Training Log Archive: jed

Tour de Forth. Team of 3 from work (after 3 drop outs). Off in the 2nd wave, 100 people so more people than I've ever cycled with. It was also pretty wet so confidence not high as had to be really aware of others and careful of slippy bits. Ingliston, Kirkliston, Dalmney, South Queensferry (horrible slippy cobbles), Hopeton House. Groups really surgey. Remembered to start taking on my drink early. Never had experience of being stopped at lights for so long so groups split up (so Tom from our team was gone) but I was conscious I didn't want to be dragged along way too fast so this was probably good.

Forth Road Bridge, Rosyth, Limekilns, Charlestown, Crombie, along the Forth to Low Valleyfield and Culross. Pretty flat so the pace was higher than I've liked, I hoped I wasn't working too hard but at one point looked back and there was no one behind me (we must have created a big gap to next wave) so knew I had to hang on. John from work was good, he'd go at his pace but every now and then would make sure I wasn't dropped.

Kincardine Bridge to feed station. I find stopping weird as want to keep going but took on fuel and the 3 of us were back together so soon off again. Skinflats then to Grangemouth. The rain had stopped but the wind had picked up and we were straight into it. John and Tom let me shelter in and we caught another group. I was only just managing to stay on the back but just girted my teeth and worked hard as knew it would be worse if I got dropped and wanted to at least start the hills together.

Turned onto the back roads towards West Lothian Golf Club and hill straight away. Surprised myself here as felt reasonably good and moved through people, felt way more at home than on the flats. Every time we climbed I just kept the legs spinning as I'd been told, letting my general fitness take over and left the people I was with. This gave me a boost as Dad normally destroys me on hills but realised that didn't mean I was rubbish. Towards Phillipston and we caught more people. Kept with the front of the group down into Linlithgow, taking on energy, ready for the last climb before the zoom home.

Moved away from the whole group here and went straight through everyone I caught. I think I annoyed a lot of people, a girl, on a cheap bike, with no cleats, with little strength just a tank of fitness and the ability to make myself hurt. Then it was just a case of how many would come past me again on the fast section home. I had to fight with the wind for a bit and hoped someone would come. Two guys did, just before Winchburgh, one of which was John which was kind of nice as he'd helped me a lot early on. Unfortunately he was with another guy and they were flying and I couldn't match them on the flat, even drafting.

I had recced this bit so knew it wasn't far so got my head down and just worked as hard as I could. Two more guys got me but I stuck in and caught two others. Absolutely champing at the bit at the long lights in Kirkliston as didn't want anyone else to catch me. Scary side wind down out of Kirkliston but was almost smiling on returning to Ingliston as smashed 4hours (time including feed station, big light stops 3:45:19. Less than a minute behind John in the end and Tom DNFd with cramp (both of which do a lot of cycling). Really enjoyed it and glad I've got another one coming up (albeit I'll have to keep up with Dad) and pretty cool having cyclists compliment me of my uphill riding! Training helped (time on bike, better at taking on fuel) but I didn't have the crash in the middle or after that I did last time, rather was strong to the end so I think that might have been more positive evidence of iron tablets.

C • Well done! 2

Ingliston to South Queesferry to join Mum and Dad for post race cafe after their urban even there. Followed the start of the route and the roads were much drier so a lot more pleasant. Not moving fast but did take me over the 100km.

Just before taking the bike back out the car at Hermiston Gait, my tyre suddenly went flat. Part of the inner wheel had worn away and eventually broke the tyre (or something like that). So the bike stayed in the car so can be fixed....thankfully it happened when it did!

Hilly, mostly off road easy run down home. Pre breakfast and I was ready for it when got home but plenty mud and fun wee trails to keep me happy. Lanton (from wee bridge, earthbanks, near Timpendeen, railways carriage), Tudhope, Skiprunning Burn, back of Hundalee and home.

Still doing what I'm told.

Being off on a Monday and away means this has to be fitted in later in the week which isn't ideal but surprisingly felt better for doing it.

Wet, wet, wet inc. a few drills. Tight for time so had to keep moving.

Super wet, had waterproof on for first set it was so bad and had the track all to myself funnily enough. 3x (3x400m (100m fast float) 1 lap walk/job between sets. First set was actually rubbish, just couldn't move my legs fast enough, think I've really got the 10km pace in my head but should have been nearer 5km. However after that the session was actually really good and was back on or under target pace.

Feel beaten up.

Easy run up Craiglockhart with Rona, Saz (& Phil for some). Hamstrings definitely took a battering last night.

Inc. drills. Crawled home after. Struggle with recovery after these big evening session as can't eat for a while, then when I do force myself I feel horrible but can't leave it too long as need to get to bed to ensure sleep enough as up early next morning.

Out of work late and had been pretty much dreading this session all day but keen to get it done as it's a big money one I wanted in the bank before next races.
6x1600m (3mins, ish going in gap) solo on the track. Real mind games, told myself to get to half way on pace (slightly quick as usual to here), then get to 4reps and that's where it normally starts hurting in 10km. I started to slip at start of 5 but halfway through I caught a girl doing a different session which dragged me back on pace and held it for last lap. Then it was just a case of grinding out last rep...another session lying on ground at end. Every rep quicker than my target (2secs quicker average) which is really positive as in the past in these sessions I fall off around 7km. Stuck in mentally as it's all about training your mind to deal with this pain in races and overall really happy with the session. Maybe the iron is having an affect already :).

Bank holiday so took the opportunity to get another long cycle in before weekend, wet but only at times. Across the border to Cornhill (stopping at the recommended shop cafe) via back roads (Walkersknowe, Nisbet, Bowmont Forest, Softlaw and Wark Common). Back along the Tweed then back roads from Kelso to Eckford then straight home over Sharplaw with a blast up Ladylands at end for fun. Felt good all the way out but some bits got tough being solo on way home as a relentless pull up from Kelso and nowhere to hide.