Bad life choices

The weekend was an up and down one, when it came to training.

After a big two weeks, where I really and truly discovered the benefit of interval training. Obviously, like all elite (ish) athletes, I have heard of the concepts, through I have never really got around to trying it, and moreover, trying it properly. Last week was a winner, with one running session on the treadmill consisting of 12k at one 5 minute k, then one 4 minute k. That was tough, but fun, and rewarding, especially to be able to pull it off. Then, it was onto the bike the next day, for 5 minutes at 100 RPM (or about 140 heart rate) then 5 minutes at 125 RPM (or about 175 heart rate) for an hour. Holy crap, very tough.

But then, on Saturday morning, it was on . A 10k run first, leaving at about 4.30 am. I did about a 49.30, so that was under 5 minute ks. Now, for most, that is not great, but at this stage for me, it is going well. And, I still had about 40 ks to ride on the bike.

So, onto the bike - now just so that you know, the club that I ride with uses Saturday morning as a recovery ride (which is understandable - you need an easy session at least once a week), so I was expecting a ride at about a 30k an hour average speed. Only 4 of us turned up, and yep, the pace was about 30 k an hour for about half of the ride. Then, Stuart turned up. Stuie is probably the pick of the riders in our club, up there with Jodine, who is always on fire. Between those two, if they are both there, I know the ride will be tough. And, the second half of the ride was. We were kicking along at 50k an hour there at one stage. So, it turned out to be a little tough, in the end. But we all held up. Jodine was a little knackered after a 300 k week. She can ride, too. And she never gives up. Go girl.

We ended up averaging over 29 k an hour for the ride, which was good.

I was looking to Sunday, then, for a 30k run. See, the triathlon training is going well, but I still have this 100k run to do in May. Eek.

So, onto the bad life style choices. On Saturday night, our 11, nearly 12 (birthday tomorrow) year old (Toby) had a birthday party, and had a sleep over. So, it was pizzas for dinner. Then, I took Zac (his little brother) to Les Miserables on Saturday night (and the ice cream shop on the way). More ice cream on the way home, home made bacon and egg burgers for breakfast on Sunday, followed by chocolate and lollies meant that I was not in a really great state for a big run in the afternoon. It was just so slack, and I do regret it, given that Mooloolaba is only two weeks away. After the effort on Saturday morning, I weighed in at 82.6 kg, which is on track for me to make it (or nearly make it) under 80kg by the triathlon. I really was slack on the weekend, with my diet, but hey that is past now, and it is not something that I recommend. My theory was that I would run it all over for three hours. But, you jut can't run on that sort of a diet.

So, with all that crap in my tummy, I tried a long run. Bad move. After 1k, I was off to the toilet (not in the bush - for a change). Then, after 10, I had massive stomach aches. By 12 k, they were unbearable, and I called my wife for a lift home. One run I would rather forget. Anyway, poor choices, and I have learnt my lesson. I think I was celebrating after a great effort on Saturday.

Then, I was watching the Biggest Loser on Sunday night, and Phil put on 5 kg in the last week. See, he won the half marathon on the show, and it appears that he had been celebrating for the week, and stacked it on. I can understand his mindset. It is easy to do. You just have to keep focused on the goal.

My training buddies, Mark and Marc came through with some words of encouragement last night, though I know that I made a big mistake. I won't make it again.

I will make up for it in the next two weeks, with a planned at least 15 sessions. I will let you know how I get on.

Anyway, you know you are an elite athlete when "you have to be picked up on your run with self induced stomach pains from poor diet after only 12ks".

Until next time, keep training.

Anton