Prudential Ride 100 recap

The finish line / helmet hair!

So its been a while and I have been finding that my time has been limited in keeping up with regularly blogging. I used to always find a cheeky time in the afternoon at work to quickly jot 5 minutes worth of thoughts down but over the past year that has not happened as my work commitments have increased and the last thing I want to do when I get home or at the weekend is sit at my laptop. As mentioned in previous posts I have considered deleting this blog but so much has happened on here that I feel this blog is a part of me and I do miss writing. So the blog stays and I challenge myself to shift some of my priorities to make time for blogging and frankly a better lifestyle.

So what has happened since May in my last post? Well I am delighted to say I completed the Prudential Ride 100 at the end of last month. My training mainly consisted of spin classes and was sketchy, as in June I was away for a week with work and then on holiday for two weeks, but I did it, even with only two actual training rides in Richmond Park and even then my mileage in training was only 30 miles! Also it was only the weekend prior to the race that I brought clip shoes and pedals. So it was a challenge that had me really worried and to say I felt nervous and sick at the start line was understatement! Riding a bike at speed is something that scares me as I feel quite unconfident and my start was quite slow. (Plus I was worried about being clipped in on my bike). The first 20 miles were slow as I got to grips with my bike as well as preserve my energy. Once I hit Richmond Park my speed increased as I met up with my friends Alice and Robb.

Unfortunately I did get stuck behind a nasty accident in Surrey and for a time was stopped while the injured was airlifted to hospital. However, that aside everyone was very considerate and upbeat and I think we were all thankful to be able to still be a part of the race. The surrey leg of the course was fantastic, the hills were a challenge but fun and the section entering Kingston and Wimbledon was amazing. The crowds were so encouraging and from that point my confidence built and my speed actually increased. I even found myself powering up Wimbledon Hill despite my legs screaming in tiredness. The buzz of riding through parts of London that I have lived or worked in on closed roads was electrifying. Cycling downhill in Putney was exciting and going along the Thames through Chelsea up to Westminster and onto the Mall well and truly took my breath away. As I cycled up to finish line I found myself holding back the tears as I had done it. Along with the triathlon this finish felt emotional and it was a huge boost. It was a great reminder that I can do these things and for the first time in a long time it made me think and want to reconnect with my original pleasure, running. So watch this space. Kate is planning a running comeback!

Training recap – w/c 9/5

So last week was week 1 of 12 in the lead up to my 100 mile cycle. Training went quite well. I completed 3 spin classes and had a 60 min PT session which focused on my legs and core (and boy I felt sore afterwards)!

Last weekend I was mean’t to ride in Richmond Park, but in the end I was house hunting – looking into new areas to move too as me and my husband plan on making the move out of the big smoke. However, I do intend on cycling in the park this weekend as I am keen to get out on my bike, rather than just hitting the spin classes at the gym.

Here are my training stats for last week:

• Mon – Spin class. 45 min. Cals 437. 11.5 miles covered. RPM 80-95. Avg heart rate 151
• Tue – Rest day
• Wed – Spin class. 45 mins. Cals 400. 11.5 miles covered. RPM 80-90. Avg heart rate 158
• Thurs -(Virtual) Spin class. 30 mins. Cals 270. 13.5 miles covered. RPM 95-100. Avg heart rate 155
• Fri – PT session inc burpees, plank, deadlifts, weighted squats. Cals 302. Avg heart rate 120.
• Sat – House hunting
• Sun – Rest day

This week’s training has been good so far, which I will recap here next week and hopefully I can also chuck in some pictures of Richmond Park too!

Lacklustre

Get back to it!

This week has turned into a bit of an nothingness week exercise wise. The week started on a high in that I finally had a better 10k run, then Tuesday my swim never happened. I woke up late and simply decided to slack it off. Not a great attitude but I felt so tired when my alarm went off at 6am that I managed to end up sleeping soundly for another 90 mins before having the ‘cr*p I am late for work rush around!’ Wednesday I regained my mojo and went spinning which was brutal, but I am totally loving my local spin class. Sophie the instructor is fantastic, she has so much energy and really makes you work but at the same you can see that she is really working herself too. Then Thursday I felt tired and very achy and again there was no swim. No excuse other than laziness on my side. So, today I made myself go out for a 5k run at lunch, as I have spent all week just sat at my desk, not really moving around and as well as not moving, I have been eating more than I should. *Doh!

