After recovering from the Outlaw Half last week it was back to full training and higher mileage joy. Monday was normal a 40 minute steady run to get the legs moving again with strength and conditioning work on Tuesday. I was away with work from Monday to Wednesday so no cycling or swimming during those days. Wednesday was a 7 mile run around Linate rowing lake near Milan. It sounds exciting being away in Italy with work but to be honest I only ever really see an office, a hotel room and the airport. Italian food is always pretty special though, so I’m definitely not complaining.
Friday was my longest run so far at 18 miles. The last long run I did was 16 miles and it didn’t go well. I got my nutrition all wrong so really struggled over the last three miles. That wasn’t going to happen this time. I decided to load myself up with food and drink (a banana, two gels, a protein bar and my trusty running drinks bottle to be precise). I got a few odd looks from people as I went past carrying half a grocery shop in my hands. Mental note: must come up with a better way of carrying all this stuff next time.
I felt good. The route was a loop from my home village though the country lanes. After eleven miles I decided to pick the pace up and brough my average mile times down. Result. I did the distance in 2 hours 23 minutes. Happy with that.
Saturday was a quick spin out with Sam my brother in law. Sunday was my long ride. To be honest I didn’t have the best preparation. I went out for belated birthday drinks, so I was fuelled with gin cocktails and curry. I could be wrong, but I’m not sure it’s on the recommended fuel list.
It was a five hour ride followed by a brick run. I’d decided to leave my car in Lichfield (where we went out) so I could cycle their from my house. The gin worked itself out after an hour and I felt good. The route was quite hilly, starting off with Beacon Hill just outside of Loughborough. That was a bit of a nasty leg wake up.
Things started to get a bit tiring at the four hour mark and I was looking forward to getting back to my car. The wind was quite strong and even with eating and drinking regularly I think my body was calling time out. I managed 78 miles which was a bit less than I’d planned but was good enough.
The brick run went well. It was only 10 minutes so it was just a leg stretch, but there was no noticeable leg fatigue. Job done. Bring on more miles next week (no curries or gin this time).