Training Update......

Monday

I planned to do my brick session this morning and it was a lovely day for it too. I headed out on my bike and then went straight out for a run when I got back. I did a longer loop today so I was definately pooped once I finished. I think I felt guilty from the white chocolate easter egg and ice cream that I tucked into last night so I wanted to do a little extra today:-)

Tuesday

After work I went to the track and I was all on my own so had the track to myself. I ran x 4 repeats of 1 km with 1 minute rest between each set. The first one felt pretty tough but as I mentally got into the session I felt more intune.

My buddy Vikki invited me to her personal training session that she has at her house so I went along for the circuit this evening. Vikki and I were the only girls with the boys. I really enjoyed the session tonight. I think I may feel a bit achy in the morning.

 

Wednesday

 

Grainne and I met at The Grove and went for a 10km run together. It was a lovely day for a run this morning. After my run I went and played tennis with my client Sue. When I was driving home I was very tempted to just drive passed Sports Space but I didn't and managed a swim which I really enjoyed. It makes such a difference when there are not alot of people,  I was able to put my head down and get some laps in so I am happy that I didn't drive past:-)

 

Thursday

 

Rest day - but I did do run club. We did a lovely run along the canal.

 

Friday

 

My training buddy is back:-)))) We met early for our long run this morning. The weather was not great but we still headed off. Melinda had a new route planned for us to do which was great because it can get boring doing the same routes. I have to say it was rather hilly at times!! We did take the wrong turning but we still made it to our destination most importantly. We completed a good 14km run together and was good to catch up. When I got home I made my chocolate shake straight away. My buddy Justin got me Hersheys chocolate - so I couldn't wait to have it. I added some frozen fruit too and it was delicious. Thanks buddy:-))

Recovery shake - yum:-)

 

Saturday

 

Melinda Picture

  

Oh crap indeed!!!! I am definately getting very nervous but excited too.

 

I had planned to go out on the bike this morning but when I woke up it was raining so decided to go and do double spin with Soph.  I managed double spin and a few weights afterwards with my buddy Donna. I didn't feel great afterwards I have to be honest, I had such a headache but I think I was just  too hot, therefore I did not enjoy it as much as I normally do.

 

Sunday

 

I had planned to do a long bike ride today but I was just feeling too tired so I stayed in bed most of the morning/afternoon. I did manage to get up and go to Julie mum's for an awesome roast dinner and she made my favourite - crumble:-)

 





Training Update....

Monday

I took my usual spin class at The Grove this morning . The class consisted of tempo intervals,  a mix of hills and sprints. I looked like a beetroot afterwards as it was so hot in the studio. After spin I met my buddy Grainne for a 10km run. We ran the same route through the woods that we did last week. It was such a lovely morning for a run.

I even had to stop and take a picture of the bluebells.

Gee on a  running mission - she loves it:-)
 

I am so pleased with Grainne's progress....Last week we ran it in 59:25 and today we did it in 57:30. I am so chuffed but I think she hated me a little again today:-) Once we had finished we went off to the football pitch for Runclub. Today in Runclub we completed a few technique drills, hills, sprints and finished off with a circuit. My run buddies did really well today:-)

Enjoying a circuit to finish the session

My running buddies posing for the camera

 

Tuesday

 

I was feeling very lazy this morning so it took me a while to get out of bed. Finally I dragged myself out and got ready to go out for my run. It was a lovely morning for it and I managed the 16 km route I did 2 weeks ago but had not really planned to run that long but because the weather was so lovely I decided to run longer. The hills killed me today but I kept running even up the horrid Gravel path hill. I was slow though:-)

I was happy when I got home that I had got my lazy ass out of bed and got some miles in this week.

 

Finished - yay:-)

 

 

 Near the end of my run I was thinking of my recovery shake - so good!!!

 

 

Wednesday

My buddy Vikki came and fetched me early this morning and we headed to Sportspace for an early morning swim and we had a good swim this morning. I was rather tired as we were nearly finishing but was a good session. I had planned on going out on my bike but I was not feeling it so thought a rest is just as good as training:-)

 

Thursday

 

I went in early to workout before my PT session and runclub. I did a brick session followed my some weights and I really enjoyed my session this morning although I did miss my training buddy Melinda who is normally on the bike next to me!!

