Plans C, D, E, and F...

I was thinking that I had almost got my taper the best I had ever done, with a good balance between volume and effort and I felt I was getting fresher as I progressed. I was feeling a little over done, or on the border of that a couple of weeks ago, but that may have been more lack of (good) sleep rather than too much on the training side - and did not worry me at all. I did change my running a little from what I was originally planning, basically due to the Friday run intervals going far better than expected. So I dropped the second run planned for Friday and made the run for Monday shorter and easier (more like a normal taper).

Well that all turned very pear shaped on Tuesday night. The bike intervals - last harder session went well, and felt very comfortable, and I managed to control my effort to what it should be, and it felt very controlled, bordering on easy. I did have a bit of an itchy throat, but that had come and gone regularly for the last 2-3 weeks. Around 11pm, I am very uncomfortable, and feel like someone/something in my head is trying to kill me. Damn it! Sinuses are going to explode, head is going to explode and I feel like crap! Not what I need 3 days before attempting an Ironman.
So going from a solid Ironman, to getting through on a very limited (injured) run build-up, to now being sick - I am chewing through the plans and options quicker than the chewable Vitamin C tablets! First priority is to look after myself the best I can and try to get to the start line, and then to try and get though each leg - if possible. Plan "smack it out for the first leg or two" is long gone...
A little frustrating to say the least, and I am not sure how I even managed to get sick! I really do want to get through this one, without a huge struggle - but that is starting to become a bigger challenge.

On a good note, being down at Ironman I do get to catch-up with old friends. Special Note to Li and Jerry Ranger. Liz took me under her wing 20 years ago and helped me through my first Ironman. They are the true spirit of the sport and the nicest and most genuine people I have come across. Great to see them again!