And it has just started.

Well Week 1 of my new training program has started. The hope is that I will be up to par (or atleast where I was at Port) for Yeppoon which is in another 52 days. Doesn't leave myself and my coach Jodie much time. So, because of that we have started this program with all guns ablazing. And believe me I am feeling it. However, that being said - I am ticking all my boxes - SO FAR, and happy to be back out there.

Monday was my first double session. A nice easy run - 5km, and felt good to be ticking those legs over. Then Monday night was my usual windtrainer session. Gee's I missed everyone, but there were a few of the regulars missing. The session was a tough one - slow, grinding and painful with sets of 7mins with a cadence of no more than 65 with 5min recovery x3. But I really liked it. Was good to see that I was able to keep form.

Then Tuesday it was back to my Long Run Tuesday. Obviously not as long as what I was doing before Port, but needless to say I was happy to score my first 1hr run and 9.5km. I was able to share the morning with my best friend Susan, her sister Melanie and their Dad.

Then yesterday was a mixed bag of feelings (physically). I had to do a 2hr bike ride and although I started off feeling full of ZING - within 40 mins I was ZINGLESS. I just could not keep up with the group and made the decision to turn around and head back to do my hill repeats. My wish is to one day be as strong as those who I ride with on a Wednesday. Their strength leaves me gobsmacked - and they can speak while keeping that pace too. I was just hanging on for dear mercy. Nevermind. There is always next week.

The hill repeats were well what can I say? HARD. PAINFUL. Yet I was PROUD of me for not giving up. Jodie had asked I find a hill that was about 600m in length and to go do out of saddle hill repeats - 10 of them. So I decided to hit Mitchell's Pass - just the bottom section as it is steep enough for me. To say that I wasn't scared would have been a lie. I am totally hopeless when it comes to hill climbing - however I keep hearing that they will make me stronger - so I just had to do it. I wasn't able to do all of them out of the saddle - however about 80% was done that way and when my legs fatigued towards the end of each hill I sat and grinded my way to the top.

On one of my downhill recoveries I saw a familiar face - Brendan. Brendan was the gentleman from the club and owner of Blaxland Day & Night Pharmacy and the gentleman responsible for my gift voucher. It was so nice to see him and thank him face to face as I was unable to on Saturday night. Thankyou once again - it was much appreciated.

So after doing all my hill stuff I clocked up 11.8km - 5.9km worth of climbing. And this morning although my legs are sore they are by no means dead. So I am now off for my first proper swim. Wish me luck. I think this one is going to hurt - ALOT.