Progress and improvement are happening.

I did a bike test today and the results are in. I have improved 5.7% in the last 4 weeks since starting this bike training program. If I go by the number I have now just shaved 30mins off my bike time for Japan. 

Believe you can and you can. 

I still have 4 more weeks to continue to improve and I will.

I have already smashed the bike course in Japan :)

........and interpreting this data.

From my understanding of what has just been explained to me, as it turns out, Japan bike course works in my favour. A flat bike course does not. Particularly as I'm showing good progress. Let me try to make it simple.......it's new to me so here goes.

There is FTP (Functional Threshold Power) and there is W/Kg (Watts per kg). A woman who is heavier than me can have the same W/Kg but have a much much higher FTP. A higher FTP will do much better on a flat course however if we have the same W/Kg we can be equal on a hilly bike course. The heavier woman though will be working harder for that W/Kg than what I am. Then you add in the marathon run after and because I'm lighter and in the heat it will be easier on my body than on someone who is heavier.

I like this understanding that I now have. The way I see it, doing Japan isn't so bad. Of course it is still tough but because of my size it works in my favour over a flat course.

From what I understand I need to try hard though not to loose any weight before the race now. It would increase my risk of injury but now I need to be careful that I am not losing any power from my legs from weight loss. This feels like a fine line because I'm having trouble consuming enough food in the last couple of weeks to meet my activity level.

The learning curve is awesome!!