Crash week, so far!

Last week was a nice recovery week from Half Ironman race last weekend and some preparation for the week ahead - The Crash Week. A week off work to enjoy lots of riding, with some swimming and running thrown in for fun.

So Saturday 3.5 hour ride steady, then 60 min sea swim in the evening. Sunday was a easy 2 hour ride and an opportunity to clear my to do list, for the week ahead. Joined good friend Helen for a ride on Monday. We rode for almost 2 hours steady, prior to me venturing off along the A259 to do 3 x 8 min efforts at threshold - fun. Quick transition and 60 min at 75% off the bike. Home to Rego and a little nap. Joined Bodyworks xtc for sea swim in the evening. I say joined them. These talented youngsters were swimming in the same ocean as me! Probably swam twice as far and twice as fast as me! Didn't mind I had prepared myself mentally for that occurring.

Tuesday - Drizzling in the morning. So geared up for my 4 hour ride with knee warmers, arm warmers and gillet. With jacket in back pocket just in case it got heavier. After about 20 minutes the drizzle stopped and it warmed up. So my bike jersey pockets gradually became very full. Rode out to Rye. Mistake as had an increasing strong head wind home (well it felt that way - as I started flagging. Hungry, dehydrated and tired I arrived home after 4h 15 mins. Legs felt empty. Home to more Rego and another little sleep - Its all about the recovery - felt much better afterwards. Legs still very tired. Hoping a massage tonight will help them feel a little fresher for tomorrow. Arranged to ride with Yvette Grice for 5 hours tomorrow! Another sea swim this evening. Steady 45 minutes, with 2 x 10 mins at race pace. Not quite sure I achieved this as all my sea swims feel like hard work.

2 more hard days, then 2 easy days prior to National 100 mile Time Trial on Sunday. Not sure racing off the back of a training week was such a great idea.

My longest cold Bath to date!

Call me a freak! but I like (okay too strong - see and have experience the benefits of) Ice Baths after a hard training sessions, especially hard runs. On Sunday after two hours on the bike and 70 min running at half ironman race pace, in warm UK weather, my legs were roasting. So plunged myself into a cold bath. Decided to make good use of time and call my Dad and wish him a happy birthday (It being midday and leaving it any later would mean I was neglecting my daughter duties!) Talking away and distracted from the cold - last almost 25 mins. I'm sure my Dad already thinks my sporting activities are un - natural, for a twenty something female. That I should be going out and getting drunk every weekend! The Sunday am training, protein shakes in ice bath would just confirms it.

Finally got my arse in the sea - actually went in twice back to back on Saturday. I think my fear of sea swimming has resolved. Went in first with two Friends (Andy and Sue) as we were getting out another two (Jan and Kevin) were getting in so joined them. My bright yellow almost neon Zoot swim hat ensured I was seen amongst the waves.

Training been going well, not a lot of riding - see previous post if interested, but I think I've grossed a few people out. Sorry Todd! Todd's jumped on the blogging band wagon - http://toddleckie.blogspot.com/) I think we may be in competition for number of blogs, and amount of press coverage. Not that us Triathletes are the least bit competitive in nature! I think he may win having place 4th at U23 Worlds in Vancouver 2 weeks ago. Congrats again Leckie x

Did a monster swim set with friend and swim coach, Jan last Friday. You know it was hard when you lying in bed and your arm muscles are twitching spontaneously! Really lifted my confidence. Even the pure swimmers didn't want to join in the fun! Not that I swam fast, but fast and consistent for me! Jan's website has set details but main set 2 x 400m off 7 mins. 4 x 200m off 3:45. 8 x 100m off 1:45. Held 6:15 for 400m, 3:07 for 200m and 1:30/1:31's for 100m. Still slow relatively to good swimmers, but I'm improving on my weakest area. Even if progress is slower than I'd like.

Training been effected negatively my lack of sleep and stress at work - so decision made to take evening off training and sort ever mounting list of 'to do things' out. Clear my head and to do list.

Positively booked flights to Hawaii, this week!