HALF IRONMAN TRAINING – WEEK 15 AND BECCLES TRIATHLON REVIEW

What a great week, really happy.

Monday I took time off from coaching and training, and although I did feel very guilty I got to catch up with my best friends. Which was really nice.

Tuesday I went swimming, did 1,000m while helping out my friend Jo improve her front crawl. She is amazing, picking it up so quickly. She is going to be a fast swimmer!

Wednesday was my turn to coach the beginners club in Beccles. Managed to do a bit of jogging on the field and felt good considering the time off.

Thursday I managed to get out at lunchtime with my running group. There are still going which makes me feel so proud. Janet who had never ran in her life is now running so much further. She also goes out multiple times a week. She has improved so much.

Friday I got home from work late so was a rest evening.

Saturday was also a no training day. I helped put out all the triathlon signs and help out at registration with nervous first timer and even loaning out my triathlon kit. Was a long tiring day (10am-8pm).

Sunday was the wonderful Beccles Triathlon. It was quite stressful this year due to having helped out, I just wanted it all to go well for the Lido and all the competitors. Had to get to the lido mega early (5:20am) to help putting out all the transition matting and sweep the lido. It was tiring and not the best prep but it needed doing so was more than happy to help.

Will cover the race in my review below. I didn’t feel great after the event though. Haven’t felt like this since my first races. I think helping out over the two days, the heat (am very red lol)  and the amount of time off I’ve had is the reason. I hope it’s not due to doing a longer distance triathlon. Be interesting to see how I feel after Fritton Olympic.

Beccles Triathlon 2016

What I love about Beccles Triathlon is getting to register the night before. Even though it still had to be at the lido super early, it is really nice to be able to take your race numbers and stickers home to sort out there. It also means you can drop your bike and kit off to transition straight away when you arrive.

There was a lovely goody bag this year, and got some elastic laces to use with my new triathlon running shoes. They just came with the normal laces are they are not really triathlon shoes.

Dropped my bike and kit off at transition, had a nice spot by swim exit but it did mean a long run up the lido exit with the bike.

The start of the race came around really quickly and with it the sun. So lovely, especially after the terrible rain last year.

There is a children’s pool that the lido use to warm up in should you want, I decided not to as I knew I would get cold waiting.

My time to swim came and felt really good on the swim. Front crawl is natural for me now, I need to work on it don’t get me wrong but I no longer feel out of place doing it. I beat last years time by 1 min and 55 seconds. Brilliant, was pleased when I looked at my watch. I was a slightly shorter swim (60m) this year but it was still a PB. My pace went from 2:13 to 2:05/100m.

Felt like transition went well and felt strong getting onto the bike. I managed to catch up with the lady in front of me pretty early on, and we played yo-yo for a bit. A few times I did slow up as felt bad for keep going past her. However in the end I just decided to do my own race. I do feel like I lost a little bit on the bike down to this, but was really happy with my time. Another Beccles PB. I was 4 mins 4 seconds faster than last year.

Now came the dreaded run, due to coaching and being ill I hadn’t ran the tri route since the last triathlon. So I forgot how long the river wall section felt. It was really hot by this point too and I must admit I was struggling mentally. I felt like I was hardly moving. I only wear a stop watch when I do triathlons so had no idea at all of my pace. I just knew I had to keep pushing and put one foot in front of the other and finally I was back in town.

I didn’t push hard for the line as early as I would have liked but again was really chuffed with my time. For some reason I decided to not put on socks, bad idea and bad blisters!! Was 2 mins and 51 seconds faster than 2015.

Looking at my results now I was even faster in T1 and 2.

Overall I beat 2015 by 9 mins and 16 seconds.

Brilliant event overall. The support, marshals and amount of club members participating was just superb.

I finished 2nd in the open age group (20-39) which just blew me away and 6th female. If you take away the relay teams from the results I came in 44th overall.

Full results here.

