Week 20 update. It's been a while

Ok, so why no updates for so long? A couple of things, firstly we moved house at the beginning of March, that was a busy couple of weeks but I did manage to do some training. When we were settled, we had no internet until mid April due to a BT Openreach issue, and there being a limited capacity for internet in the Aiskew area. Thirdly, I got out of the habit, family, work and training all vying for my time.

AsI say I have continued my training over these past twelve weeks and my sciatica, though not entirely gone, seems to have stabilised.

On a plus side the move means that I will be able to cycle to work (14 miles) sometimes and save some time combining training and commute, that means I needed a new bike. So I treated myself. I contacted Moonglu and asked if they could get me a Giant Envie, they did, built it and saved it for me until I moved house. It's a lovely ladies aero road bike no pink in sight.

March

I managed a run every day, it's difficult trying to find new routes though.

On 22 March I went to Thirsk, for Thirsk and Sowerby's 10 mile road race. This is a flat road race so a good race for me as my sciatica means less power in my left leg making hills difficult. The last time I did this race it was in November 2009 but then they moved it to March and until this year it has always clashed. It was a sunny but chilly morning, my favourite running weather and I had no real goal in mind, just to run how I feel, which I did and surprised myself by finishing in 1 hour 31 min and 24 sec, just a few seconds slower than my 10 mile PB which I had set at this race in 2009. I was very pleased with myself.

A week later I was at Stokesley for the Duathlon, another cool day, this time with strong winds. The course is a nice one, not technical with a couple of inclines on the bike section, the distances are 3 mile run, 21 mile cycle and 3 mile run. This is a great event to try multisport for the first time.  The race went well for me. The first run was 26:33, the cycle was 1:19:17 and the final run was 26:18. My total time was 2:16:43 including transition. Not a PB  but a great try out for my new bike but highlighted a slight gear issue. 

March training totals

125.9 miles running

4.5 miles swimming

198.5 miles cycling

55.2 miles walk

Not bad to say that I had lost my routine and had to find new locations for my training sessions.

April

I found a new routine, 

Monday cycle to and from work, run to pool, swim, run home

Tuesday Ripon Runners

Wednesday Bedale and Aiskew Runners

Thursday Cycle to and from work, run to pool, swim, run back

Friday morning gentle run, 

Saturday Long cycle brick run

Sunday Long run, OW swim.

The routine worked well and April passed quickly with work, home and training. I stopped being a lone wolf with regards to training and started to train with Billy, it was hard, I was always chasing and he encouraged me to cycle bigger hills than I was used to.

April training totals

165 Miles running

7.7 Miles cycling

415 Miles swimming

75 Miles walking

May

The routine continued but on 2nd and 3rd May we swapped Saturday and Sunday training, we ran and swam Saturday, then on Sunday, in horrific weather we put the bikes on the car and drove to Pennington Flash to meet some members of The Ironman Journey group off Facebook to Recce the bike route. The trip was planned by Ian Hood and we gathered in the rain. This was a new experience, I'd never ridden in a group and found it tough riding so close to others. Soon the rain stopped and it got warmer, I had to strip a layer before taking on Sheephouse Lane. I was nervous about taking on this hill, but I found a rythm and was soon at the top. It was a long haul and I won't be breaking any records, but I know I can get up it. The rest of the route was ok, until Hunters, this was a short steep quad burning hill, but I managed it. I feel better than before about the route, but I still need to get quicker to avoid cut offs on the day. I am so glad we went, there is no way Id have found my way round that route without the groups guidance.

May has also brought the start of the Harrogate District Summer Race League (HDSRL) I have been running for Ripon Runners in this series since 2009. Local clubs put on races around 5-6 miles, and then there is a social with food afterwards. I really like these races.

The first race this year was at Harrogate, the route is mainly road and quite hilly. It was cool and quite windy as the runners gathered at the start. For the last couple of years, with this series, because I am training for other events I set off at the back and see how many places I can gain. This year I started mid pack, I soon found myself working my way forwards through the pack, I caught and ran with Jackie a while, hoping she would help me up the last big hill, but soon I was in front, Would she catch me? I ran hard to hold her off as long as I could, I don't know where the strength came from but I crossed the line just ahead of her to bag myself a course PB by 2 minutes 50 seconds. Sometimes I amaze myself.