Slacker pt. 2

Yeah, so I haven't kept up - there's been a couple of swims, some cycle commuting & walking, but no blogging. No running either, so the goal of being fitter for Tekapo is pretty much shot :)

I walked the perimeter of the Park this evening, listening to podcasts & singing along to Glee songs. Great fun, must do more.

I tried my hand at some 'slow cycling', which turns out to be only slightly slower overall to get to work (about 30 minutes instead of 25 to get to work), and I don't need to shower/get changed. Not quite up to Copenhagen Cycle Chic standards (still wearing helmet, trouser clips & yellow safety jacket, and I haven't tried it in a skirt yet), but hopefully as the weather improves, I'll do some more of it.

Owie

Activity: run
Distance: 3.4 km
Time: 38 min

Run/walk today with S, me in pain, her gallantly shuffling beside me. Good chat along the way, discovering (as Kiwis tend to do) that we attended the same climbing course up on the hills last year, like the same comedy shows & various other similarities. My lower legs hurt now, but the plan is to keep the running up & get some base fitness for the trip to Tekapo in July. Then I'll handle a day on the 1.4km rope tow at Roundhill, or whatever else we get up to :)

Walk, then run

Activity: walk
Time: 30min

Met S, the potential new running buddy today. Since we're both a bit out of condition, we went slow - a walk up the hill, following one of the routes set out by the HEAL lady at work. Run planned for Monday, let's hope the weather holds :)

Veteran?

Activity: triathlon

Swim: 300m/9:42

Cycle: 10km/26:57

Run: 3km/25:36

Overall: 1:02:15

Average time was 57 minutes, so only 5 minutes off the pace. As always, the switch from cycling to running was hard - this is where training helps, but I didn't get enough of that in. I walked most of the first half of the run, trying to stretch out my calves.

But I now have another shiny Finisher's medal, yet another t-shirt for running/cycling in, and a free microfibre towel! Pity the goody bag was a bit light this year, but that's probably to be expected. Great to see the field full of first-timers though!

Picture: 5 years' worth of Triwoman medals

Final slog

Wednesday

Activity: cycle

Distance: 13km

Time: 40min

Saturday

Activity: cycle

Distance: 12km

Time: 35min

Just over a week to go, and I'm feeling pretty good. I haven't kept to the training plan 100%. This is mostly because it called for 40min hill runs in the last 2 weeks, and since I like running from home in the park, not having to drive to the hills, I've just been running on the flat. I may fit in a couple of hill runs before or after work this week, seems silly to be talking about making a special trip to the hills when I work at the bottom of a really big one.

ATM, my plan for tomorrow is to swim at the pool with Mum, but only do 300-400m. I'll have the bike on the back of the car, jump out of the pool & onto the bike, cycle home to Mum & Dad's via QEII Dve & Marshlands Rd (makes it about 7.5km), then run along the river to AGHS and back (approx 3km). That should be a good simulation of the triathlon, without the logistical problems of trying to lock my bike up a couple of times & having Mum wait around till I'm done. We'll see.

Zoned out

Activity: cycle
Distance: 13km
Time: 50min

Back on the bike after the crash, have to say the return trip was nice & easy! Daylight savings has given a little reprieve - the mornings are light enough for going without lights & using glasses, and the evenings are still light too. That probably won't last too long, but it's nice at the moment.

Injury recovery

Wednesday
Activity: cycling
Distance: 13km
Time: 50min

So I went over the handlebars of my bike in spectacular fashion on the way to work. By Thursday morning, I was stiff, sore & all the bruises looked awesome. I've been unable to do anything since - putting on a regular bra has been hard enough with sore shoulders, let alone even thinking about getting in & out of a sports bra. Swimming's out with the sore shoulders, as is cycling or the gym. I'm recovered now (Sunday), though I discovered a new bruise last night on the underside of my left breast. Not sore, just seems to be pooling of blood.

I'm planning on swimming today, Mum's out of town but I'll try a few lengths at Centennial. Triathlon's in 2 weeks, so things need to get back on track ASAP.