After a few days of deliberating whether to race at the weekend the organiser made the decision for me… cancelled due to high winds on an already exposed circuit. Not to mention the zero degrees temperatures and previous nights’ possible rain/sleet/snow.
The organiser – the eternal optimist, wanted to make the call on Saturday morning as competitors were turning up, but with the advice from local British Cycling officials the decision was made on Friday afternoon to stop the event. Adults are stupid enough to make their own decisions I guess, when I say that I mean cyclists who are out to prove a point they can be “‘ard” and ride in any weather, I used to be the same, there’s something quite perverse about a rider who goes out in sub-zero temperatures and then tells the story of how they nearly died out in the countryside with nothing more than their determination to get them home….”no food, no drink, flat tyres, miles from home” – that kind of story!
As far as the kids’ races, there had to be a common-sense approach as they would simply get blown off their bikes or freeze to death waiting to start or immediately after the finish. The right decision was made, never a popular one with the “ard” riders but as an organiser of several races over the years this would never be a popular on. “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t kind of situation.
Nonetheless, the decision was made and therefore competitive cycling will wait for a few weeks…until the Good Friday 10.
That being said the numbers on the bike seemed quite good for a change, sitting on that magic 300 number for over 20 minutes with Heart Rate down at 140BPM is something I tought i’d never see in my lifetime. Then to have 3 minutes off and do it again, and again, and again for 2 hrs straight on Sunday morning bodes well for the season ahead. Although it must be said I have a sore throat now so might’ve pushed it a little too hard this week. The numbers seem good overall. Only 6 hours but at fairly high intensity. 240km too so that’s sitting at 25mph for most of it – all indoors of course!
Running was good too, the 4th running session now introduced to the weekly plan means that there’s a Wednesday dinnertime session which means it’s a short run to Gorleston Cliffs and back. It all seemed to be going well until I cut a corner, ran across some grass and twisted my ankle! I kept running but any sideways movement gives me a twinge and the leg tries to give way 🙁
Saturday’s Park Run was a non-event for many, but as I had to do at least that I braved the 40mph winds and snow flurries whilst my boy – William and Suzy watched in the heated car! Cruising round in just under 24 minutes so it’s good to know I could probably take a minute+ off that time without going into the red too much.
Worried that a chest infection was on it’s way I was a little concerned of Suzy’s planned run yesterday. Instead she nailed it, I nailed it and felt the run ticked all the boxes. 5x1km, all progressive, with a swift “Park Run Pace” at the end which didn’t seem to bother the lungs nor the ankle. Question is: Do i take trainers and running gear to Majorca this week???
Swimming had a bit of a breakthrough, I can kick my feet a bit more and I can feel I’m lifting a little higher in the water now so surely I’m going a bit faster. I still struggle with dizziness but maybe I’m moving my head too much when I beathe out on my right – Suzy says my head rotates too much so I need to control that – I’m trying but it’s hard to get out of old habits. Still at 1200m at the moment but I have a feeling this will ramp up quite soon.
Totals for the week were: 17hrs training. 705TSS. 84 Fitness. 102 Fatigue. -11 Form
As my boy has started doing Park Runs, he’s yet to find his pace where he can sustain it for the whole distance, instead he goes off at a rate of knots and then dies at 2km only to walk/run the rest and subsequently gets me on his case as he keeps walking – competitive dad syndrome maybe? In order to cure this I offered my Garmin Forerunner watch as he would then help him pace himself….
This, completley unknown to me forced Suzy’s hand as she was intending to buy me a fancy Garmin Fenix watch for my birthday next month. So on Tuesday night I cam home to a very early birthday present, which I got very upset about. I mean who spends that kind of money on a birthday present….for me….I mean really? I’m used to a card and a pair of socks! Now I have no excuse not to log accurately every activity I do, run, bike, swim, badminton, walk….you name it. It’s all going to be logged on Training Peaks now!
This week was planned as an easy week before I go into some harder stuff for racing….but…. I just happend to be going to Majorca for 6 days of Training Camp with Titch, Harley, Gentry and Charlie – my DAP team mates. It’s safe to say I’m going to get my butt kicked for a few days but what doesn’t kill you….
I’ve usually been quite lucky with the weather, I think it’s rained one or two days in the past 8 visits to Majorca. This week seems to have some kind of rain every day we’re there but it’s anywhere between 12 & 15 degrees so rain’s not so bad at that temperature. No need for the tanning lotion though I think! More clothing will be packed including knee warmers, arm warmers and rain cape. I should take it anyway when climbing as it can be bloody cold up top of the Pig (Puig Major). There was this one time I was up there and it was snowing, I had short sleeves, no drink left……you know the story! lol
My next installment may well be in just over a weeks time after this trip. I think the TSS & Fatigue might be a bit high!