I run my training week from Saturday to Friday. A bit random, I know, but it works for me.
Total training distance: 84.07 km
Total training hours: 16 hours 40 minutes
This has been a great week for training.
Saturday was a double session. I set out to do a run but decided that actually what I need to concentrate on was my walking skills. I invited Ross along for the walk. He was nursing his knee a bit so he was very pleased to have a gentle walk with me! Gentle... well, I made the mistake of letting Ross decide the route.... and he took me to a place up near the military ranges that he calls the "three peaks." He had me practicing 'rough descents'. I had no idea what I had let myself in for, I think I prefer going up hill. I was getting down on my bum a bit, inching my way down slopes. Eventually, I got my confidence and was leaning forward downhill to increase my speed.
Actually, I was rather pleased with myself and even thought I might go up there and have another go later on in my training programme.
After lunch Ross went out on his bike with Andy. They went out for a looong cycle and they only got back just before I did and I went out ages after them. My brother in law came round with his and my sister's children, they were joining us for dinner. In exchange for dinner he provided baby sitting services (all my built in baby-sitters in the form of older children were either out on a date
or a work - how inconsiderate!!) So about 4 o-clock I got on my trusty cycle and went for an absolutely lovely ride. I was aiming to keep my speed to an average15-16km per hour over the 2 hours. It was a combination of on and off road. I started off down the gravel track where we do our cycle hill sprints. I really got a good head of steam going on that path but I hit a loose patch of gravel and came very close to seeing my backside!
It was more than a training cycle, it was a memorial cycle for a dear friend who past away from cancer last Thursday. We had travelled along a beautiful road to Guildford many time together in the 18 months before her passing. I had said to her on many occasions that I would love to ride that road. So, on Saturday, as my own little farewell to her, I cycled up the road we had driven down so many times. It was a ride of tears and determination. It was a ride for Melissa and it taught me that I could push on, even when shattered and hungry and I was able to say to myself, "if she could endure so much, I can cycle up this hill."
Farewell Melissa.
Sunday, as always, was a rest day and I felt it was well-deserved rest after my efforts of the day before. I had the most delicious upside down lemon meringue pie pudding....I had better exercise hard for the rest of the week.
I was the only woman that turned up to club on Monday night. It was a speed session for me. The men all went of for a slowish run together but Ross had to stay late at the office so he missed out. For once Jack, our second oldest son, joined the rest of us for a run. He is training for a 24 hour team race called the 12 labours of Hercules in July. I pottered off up the long hill that leads to the off-road gravel track that is ideal for speed work. I marked out a 200m stretch of track and did 5 reps whilst also taking a phone call from my brother-in-law, about joining the kayaking club!
I was rather chuffed with my performance and was full of it when I came back to meet up with all the chaps at the end of the evening. Andy was complaining that he had had a really rubbish run. It sounded like he felt like he was running through treacle. I hate those runs - I felt for him.
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