Week 13

28.03.11 - 03.04.11


The rest week did the trick, I didn't manage all the hours but only by an hour so I am very happy, and this week saw me turn a year older... I have however managed to hang onto my boyish good looks, wit and charm...


After a nice relaxing week I was back in business and Monday saw me splashing about in the pool as I led the lane at a 'challenging' pace, according to the coach. I now have to move up a lane so that I continue to improve and thats a good thing. I felt really comfortable in the water but did feel as if I was pushing, the arms felt like they had worked, and this came back to bite me on the ass on Wednesday...


Tuesday was a brilliant day and so in order to kill two birds (increasing petrol prices and bike fitness) I rode into work. The route is fairly flat and fast as well as being on quite roads and this made for a great start to the day. I made it to work in a little over an hour and still felt fresh for the remainder of the day. On the way home I managed under an hour (just) but felt good enough to go for a 30 minute run straight after. I could feel straight away that I hadn't been doing any brick sessions recently as my legs started to cramp up from the sudden change in motion. I have therefore decided to include more brick sessions in a week and the best place is on the weekends. Riding to work is great way to start the day as well as being cheaper than a car.


After a quiet Wednesday at work I was looking forward to my long swim, that was until I got into the pool and started swimming. My arms were killing me and the water felt like a mixture of concrete and jelly. I struggled through the session as it was also a kicking session, so combining knackered arms and uncoordinated kicking, I just about prevented myself from drowning... I was oh so glad to get out of the pool, although driving home proved a little challenging...


Thursday rolled around and although I was going to ride into work, I was shattered, my arms were dead and I could barely lift them enough to wash my hair. I was exhausted and so decided to make Thursday my rest day! Happiness all round this was also made possible by only having a half day at work...


Friday (My Birthday) and I started the day off with a nice hour long run, 34 didn't feel half bad now that it was here... The run was great, it was my first proper run since the half marathon. I  also tried a negative split, which just meant running an out and back route, with the return route being run quicker than the out. I managed it, which was great. I was meant to swim on Friday evening, however as I was having friends round for a little party I had to miss it due to time/preparation constraints... My arms didn't mind so much, surprisingly... I had a good party, with good friends and good food. I also had my first birthday ever since I turned 18 (cough cough) without having any alcohol... It was a decision I had made that I wasn't going to drink like crazy, but the evening went by without me thinking of drinking. I must also thank my friends on this one, as none of them tried to pressure me into drinking, so "Thanks Guys!" 


Waking up after a party feeling as right as rain and smelling of daisies is a good thing. I was going to brick it today and Saturdays has now become my long run day as I want to start riding with the Tri Club on Sundays. I jumped on my bike and headed off for a quick short ride just to start the brick session. I flew around the 20km course with an average of 31.5km/h and once home, slid into my running shoes and hit the road. The weather was brilliant and my legs felt like machines, I couldn't help feeling I had forgotten something, until I spotted a club member, Luke,running. My eyes flew to the water bottle in his hands and it all became clear. I could picture my bottle on the kitchen counter, looking refreshingly cool with condensation drops clinging to the side of the bottle. I was suddenly thirsty. 
The last half hour was hell, my heart rate was up, my legs were starting to ache, my feet were hurting and I felt like I was boiling over. I stopped for a few minutes in the shade of a massive tree and cooled down a little. I knew I had twenty minutes left to run, how hard could that be... I shot off and just concentrated on trying to keep my heart rate down. I eventually got home, drenched in sweat and the first glass of water felt like magic. It was a new high pace for 10 miles and when I saw this I suddenly felt fantastic, although the lesson had been a tough one and hopefully I shall never be a forgetful idiot like that again.


I woke up expecting to feel sore legs but they were fine, no stiffness, no pain, no hint of any exercise at all... I had overslept a little and so missed the Tri ride, but still, Sunday was my log ride day and seeing as I was going for a hilly ride and was going to combine it with a short run after, I decided to just aim for 3 hours. The weather wasn't great  and I needed a long sleeve jersey, I also decided to pack my raincoat as well, just in case... I jumped on my bike, made a final check on drinks and nutrition and pedalled off. 
I was feeling AWESOME and the first big climb came and went in what I think was my fastest ever ascent of it. I shot over the other side and just decided to explore and have fun, while cycling hard. I pedalled merrily round a corner and came face to face with a 10% incline that was wet and muddy and that made for a hole lot of fun. I needed to get out of my saddle to get up the hill, but when ever I stood up, my back wheel spun out on all the wet mud. I eventually made it to the top after being overtaken by a tractor... He had an engine alright... I looked across the land and saw hills left right and centre... Right, I wanted climbs, I got climbs!! 
I eventually saw a sign to Aylesbury (where my brother lives) and as it was only 18kms away I turned towards it and a few more climbs. I got as close as I could before hitting a very busy road and choosing to turn back, I suddenly realised that each one of those downhills on the way here, had turned into uphills on the way back. I had a great ride exploring the countryside and flexing my climbing muscles but my legs were dead by the time I got home, it took all the will power in the world for me to climb into my running shoes and go for a run. It was the first time I had run on very tired cycling legs and the feeling was really bizarre. After a few minutes they suddenly remembered what to do and I was off. It was only a 15 minute run but I feel that it did me the world of good.


Looking back, its one of those weeks I am very happy with.
I exercised for 10:35:43 out of a planed 12 and
I covered 187.61kms.


That was week 13 and I survived, bring on no. 14.


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