Flying high

I started the week on a post race high - I'd almost forgotten what it felt like! Who am I kidding - I had forgotten what it was like. I was on such a high after the race that I even started checking the tri calendar for the rest of the season. However I'm so far off running again that I can't bring myself to think about races that involve running yet....

Mon: about 1.9km at swim squad. Our usual squad of 20-24 dwindled to 9 tonight no doubt due to Sunday's race. More talking than swimming tonight which was exactly what I needed. The body pulled up fine after the race though I was a bit sleepy-tired today.

Tues: rest

Wed: strength + core strength session in the gym before work.

Then after work, it was back to the Regatta Centre for the next installment of the women's cycling program conducted by the Penrith Cycling Club. Started by practising last weeks skills (riding in bunches, leaning over to pick up traffic cones whilst riding etc). Then we did some skills with the bike whilst standing including several 60min sprints off a rolling start. A 5km 2-woman team TT around the Regatta Centre followed so we could experience the advantage that riding in an echelon gives (and as an example of the difference it makes, my partner & I rode 1min 15sec faster than my sole effort around the Regatta Centre last week). And then we finished the session with a bunch ride around the Regatta Centre (trying to) stay on the wheel of the person in front; that takes real steadiness, confidence & trust, none of which I have (yet)....15.8k

Thu: a hard 1.9km swim (incl 1.2k @ 80% PE) in mid-afternoon. I actually skipped a Xmas drinks function to do this swim. Someone take my temperature; I must be sick ;-)

Fri: my first pilates session with my physio/pilates instructor. It was supposed to be 30mins but turned into 50mins. I have oh so much work to do. I seem to waiver between being full of hope & being depressed at the amount of work required depending on the time of day…

Sat: after a sleep-in, I headed to the pool mid-morning for a 1.8km swim which started with 1.2km @ race pace. Straight up with no warm up. Intended to simulate a race situation as (let's be honest) I never warm up. Ouchy.

Sun: well, it was supposed to be an easy 2hr ride until (a) I bumped into my (6 x IM) Uncle Kel just as I was about to start & ended up riding the first 20mins with him (!); and (b) headed for the Greendale Road loop for something different. Greendale is hilly and the road surface is dead making it a tough ride; and (c) I managed what I like to refer to as a 'lying dismount' - ie I was unable to get my foot out while stopping suddenly at an intersection.

Still I got my 2hr ride done. The sore knee & hand are an added bonus ;-) 47.46k. 2:01:34. Av. 23.4k/h

Monday’s session brought November to a close; what a month it has been (in more ways than one) -
Swim: 9.3km
Bike: 148.7km

In other news, I have officially been awarded my Certificate III in Fitness :-) I had finished all the coursework before the wedding so I've had a few weeks off. But it's time to get started on Certificate IV now - there goes all my spare time...

MTD:
Swim: 3.7km
Bike: 63.2k