 

Details

Location – Beccles Lido, Puddingmoor, Beccles NR34 9PL

Type – Pool Swim (16 lengths), cycle on public roads (1 lap) and a run on public paths and off road (1 lap)

Entry Fee – £40 (£35 with BTF* membership)

Medal – Yes, unique one as well. Very nice. Age group trophies (Under 20, Open, Vet, Super Vet).

Goody bag – Yes, crisps, homemade flapjack, can of Adnams beer, Elastic laces, bottle of water and a Beccles Triathlon swimming hat.

Event facilities  – Showers, toilets, lockers, free parking, Food and drink. Tri-harder, in a spin cycles, Womens tour stalls and a massage tent

Chip timed – Yes

Start Type – Male and females ordered by swim times, slower swimmer first. 30 seconds intervals.

Would I do this event again? – Yes

Overall Score –10/10

Summary

Registration was fantastic, amazing spectators, great goody bag and medal. Very friendly event.

* British Triathlon Membership

HALF IRONMAN TRAINING – WEEK 14 and Outlaw Review

Week 14 didn’t start well. I was still ill so did no training and even had to take time off work, which never happens.

I did manage to go for a little swim Friday night, but nothing major it was more a confidence builder for Sunday.

My cold still hasn’t cleared 100% but am feeling so much better. Hoping to resume training and use Beccles Triathlon as a brick session.

Totals for week 14

1h 32m total

Swimming – 1h 9m

Cycling – 0h 23m

Running – 0h 0m

Outlaw Half Nottingham 2016 – Relay team

We travelled down to Nottingham the afternoon before the race. Was a nice surprise when we got there are a couple of club members were racing in the sprint triathlon. We were able to see Jackie on the bike and Marcus and Ben on the swim, bike and run finish.

Team Armadillo Segments headed to registration and pick up our race numbers, swimming hat, High5 freebies and stickers. Paid for the car park, £5 for all weekend and looked around the expo. As I was only doing the swim my equipment list was minimal when compared to Vicki and Karles, however me being me forgot my swimming costume! I managed to get some lovely and cheap Zoot tri shorts. Pleased with the bargain.

After checking out the expo we headed (via the Erdinger tent) to the race briefing. I was disappointed with the race briefing, they just repeated what was in the competitor pack. I think they could have focused on giving information on what wasn’t in the pack but still helpful to know. Like how shallow the water in the lake is and the sharp rocks…..will come on to that. We were in the tent for 50 min in total and it was way too hot and long in my opinion.

After race briefing we headed to the hotel to check in.

Race Day! After a lovely (not) 3:45 wake up call, we headed back to the venue and helped Vicki and Karle get their stuff ready in transition. It was so strange for me as I have nothing to leave in transition. All the kit I needed would be on me for the swim.

Got into my wetsuit feeling nervous and cold, 6:30am was my start time. As I was getting all packed up ready to head to the lake I realised my coat was missing. Along with my car keys and phone. Nightmare, just as we were about to head to reception to report it missing a guy returned with it. One panic over, however it was now only 7 mins until my start time.

I ran to the lake start area with minutes to spare, phew relax! There were so many people in the wave (nearly all men as well) the race organiser was struggling to get everyone in the lake in time for the start. He got quite stressed and was shouting at everyone to move along.

I got into the water about 1 min from the start gun, not ideal prep as need to acclimatise to the cold before I can put my head in and swim. However not today, I quickly ducked under the water and we were off!

I stayed to the right hand side, at the race briefing the guy said to stay towards the right if you were a slower swimming. Not sure of how I would get on I went there.

The first few minutes I had to alternate between breaststroke and front crawl while my breathing got under control. The cold water took my breath away. However I soon relaxed into front crawl, then all of a sudden my hand hit a sharp rock and got cut. I then felt a rock scratched my leg, the river all of a sudden was really shallow and full of big sharp rocks. There was no warning of this at the race briefing, only instructions to keep to the right if you were slower. Had I known about the rocks I would have swam more towards the middle. My nice, new, beautiful Huub wetsuit now has a hole in it 😦

Putting that aside I ploughed on, determined to make up the lost time faffing around and do my team proud! I was punch, kicked and had my neck clawed at but I didn’t let it phased me. I just speed up or swerved around people.

