Well after a gung-ho start to the season over 2 weeks ago, I decided I needed a holiday. Off to Hamilton Island for some R&R for myself and the wife. Not much in the way of training took place in the Whitsundays I'm afraid, not for lack of options. I have decided these tropical resorts make great places for training camps. With plenty of glorious trails, no shortage of open water, buffet breakfasts and gym facilities, it is easy to imagine turning pro and going to live in tropical paradise paid for my someone else. If only it was as easy to actually be good enough to turn pro.
Nonetheless, 2 small walks, a 10 minute "swim" in the "exclusive" pool, and a 30 minute snorkel was about the only exercise I had over the 5 days. It was around this time last year I was training for Port Half. What I wouldn't give to be as fit as I was then.
Being back to normality for a few days, last weekend was a good chance to get some solid training done. Friday saw an easy ride around Hawkesbury Loop around midday, and a late night MTB along the Oaks. The original plan was to ride up and meet those runners coming down and head back to the car to get the esky out ready for the early runnners. Passed the early runners as expected, but failed to see the late starters where expected. Got to the gate at Woodford around 10:30 (after leaving at 9) where some other mtbikers informed me the train had stopped, and the runners won't be making it tonight. After a quick drink and pit-stop it was back in the saddle for the return journey. Reflecting on The Oaks ride: I would have to say on the trip up the second half is by far the most enjoyable as whilst there are more hills, it is undulating which gives you ample time to rest on the descents. The first half is just a constant grind sitting in the saddle working the gluts and calves. Whilst the first half of the return trip (Woodford to Glenbrook) is still undulating, it is not as enjoyable as the second half which is quick and easy descending fire trail followed by blissful single track.
Whilst I had plenty of time to make it back to the gate before midnight and have the beer ready, my plans were foiled by at first a chain issue, then a freak flat tyre, then another flat tyre. I had jinxed myself after the first flat, commenting that these things always come in 3's. I was grateful for the assistance of 2 complete strangers who were also riding down The Oaks, who at first had a multi tool that allowed me to fix the chain issue, then had some awesome tyre levers (trust me, there are tyre levers and then there are tyre levers!) to help with the first flat, then had a spare tube for the second flat. They were gracious to wait and help me on each occasion, which is more than I would have expected. I'm not sure what they thought of a guy heading out by himself at 9pm with no food or water for a 50km trail ride all dressed up in lycra.
After all that, I made it back about 15 minutes after 12 to open the car and get out the beer and chips everyone was eagerly awaiting. This was followed by about 2 hours of talking around a camp fire, just outside the National Park Gates, as we waited for those who were running the up and back option.
All up Friday was about 110km of cycling.
Up again on Saturday morning for what was supposed to be a longer ride up to Megalong Valley, but quickly became a slow and easy ride to Wentworth Falls and back. Back in time to head out to the Lakes to watch the Tri Club Race.
Sunday was up with the Kids to go and watch the start and finish of the inaugural race for the inaugural year of the running wild mtn running series in the Blue Mtns. Good to seem some good runs, great to see BMMC heavily represented with 4 in the top 6 and 2 on the podium. I will get in trouble for saying this, but it was kind of good to see someone else from outside of the mountains take it out.
Managed a pretty lazy swim with WES and ST on sunday.
Backed up again for another Swim monday, starting to feel less like a jelly fish in the pool now.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Resumption of training
Finally, something worth blogging...
Back into the swing of things now, and ironically after finding out I probably shouldn't be running for 4-6 weeks.
The end of last week and the beginning of this week saw some good mileage done on the bike. Averaged about 80km/day over 4 days.
Friday was a wet and cold morning ride up to Wentworth Falls via Lawson (not that you can get to WWF without going through Lawson) to pick Mick up. Bad decision to ride to Physio appointment in those conditions as I became very cold after 30 minutes in wet clothes while Olly diagnosed a potential stress fracture/bone issue in the 5th metatarsal of my left foot. This has been giving me grief for the last 6-7 weeks since running 3 hours with Berro and Artup one weekend. Blame being firmly placed on a combination of the new Asics Trail Attacks (not providing the support the Kayano's do) and the complete lack of periodisation as I went from pretty much no running to a 30km haul around the lower blue mountains. Stress fracture yet to be determined by bone scan, however either way 6 weeks no running isn't going to hurt.
The motivation to return to training came with the registration for Nepean Triathlon, which is in November ( the weekend before Rach is due!). End of October I will hopefully start running, giving me 3 weeks to get runnning-fit. More motivation was provided by the purchase of the new Panthers Triathlon Club gear. I bought sizes that I fit into before Ironman, so I have some work to do if I intend to squeeze into them for Nepean.
Saturday was a little trip down (up would be more accurate) memory lane, as my Brother Tim and I headed out to tango with Lady Bellbird. Just under 15km of almost constant climbing, with some very painful sections towards the end. Mixed emotions as we headed up: the humility and self loathing as my brother pulled away from me mixed with the satisfaction of knowing that I used to be fit enough to attack this hill and still have the gas to get around Bells Line. This is another source of motivation as I so desperately want to be there again.
