I can't quite believe that it's been nearly two months since my last post, which says something terrible about my admin... and possibly the start of my winter training! I could tell that I've been pushing out 8 hours a week, honing and toning myself into the perfect athlete over the winter months, but that would a massive lie. After the satisfying if slightly uninspiring end to the season, I spent October in 'active rest' mode - taking it easy basically, with intervals sessions in the gym, technique work in the pool, circuits and the odd spin class. I'd ended the summer with a few niggling injuries, which needed rest and some physio treatment so I was glad to have a horizon free of races in which to take that time out. Probably the highlight of the month was seeing my first column about my antics in print in Triathlete's World. I grinned my way down the street whilst reading it, happy with the output and excited to have my thoughts published.
Things have been perking up in November though, as my second and third columns have been submitted for print in January and March issues respectively and proper training is slowly but surely resuming. Last weekend I spontaneously took part in the Elan Valley 10, a hilly road race covering 10 miles of Welsh countryside. I say spontaneously as I hadn't actually registered for the race - my husband was taking part and I went along to support him, with the plan of running to the 3 mile marker and back whilst he competed... Needless to say, at the 3 mile point the sweep vehicle I was intentionally keeping behind suggested I run ahead, so I did! At 4 miles I turned back, but 'you're practically there now...' encouraged the sweep vehicle marshall, so I kept on running much like Forest Gump. I overtook 14 competitors, which I'm pretty thrilled about considering I started 10 minutes after they set off, and sprinted over the finish line in about 1hr 35mins pretty damn pleased with myself. Since then, I've felt a lot more motivated, and my running and swimming is tripping along well.
As the snow starts to fall in Wales, my plans for long weekend bike rides seem out of the picture, but longer gym sessions here I come. At this stage, the bike is the bit I'm worried about, especially after my Olympic race in September, and so I'm just trying to keep the general fitness progressing and my leg strength improving with hill intervals on the static bike, in the hope that some dry, non-treacherously icy days coincide with non-working hours. A ski holiday and the festive season approach, but I'm determined to keep training going if not too weighed down by turkey, bread sauce and roast potatoes... ooh and the little pigs in blankets... and smoked salmon... and roast gammon on Boxing Day... and mulled wine, not to mention the advent calendar chocolates...... oh dear, this could go pear-shaped. I'll keep you posted, if I can move my fingers enough to type after all that food.
