Training Log Archive: Mounty

Benchmark run. Headed out for a loop around Middle Harbour with an eye to comparing fitness to the couple of times I did this run before XPD last year. Expectations were suitably low, with recent training best categorised as sporadic, unstructured exercise. Ended up getting around 20minutes quicker than last year - go figure.

Run started with some fashion advice on the way out the door (Dad, you're wearing a girl's hat), then banging my head on the lemon hanging from the tree down the street (again!). Feeling quite good, so I tried to settle on to 4.5m/ks and see how long I'd last. Main point of note in the first hour is that listening to the ponderings of Tim Minchin while running, is like running with Shep.

By Tunks Park, started to suspect that I was going to get around without bonking and was rather enjoying myself - particularly the singletrack bits thru the Cove's.

Climbs from the water to Castle Cove top, then over Killarney stung a bit, but finished in good shape. Then headed to mum's to eat pizza for her birthday.

Fortune of circumstance saw the kids both at gymnastics at the same time. Had the MTB's ready to go for a spin with wifey, but weather induced change of plan at the last minte. Was too nice a day not to be on the water.

Headed to Narrabeen to see if Katrin's paddling has progressed to being comfy on the ocean. Bewdiful day - sunny, with a 10kt nor easter. Towards NZ for 15minutes, then south to Curly and back.

Katrin going well on the straight downwinds, but more to learn angling across the runs. Upwind was amusing - struggling a bit with the micro weight transfers and tempo fiddles to maintain momentum in to the bumps, until she suddenly said "i get it now, it's just like MTB'ing' and improved noticeably in an instant.

Trouble free ride for once. Enjoyed the sight of the toilet block next to the local high school wrapped in toilet paper, confirming it is the end of term. Reminded me of a similar incident with the tour bus on an A/NZ challenge orienteering trip many moons ago.

Noticed a bit of tightness-induced inward rotation on the right hip, which inhibits the glute from doing its thing. Need to stretch.

Up-tempo ride home. Behind a decent roadie for a little while - Just can't match that high cadence spinning they do.

Back riding in the dark - sort of. The Lupine light is probably overkill for commuting.

Worked from home, and nicked out for a spin just before dark. Session was 4 * 500m efforts with 4 * 30sec on each return journey. Paddling with the power of a long distance runner. Bloody nice to be on the water though.

Busy sporting week for Annika. She backed up from AROC race with school cross country today.

Debacle. New chain came off under Roseville Bridge, and jammed between wheel and cassette. Limit screws hadn't been set when new group installed recently (yeah, yeah should have checked myself). Wedged tight enough to stop the wheel spinning which made for a rather exciting slide. Took quite a long time to get it out, then a few links were bent and jumping, so soft pedalled on.

Headed in to town to replace chain at bike shop, and made it to work pretty much in time for dinner.

Rode home at 11pm.

Ran from Willoughby pool to office, then return in evening. Tried to go via Tunks, but it got dark so I google mapped my way thru the streets.

Evening ergo, with 9*100m efforts. Much better session than the log suggests.

Rode with Tom to school, then continued. Didn't get far before the rear tyre below off the rim - tube fine, just popped off (newish tyre). Pump didn't work very well, so I rode back home instead and worked from there for the day.

Went for a run with the kids on the school cross country course in the arvo.