Another year, another log....
I suppose that now that 2014 is in full swing, and I am starting to plan races etc, that I really ought to start some proper training, and I have found over the last couple of years that logging it (or the lack thereof) has been quite a useful tool – if nothing else for tracking my massive swings in mojo, and the impact that this has on training and results.
It’s all been a bit busy work-wise so far this year, so now finally just getting round to starting a log – though training has already kicked off.
As ever, the year didn’t start on a great note – was completely unable to leave my bed until around 10pm on New Year’s day – I think a combination of total exhaustion from mass catering efforts over the festive period, and perhaps the odd light beverage on New Year’s eve (I do vaguely recall breaking out the homemade liqueurs, starting with Sloe Gin; moving on to Christmas Spirit (essence of Christmas in a glass) and finishing off with Bah Humbug (also essence of Christmas in a glass, but from a rather different angle)) – never again.
Aims:
Well this year is all about the TT.
I have signed up for the inaugural SEWTTS series http://www.sewtts.co.uk/ – best 5 results from a series of TTs across the south east to count towards a season result. Great idea – riders are categorised by previous performance, so you are competing against others of a similar standard, and loads of people have signed up, so there may well be up to 120 ladies racing at some of the events.
So far, have entered:
G25/47 on 6/4/14
H50/8 on 11/5/14
Will also probably do
H10/8 on 24/5/14
H10/8 on 28/6/14
Richmond park TT sometime in July
H25/8 on 16/8/14
A bit Bentley centric – but it is easy to get to...
Will also do whatever club evening 10s I can fit in (and hope to get back to HCC175 for at least one attempt at a really fast time).
Goal is for a 23 on a 10; as close to the hour as I can get on a 25; and to survive a 50!
Triathlon plans are a bit more vague:
Windsor and Eton supersprints are entered already.
Will probably do 2 or 3 Thames Turbo races (maybe with the BAT – though slightly dependent on availability of childcare) – and otherwise, maybe some ad hoc local races (Thorpe lake or Thorpe Park, if the weather looks good and I am feeling positive the week before – this approach seems to have served me well last season – I enjoy racing, and more so it would appear when it is all a bit last minute and low stress).
May also try to find another late season Oly to do.
Definitely nothing long this year (though a couple of training buddies are suggesting Vachery half...)
Training is focused around 2 turbo interval sessions a week, based on Trainer Roads 40km TT plan (with all the recovery and other rides taken out), supplemented by whatever riding on the road I can fit in around weather/work/life.
Running - aiming for 3 plods a week (so in reality, probably 2)
Swimming - probably stick with my usual post bootcamp swim & coffee session at Surrey Sports park - we were all very entertained there last week to see the GB synchronised swim team training, and then loads of fit Quins rugby players coming in for a swim (before we realised that we shouldn't ogle, all being old enough to be their mothers, and they probably would see us as mad leery old ladies!)
This week:
Mon 20/1: Turbo – Trainer Road English http://www.trainerroad.com/cycling/rides/642740-English
Turbo is now relegated to the BAT’s luxury man shed – has its own mezzanine level, with TV and DVD (though I still have to carry a lot of rubbish out there with me to ride, such as laptop, warm clothes etc) – currently working my way through some quality TV drama of yesteryear box sets – House of Cards at the moment, I think Edge of Darkness next...
I think these short interval sessions are slowly getting more manageable – though not sure that I am putting out any more power – they just hurt slightly less.
Tues 21/1: Run http://www.strava.com/activities/107941102
11.1km in 1:03:42.
Very cold (thermal top & leggings, jacket& gloves) and foggy, so decided to sneak into work late to avoid morning traffic jams, and use an hour for good rather than evil. Running feeling OK-ish, though top of left hamstring seems to be a bit chronic – hence a decision not to do a half marathon this year, as it seems to be just about manageable if I don’t run much further than this, and do loads of stretching & foam rollering.
Inwards and upwards... enough work avoidance for this morning... better go and pretend to be an expert in Tax and Statutory requirements for rolling out financial systems to China...