Made it to the 800m buoy, where you had to then swim across the lake and back to the start. Felt good, I was over taking people and holding my own. Felt slow, but didn’t let it worry me. I knew I just had to keep going for my team. I was sick a little bit with 400m to go but didn’t even stop just kept going.

Finally reached the finish and leaped out of the lake as fast as I could and sprinted the 200m to where Karle was in transition. There was no matting for the run just concrete but I didn’t care I just had to get to Karle as soon as possible and hand over the timing chip.

Had a fast transition and off Karle went without any issues. Phew and relax!!!!

Karle smashed it on the bike, he came in loads sooner than expected. Good job Rob was ready nice and early. Another smooth transistion again and off Rob went. We got to stay in transistion and cheered Vicki onto the run and Rob when he went past for his second lap. Like Karle he was faster than expected and was so close to a PB.

At the finish chute we are got to run down as a team. That was great fun and it felt so good crossing that finish line having all done so well.

Was a really awesome day.

I completed the 1.9k swim in 39:12. Over the moon. After being ill and not having the best training plan leading up to it, to get a PB was just brilliant.

Our team finished in 14th place out of 35 teams.

 

 

 

Full results here.

Loved this event so much. Very professional and a lot of free food and drink.

Race registration was slick and professional.

The swim was an out and back route which was ideal. There were 4 waves of around 300 people.

 

Details

Location – Holme Pierrepont, National Watersports Centre, Nottingham

Type – Lake Swim (1 lap), cycle on public roads (1 lap) and a run partly along the lake  (2 laps)

Entry Fee – £167.50 (£162.50 with BTF* membership)

Medal – Yes as well as a T-shirt. The medal and Tshirts had relay on them and were a different colour, which I thought was a nice touch. Age group trophies for 1st,2nd and 3rd

Goody bag – Yes, Crisps, High5 starter pack, free Erdinger and swim hat. Buffet after the event also. Free water bottles on the bike. Gels on the bike and run.

Event facilities  – Cafe, showers, toilets, lockers, stalls, paid for parking

Chip timed – Yes

Start Type – Waved start. Males and teams in wave one. Males on waves two and three and then females on wave four.

Would I do this event again? – Yes

Overall Score –9.5/10

Summary

The event was amazing. Expensive but the whole atmosphere and freebies over the weekend made it seem more reasonable. The only reason I am not giving a ten is down to the lack of info at the race briefing.

* British Triathlon Membership

HALF IRONMAN TRAINING – WEEKS 12 & 13

Yet another mixed bag couple of weeks.

Week 12, seems a lifetime ago now. Why do I always leave updating my blog until the last minute.

The week started off with the usual swim coaching on Monday, Tuesday I didn’t get to do any training as I had to travel to London for work.

I did manage to run early Wednesday morning before a work conference. Just over 7.5 km, was lovely running over Tower Bridge. It is so pretty.

Thursday was great fun, Karle and I cycled over to Lound and took part in GYCC’s 10 mile TT. I now have a time to try and beat next time.

Friday I managed to get to the pool and am still enjoying front crawl. Never ever did I think I would say that. I even tried a few lengths of breakstroke and it felt odd…..how odd!

Saturday was my Mums and husbands 50th Parkrun. Am so proud of them for reaching their 50th. I still remember begging them to come with me and dragging them along. How far they have come. Superstars. Managed a 12k run all together.

Took part in Beccles Ride for Life on the Sunday. Really wanted to complete the 50 mile course which I did. As well as cycling there and home again .70 miles in total and even managed a run when I got back. Only 1k but it was still a run. Was feeling chuffed.

