Honey I'm home! It's Open Water Season!
Hello and welcome back to Triathlot!
Another month of lockdown has flown by and surprisingly it's been a busy one, only in terms of training of course!
Last week, following the loosening of some restrictions, I was finally able to return to where I feel the most comfortable, in water! As a result of our local lake still being closed, my Dad and I ventured slightly further afield to a new location where organised Open Water sessions are underway - Dosthill Quarry. Known for its diving centre and intrepid underwater adventures, I was slightly nervous to enter the water. Despite my initial nerves, I loved the course, a short 380m loop means you are never far from the shore, although I have to admit I was slightly spooked by a sinking buoy and a few, small fish at the back of the quarry, safe to say it made me get a move on! After an exhilarating, yet slightly intimidating swim last June in the Staffs Ironman relay, I was keen to overlook any previous open water frights and start afresh. I've found that I am actually the most comfortable when I'm swimming, as opposed to when I'm initially stationary and trying to acclimatise to the water. I meticulously count out 8 strokes to keep my rhythm, ensuring that I remember to sight. This proved to be much easier around the short loop, compared to the Ironman course and a 1900m loop! Last week during our one hour slot, I completed only 5 laps, after spending most of the time adjusting to the water temperature and waiting for Dad after each lap :) This week I managed 8 laps, thanks to a much quicker entry and less stopping. I even failed to notice the resident Heron that appears on the bank of the quarry, as I was so focused on keeping my pace. I averaged 1:30 /100m over my 2.7K swim, a surprising 10 seconds faster per 100m than last year's Ironman race. Let's hope that pace wasn't a one off, it could buy me some much needed time on the bike, or even in transition! I'm yet to hack the quick wetsuit removal...
This month I have been faster and further than ever before on two wheels, my bike. For the first time, both my Dad and I have been able to consistently ride together each week. Normally I would be up in Edinburgh and my Dad is usually training for events that require much longer rides than I am ready for, however since lockdown, I have finally been able to tackle road cycling. I have to say, each ride is becoming more and more enjoyable, despite the rolling hills of the Chase and the tricky first 10 miles of the Staffs Ironman course, I am slowly building some pace and learning to love, maybe that's too strong of a word, LIKE, a few climbs. To date my furthest ride is 40 miles, just another 16 miles to add on, before I'm up to the 70.3 distance. This month I'm going to conquer my cleats! After an embarrassing fall on my first ride with the Uni Triathlon club I have continued to opt for the safer option of my trainers, especially as a few weeks ago I still had no idea what gear I was meant to be in. However, thanks to several practices rides and some much needed lessons on my gears, I'm going to give them another go. No doubt you'll be hearing about my numerous fails and falls shortly. Another little goal I have in mind for this month is to make it up Dollymakers Hill. Previously I've been virtually stationary at the bottom, after clinging on to my brakes during the previous descent, but this month I'm aiming to be brave, I'll ensure I'm on the small ring at the top of the hill, then cruise down the previous hill, before attempting to pedal for my life to get to the top - I'll keep you updated :)
May turned out to be a month of milestones. Alongside my longest ride and a 10 mile run PB, I also totalled my greatest overall running distance in a month, running a total of 129 miles. A full 26 miles further than the previous month in lockdown. So far this year I have run over just over 500 miles, so I am definitely on my way to achieving the 1000 mile goal that I set myself for 2020. Everything else may have been cancelled but thankfully for me, running has remained my one constant. It is safe to say a rest day is needed! My plan is to incorporate a few more interval sessions into my training this month, in the hope that I can find some speed over 5K. Also, it will be nice to mix up some of my sessions, perhaps running with a friend or two now that the restrictions have been loosened further. I'm desperate to find some new routes, as 3 months of running in the same direction, is starting to take its toll.
Aside from training, regular Zoom calls have continued to keep me in touch with my lovely friends, despite us being spread around the world! My flat mates and I decided to take on the outfit challenge, where we each had to design 6 new outfits from the clothes that we already had, great fun, although my lack of creativity was definitely evident! Our long-awaited pub quiz was also a huge success, taking us nearly 4 hours to complete, of course I hosted the sports round. Other rounds tested our knowledge on cocktails, space, celebrities and many more topics. I think the cocktail round was everyone's highest scorer :) The socials round exposed each of us with our 10 year old Facebook posts and teenage tweets, so embarrassing but hilarious! Missing you girls!!
So, a new month is upon us and who knows what is in store. Definitely lots more swim, bike and run sessions. Maybe I'll finally reach the stage of boredom where I start to revise... I doubt that, I'll just run more :)
Whilst racing remains to be off the cards, I am currently focussing on completing the small training goals that I set, such as conquering my cleats and finding some speed over 5K. Sure enough, racing will return, in the meantime this is the perfect opportunity to make some improvements.
Stay home, stay safe.
