After 2 weeks of training not going to plan, I was a little worried about how I would feel hitting the training again. I was still feeling a little washed out from the previous week but was determined to get started again.
I went for a run on Monday and had only planned on running for half an hour but I felt really good and just carried on for the full hour. I did initially struggle and needed to walk for a while, however after I had caught my breath and got into a nice rhythm the rest was really nice and I got back home feeling very positive.
Tuesday, 5:30am and I was outside, clipped into my pedals, bike was locked into the Turbo and earphones were plugged in... I spun away for about an hour in the crisp morning air, trying to keep the thoughts of the impending doom called work out of my head. I eventually had to give into the time and head up to the shower to get ready for work. I got through work unscathed and was soon home slipping on my running shoes and heading off into the Oxford evening I ran my set 10km route and managed a good pace over the full 10kms. I looked over my training journal and I worked out that I had set a new personal best pace for the distance...
I was once again looking forward to my Wednesday swim session at Radley College. I had spent the last session in Lane 2 but was a little apprehensive about staying in it this evening as there were a lot more swimmers out. I did however stay in the lane and had a cracking session, it was fast and exhausting but by the end of the session I had notched up 3600m and certainly felt it in my arms and shoulders.
Thursday rolled around and I was amped for the first Thursday Open water Swim with the club. It was a fairly nice day and work had been hectic and a dip in the lake was exactly what was needed. The lap was set at about 500m-550m and I managed to get around 5 times with a few little bobbing sessions in between. I got out feeling fantastic and refreshed albeit a little tired. I absolutely love swimming in the lake, it just so peaceful and although the water is a little cold, it's really refreshing. This is a shot of me in the lake...
I managed to get out of work fairly promptly on Friday and as soon as I got home I jumped on my bike and hit the road. I was trying to work out a way to the lake so that on Saturdays I could travel by bike to the lake and then do a fairly hard ride home after just to try get used to riding after swimming. It was a nice day, a little windy, but the sun was out and the route to the lake is fairly pleasant. I did wonder how my cycling would be with almost 2 weeks off of it, however the break seemed to do me good and although my average speed was down a fraction I felt remarkably comfortable on the bike. I did find the route and its on quiet quick roads.
The alarm waking me up at 5:30 on a Saturday was not well received but as soon as I had wiped the sleep dirt out of my eyes I remembered I was going swimming and I was filled with a new energy. I had a supporter in the form of a very tired Laura, however armed with a flask of coffee and a couple of croissants, she was ready to go. The water felt really warm as we dived in, this might have had something to do with the rain pouring down and the cold wind cutting to the bone. I managed 4 loops before it was shortened due to poor visibility and on the 2nd lap of the short loop my shoulders started to ache. First the left one and then by the end of the 2nd lap the right was also aching. I thought nothing of it, as I had been pushing to keep up with Greg and so thought the muscles were just a little tired. The session finished, but I had volunteered to coach/accompany new open water swimmers out in the lake. This is something the club organises as a build up to Blenheim Triathlon for anybody taking part that has never swum in open water before and isn't restricted to club members. It was great getting people who were apprehensive about open water out and seeing how quickly they started to love the feeling of it. It was also nice to be able to impart some of the advice given to me in the last 18 weeks onto others. I got out feeling energetic although a little tired. The rain was hammering it down now and so I chickened out of riding home and took the comfort of the car. My shoulders were a little sore driving home but they have been before after tough sessions so I wasn't overly concerned.
I had a little rest and then slipped into my running shoes and set off on my planned 2 hour run... It was disasterous. I couldn't find a rhythm in my pace, in my breathing in anything. I got exhausted after 20 minutes but persevered until 45 minutes later I was cramping and struggling for breath. I started walkinghome and after a few minutes tried running again... nothing! I just couldn't get into it t all. I walked back home looking a right state, bright red in the face, limping slighlty from the cramp in my calf and dripping sweat, or should I say pouring sweat. I was glad to get home and had a quiet little sulk in the bath. However, getting out of the bath was a little tricky as my shoulders were killing me and this was something I had never felt before. I rubbed some freeze gel into them and put on a thick jumper and then had a little doze on the sofa. when I woke up I tried to reach for my phone and I culdn't move my arm without excruciating pain shooting from my shoulder. I wasn't sure whether to be concerned or glad that I had worked so hard that the muscles were SORE! Once I had moved around a little they eased up, however it was still sore reaching up about shoulder height. I went to bed hoping that all would be well in the morning.
I woke up on Sunday morning and my shoulders were still aching but I couldn't dwell on it as I was getting ready for my first club ride. I was going to go out with the medium group and then after their 2 hours I was going to go ut for a further 2 hours on my own... only there wasn't a medium group, only a fast group and I managed to stick with them for the first 2 hours but I was knackered and I mean truly knackered. I knew I was riding faster than I had ever ridden and was pleased but at the same time I knew how much better I could be with more training. I then peeled off of the main ride with 5 others and headed back to Oxford, only this group were also all about speed and although I managed to hang onto them for 14 miles I was dropped just outside of Oxford, and so with my tail tucked between my legs I made my way home. I had ridden for about 3 maybe 3 and a half hours at a cracking pace, however as my Garmins battery had died I knew no figures. I did feel really happy aboutthe quality of my ride and by the end of the day the muscles in my butt knew they had had a tough bike ride.
My shoulders wer still incredibly painful by the end of the day and as such I did a little research online and I think I may have injured my rotator cuff. The cure is rest but keeping it mobile so that I don't develop Frozen Shoulder. My next swim session is on Wednesday, however I will have to see how the shoulder is doing before I go diving in.
I am not sure of my mileage this week, however without realising it I have done 7 days straight and managed 13.5 hours.
I am looking forward to next week as I have planned my days carefully around my scheduled working hours. Bring it on.
W
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