Huge congratulations!!HeraH wrote: ↑October 15th, 2024, 7:13 am...
The last kilometers, a surge of energy, mental strength kicks in. My arms are stiff, my butt hurts, I feel the fatigue in my back, and I sense a leg cramp might hit at any moment. I try to stay focused on the PM5 and watch the distance go down. But it’s not going down fast enough. I push, I pull, I breathe, breathe, keep a rhythm, keep the rhythm. I try to speed up for the last few strokes, it’s hard, really hard. I finish my 100K.
A scream of joy and pain comes out of my mouth, scaring my wife and kids. I unclip my feet and collapse on the floor, exhausted. I try to catch my breath. I stay lying there for a while, just focusing on my breathing, enjoying the moment. I stand up, walk a bit, look at the PM5 to see my performance : 8:17:21.6s. I’m happy I finished, I’m satisfied with the result.
Post-100K Observations :
• I think I was missing a few rowing sessions and more specific strength training to have more upper body strength and endurance, particularly in my arms.
• The lack of soreness makes me think that my training load before the 100K was adequate.
• The lack of "energy" at the end makes me think that my nutrition did not provide enough calories.
• Hydration, using only water mixed with powder for mineral salts and a few calories, worked well for me.
• The physical and mental preparation with rowing, cycling, and strength training seemed to complement each other and allowed me to vary the pleasures and efforts.
• If you believe in yourself, then it’s possible.
Would I do it again? At the moment, I don’t feel like it, but asking the question might already be projecting myself toward the next 100K. Only time will tell.
Thank you for reading to the end, and I hope my modest experience can provide some answers to all the brave souls embarking on this adventure.
That is quite an accomplishment!
Also good to have been able to keep pushing yourself to finish, even when that was getting difficult.
David
