Training has been going OK, have missed one or two things per week, and there have been no spectacular sessions. The harder sessions are a little slower, and the longer sessions not really than long. Swimming is still on a downward slide (2 swims per weeks is just not enough), and I have cut back the weights a little as they were just hammering me too much (probably a little too keen to start out with in reality). But the overall volume of training is pretty good - for this time in the build-up. I have given 15hrs (weekly training hours) a scare, and don't feel too bad for it. I think as a basic - "get out and do some training" block, it has been a good 3-4 weeks. Hopefully after my little trip away I am in good enough shape to actually start some proper training!
Weight - well the OHagan-Goer house hold had their first weigh-in this week just gone by. I have written about weight before - and personally I don't mind putting a bit on at the end of a season, and when it comes time to lose it - I eat a bit less and/or train a bit more. But I don't live alone, and sometimes there are compromises... Recovery phase is pretty much over, and the few kgs extra sort of went toward 6kgs extra. It does not worry me much - yet, but I don't need to add any more! For Ironman this year I was 74-something, and now I am 79.5 (officially). With the weights I would think that I have had 1-2kgs of muscle added on, but I can definitely feel some "non-functional baggage", particularly running at the moment. For Worlds (in October) I want to be back to 74-ish, and if I kick on to Ironman again, then 73-ish would be the goal. The trick is not to lose any strength with the weight loss. In fact I still plan to increase strength quite a bit! So steady as she goes. For a bit over 1kg per month, or around 300grams per week of weight loss, I need a deficit of around 3000 kcal per week. So that is either around 430 kcal per day less going in (a couple of big slices of toast) or 4 to 5 hours more training per week (easier effort for me). Should be quite doable. The main obstacle to this is a 10 day trip to Germany next week - for a Wedding. Pretzels and beer may not be the ideal, second week in to the plan...
New shoes - A few weeks back (well - a solid month really), at the first cross country, I had a really sore hip and the legs were pretty tender after. Of course it was the first cross country in almost 10 years - what did I expect?!? Later the week after, on the second run of the week, the hip really flared up after it had initially settled a bit. Click - I had used the same shoes for the cross country and that run, and an alternate pair in between. So those shoes got the heave-ho (ie are now the new "casual" shoe). In the last week the legs have been feeling pretty hammered, and I have not really been ramping up the running, so shoes #2 where getting past their prime too. Bit the bullet and went and got 2 new pairs of runners, and start this week with new shoes! First run, and "aahhh" - much better!!! Probably left it a week too long! Sorted now, and hopefully ready to start some proper run training too!
We made a stop on our long ride to remember the chickens that lost their lives at the top of Twighlight Rd last year. The natural selection process has meant that they no longer "live" in the middle of the road...
Down town Saulgau - fond memories for me here. I have enjoyed my various stays and the people I have meet. Looking forward to going back - even if it is for only a week. The local village "Kirche" use to have a couple of cranes (of the bird variety) living around the steeple. Who would have thought!
2 comments:
Tony you make it sound like the entire population of Twilight poultry was wiped out - I'm sure it was really only a couple at the most! Glad to see they have relocated though, that is probably for the better!
I am sure it was only a couple too Katie... But you know the story can only grow from here on in!
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