Coming round the mountain

Sunday's big event was a 19.9k off road run at Woodhill Forest, Xterra Series.

I decided to take my new Garmin today, normally used on the bike, but decided to slip it in my pocket to track the run.  Im not sure if it helped, especially when  it ticked past 19.9k and the finish line was nowhere in signt, in fact we where heading in the opposite direction, dam it!

The first several k's headed up a steap and sandy road, nice! Then lots of undulating track, down hill then up a vertical hill and lots more undulations, along forest roads and single file tracks, a good mix.  Whenever I run up a hill now, I think of Liza and the comments she would be throwing out and it makes me smile and keeps me going :)

Absolutely buggared afterwards, took me 3hrs, 14mins approx to do the 21.2k's, which I didn't think was too bad given the course.  A real tester at 2 points, firstly around 16k when I hit a wall, felt completely buggared, legs started to cramp, and I wished I had some gels or something to push me on.  The second was once the Garmin hit 19.9k and the track just kept going and going......as coach mentioned it was good training for the Ironman, especially mentally, working out what you needed to do to keep pushing yourslef even though all you want to do is walk or even lie down for a nap.    

Anyhow another challenge ticked off, this week is all about recovery and then come Saturday it is back on!, Sunday kicks off hill work on the bike in prep for the next challenge, K2.

PS many special thanks to the wife for arranging a massage last night!. Top job :)

What constitutes a sleep in?

Yesterday I tried to convince Liza that going to training at 7.30 rather than 6.30 constituted as a sleep in as per the, "Yes you can do an Ironman as long as I get to sleep in with you at least one morning in the weekend". I mean at least it was'nt 5.30am. :)

So went to the later brick session this Saturday, mainly because Liza set her alarm but then forgot to turn it on, yeah right!.  I know someone is going to say why is it Liza's responsibility, but she offered.

Anyhow thank goodness the pool was warm, because the air was getting colder and colder as the day awakened. Nice swim session with 10 x 200m.  Bike was on the wind trainer, despite the blue sky, which was a good call given the chill. Missed the run today as per coaches instructions.  Need to prepare for a 20k off road run on Sunday.

Buggar!

So last night I lay awake thinking about work, so rather than disturbing the wife, I decided to sneak out of bed and hit the laptop.  Although I got lots of work done, I didnt get to bed until 2am, hence I missed the 5.30am alarm for my morning swim.

So my good mid week has been broken. Need to tackle to wind train session later today and then perhaps I can pick up the swim on Friday as they have a 9am ladies session (I think)

Mid week and on track

Well almost!, I did miss Mondays running drills but have managed to swim Tuesday morn and go to wind trainer in the avo and today pulled off a 50min steady run.  Thanks to a mate who pushed me on the run, otherwise I would have kept working.  Too bad he got us lost! Liza mentioned you have a record so expert a hard time next time we catchup hehe.

Do you like my new blog? The other one kept crashing so my beautiful wife downloaded all previous blogs and comments and has painfully uploaded one by one to this new site.  Nice work !!!!!  Also this site has a spell checker, and you know I need it.

So the rest of the week comprises a swim and wind trainer session tomorrow, part brick on Saturday and a crazy 20K off road run on Sunday.

Practice a Dolphin Dive, Really?

Yup definitely a Tri Club, as I have never practiced dolphin diving or draft swimming in a pool before. This Saturday’s brick (swim session) had us swiming for 20min practing drafting off the swimmer in front, an interesting experience and I think more fun for the person in the draft rather than the person leading. Unfortunately it only proved what I already know, the lane have evicted me and forced me to go up a lane. Which is OK but I have been relucdant because the next lane already has a large number of swimmers. Lets see what happens.

I felt strong today, probably because I have really had a week off training, apart from a few sessions. The bike was fun and the run was comfortable, which is not normally the case. I was planning for a good ride on Sunday however the pooring rain and slippery surface has scared me off. Not so keen to get sick or fall off. So I have decided to get some work done to help with another busy weekend ahead.

Next weekend I have a 20k off road run as part of the Xterra series, I havent run 20k for a while sh should be an interesting challenge especially off road and in the mud.

A shocker week, but expected

Another shocking week for training between Monday and Thursday. But then, not unexpected given working to midnight most nights this week. We have a team of international visitors in town doing an audit on the project before we head to full deployment. Speaking with another athlete who is working towards the same goal, she is taking Wednesday’s off work in the final months leading up to March 2nd. I think this is a great idea, Im hoping to go one better and take leave from Christmas thru to the race day.
This week I have booked in a run with a friend on Wednesday, so Im hoping this will help me to get out and about.

Weekend Training

Saturday morning brick this week was a 60min swim, skip the bike and do a long run. Rejigged the day by going to the early morning swim i.e. 7am, then Liza meet me for the run, which mean’t for the first time I could go join Liza to watch Miss Amelia play netball. Oops Liza did I mention it was a 90min run off road on an undulating track (code for hills) Well done.

The 7am session is a lot busier than the 8am, made for an interesting swim with 15 people in the lane. By the time the last person pushes off from the end the front person is coming back around. We certainly had a few near misses with pool rage, but all is good and it is rather amuzing to watch. hehe

Sunday morning was so cold, although it was a beautiful day, clear blue sky it was only 2 degress, according to the Garmin (bike computer). So cold in fact that no other buggar of our normal Sunday group ride showed, then 5 min late Kelle rocks in. Fingers and toes frozen we head off for our ride, then dam it she got a puncture, just past the carpark. So like all good athletes we decided to park up the bikes and grab a coffee. All was sweet until we got sprung by the coach who is heavily pregnant and had just been to the hospital (across the road) to be induced and they had told her to go for a walk. How unlucky and ironic was that ?&*%! We had contemplated sneaking out the back but unfortunately she had already spied our bikes.

Anyhow it was nice to catchup we stayed for a 2 hour coffee then headed home. Unfortunately when I got home I could not keep a straight face so when Liza asked how was my ride I had to tell her the coffee was yum. But at least I made it out of bed!