It’s not all about the bike

It has been for the last few years but I’m gradually adapting to integrating swim and run into my week. Ok, the running has been extremely sporadic but I’ve got myself some orthotics which after a trial 5km run yesterday, seemed to make a difference. Only time will tell, but I don’t mind admitting being very frustrated with not being able to start the process of laying a run base. I’ve still got over 6 months and a lot of training time so I don’t need to stress, but I do want to make my run training the main focus for the early part of the year with the two Hampton Court half marathons booked in. I’m not going to do any speedwork for a while until I’ve got my legs a little bit more resilient, so it's a lot of very steady running on flat grass. EVERYTHING aches when I run at the moment, despite me taking these measures so I'm going to really try to make an effort with some core, strengthening and stretching work.

I’ve managed to keep my swim training going. Things are fine but I am very one paced. I’ve been reticent to do the hard CSS reps that I need to do to get faster, focussing on drills and aerobic endurance work, but at some point I’ve got to feel the hurt and get these sessions done. Yesterday's CSS set went better than planned although the first 5 lots of 100 felt dire, but the next two blocks felt a lot more comfortable and I was ablt to keep the reps at around 1:45 off of 2-2.05 minutes. I still get strange looks from the grey brigade who do their wierd backstrock/breaststtroke combo while I'm bent double at the end of the pool trying not to puke. It's not a good look.

On the bike, it's mainly been 1hr Trainerroad sessions, usually short VO2 reps or aerobic endurance spinning sessions. I don't think I'm making great strides in improving my ftp, but maintaining what I have built up over the year. While the average number of hours that I am doing has fallen from 12 to around 8, the addition of the swim and run stuff has added a lot of  training stress that I'm having to absorb.

Anyway, it's been a good year. I've loved the audax in the first part of the year and with LWL and Windsor- Chester-Windsor booked for next season, I'm looking forward to actually completing a SR series.

Swanning about

You lookin' at me?

No one ever said that it would be easy. Trying to balance family, work and then triathlon training can be pretty miserable sometimes. The last few weeks have been really hard, as things ramp up to Christmas but at the same time myself, Mrs W, Wheezy Junior and Little Wheezy have all had a lot of extra-curricular stuff going on. Birthdays, squash matches (x4, including a competition in Brighton), dance shows, ballet rehearsals, trips and nights out with friends and then homework, planning, life admin; it's been a bit bonkers. The good thing about getting a bit older is that it's easier for me to put things into perspective and not get too worried about missing sessions here and there. I know that I should be aiming to complete 100% but I don't get frustrated like I used to. It is just a hobby. So last week I managed to do 6.5hrs training as 2 swims, 3 bikes (1 on the turbo) and a bit of commuting. All in all, a pretty reasonable return on what was a very difficult week.

So this weekend I spent most of it pretty slaughtered with a few close friends and a stuffed swan and didn't worry one jot about missing my long bike ride. By Sunday evening I had sobered up enough to do a few kms in the pool, doing my first long endurance set of the winter. Not particularly fast but I'm starting to feel a bit more grip for the water and spent most of the hour trying to get my forearm paddle working.

The fly in the ointment is my foot, which is still grumbling away. It's only 11 weeks until my first half marathon and I really need to get back on my running feet soon, If I'm to make it to the start line. It's a really long way away to IMCH, but if I'm to run quick off the bike I need to start running quick. I'm sure it will be fine but I'm itching to get going again.

Aiming for another 10 hour week this week as 3 swims and 4 bikes. Should be fine.