I felt it was time I started keeping a proper training log as I really need to start ramping training up for my middle distance at the end of July. It's really not that far away and I'm a tad scared now!!!
The reason I've signed up to a half (other than living with someone whose an Ironman which makes it seem more 'normal') is that this year I want to get fit, toned and be more healthy. The crunch point came on New Year's Day when JB and I were driving home from a very fun (and boozy) party and I was literally crying because I was so hungover!! I'd been over-doing it for the whole of December with a month of work and social parties and I needed a kick up the bum. So I signed up to the Fambridge Yacht Haven Middle Distance Tri on 29th July. And then I got the fear! How the hell was I supposed to complete something so challenging?!! (I'm still not sure I know the answer to this!)
I'm naturally an ok runner and generally enjoy running and doing aerobics and dance classes at the gym. The fastest 10k I've ever run in a race was 50mins and I've only ever done one half marathon in my life (2hrs 10mins). I've only learnt to swim with my face in the water in the past year (and have had too disastrous open water swimming races where I've panicked and been unable to put my face in the water at all). I'm also fairly new to riding and have got cleats in the last month (with more disastrous results and lots of bruises!).
So as you can see a middle distance is going to be a steep learning curve for me! But having read Chrissie Wellington's autobiography and having signed up to the France training camp, I'm really motivated and want to make a success of this. I've been recording my training since January, which I think shows some weeks of solid training followed by lots of patchy bits!
I realise that I now need to focus on consistent, regular training and ramping up distances. I especially need to spend more time on the bike, do lots more swimming drills and open water practice. And I think my social and work life might need to be put on hold a bit more than I've been doing so far!!
So here's my training log so far... any advice/ suggestions/ abuse/ banter/ encouragement gratefully received!!!
Week 1
Jan 10 - swim 28mins
Jan 11 - track session (1200m warm up, 3x400m, 4x200m, 5x100, 400m warm down)
Jan 12 swim 1hr
Jan 15 29.95 mile cycle 2hrs 45mins
Jan 16 swim 1600metres
Week 2
Jan 19 body combat 1hr
Jan 21 run 1hr
Week 3
Jan 28 run 10k 58 mins
Jan 29 swim 45mins
Week 4
Feb 3 run 8 miles 1hr 20 mins/ swim 20mins
Feb 4 turbo 55 mins
Week 5
Feb 8 body combat 1hr
Feb 11 11k run 1hr
Feb 12 10.8k run 1hr10mins
Feb 13 turbo 45 mins
Week 6
Feb 15 turbo 30 mins
Feb 18 swimming lesson 1hr
Week 7
Feb 21 body combat 1hr
Feb 22 body attack 1hr/ swim 30mins
Feb 23 run 30 mins
Feb 24 swim 30mins/ run 33mins
Feb 25 run 8 miles 1hr 24mins
Week 8
March 2 run 7.4miles 1hr 17mins
March 3 swim 30mins
March 4 swim 45 mins
March 5 RPM class 50 mins
Week 9
March 6 swim 35mins/ body combat 1hr
March 11 8 mile run
March 12 RPM class 50mins/ swim 30mins
Week 10 nothing, oopppps! I blame my birthday!
Week 11
March 21 body attack 1 hr/ swim 30mins
March 22 run 10k 57 mins
March 23 swim 1hr
March 24 run 10.8miles 2hours
March 25 turbo 1hr
March 26 swim 2k 50mins
Week 12
March 30 run 8miles 1hr17mins
March 31 turbo 55mins (Big Gear Strength Spinerval)/ brick run 18mins
Week 13
April 3 swim 30min drills/ body combat 1hr
April 4 body attack 1hr
April 5 swim lesson 1hr
April 6 run 10.8k 57mins
April 7 run 8 miles 1hr 30mins
April 9 turbo 2hrs 20mins/ brick run 20mins
Week 14
April 10 swim drills 30mins
April 12 body combat 1hr/ body pump 1hr
April 13 turbo big gear strength 15 mins/ 20 mins hill reps
Will try to update every week from this point on!!