.

I'm looking forward to it!!!!