Totals for week 12

9h 19m total

Swimming – 0h 39m

Cycling – 6h 40m

Running – 1h 59m

Week 13 started with our last winter swim at Harleston. Tuesday was the clubs annual wetsuit swim at the lido. I could feel I wasn’t right in the afternoon, but put it down to hayfever and cycled over. Swam, started sneezing, again put it down to being outside and pollen. Didn’t feel great but cycled home again.

Woke up Wednesday, felt okay. Not great but not terrible. Headed to running club after work and really didn’t feel right. Was just so cold, and wheezy. Couldn’t run at all, not even with the beginners to help out. Just stood there, with the stop watch, turning blue. Was just so cold! Went to bed not feeling great at all.

What I should have done on Thursday was rest, hindsight is so wonderful. However in my defence I really did still think I had bad hayfever and was just suffering as I hadn’t taken anything. I went for a lovely lunchtime jog with my colleagues, bit wheezy but was okay. The evening was were the mistake came, I went swimming…..in Fritton Lake. It was cold and I swam for longer and further than I have so far this season. Got out and it was cold. Feeling wheezy but chuffed with myself I headed for a bite to eat and then home.

Woke up on Friday…guess what…….yep sick!! Not feeling good at all .Typically it is the one time I leave my laptop at work. So drag myself into the office, sit there until enough people tell me I look like cr*p (more so than usual) and then head home. Work until around 4, then go to the pool as I promised my mum I would go with her and help her get ready for her triathlon on Sunday. She was so nervous and panicking that I couldn’t let her down. Felt very ill by the time I got home, and headed straight to bed.

Saturday was mostly spend in bed, ventured to parkrun to watch but that was a mistake.

Sunday I had my first triathlon technical official shadowing to do. Took painkillers and wrapped up in loads of layers to keep warm. Despite how I felt I really enjoyed the day. My mum took part and did so well, as did loads of other club members. I shadowed in the afternoon children’s race also as that is one of the 4 races I needed to do as part of my accreditation. Got good feedback from John on both races which I am really chuffed about.As soon as I got home I went straight to bed.

All in all not the best of weeks, however I am determined to be well in time for Sundays Outlaw Half. I am the swimmer in a relay team. I can’t let the Armadillo Segments down! Must get well! Trip to doctors tomorrow….maybe….

Totals for week 13

3h 21m total

Swimming – 1h 15m

Cycling – 1h 31m

Running – 0h 35m

 

HALF IRONMAN TRAINING – WEEKS 10 & 11

How time flies! Was supposed to write my blog post Bank Holiday weekend but ran out of time. The same applies for this weekend. So am doing this on my lunchbreak instead.

Now comes the memory test (thankfully Strava is helping to act as a reminder).

Week 10 was good, I have started to stray a little bit off plan. Due to work and beginners running sessions starting in both Beccles and Lowestoft. I am not stressing about it though as I really think its a worthwhile thing to do. I just need to get the balance right.

Monday was swim coaching as usual. Tuesday I had a great swim session, finally feel comfortable when doing front crawl.

Helped out at the beginners session Wednesday night. Managed to do a bit of running.

Thursday I helped out at Lowestoft beginners session.

Friday I got home from work late so no training.

Saturday we cycled as a club to Fritton Lake, did parkrun and then cycled back.

Did a long run on Sunday which included the Scores route. Forgot how tough that course is. Went for a swim in the afternoon. Again a nice long one.

Totals for week 10

8h 56m total

Swimming – 1h 16m

Cycling – 4h 44m

Running – 2h 55m

Week 11 was fairly similar to week 10 but still feel positive about it.

Monday as you know was a bank holiday. Vicki and I went for our first open water swim of the year at Whitlingham. The water was very cold and took longer than normal to start swimming. However once I got going it was really lovely. We were only allowed to be in the water for 30mins, so only swam 800m.  Swimming was cancelled last minute which was a shame so no coaching.

Tuesday I got home from work really late but managed to get on the turbo for 45 mins.

Wednesday was helping the beginners. Again managed to get some running in.