Sunday was a relatively late start as Tim and I, accompanied by Dylan, headed out on what was supposed to be an LSD. Decided to visit a loop that Mr Edwards took me on in the lead up to the heavy training before Ironman. It was during the build phase where Tim was struggling to impress upon me the importance of actually doing an LSD slowly. It was an unfamiliar concept to me. Needless to say, without The Animal's discipline we were soon time trialing along The Northern Road with a nice cross wind to contend with averaging in the high 30s. This loop avoids the hills of cobbity and silverdale, instead heading left along bringelly rd up to the M7 bike path and back home along the M4. The M7 bike path and M4 were terrible, as there was a very strong westerly for most of Sunday.
Monday was an enjoyable return to the morning rides that formed the bulk of the weekly bike training before Ironman, as I headed out alone down to Yarramundi and back, struggling up the windies. I think I had a smile the whole way, despite the cold, as I listened to Birds of Tokyo as the clouds lifted out off the plains. Was a good deal slower than I remember this ride to take. Headed out again that night with The Fat Kiwi to the lookout and back, feeling surprisingly fine.
Tuesday and Wednesday were rest days, and Thursday saw a late night foray with the new Ay Ups around Yarramundi Mtb Track with Tim. Enjoyed putting the Ay Ups through their paces as we struggled on the technical sections with the shadows playing peek-a-boo with some poorly placed rocks and logs. Temperature was ideal at that time of the night, and the track was surpisingly dry after the day of light patchy rain. Thoroughly enjoyed getting back on the MTB, so much so I have 'borrowed'the bike off Tim as I intend to train up for a 100km race late September. For anyone interested in dusting off the MTB and getting the Ay Ups out, I am planning a few more late night MTB rides up and down the oaks.
Which brings me to now, where I felt like I had achieved enough to warrant spending 45 minutes blogging about it. Heading off to Hamilton Island next week for a 'conference'. I wonder if snorkeling counts as swimming training?
Until next time...
Happy and Safe training,
Dr Phil
Back into the swing of things now, and ironically after finding out I probably shouldn't be running for 4-6 weeks.
The end of last week and the beginning of this week saw some good mileage done on the bike. Averaged about 80km/day over 4 days.
Friday was a wet and cold morning ride up to Wentworth Falls via Lawson (not that you can get to WWF without going through Lawson) to pick Mick up. Bad decision to ride to Physio appointment in those conditions as I became very cold after 30 minutes in wet clothes while Olly diagnosed a potential stress fracture/bone issue in the 5th metatarsal of my left foot. This has been giving me grief for the last 6-7 weeks since running 3 hours with Berro and Artup one weekend. Blame being firmly placed on a combination of the new Asics Trail Attacks (not providing the support the Kayano's do) and the complete lack of periodisation as I went from pretty much no running to a 30km haul around the lower blue mountains. Stress fracture yet to be determined by bone scan, however either way 6 weeks no running isn't going to hurt.
The motivation to return to training came with the registration for Nepean Triathlon, which is in November ( the weekend before Rach is due!). End of October I will hopefully start running, giving me 3 weeks to get runnning-fit. More motivation was provided by the purchase of the new Panthers Triathlon Club gear. I bought sizes that I fit into before Ironman, so I have some work to do if I intend to squeeze into them for Nepean.
Saturday was a little trip down (up would be more accurate) memory lane, as my Brother Tim and I headed out to tango with Lady Bellbird. Just under 15km of almost constant climbing, with some very painful sections towards the end. Mixed emotions as we headed up: the humility and self loathing as my brother pulled away from me mixed with the satisfaction of knowing that I used to be fit enough to attack this hill and still have the gas to get around Bells Line. This is another source of motivation as I so desperately want to be there again.
Sunday was a relatively late start as Tim and I, accompanied by Dylan, headed out on what was supposed to be an LSD. Decided to visit a loop that Mr Edwards took me on in the lead up to the heavy training before Ironman. It was during the build phase where Tim was struggling to impress upon me the importance of actually doing an LSD slowly. It was an unfamiliar concept to me. Needless to say, without The Animal's discipline we were soon time trialing along The Northern Road with a nice cross wind to contend with averaging in the high 30s. This loop avoids the hills of cobbity and silverdale, instead heading left along bringelly rd up to the M7 bike path and back home along the M4. The M7 bike path and M4 were terrible, as there was a very strong westerly for most of Sunday.
Monday was an enjoyable return to the morning rides that formed the bulk of the weekly bike training before Ironman, as I headed out alone down to Yarramundi and back, struggling up the windies. I think I had a smile the whole way, despite the cold, as I listened to Birds of Tokyo as the clouds lifted out off the plains. Was a good deal slower than I remember this ride to take. Headed out again that night with The Fat Kiwi to the lookout and back, feeling surprisingly fine.
Tuesday and Wednesday were rest days, and Thursday saw a late night foray with the new Ay Ups around Yarramundi Mtb Track with Tim. Enjoyed putting the Ay Ups through their paces as we struggled on the technical sections with the shadows playing peek-a-boo with some poorly placed rocks and logs. Temperature was ideal at that time of the night, and the track was surpisingly dry after the day of light patchy rain. Thoroughly enjoyed getting back on the MTB, so much so I have 'borrowed'the bike off Tim as I intend to train up for a 100km race late September. For anyone interested in dusting off the MTB and getting the Ay Ups out, I am planning a few more late night MTB rides up and down the oaks.
Which brings me to now, where I felt like I had achieved enough to warrant spending 45 minutes blogging about it. Heading off to Hamilton Island next week for a 'conference'. I wonder if snorkeling counts as swimming training?
Until next time...
Happy and Safe training,
Dr Phil
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