 

Training all by myself !!!

 

 

Friday

 

Rest day:-)

 

Saturday

 

3 Weeks to go!!!!

 

I was a little slow getting moving this morning but by 11:30am I got out on my bike. It was rather windy outside on the bike this morning. I managed 30.3 miles today and thankfully never fell off my bike today:-) I went up Bison Hill again and I did find it hard again today....Some days you feel better than others. If I'm honest, I am not feeling very confident out on the bike. I really do not enjoy going down steep and windy roads and I am finding myself keeping my one foot unclipped on the peddles. Hopefully I will slowly build my confidence  up.

 

Pleased to finish my ride today



 

Sunday

 

I covered run club this morning so went in earlier for a swim and did a weights session. I didn't push it today so it was a  nice easy training sesh for me :-)

Training Update

Monday

I took my spin class at the Grove this morning. We did some RPM work in our session followed by hills and sprints. After the spin class Melinda and I headed out for a 5km run, so that is our brick session for the week done :-) I also had run club today but only my buddy Gemma came today, we ran 5km . Gemma has improved so much and I am really pleased with her progress. We finished off with doing a few sprint repeats.
This evening, I went to beatbikes with my buddy Melinda. We did a 90 minute spin class covering all aspects of cycling and by the end of the class I was shattered - thanks Steve:-)

Tuesday

Melinda came to mine so we could run around little Gaddesden and Berkhamsted. We were both feeling rather sore and tired from yesterdays training sessions so we warmed up and then off we went. It took a while for us to get into our stride. I think we were both wanting one of us to say lets just do a little run but neither of us did! so we carried on towards Berkhamsted golf course and then on towards Potten End. Then we were heading towards Nettleden and we were both dreading the Nettleden hill. Melinda suggested another route that takes us on part of the Gaddesden Gallop route.

 So off we went but then lost our way a bit and ended up in the Buddhist retreat!! We were trying to find our way out (I was feeling a little nervous at this point) and Melinda was taking us towards a fence where we were hoping to be able to jump over. Then we heard this voice calling out to us, a nun was asking us what we were doing and we apologised profusely and said we were trying to find our way out. She seemed okay and gave us directions. Off we went and then we heard another voice - 'Excuse me you are on private property'. Melinda worked her charm and  the nun walked us to the exit. I think it was more like she was escorting us off the property to make sure we left. Once we explained we were out for a run and got a little lost I think she was okay. We had a little adventure in our run today which was good to end our last training session for awhile because Melinda is off on holiday to Thailand - I am so jealous!!!

 My buddy Melinda supplying me with energy goods while she is away:-) #buddies

Wednesday

I went out for a bike ride with my buddy Nina this morning. She has not been out on her bike before so we did a 8.2 mile loop together. My legs are tired today so I was happy to go for a little bike ride to tick the legs over before heading to the London marathon expo to check all the gear out. Thankfully I am not running Sunday:-)

Me before we headed off for our bike ride

Back from our bike ride

Thursday

I had run club this morning. It was just me and Dionne this morning and it was a lovely morning for it. We did a good 5km run along the canal and then back to the The Grove.

Dionne running....

I wasn't feeling very cheerful after work so wasn't that motivated to go to the track. I could of quite easily gone home for a cup of tea and a nap. I am pleased that I did not go home and pushed myself go to the track.

Me pleased once I had finished my session:-)



After the track I headed to Sportsspace for a swim session. I managed to do 50 lengths and I actually had the lane all to myself which was a bonus:-) I did miss my training buddy today though:-(

Friday

I met my buddy Grainne at The Grove for our weekly run and we ran 10 km today. We headed off into the woods and back to Cassiobury park and then along Hempsted Road and finished back up the main drive to The Grove. Grainne was giving me evils because I made her come up the hill at the end of the run:-) She did txt me and tell me she hated me a little - I know you don't really buddy:-))))

Gee in Cassiobury Park

Saturday

OMG - 4 Weeks to go!!!!!
I set my alarm to go and swim before work today but I was tired so went back to sleep. So today is a rest day for me. I am going to enjoy a pizza tonight:-)

