Last week

It's going to be a two-post day today as I meant to post yesterday, but forgot.  Here's the first one - a catch up on the last week.

So last week was a bit of an odd one, training-wise.  I had Monday and Tuesday off work for "study-leave".  I have a professional qualification which has given me Chartered Membership of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, which all good librarians should revalidate every 3 years by producing a portfolio.  It's not compulsory, and I'm about 6 months over my 3 year period, but I have done a lot of CPD over the last 3 years so this is a good way to record and formalise it.  My employer grants two days of study leave.  I intended to get in some training around the self-study, but this had mixed success.  Although I got a run in first thing on Monday morning, I don't really like swimming at lunchtime as it is busy and I am always too hungry, so my swim on Monday was only 2.75k.  Intended to do a longer swim on Tuesday am but slept badly so it had to be lunchtime lengths again and only managed slightly longer 2.8k.

Wednesday was back to work and the routine so that was fine, getting in my commute on the bike as well as an early morning swim even though it was pouring with rain.  Thursday was my first day off in about 12 days.  I had an interview for a job which I didn't get, which was a shame as the new job had the potential to fit rather well with training.  So I was annoyed that I had missed my longer swim session for a fruitless interview (hmm, priorities), and am now working on ways that I can maximise training around my current work.  Friday was back to the pool and quite a good session.

Saturday I was originally going to go out with the local cycling club beginner's taster ride.  Unfortunately the friend who was taking me wasn't able to make it and I didn't want to go on my own.  I then thought I'd do a long swim and save my legs for my 10k run on Sunday, but then a lady from the tri club asked if I wanted to go out for a short ride before it started raining.  So, we met up for a ride which was nice.   I've finally met someone who is slower than me which really boosted my confidence!  We did a rather slow 23 miles and did get wet.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to go out with her often as I need to be challenged over speed and distance; I know I am going to have to brave the tri club ride again next week.

So, totals for last week:

15k running (inc 10k running race)
37k bike (1 single ride)
13.6k swimming (across 6 sessions...)

There's only 4 weeks now until Christmas holidays, so hopefully some time to get in some more good swimming and good running, it's only 11 weeks until I attempt a half marathon and only 12 weeks until I hit Tenerife for swim camp.  Bring on that sunshine!