Speak soon,
Lot x
Another month of lockdown has flown by and surprisingly it's been a busy one, only in terms of training of course!
Last week, following the loosening of some restrictions, I was finally able to return to where I feel the most comfortable, in water! As a result of our local lake still being closed, my Dad and I ventured slightly further afield to a new location where organised Open Water sessions are underway - Dosthill Quarry. Known for its diving centre and intrepid underwater adventures, I was slightly nervous to enter the water. Despite my initial nerves, I loved the course, a short 380m loop means you are never far from the shore, although I have to admit I was slightly spooked by a sinking buoy and a few, small fish at the back of the quarry, safe to say it made me get a move on! After an exhilarating, yet slightly intimidating swim last June in the Staffs Ironman relay, I was keen to overlook any previous open water frights and start afresh. I've found that I am actually the most comfortable when I'm swimming, as opposed to when I'm initially stationary and trying to acclimatise to the water. I meticulously count out 8 strokes to keep my rhythm, ensuring that I remember to sight. This proved to be much easier around the short loop, compared to the Ironman course and a 1900m loop! Last week during our one hour slot, I completed only 5 laps, after spending most of the time adjusting to the water temperature and waiting for Dad after each lap :) This week I managed 8 laps, thanks to a much quicker entry and less stopping. I even failed to notice the resident Heron that appears on the bank of the quarry, as I was so focused on keeping my pace. I averaged 1:30 /100m over my 2.7K swim, a surprising 10 seconds faster per 100m than last year's Ironman race. Let's hope that pace wasn't a one off, it could buy me some much needed time on the bike, or even in transition! I'm yet to hack the quick wetsuit removal...
This month I have been faster and further than ever before on two wheels, my bike. For the first time, both my Dad and I have been able to consistently ride together each week. Normally I would be up in Edinburgh and my Dad is usually training for events that require much longer rides than I am ready for, however since lockdown, I have finally been able to tackle road cycling. I have to say, each ride is becoming more and more enjoyable, despite the rolling hills of the Chase and the tricky first 10 miles of the Staffs Ironman course, I am slowly building some pace and learning to love, maybe that's too strong of a word, LIKE, a few climbs. To date my furthest ride is 40 miles, just another 16 miles to add on, before I'm up to the 70.3 distance. This month I'm going to conquer my cleats! After an embarrassing fall on my first ride with the Uni Triathlon club I have continued to opt for the safer option of my trainers, especially as a few weeks ago I still had no idea what gear I was meant to be in. However, thanks to several practices rides and some much needed lessons on my gears, I'm going to give them another go. No doubt you'll be hearing about my numerous fails and falls shortly. Another little goal I have in mind for this month is to make it up Dollymakers Hill. Previously I've been virtually stationary at the bottom, after clinging on to my brakes during the previous descent, but this month I'm aiming to be brave, I'll ensure I'm on the small ring at the top of the hill, then cruise down the previous hill, before attempting to pedal for my life to get to the top - I'll keep you updated :)
May turned out to be a month of milestones. Alongside my longest ride and a 10 mile run PB, I also totalled my greatest overall running distance in a month, running a total of 129 miles. A full 26 miles further than the previous month in lockdown. So far this year I have run over just over 500 miles, so I am definitely on my way to achieving the 1000 mile goal that I set myself for 2020. Everything else may have been cancelled but thankfully for me, running has remained my one constant. It is safe to say a rest day is needed! My plan is to incorporate a few more interval sessions into my training this month, in the hope that I can find some speed over 5K. Also, it will be nice to mix up some of my sessions, perhaps running with a friend or two now that the restrictions have been loosened further. I'm desperate to find some new routes, as 3 months of running in the same direction, is starting to take its toll.
Aside from training, regular Zoom calls have continued to keep me in touch with my lovely friends, despite us being spread around the world! My flat mates and I decided to take on the outfit challenge, where we each had to design 6 new outfits from the clothes that we already had, great fun, although my lack of creativity was definitely evident! Our long-awaited pub quiz was also a huge success, taking us nearly 4 hours to complete, of course I hosted the sports round. Other rounds tested our knowledge on cocktails, space, celebrities and many more topics. I think the cocktail round was everyone's highest scorer :) The socials round exposed each of us with our 10 year old Facebook posts and teenage tweets, so embarrassing but hilarious! Missing you girls!!
So, a new month is upon us and who knows what is in store. Definitely lots more swim, bike and run sessions. Maybe I'll finally reach the stage of boredom where I start to revise... I doubt that, I'll just run more :)
Whilst racing remains to be off the cards, I am currently focussing on completing the small training goals that I set, such as conquering my cleats and finding some speed over 5K. Sure enough, racing will return, in the meantime this is the perfect opportunity to make some improvements.
Stay home, stay safe.
Speak soon,
Lot x
Comments
Post a Comment