Sunday 25 November 2012

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!

4 comments:

  1. Wow, lots of swimming! I only made it to the pool once this week--oops. Definitely give the tri club ride another chance; you'll become better, which leads to more confidence, by riding with people who will push you. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Afraid 13.6k of swimming is disappointing for me - in January I was hitting 20k a week... Still, I got in an extra 1k today by swimming down after my run...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cycling with this other lady will give you the opportunity to gain confidence with these weird pedals/clips/thingywotsits and going downhill without the pressure of "keeping up". So although I can see you need to be challenged you also need some rides that allow you time and space to develop skills and also build confidence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely, it's about balancing it. I should have used the time to practice doing my hand signals and maybe having a drink. I think I need to actually gain those skills first rather than try them out on a ride though... Too impatient...

      Delete