Thursday I ran with the lunchtime club and then a bit in the evening with Lowestoft beginners.

Friday was a night off as it was the Mother in Laws birthday.

Saturday I did Fritton Lake parkrun and then a lovely swim in the lake. Did 1,000m. Hoping to do more on the next swim.

Sunday I went to St Neots to watch the Triathlon and cheer on Vicki. When I got back I went for my longest solo bike ride. Must admit that I didn’t really want to go out but am so pleased I did it was lovely. Even bumped into some friends. After the ride I went for a 1k run. I want to try and now always run off the bike even if its for 5 mins.

I have been trying to get the train to work which means cycling to get the train. Its only a few k but use a heavy old mountain bike and carry my laptop for extra weight.

Totals for week 11

6h 43m total

Swimming – 50m

Cycling – 3h 56m

Running – 1h 57m

 

 

 

HALF IRONMAN TRAINING – WEEK 9

Another week done and it was a good week.

Monday was the usual swim coaching.

Tuesday as the weather was so nice, I went for a ride with Vicki and Karle. It was a lovely gentle ride out to Southwold, not too windy. Karle however got me and Vicki doing some Strava segment chasing. On the way home it was pretty windy so it was a little tough going. Then we did some 30 second interval sprints. That really finished the legs off. Was a great ride though and we covered almost 50k.

After the ride I headed over to the WVAC Lowestoft session as they wanted a group photo. Had a little run around the park with Bill afterwards.

Wednesday night I helped out with the WVAC beginners session at Beccles. There was around 70 people there. Was so great to see so many there. I did get to run a little bit as I partnered up with one of the ladies.

Thursday lunchtime I went out with the colleagues I work with. They completed their 10 week course so we did our first “real run” together. After work Rob and I went for a meal to celebrate our anniversary as he was working at the weekend.

Friday I got home pretty late from work so only had time for a quick swim before the pool shut. My mum had been saying that she was struggling with her swim so spent most of the time giving her tips which was really nice to do. As she timed herself and realised she was faster than she thought.

Saturday I jogged down to parkrun and my heart rate monitor battery died so decided it was a sign and pushed myself to get a PB. Was supposed to be a zone 2 run but never mind 🙂

I managed to get a PB which I was really pleased about and jogged home.

Went on the club ride Sunday and had very weary legs. The head wind seemed so strong so I just plodded along to Beccles, thankful for Vicki and Karle being away lol. We did a nice gentle club ride and I cycled home again. The ride home was far less relaxing as I was getting picked up at 12:45 to help out at a charity triathlon at the UEA and we only got back to Beccles at 12!!! I had to really push it on the way home and guess what, yes I had a headwind on the way back. A really strong one as well. Why does it always do that.

I reached home with 5 mins to spare. Had the quickest shower and change of clothes ever and headed over to the sports park. They were doing a sports relief fun triathlon. It was really great to help out. I counted lengths for one team. Did a 5k run for another team and just gave as much support and encouragement to everyone as I could. Afterwards I was able to get in a quick 750m swim. Which was good as I did my 400m at the end so I can now send off my Beccles Triathlon time.

So yet again I didn’t really stick to plan but it was close enough I think.

 

 

 

 

Pause in training & East Coast Triathlon Review

 

Decided to have a rest this week. Had the East Coast Triathlon on the Saturday and was going away for work.

Monday I didn’t train as usual and just coached.

As I was going to Sheffield for work and would miss running club I decided to go for a run Tuesday night. I did an hour in total. Then went swimming for 20 mins. Only a short one but wanted to do something before going away.

Wednesday and Thursday was spent working away. Which means poor diet, and not much rest. Therefore I decided to try and look after myself a bit before Saturday and worked from home Friday.

I was supposed to turbo train on Friday but work was so busy time slipped away from me. I needed to get to the supermarket and get food for tea and tomorrow.

Saturday I competed in a Super Sprint Triathlon.