Sunday

What a lovely morning for a bike ride today. I set off on my own hoping to do 40 miles. I headed towards Eddlesborough and back round to head towards Whipsnade. This meant I would have to take on Bison Hill. I am pleased to say it is definitely getting better:-) I managed to fall off my bike which was rather embarrassing. I had just passed two old ladies on their mountain bikes and I wanted to change my gears to the easier gear to get up the hill and my chain came off!!!!! I couldn't get my feet out the clips quick enough so just steered my bike to the grass where I feel off - What a plonker!!! The old ladies made sure I was okay and I quickly put my chain on and carried on!! I went and saw my buddies at Ashridge estate and had a flapjack and a cup of tea and then headed home. I am pleased with my 41 mile bike ride today:-)

Me before I set off

 Off I went...

Bring on next weeks training #Majorca70.3

Training Progress....

Recovery week

Monday

 

I took my spin class this morning at work, we did some RPM work, hills and sprints so a bit of everything which was good. Later in the morning I had a run with my buddy Grainne. We completed a longer run today around Watford which was good. Grainne did really well. I am seeing such an improvement - keep it up buddy - you are awesome!!

Me and Gee after our run - Picture taken by Frances buddy:-)

I won a competition that I had entered on Twitter, a Chiltern 100 training programme with Beatbikes. So this evening I went along with my buddy Hilary to my first session. When we arrived Vix the owner came over and introduced herself. We had a chat and then she went through the set up of our bikes and made us feel very welcome. Steve our instructor for the evening came over and introduced himself and made us feel welcome too. The session was an hour and a half. It started outside with a warm up which Vix took and we did some running drills to raise our heart rates. Steve then took over and we did some strength and core work which was good. We headed into the studio to get ready for the bike session.  The lights were switched off and we had a few candles which set an interesting atmosphere.  Steve took us on a cycling journey which was cool. I really enjoyed the session and looking forward to next week. I was shattered when I got home. Thanks Hilary for coming along with me:-) #Beatbikes

 

Tuesday

I woke up early this morning to get my long run in. I didn't realise how foggy it was until I started out. I headed out and ran towards Ashridge College and towards Berkhamsted. I went down New Road which was awesome going down hill and then headed into Berkhamsted along the high street and unfortunately because I had come down hill it meant I had to go back up!!! So I made my way up Gravel path very slowly. People who know Gravel path can feel my pain. I think I would have been better off walking as my running was rather slow lol:-) But once I made it up I got back into my stride. I then ran down towards Nettledon and had in my mind the other hill I had to venture up. All the time thinking it was good hill training for me. I did have to take a gel today. I love the raspberry torq gels. I was happy to see home and glad I managed the 16km run. I felt good afterwards.

My run time and distance

 

 First thing I made when I got home was my Herbalife shake :-) 

 

Wednesday

I decided to have a rest day today. I am feeling tired from my long run yesterday and because this is my easy recovery week I am going to take advantage and rest my body:-)

Thursday

I had run club this morning at The Grove, we did a lovely 6.5k run along the canal and headed back via the woods.  That is the longest we have done on run club so was a good session.
In the afternoon I met my buddy Melinda at the track. We couldn't do our session last week because of the weather so we did it today. We ran 8 x 400m repeats with 1 minute recovery between each round. I found the last couple hard with my breathing. I think it partly had to do with the smog. Once we cooled down and stretched we headed to Sportspace to do our swim. We put our heads down and did a 2km swim. I felt good after our session today:-)

Friday

I had planned to go out on my bike but I was feeling tired after work so decided to take a rest day and use my tiger tail and stretch.

Saturday

5 weeks to go!!!

I covered Sophie's early morning spin class today. I was really nervous about it but it actually was not as bad as I thought. The class consisted mostly of hills and sprints. Afterwards I did some weights with Melinda and Donna. We did a circuit so rotatated between each exercise. It is always fun when you train with buddies.

Sunday

I covered runclub this morning so I had a nice easy 5km run and I am not doing anymore exercise today. I am just going to chill out on the sofa. I have enjoyed this rest and recovery week so bring on next week:-)