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 1st 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!
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