Back with a vengeance. Definitely maybe.

So two rested and two enforced weeks from training complete and back with a vengeance (part two) again tomorrow.

While the first two weeks were largely tolerated, the last two were not so easy to handle. To make matters worse Easter really is not the best time to have two non-training weeks.  As the BORG said in Star Trek, 'resistance is futile'. Okay, so my efforts to avoid chocolate and other temptations were questionable at best, but nonetheless it was still not easy.

Over Easter, the weather also didn't help as the rain and wind pelted the northwest, not allowing for much opportunity to get out on the bike.  Added to that, the four Heineken Cup quarter finals and the Masters golf made it equally hard to drag myself from the lay-z-boy.

When I did finally get out, the wind was blowing a gale, the rain was threatening, and my belly was full of a heavy meal, chocolate and wine.  There are many views taken on how best to fuel for training; this was none of them.

My aim was a 50km cycle, but after no more than 8kms I knew that simply wasn't going to happen. Lacking all rhythm and a total inability to tackle the hills with any gusto (and a complete lack of breath) told its own story of a sorry loss of fitness. Well over 80 minutes later and a sorry 30kms later my Easter Sunday torture was complete.

Slowly things hvae been turning around since the weekend, and I have strived to tone back the rubbish with a bit more focus to getting back into training.  Tomorrow's swim time trial arrives just a bit early for me to test my endurance and possible improvements. Maybe next week. But at least I'll be back in the pool.

Patience will have to be the key this time round. The vengeance may just have to be toned back a bit this time.

Feeling the blues

I’m staring at my screen and I’m feeling blue.  Having had a two week sabbatical from training, I threw myself back into the mix over the weekend.  Swimming on Saturday and cycling on Sunday – more about that anon – but today, a doctor’s appointment has led to an enforced two-week swim and run abstention.  I’m not a happy bunny!

Having had the two weeks off, I intended approaching training gingerly and not go too hard from the off. Yea right!  In the pool it was arm drill after arm drill after arm drill.  The energy was sapped out of me at an alarming rate! Or maybe I was just doing them incorrectly! Either way, half way through our session I had to slow things down – for a few minutes at least to get some of my breath back.  But the post-training buzz had me in a good mood and delighted to be back in the pool. 

The Saturday couch recovery session, of course, never happened.

For Sunday morning’s club cycle one of the guys (Gav Duffy) set a daunting challenge to ascend and descend Howth Head (from the cemetery) ten times.  Yes, you didn’t mis-read that. 10 times. Why you ask? Well apparently April 1^st is known as the Sufferlandrian Day of Suffering. Lucky us!

The challenge was open to those at all levels, so as part of the beginners group, the challenge was set slightly lower with the aim to reach at least three ascents, and if possible four.

The climb in total was a mere 4.8kms.  A climb I have done on a good number of occasions, but never at this level. Now while that distance does not seem like much, it is a deceptive climb that offers small bouts of respite before challenging you again and again with another incline.  And as the sun’s heat increased during the ride out to Sutton, the intensity of the challenge increased.

The group started together. Beginners, intermediate and advanced all as one. That didn’t last long!  The group was quickly strung out. Each to their own; each to face the hill each time in almost total isolation.  Pick a target in front of you and keep pedalling. And don’t get lapped. Too often.

“That wasn’t too bad,” I thought after reaching the summit for the first time, “ten doesn’t seem so unattainable.”  Ah, the thoughts of the innocent. The beginners group agreed to re-group after three laps.  Everyone was still in good shape.  “Let’s go for two more,” it was suggested. That seemed attainable. Just.

The fourth time up quickly became tougher than the previous three put together.  And number five just plain hurt.  All the while being lapped for at least the second time by the advanced crew. There is a lot to learn yet.

Unless I’d been offered a large sum of money I would have been able to face the climb for even another 50 metres. Howth had beaten me. This time.

Needless to say Sunday’s recovery was much more couch based, but with an increased sense of achievement. Roll on Tuesday morning swimming.

That is until this morning.  A meeting with a dermatologist, the removal of a mole (on the bottom of my foot), three stitches later and I was put on, as they stay in US sports, the disabled list. Despite my best efforts to assure the nurse that I’d look after myself, she was having none of it. 

No swimming or running until the stitches are removed. No training for two weeks. Now that plan sucks! Just back into training and I now have to forego another eight training sessions. 

While that might be a welcome break during the season, now is not that time for me. Sure is it any wonder I’m feeling blue!