Buckets of coffee - a supporter's best friend.
SUNDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2008
I’ve had a spectacular week of weather for my training haven’t I? I’ve had three long bike rides, four runs and the only time I got wet was when I jumped in the pool. The past few months of biking have been pretty lonely – (who in their right mind really wants to go out in miserable weather?)
The warmer weather draws out the fair weather crowd and I have subsequently been inundated with bike dates! My first bike date was with my husband. We had a lovely ride around Te Kowhia, but I was a bit miffed as I trailed in his wake, viewing his lyra clad backside all the way round! This is a sign that either he must be getting fitter or that my current training is taking its toll! (Both I think!)
With my 23-27 hour training weeks I’m at the stage where I feel my legs are made of lead and my speed is slowing. It is all pretty normal but actually good mental preparation for race day, as it teaches me to find a bit of extra energy from somewhere deep inside! (If past experience is anything to go by I am expecting the same heavy legs, combined with ‘I can’t go on!’ and ‘I’m a complete idiot for doing this sort of thing!’ thoughts, precisely two thirds of the way into each discipline on race day – I’ll let you know!)
Yesterday I had a total of three invitations but teamed up with the guy that I thought might be my speed. I was sure I wouldn’t drag far behind him, as he’d only been out 5 times since we had last ridden together four months ago. Wrong! Considering the ‘apparent’ lack of prior training by my chosen bike partner, I was surprised to find that I ended up spending a significant amount of the cycle round Te Miro and French Pass looking at yet another male butt – my mate was on great form for only 5 rides – I was a bit perplexed! Lagging behind on two occasions this week is not very good for morale and I felt like a bit of a snail.
After a bucket of coffee in Cambridge, I found my cycle legs again. As my mate waved me off for the rest of my ride back home, he confessed, that for the past four months he has been out running – lots!........that explains everything…….Sneaky!
I’ve had a spectacular week of weather for my training haven’t I? I’ve had three long bike rides, four runs and the only time I got wet was when I jumped in the pool. The past few months of biking have been pretty lonely – (who in their right mind really wants to go out in miserable weather?)
The warmer weather draws out the fair weather crowd and I have subsequently been inundated with bike dates! My first bike date was with my husband. We had a lovely ride around Te Kowhia, but I was a bit miffed as I trailed in his wake, viewing his lyra clad backside all the way round! This is a sign that either he must be getting fitter or that my current training is taking its toll! (Both I think!)
With my 23-27 hour training weeks I’m at the stage where I feel my legs are made of lead and my speed is slowing. It is all pretty normal but actually good mental preparation for race day, as it teaches me to find a bit of extra energy from somewhere deep inside! (If past experience is anything to go by I am expecting the same heavy legs, combined with ‘I can’t go on!’ and ‘I’m a complete idiot for doing this sort of thing!’ thoughts, precisely two thirds of the way into each discipline on race day – I’ll let you know!)
Yesterday I had a total of three invitations but teamed up with the guy that I thought might be my speed. I was sure I wouldn’t drag far behind him, as he’d only been out 5 times since we had last ridden together four months ago. Wrong! Considering the ‘apparent’ lack of prior training by my chosen bike partner, I was surprised to find that I ended up spending a significant amount of the cycle round Te Miro and French Pass looking at yet another male butt – my mate was on great form for only 5 rides – I was a bit perplexed! Lagging behind on two occasions this week is not very good for morale and I felt like a bit of a snail.
After a bucket of coffee in Cambridge, I found my cycle legs again. As my mate waved me off for the rest of my ride back home, he confessed, that for the past four months he has been out running – lots!........that explains everything…….Sneaky!