Weeks 20/21

Week 20

Swim:    2 miles

Bike:      0 miles

Run:       15 miles

Week 21

Swim:    0 miles

Bike:      80 miles

Run:       7 miles

A couple days late this week (the blog, not my menstrual cycle); all will be explained hereafter. The training has been a bit sporadic over the last two weeks. I had a job interview (which went well- thanks for asking) and coursework is ramping up, so I’m finding it difficult to strike a balance. I tried to get my rest week in week 20 and start up again in week 21.

In an attempt to kick start my return to training I scheduled a long ride for last Friday. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t so great Friday morning, so I hit the gym in the morning then squeezed 40 miles in in the afternoon. That felt fine, so I decided to take advantage of the good weather and get a 25 miler in with the tri club on Saturday morning- its normally good fun and a much needed bit of social-training time. The ride included a couple of big climbs and I was pleased with the way I managed them...then the fun started...

As the weather was so good the notion of adding another 10 miles was banded around and rather than sticking to my training plan I decided to accept the challenge (despite only coming out with a bottle of water that was now all but empty). 5 or 6 miles in I was struggling to keep up with the pack. In essence, I melted. Thankfully one of the more experienced guys kept dropping back to give me a push every so often and make sure I got home in one piece. Legend. That session took me pretty close to my limit and ruined me for the rest of the weekend. I spent the rest of Saturday in bed feeling disgusting (thankfully the 6 nations triple header and ‘take me out’ were on TV). I didn’t train Sunday and I’m going to go at 50% until I’m feeling better. Its Tuesday now and my appetite still isn’t back to 100%. Nightmare.

Lesson learnt though. Stick to the training plan and make sure I bring enough rations (energy drink/sweets) for the miles I’m going to cover. This has been my first set back and its been a bit of shock to be honest. Still, that’s what it’s all about I guess. Hopefully things will pick up next week!

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Weeks 18/19

Week 18

Swim:    3

Bike:      50

Run:       13

Week 19

Swim:    5

Bike:      100 miles

Run:       0 miles

 19 weeks in now. Wow. Time is flying.

I’ve hit a couple of landmarks over the past two weeks (metaphorically speaking). I completed my first 50 mile bike ride in week 18 and then a 60 miler in week 19.  I can now do 40 without really thinking about it, but I was definitely feeling fatigued come 60. Still, I’m pleased with my progress on the bike at the moment. And... I’ve still not bitten the lycra bullet with regard to bike wear. Currently my style is board shorts over the padded lycra coupled with a helmet that’s slightly too small with an over-riding feel of ‘safety first’ emphasised by a hi-vis vest...I look like a numpty basically...I should get a photo up....maybe.

Also this fortnight I’ve completed my longest swim sessions to date. I did a 2.4 mile swim both weeks, broken down into a 1 mile followed by 4 x 400 sets and then the final .4 miles made up in the warm-up and cool down. It was a good mental barrier to break. I’m trying not to get caught up in the timings of it all, but it’s inevitable really. At the moment I’m swimming a consistent 35 minute mile at about 70% effort. I think that will improve when I’m in the wetsuit as my legs tend to drag through the water slowing me down (the wetsuit will make them more buoyant and theoretically improve bodyline etc).

...Which smoothly brings me on to the wetsuit dilemma. There was a wetsuit tester session at the pool the other day. £200 for an entry level suit and £350 for something half decent! I’ve no idea what warrants these prices...they don’t even seem to compare to surf wetsuits on a cost basis. The price you pay for getting involved with a yuppie sport! Anyway, ranting aside, I think I’ll look down the route of second hand or rental of an entry level suit and just accept that my swim will be pretty slow. After all, is 10, 20 or even 30 minutes extra in the swim really that much of an issue? (rhetorical question)

Ok, swim and bike done, so what about the run? Ran just over 13 miles in week 18. Took just under 2 hours, about 25 minutes longer than the two half marathon races I’ve done,  but I was running at what is now my iron-race pace. I think I’ll go out and do another 13 tomorrow afternoon....actually, maybe 14/15. Depends on the weather and if I can come up with a good route!

Think that’s me done.

I’m looking at entering a few tris in prep for the ironman, but I’m waiting on my exam timetable before I commit to anything. I’ll let you all know when I do...and I could possibly be looking for free accommodation if you’re offering?!

Much love

Mark

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