Blog 1
I had an operation on my nose at the end of February and as a result I was under doctor’s orders to rest, not to exert myself and stay out of the pool for 4 -5 weeks and I did miss the swimming and sprinting, which is a good thing I suppose.
Starting back I took it easy at first, both on track and in the pool; I only had one session before jetting off to Spain for a week in the sun in April. I made full use of the hotel pools though doing at least a 1000m in the cold pool before warming down in the hot indoor pool!
Highlights
First swim coaching session went well but it’s surprising how much stamina you lose! You can get it back quick though and that I’ve been doing. I’ve started going to a different local pool now for my midweek swim as it has an adult only session plus it’s a 33m pool instead of the usual 25m length.
Monday 28 April: 2nd track session since returning and Aimee was running with us, just to show us how slow we are! I didn’t push to my limit but my times were relatively good. Bank Holiday break next week so I will do my own session and push to the max in preparation for the week after!
Friday 2 May: I decided to go for a 40km cycle ride and planned in some hills but I got a puncture half way through so I wasn’t pleased.
Saturday 3 May: swimming coaching, got two more improvements in my technique to work on and increasing my stamina. Had a go at a length of butterfly, never mind, but to Louise’s (coach) credit she came up to me, explained what is required and got someone to demonstrate straight away: that’s what I like about Tri Team Wigan!
Sunday 4 May: didn’t train due to rotten rain but I ordered my lock laces and number belt.
Monday 5 May: no track session due to Bank Holiday so I did a brick session of cycling 43km and running 5km. It’s important for your body to get used to transitions; it was difficult to get my cadence right.
Tuesday 6 May: got my Adult Passport and registered for the Open Water Swim Sessions at Salford Quays; just gotta get my wetsuit now!
Wednesday 7 May: I tried to concentrate on the new wider arm technique to get more pull from each stroke and it was a lot harder, which means I’ve got a lot to work on! I decided I will go back to the gym midweek and work on stamina and strength with the upper body machines.
Thursday 8 May: did another 43km stint, this time straight from work in Haydock, St. Helens, through Billinge and through the ups and downs of Appley Bridge and Roby Mill. The last hill was tough because it is a steady 1km plus steep climb in the lowest three gears and seems to never end! It’s as close as I’m gonna get to the steep passes at the Great Lakeland Challenge (GLC) on Friday 16 May.
Saturday 10 May: didn’t go swimming today because I went on a ‘Walk of Support’ with a few friends for a local charity, which was a leisurely 6.5km. I ran home from the park centre so I had a bit of exercise but I am tapering now due the GLC event.
Just did some gentle running through the week to keep loose for the Great Lakeland Challenge.
