The original plan was to provide a monthly update on my progress; what has happened in reality is that time has flown by over the last 6 weeks. Training sessions seem to be blurring into each other and 5:30am starts are becoming the norm…even on the weekends!!!!
It was great to have a break in Sydney, after 4 months of hard going a small break was just what was needed….I still managed to go for several runs and a couple of swims just to make sure my body didn't forget what lactic acid and endorphins felt like. Sydney was a good 5 degrees warmer that windy Wellington which helped on those early morning starts. Some of the runs at sunrise around the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge as a backdrop were some of my all time favorites. As runners, I am sure we all have memories of fantastic locations, sunsets and sunrises and I have been so lucky to run in different parts of the world ...from the Charles river in Boston, snow covered streets in Helsinki to the jungle in Brunei. As I enjoyed the views it reminds me of how important that the make-a-wish charity is in providing young children the opportunity to have an experience to remember.
While on the break in the sun, I managed to have my first glass of wine in 3 months and as I enjoyed the Pinot Noir I realise on how much the training has changed me….hopefully not too much but all this training can be addictive. A friend of mine sent me a link to a youtube video that reminded of the risks associated with Ironman training….not that its depicting a stereotype at all ;o)
The training plan is gradually increasing in hours and my body is slowly adapting to it. The line of my body adapting to the increase and not getting injured is a very fine one; it has already been crossed a couple of times with a slight groin strain and a sore back. The groin strain just required rest while my back needed a few cracks and words of guidance from my chiropractor. Stretching exercises seem to dominate the evenings after the day's workouts with a pitiful attempt to get my aging body to retain some level of flexibility. LIttle Mia is also helping me with the stretching as she enjoys sitting on me while I am straining on the next stretch.
As the hours increase it is reassuring to see that progress is being made. A year ago a 2 hour run would have required at least a days rest, now it is backed up by either an hours swim on the same day or a 3 hour bike the following day with out any noticeable problems.
The last 2-3 weeks have really focused on the bike and getting "time on the saddle"…..the early morning rides have been fantastic on a clear day but when the weather has not been so kind I am on the wind/turbo trainer in the garage for hours and hours. My saviour has been watching the Tour de France and the Olympics. Watching both events has been both inspirational and dangerous. With the TV coverage being so good there have been numerous occasions where I have felt that I was in "the peleton" with the other cyclists; the result being an easy recovery ride turning into a full on workout with maximum heart rate without notice due to being so engrossed in the race.
Have a look at the brief video snap shots of the early morning workouts….
So the next couple of weeks there is another ramp up in training with specific focus weeks on each discipline. What this means is that either my arms and back ache continuously from the swimming, my thighs throb from the cycling or my calves are sore from the running…I just glad that hopefully it won't be all at the same time (I can leave that one for the race itself). To to give you a little insight, here's a snap shot of my training graph and the progressions required.
Going forwards I will also provide mini updates rather than one big update; easier to read and more manageable to compile.
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Our house has been full of activity - the Olympics, Mia running around and Ian doing stupid distances. He can practically swim faster than i can run these days!! Mia is addicted to his cycle hat and says 'daddy's hat', and even says 'bike'. Ian is doing great with his training, he is always full of energy even after a 2 hour run. He mentioned he had his first glass of wine……imagine the savings we are making…….if only they weren't spent on sports nutrition instead!