Instead of beating myself up I think I will give myself this week off (we’re all allowed a week off and my boyfriend seems happier in that I have been home at a normal time and that we have actually socialized together). Next week I need to get back into the routine properly – being active and getting back into the pool as well as eating better – as my next challenge is buying a wedding dress for my wedding in November. I am now officially 12 weeks out from my wedding and I have the final 7lbs to loose!

Training catch-up and then some!

Richmond Park Run 5lk

Apologies for the weeks absence – I have been training but i’ve not had the time post about it. So to start in order lets go back to last weekend. Last Saturday I met my friend Ali in Richmond park to take part in the Park Run 5k and then for a lap of the park (or two laps for Ali) on the bike.

Despite the cold breeze the weather was perfect, really sunny which made the 6am start on a bank holiday Saturday all the more bearable.  I rode my bike from my flat to Clapham Junction, jumped on the train to Richmond and then rode to the park (and took on a nice hill on Petersham Road). Once at the park we parked up our bikes joined the park runners and set off for our 5k run in the glorious sunshine. Annoyingly I found the run hard after 2 miles and found myself on a walk-jog-walk-jog action for the last mile completing the 5k run in 31 mins. Which was slow, very slow. I could really feel it and felt tired which made me doubt the bike ride afterwards, never mind completing an actual triathlon! However, on reflection I had run everyday during that week as well try body pump for the first on the Thursday (which I was feeling on the Friday and Saturday) so I think my body was tired and actually needed some time to get over the shock of being worked out so much in one week (normally I only run 3 times a week and swim twice a week).

After the run, we collected our bikes and set off on our laps. Ali -who is beyond fit as she has her third triathlon in 3 weeks time and is attempting her first Olympic distance – rode off quite quickly and by mile 4 I couldn’t even see her in the distance. I decided that as this was the first time I was out properly on my bike, riding fast (for me) I was simply going to get used to riding at speed and get to grips with my bike. I enjoyed the ride and can see that I need to start getting out more on my bike as well as take on a spinning class during the week, as I really could feel it in my legs. My legs are more used to running so I need to start waking up the other muscles that I do not use regularly so I can increase my endurance.  By the time I completed my first lap I knew Ali was onto her second so I waited for her to finish. All in all the bike and run in Richmond park saw me complete 10 miles. I then had to ride another 2 miles back to the train station and then another mile back to my flat. So by the time I was home at midday I had done 14 miles (including the ride to the park in the morning too). I felt good and I can see where I need to improve, it was also great meeting up and training with Ali as she was really encouraging and motivating – a great triathlon guruNow we just need to get the date in the diary for the next training session!

 

A slow 5K Run! Boo!

Coming back

Once again I have been a bit silent and for that I apologise, I know its bad blogging manners, but in truth I haven’t had that much to say in the past week or so and I didn’t want to post any old thing for the sake of it.

As per my last post, I am still swotting up triathlon training plans and this evening I am off to collect my brand new bike. Quite excited although I have no idea where this will go in my teeny tiny flat. The bike is a Specialized Ladies Dolce Sport Bike and is the first bike I have owned in 15 years.

Specialized Ladies Dolce Sport Bike

Quite smart hey?! Getting set to train for my first triathlon is really starting to happen now and this week I have also felt a huge improvement in my knee which is great, as cutting back on the running has been really frustrating.

Today I went out and completed my first 5k in 3 weeks in a surprising time of 26.46. So not too shabby and just the boost I needed this week, as the thought of completely losing my fitness was starting to worry me. I just need to start building myself and my knee back up to a 10k distance, although the aim of completing a 10k in under an hour before the year is out is over I think. But I guess all I can do is work hard and effectively! I’m coming back!