Tri Training- My Week 2

Not much to report in terms of training this week. Rest has been my main priority as I’ve been ill all week. I’ve learned that complete rest is the best thing for me, rather than trying to push through and ending up in the run-down constantly sick state I was in back in April. 

By the weekend, I was feeling much better and was able to fit in a pretty epic training session yesterday.

I headed to Stubbers Activity Centre with a few other club members. Stubbers is somewhere I used to visit on school trips, for archery, abseiling and canoeing, but having not been back in about 15 years I’d forgotten how wonderful this facility is. One of the lakes on-site is hired out for triathlon-specific swim training on Saturday mornings.

Arriving at the lake at 6.45am, I was a little apprehensive about getting in. There was a chill in the air and I imagined the lake would be freezing- it was tempting to get back into the car!

I was coaxed into the lake by the other members of Havering Tri, and was immediately glad that I had decided to stay for the swim. The water was lovely and warm, and it was a beautiful morning with sunlight bouncing off of the lake. I swam one lap of the lake in an anti-clockwise direction, which was just under 1km. 

After quickly changing out of my wetsuit and into my cycling gear, we were joined by a few other tri club members for a cycle session.

We rode 36 miles in total, with a few stops for puncture repairs- at least we got to put into practice what we learned last week! 

I still seem to be constantly in the wrong gear which makes things difficult! I got lots of advice on gear changing which helped massively on this hilly route, but it doesn’t seem to sink in as I quickly forget by the time I reach the next hill! I just need more practice and more time out on the bike will help me get used to the gears.

I loved this cycle route, we explored some quiet country lanes and some back roads I never knew existed. This area of Essex is definitely not flat and there was some real beasts of hills to contend with! 

Arriving back at Stubbers where we had left our cars, I was feeling exhausted, this was my longest ride so far. I’m really proud of this brick session! 

I’m training for the Tri Together triathlon on 31st August, to raise money for people with disabilities. As well as the Tri for Life triathlon on 7th September which funds a variety of causes including Great Ormond Street, Teenage Cancer Trust and Rays of Sunshine for seriously ill children. I’d really appreciate any sponsorship for either cause, through my Just Giving pages here and here.