Week 4

7 to 13 April

 

Monday ended up being a rest day.  I drank a few too many glasses of wine on Sunday, so decided that I would take it easy. Only exercise was my commute to work.  Tuesday after cycling home I did a 22k run, in 2:33.  Felt well throughout, last 5k was tough, but with three months to go, I am well on target. 

 

Wednesday, 22k commute to work.  Other than that, no training.  Had intended swimming, but decided to rest after yesterday’s long run.

 

Thursday and Friday, the only training was my commute to work 44k between the two days.  Had arranged to meet Flipper for a swim Friday morning, but didn’t sleep well on Thursday night, so texted him that I wasn’t going to make it.  While he thinks I am a bit of a wuss, he didn’t make the swim either!!!

 

Saturday, the plan was to do a long bike, pushing the pace as hard as we could, and then do a 20 min run off the bike.  Met Flipper at Westpark gym at 8am.  I was on the beast for the second training session and wanted to spend as much time as I could down on the tri bars.  We met up with Boycey (Derek Boyce) and John just past Brittas, and we headed out towards Tullow.  We pushed the pace as hard as we could.  Always though at the back of my mind was that I had to be able to run after it.  John sensibly turned back at Baltinglass, but the more foolhardy of us carried on for about another 20 mins.  Shortly after a sign saying Carlow 19km we turned back.  At this stage, I could neither feel my hands or feet and all my clothes were wet from the rain and spray!!  At least we were heading for home.  Finally Boycey took his leave from us at Kilbride.  We slowed the pace a little until we got to the top of Embankment Hill and then took off.  Back at Westpark I changed into my runners, and started hobbling around Tallaght Athletics club track.  After about a 1k I started to get into a rhythm, but my feet were still blocks of ice.  In 20 mins I ran 3k.  I was happy enough with that, as I knew I could keep that pace up.  All in all a good day.  120k cycle and 3k run.

 

Then I was off to the Leinster Munster match.  Once again I was sitting in the rain freezing cold.  Slightly numb from the mixture of Guinness and rum!  Leinster won!!  We should win the Magners League now.  At least we better!!

 

Sunday 8am back out on the bike again.  I was a bit tired after the revelries of the previous night (slightly hungover), but I was determined to do the training.  Met Flipper at the mill, and John in Newcastle.  We headed from there out to Maynooth and Kilcock then back to Naas, and on toward Hollywood and home.  Another 5:40 in the saddle and 115k.

 

Not exactly what I had planned at the start of the week, but still a good week’s training.  Roll on next week and another big week, before a well deserved rest week.