Weekly Training Blog 4: Still Need A Name

Still no name for the weekly blog but at least the training is getting done… kinda. a Short 6k VERY SLOW run was done after last week’s blog!

Struggling with tempo runs right now with my Achilles, so keeping the runs really slow and trying to match the increased intensity on the AirDyne bike. Not sure how well the strategy will pay off in a little over 2 weeks time…

Monday, January 24th
Swimming like a brick at the moment. Definitely too tense while doing the drills. “Relax, you’re swimming like you’re in the Olympics,” the swimming instructor says as I gulp another mouthful of pool water. The goal of doing a full length before March is looking less plausible. Especially with missing the next session this upcoming Monday but we’ll keep going!

20-minute sauna sessions and on to a new training programme that afternoon. 45 mins on the AirDyne bike first and then an upper body session. With the new programme, one of the changes is leaving the compound exercise, on this day - a DB Bench Press - to the end of the workout. The idea behind it is that you can build up to the exercise and get more out of the exercise without having to go up as heavy in the weight. Still using it to get a chin-up block in and work towards the chin-up goal.

Tuesday, January 25th
Another slow run to build up endurance followed by a Lower Body workout and the sled is feeling good again on the calves. Have preached the importance of strength training for running in the past so it will be interesting to see how it pays off for the 5k challenge in the middle of February

Wednesday, January 26th
Another Upper Body session and supersetting exercises to get in and out quicker. A lot of the exercises I try to combine to get them done along with more pull-ups.

Thursday, January 27th
The lower body session today included an exercise that I haven’t done in a long time - FARMER WALKS. A fantastic way to end a session, grab 2 heavy DBs or KBs and walk for as long as you can. Today, I struggled with 30kgs to last a little over a minute. Another goal set.

Friday, January 28th
Off.. completely off.

Saturday, January 29th
A cycle into work followed by doing the run club and a long 40k cycle after it. The 40k finished with a steep 1km plus climb. At the start of the hill, I just got based out by a much older gentleman that had the full gear right down to the cycling sunglasses on. “Keep going” he says as I struggle through the start of the incline. He casually pulls away from me.

It’s the first time I’m tackling this hill and I know I’m going to struggle. But if I can’t get comfortable here, Quest Glendalough will be a long day. Maybe doing it at the end of a 40k cycle wasn’t my best idea. But we start.

Gears lowered, still seated, but the quads are burning. As I get halfway up the hill, the road bends and reveals an even steeper climb. But, despite the sun, in the distance, I see the man on the bike. I’m catching up on him! Maybe I’m not as bad at this cycling crack as I thought I was. It gives me a lift to push harder. I get closer and closer to him. I start thinking about passing him out, wishing him luck as I sprint by towards the farm. The shadow gets closer and closer. I’m tired but I’m getting faster as he gets closer… too close. It’s then I realise, it’s actually just a man walking towards me. The man on the bike is long gone. Next time…

With Saturday night being a surprise birthday party for the folks, another Sunday morning has gone without a long run. Hoping to test the legs and get one after Sunday dinner before the big game tonight!