11. A Wave of Joy

As I keep trying to maintain my aerobic fitness despite not running (the knee op has been pushed back to next week), it feels like a constant battle to motivate.  On one hand I have all the positive drivers: 'there's still plenty of time'; 'I am learning (and practicing) psychological techniques to keep going'; 'my strength and core exercises will stand me in good stead'.  On the other it's: 'there's not much time'; 'you're not even running'; 'you do know this is going to be impossible'; 'my knee hurts and it will take too long to recover'.  

So, I've been trying to find some joyful positives to keep me going:

• Firstly whilst on a long cycle ride, when my mind was wandering almost as far as I'd ridden, I came up with a new mantra for my training based on my learning from talking to people who've been there and got the T shirt: More TOFU PASTA builds a LEJOG running master: More Time On Feet Using Psychological, Agility and Strength Training Always.  That should keep me going for a bit until my mind makes something else up. (I couldn't fit Fuelling in there - any suggestions welcomed!)
• I've been trialling the carbohydrate/ electrolyte drink which is available at the pitstops when I do the LEJOG and it seems to be going down well.  It's actually making me drink more.  One of my weaknesses is that I often don't drink enough when exercising despite my need with no colon to keep hydrated. (Although I'm not sure how to recover from when a big box arrives on my wife's birthday and I have to explain it's not for her)

• I'm getting even closer to my dream spirit guide birds of prey.  Not a farmer's kite this time.  A huge buzzard on the road feasting on an unfortunate flattened hare doesn't notice me cycling until I'm almost on top of it. It's what-seems-like-more-than-six-foot wingspan takes it off as I fumble unsuccessfully to find my phone to capture the moment.  Captured forever instead in my mind.  
• This year's Run Brittania LEJOG cohort have just finished. The stories I hear and photos I see only reinforce my desire to do it.  If they can do it why can't I? We're all only human. They're a source of inspiration and knowledge which I will continue to tap into.  Consistent hard work and more TOFU PASTA is all that is between me and doing it in 47 weeks' time. 

The more I think, there's lots of things to be joyful about. And that's before even remembering watching Mark Cavendish breaking Eddy Merckx's record (despite all his setbacks); England progressing in the football (despite their poor play); and a change of government (which has happily given me an earworm of Jarvis Cocker singing 'Something's Changed'). 

But today, as I stopped on the bridge over the motorway for a breather whilst cycling, a little lad in a car excitedly waves back as I wave. It makes me happy and helps to motivate me to finish the ride.  A good reminder that rather than trying to over think things,  sometimes it takes the simplest of things to create a wave of joy.