Resumed training on the Sunday, legs were feeling okay so cycled over to Gt Yarmouth to help marshal at the East Coast Triathlon. Cycled home again. Ended up doing 2 hours and 15 mins cycling.

Will re-join my training plan at week 6.

East Coast Triathlon 2016 – Age Group Win and Review

So here we are, race day. Woke up to rain and it pretty much kept raining right up until the start. It was so cold, windy and miserable. Couple that with a bit of a cold and I was feeling a bit sorry for myself.

I was however feeling good for having a rest week. My legs didn’t hurt for once. I really by this point wanted to do well and while I didn’t think I had the chance I wanted to push hard and challenge for an age group win. Got pool side and all that changed. I was doing my first front crawl race. Not breast stroke. I must admit I panicked a bit.

However I got into the water and felt fairly strong on the swim. It did feel strange doing front crawl and it did feel like I was splashing loads but I managed to keep pushing and exited the pool faster than I was hoping for. Quicker than last year.

Into transition and my helmet had rolled away a bit, but I just kept calm and did my transition as smooth and unstressed as possible.

Out onto the bike. I felt good. I used the drops for pretty much all of the course. Trying to keep out of the wind as much as possible. It was a head wind going away from the Marina centre.

I managed to over take quite a few ladies and was feeling really pleased. Coming off the bike course was a relief as the traffic was quite bad in paces and I was worried it would rain at any moment.

A quick look at the watch and I was on track for a sub 60. T2 was a little bit slower than I was hoping as my hands were a little bit numb from the ride.

Onto the run and there was that head wind again. However once I got to the turn around point I picked up speed and pushed on for the finish.

I crossed the line in 57:11. Over the moon. 4 mins 12 seconds faster than last year.

Final results put me 4th female overall with an age group as well. Over the moon!!

38/111 overall

4/52 Female

1/7 in Age group

Full results here.

Really did enjoy this event again. The mixture of competitors and loads of club members made it a really friendly event.

Race registration was much faster than last year. They were very prepared and streamlined.

Again the 250m swim comprised of 5 lanes, where you did 2 lengths and then went under the rope into the next lane. After doing 10 lengths you were at the exit side of the pool. This worked really well as it saved you having to keep count.

The 16k bike section also was really good as there was always someone ahead of you to chase. It was 3 laps along Gt Yarmouth sea front.

Finally a 3k run, that was along the promenade. It was an out and back style which again meant it was easy to work out where to go. Finishing at the Marina Centre.

Details

Location – Marina Centre, Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2ER

Type – Pool Swim (10 laps), cycle on public roads (3 laps) and a run on beach Promenade (1 lap)

Entry Fee – £38 (£33 with BTF* membership). Same as 2015

Medal – Yes and age group trophies

Goody bag – No

Event facilities  – Cafe, showers, toilets, lockers, paid for parking

Chip timed – Yes

Start Type – Individual timed start, fastest swim times first. All females and then males.

Would I do this event again? – Yes

Overall Score –9.5/10

Summary

Liked having the event over two days. It meant everyone could sign up. It was also nice getting to watch one day and compete on the other.

* British Triathlon Membership

 

 

 

 

 

Half Ironman training – Week 8

A week of ups, downs and cramp!!

Monday was a busy couple of swimming session but as always it was enjoyable.

Tuesday was a really tough, low day. We had to say goodbye to our friend Marcus. To be honest I could have quite easily locked myself indoors after the wake and felt sorry for myself. However I made myself train as I knew it would make be feel better, even if just for a few a hours.  I went for a bike ride and then a swim at Waterlane. There were a couple of men in each of the lanes and for the first time I didn’t chicken out. I actually joined them. I did 1,600m and jumped out of the pool only to get terrible cramp in both legs. It was really painful. I went and sat in the jacuzzi for a bit but it didn’t really help.

Woke up Wednesday and I will still sore, it really hurt to walk. Therefore at running club I took it really easy.

