Sunday 8 November 2015

Testing times

I could see from my schedule this was going to be a tough week.  My coach set a number of "tests" for me to establish certain measures.  Two swim sets where I was aiming at consistent times which is easier said than done.  On the second one I ended up too fast and inconsistent so I'm redoing that test again.  On the turbo we were establishing my threshold and that was a hell of a workout.  I was shattered when I slid off the bike having done 65 sweaty minutes.
So come Saturday I was looking forward to the group ride but the forecast didn't look so good - and it was right.  I rained heavily the whole ride and mix that with leaves on the roads and crazy car drivers and we really had to be extra careful which slowed our speed down.  A car overtook me doing 70 mph just as a car was passing on the other side of the road.  He must have missed me by 2 feet.  Later on that day I was in a taxi and it turned out he was the car going the other way and had to almost go off the road to allow the idiot to squeeze through.  It turns out two others in the group had altercations with cars.  I rode the whole ride in a "bubble" to try and block out the miserable conditions.  65km and 2.75 hours later and I climbed into bed to warm up before going in the shower.  If this weather continues I'll be training indoors as the risks are too high.
This morning I returned to Chatelherault to run as the forecast was rain and gale force winds.  I ran with my pals and as we were only doing one lap we ran "the big hill".  Normally I walk this but not today.  My heart was bursting out of my chest by the top but I kept going and probably completed my fastest lap.  It felt good to be running here again.  I felt alive and at one with my surroundings which is a special feeling.  However I had noticed a "gloopy" throat when I got up this morning and it now feels like I'm coming down with a cold. I hope this doesn't set back my recently found fitness but if I'm going to get a cold it's as well I get it now.