Don't know about you, but anytime I am out of action for any length of time, the odd alarm bell starts to ring out. A training hiatus just does not sit right for whatever reason, the fact that mine is a "soft" case of bronchitis that won't go away is damned frustrating as the legs say yes but the lungs say no. I tend to start counting down to the number of days/weeks to that race and what impact will 1 or more weeks of non-action have on my race, probably minimal but it doesn't ease the mental anguish. I gather there must be a few that suffer the same mental distress?

This is where wikipedia and the internet become dangerous tools, way too much information! Start reading about your illness and statements such as "it can go on for 20 - 30 days" pop up here and there, best I curb my cravings for hard data and avoid any form of self-diagnosis. You know how it is with us triathletes, we normally get the gaffer tape out, tape our limbs back together and keep on training. If only I could stuff the tape into the bronchial tubes I'd be able to breath normally again and train.

Well, it is the season for the old snot rocket after all, that deft defying maneuver where you clean out the nose by blocking one nostril and blowing out the other forcefully. No tissues are required. It is tricky, where the skill comes into play is when you're riding in a group of cyclists and you manage the maneuver without infiltrating another rider. Practice first though. :)

On another note, congrats to a few friends of mine who just put themselves through PAIN at the UK IM on the weekend, it is a very tough course, very hilly bike course. Fantastic effort guys! Ironman UK Website

Caroline Fernando - 1st IM 11:26:15 2nd overall in F25-29 category
Shane Fernando - 2nd IM 11:50:45 yes, drilled by the wife! How to live that one down? :)
Marcus Waters - 1st IM 12:15:00

Cheers

Komo