On Thursday they were still sore and I had some club errands to do. Again I must admit I was so tempted when I finally got home at 8.30 to just stay in. I decided to go swimming with Vicki and Lauren instead and try out my Beccles tri-suit. It felt great to swim in. Think the swim helped my calf pain. The best bit about Thursday was the lovely group I have been coaching at lunchtimes (voluntarily) got me a card and some energy gels as a thank you. It was the last of the 10 week plan. Everyone has come on so much and we are going to carry on the sessions.

Friday was a mad rush to train and get round my friends as I was having dinner round there. I got home at 6:05 and had to be there for 7! A quick 30 min turbo and 10 min run (legs much better!) was all I had time for.

Saturday I went to a course at the Hilton in Stansted airport with Karle. It was to become a Triathlon Technical Official. It was a one day course and we have to now do 3 placements at races with other coaches, before doing our practical test on the 4th.  We also have a written exam to complete.

On Sunday we had a club ride out to Lound to test out the GYCC 10 mile time trial route. It was so great to have a total of 12 of us and nice sunny weather. After the ride Vicki and I did a 45 min run.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Half Ironman training – Week 7

Another week down, that went quick!

There was no swim coaching on Monday due to the pool being closed and for some reason I had a rest day!! I should have taken advantage of not being at work and swam! For the life of me I can’t even remember why I didn’t now!!

Tuesday was lovely as it was my first long mid-week ride outside. Was a lovely change to turbo.

Wednesday was running night and a tough speed session.

Thursday night was a Beccles Triathlon planning meeting so only managed a short swim before the pool closed.

Ran a 5k with my Mum Friday night as she signed up to a virtual race. It was called “April fools 5k” and the medal is a joker playing card. Very cool!

We had a Beccles Triathlon Club ride on Saturday due to a lot of members racing Sunday. It turned into an epic 50 miler. Was great fun. There was 10 of us in total and 8 of the group took part in Lowestoft parkrun before cycling back to Beccles.

Sunday was the 5 mile Lowestoft Promenade Dash. My legs were very weary after not resting since Monday and doing alot of cycling and running. It was also very windy and warm! Had a bit of a mental breakdown if I am honest. I put too much pressure on myself to get a PB. However was over the moon to find out that me, Jay and Jo won the first female team.

So am torn at the moment, do I chalk week 5 of the plan off or repeat it since I didn’t stick to it? I still have enough time…….

 

 

 

Half Ironman training – Week 6

After a slow start, swim coaching Monday night and travelled to Dorking for work on Tuesday. The week turned out pretty good. Having Friday off really helped!

The main highlight of the week was a trip to the Lee Valley Velodrome on Saturday. It was awesome!!

We managed to book a 2 hour slot for the club, including a coach. The whole experience was fantastic. Such a rush. It was so much fun you didn’t really notice how much of a workout it was. My legs were a bit sore on Sunday.

Managed to complete all of the training from week 4 of my training plan. Roll on week 5!

 

Half Ironman training – Week 5

Deja Vu, life moves on and time is a healer.

Determined to get back into training this week. Decided after missing almost all my training last week to repeat week 4.

However a tough work schedule and a planned trip to my sisters did make it a little tricky. I am pleased to say that apart from one swim session I was successful! Boxes in green (see above) are training sessions I completed.

The swimming this week was tough, felt like I was in treacle. Will try not to go so long without swimming again.

On the train to my sisters I re-read my training book again and realised that I need to take my training a little bit more seriously. The zone 2 training is there for a reason, so next week am going to work on that. I might even do week 4 again, as this week is another busy one work wise.

Apart from training this week has been awesome from a coaching point of view. The run coaching I am doing at work is really going well and getting great feedback. Also had a great transition session with the club that seemed to go well. Good times.

This weeks totals

 

1. Swim – 1.30 hours
2. Bike – 1:45 hours
3. Run – 1:45 hours
4. Total time – 5:00 hours

My actuals for the week were

1. Swim – 0:45 hours
2. Bike –1:54 hours
3. Run – 1:57 hours
4. Total time – 4:37