Tryin' something new

Since the kiddies have been on school holidays it has been a bit of a juggle trying to do the required training on the appropriate days. However, I took heed from all of your comments and am trying very hard to not stress and just make do with what I have available - and if that means mixing my days up to get it done then so be it. This creature of habit is learning a new trait - flexibility of the mind.

So with the kids home and it being the windiest day I have seen in a while, as well as the fact that I slept in I decided to change my swim/run day to my Tuesday bike/run day. Now, I know that sounds crazy, but I did a windtrainer/run session with TopNotch in the evening. Absolutely awesome. I learnt so much - like when I get tired I start to bounce around on the saddle. This is turn makes my upper body wobble around and waste more energy then I need to. This took more focus then I thought. I had to squeeze my butt cheeks and hold my core so tight I almost forgot to breathe. Eliza would just keep saying "your bouncing Barb". One good thing is I don't toe point when I ride.

We ended up doing some one-legged drills which I had never done before. I think I held the momentum quite well as there were no clunking sounds when I would turn the peddle over. Guess that means I was using both my quads and hammies effectively. Hoping this will be part of my next month's training plan.

During the session we did a pyramid workout which consisted of 2, 4, 6, 8, 6, 4, 2 mins at race pace holding a cadence of around 90 with a 1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 2, 1 min recovery inbetween. Not bad, I think I did well. I know I am definately finding a 90 cadence much easier than I used to and I am recovering alot faster inbetween too. In 1hr 7mins I did 31.6km, not bad. Didn't feel like it.

After we did the last cool down it was then time to get off the bike, put on my runners and go for a leisurely jaunt around the oval 3 times and then up the hill and back. My legs felt heavy and wobbly but within 600m I felt okay. Either my legs are getting used to that funny sensation or I am getting better at ignoring it. Either way, it was done at a nice leisurely pace, one I would have been able to speak through.

Since starting in this wonderful world of Triathlons I have been keeping track of my kilometres through DailyMile and last week saw me accomplish the most kilometres in one week to date.

196km in one week.

Never in my wildest dreams a year ago would I have ever thought that I would accomplish so many kilometres in a week - and I know this will only grow as my training becomes for focused in the New Year. This is terribly exciting.

My swimming is coming along nicely too. Today I did a 3.6km session without too much fuss.

• 500m easy Fr/s
• 500m Fr/s with pullbouy
• 4 x 50m Fr/s building speed, 10 secs rest
• 16 x 50m Fr/s 2 x 50 on 1.20
• 2 x 50 on 1.15
• 2 x 50 on 1.10
• 2 x 50 on 1.05
• 2 x 50 on 1.00
• 2 x 50 on 55
• 2 x 50 on 50
• 2 x 50 on 45
• 6 x 200m 3 with pullbouy 3 without on 3:30
• 400m cooldown

Feeling stronger, more controlled and focused - just how I like it.