Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Easing Back

Training was curtailed over the weekend by the fact that I had 2 children to mind. Unlike Saturday there was no time for myself on Sunday and it ended up with a total of 0 as far as sporting activities were concerned. However, minding only 2 kids is a complete doddle. I don’t know what some people are complaining about. I also didn’t realise that I would be assessed for my parenting skills afterwards, apparently I got 9/10 with special praise for the cooking but deductions for not giving them a bath or shower. Ah well.

Anyway, after a one-week absence I was back on the road on Monday. I had no idea how this would go and ran 5 easy miles on the Ard-na-Sidhe road, as I have done on countless previous occasions. I was a bit surprised to see the pace below 8:00, but the HR was slightly elevated which was always going to be the case. I added a mile this morning, which went even faster even though the effort was still rather easy. One thing I noticed was the relatively cold temperatures early in the morning, it was between 3-4C (37-39F) degrees. Since I have done virtually all my training runs in those conditions, I am even more surprised that the 20C (68F) in Connemara didn’t really bother me. I know that isn’t exactly hot, but it was considerably warmer than anything I was accustomed to.

The weather is still rather nice and I used the opportunity to add some extra miles on the bike. Yesterday I went the long way home, more than doubling the distance, and today I took the bike out for a spin during lunchtime. I got slightly lost and took almost an hour to get back, arriving at my desk 10 minutes late. Oops. But the 18 miles were worth it. I just wished the roads were not is such a bad shape. A few spots were in absolutely appalling condition and took the fun out of riding. Halfway through the ride it struck me that I neither knew where I was nor had any kit with me in case of a puncture. It would have been the most pathetic phone call of my life: “Niahm, I did a cycle at lunchtime and my bike broke down and I don’t know where I am. Help!” Luckily, nothing happened and I was spared the embarrassment.

It struck me that the Wexford Half is only 3 weeks after the Ultra and yet I had no hesitation signing up. I already feel recovered, there is no noticeable leftover in my legs and I feel ready to rack up the training already. Instead, I’ll play it conservatively and take it easy for a bit longer. Some extra cycling and swimming will be on the cards, partially for cross training purposes but also because I do have a triathlon in less than 5 weeks. Eek! During training for Connemara I managed to focus purely on that, but now I have come to realise that the time when I have to swim in open water is getting rather close. I now understand why some first-time triathletes were rather freaked out by the prospect. Only too well, in fact.
19 Apr
5 miles, 39:16, 7:51 pace, HR 147
plus 35 km cycling
20 Apr
6.1 miles, 46:09, 7:33 pace, HR 148
plus 43 km cycling

3 comments:

  1. Looking forward to seeing how you manage the bike/run/swim gig. Once again, congrtualtions on the ultra. Oh, and when do we see some efforts on the bike?

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  2. I'd have got docked more than one point for not washing the kids.

    Are you going to get some open-water swim experience before Valentia? Either way I don't think you'll have a problem given your determination.

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  3. You should try some open water swims before the race if you get a chance. Even a few hundred metres in the lake will give you an idea of what to expect.

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