Peak (again). Decompress. Absorb.
The week started out on Sunday with another 30km. Was originally aiming for 26km, but felt good and pressed on. My previous 30km was a milestone run, but I didn't end it the way I would've liked. The last 5km were brutal...stop and go, and more walking than running. I was determined to change that.
This second 30km felt tremendously better. I shaved off a full minute from the previous 30km's pace while feeling so much better overall. The key change was fueling - I upped from Maurten 100s to the 160s every 5km. I felt "full" much of the distance, and it paid off with easier running.
Crossing 30km the second time in 2 weeks, my body is feeling it...the tendons and ligaments are tight. The following week was very easy running. I will need to up the frequency in the coming week to maintain fitness...but going 30km two weeks in a row was a great psychological win as well. I know I can complete the marathon length now. It's just a matter of how good I will feel when crossing the finish line.
The last time I had a similar mental breakthrough was at the half-marathon length. Another humble-brag moment, but it's wild that the half-marathon length is just something in training now...that used to be an aspirational length for me. And now it's regular. I don't take enough time to reflect on that. The gem has been the full marathon, but damn! I'm really do be running far now. Wild times.
The rest of the week was various work engagements - a photoshoot for a crypto event + a TEFL fun day at a secondary school. It feels good to put numbers on the board.
But man...these events were LOUD. I literally had to scream at certain points of the fun day. The kids always want to learn, which is nice. I'm grateful to be able to teach in Asia.
On the crypto side, hearing so many tech terms like "market maker" or "chain agnostic" was, frankly, repulsive. These made up words to get "smart" people to spend money...what happened to "decentralization?" Wasn't that a core premise of crypto in the first place? Everything is connected. I can't help but feel the raw intelligence of these people in the room could be better used for things that actually matter. I don't "get" crypto and I don't think I ever will.
The other huge change was Karen's transitioning management teams. I've been working the emails like crazy to arrange meetings - and it's been paying off. We're meeting with 8 talent agencies over the next week or so to figure out fit. Our last manager was an 8 year long relationship, and to have it end over text / email was rough. We were expecting a little more than a text. A call at least? But hey, maybe it's for the best. I know it is.