Training Log Archive: Sanders

First triathlon of the summer (well, winter today) season. I did the short course with all the other novice triathletes, and my main aim was to survive without dying of hypothermia. Felt really dismal at the start owing to the shocking weather conditions and halfheartedly set up transition in the mud, deliberately racking my bike next to a woman with a bright pink towel so I wouldn't get too lost in transition. Was very jealous of people wearing wetsuits today. I couldn't stop shivering at the start, especially because we were hanging around in the water for ages. By the time my wave began I was really ready to go, so flew off into the swim. Had a surprisingly good swim, actually, because the lake wasn't too choppy and I wasn't caught up in amongst the crowd too much. Bike course was rubbish and I saw one guy stack it. By the end I couldn't feel my feet at all so second transition involved stamping my feet into my shoes and running out feeling like a double amputee because everything was numb below my ankles. Survived the run (it was only 2 km) so that was OK. Even had enough energy to go and cheer on the fast bilbies who were still racing. Great to catch up with everybody after the race, too. Apart from the weather, it was really fun! I'm looking forward to the aquathlon series this summer and hope to get a bit closer in the results to my nemesis, another novice girl who won the race today. not sure of times yet so will have to check them on the web this week.

dammit. I've lost all cold weather resistance that I accumulated in the past few years. Really felt the cold today.

afternoon run round bits of black mtn, felt like crap for the first half but much better on the second half.

bilbys novice swim session
only four of us turned up this morning in pelting rain. Cold and miserable, did about 1km of laps then we started doing skills stuff. I got freezing cold so bailed 5 mins before the end and literally ran to my car and turned the heater up high.

C • impressive! 2

Did a very short lake swim in Lake BG with devil who was testing his wetsuit before the tri season starts. Had to dodge lots of canoes and swans and reeds. It was quite fun swimming back to shore because it's so much easier when the current's behind you.

Set off with the faster novices for a real road ride, out through belco up to the golf course. Pace was quicker than previous weeks but I stuck to Cam's wheel which made it heaps easier. No probs apart from Cam making several wrong turns which meant we were way longer than expected. I suck at going round corners quickly (e.g. through the little golf course estate) but kept up well on the hills, although by the end I was feeling my legs from last night's run. Jumped to the back of the bunch on the way back up Gin Dr to peel off home and cracked it at the boys in front for not signalling a huge pothole which I fell into. But otherwise it was heaps of fun, and glad the rain held off.

Bilbys 2 km time trial (7:47)
Felt quite relaxed at the start of this session for some reason and since I piked on the previous time trial I had to do this one. Set off like a bullet from a gun and after 100m was cantering along at a cracking pace near the front of the main bunch - nothing to do except try to maintain it the whole way. Gary gave encouragement after the first two laps and reckoned I'd go under 8 mins, had enough kick on the last lap to bring it home in 7:47. Most awesome track run I've had all year. Also the hardest run - I reckon I tasted blood by the end. I wonder if racehorses or greyhounds get that?

Followed up with 6 x 600 m (200 m recovery). Good fun, lovely slow cool down with gary devil danny and desi.

C • 7.47 1

usual commute, all tuckered out on the way home so had a super early night for once.