The week so far has been interesting - I've been busy at work - even managed to do my first month end on my own.
The training has been successful - sort of - have not reached the proper distances as per program on some of the sessions, but doing the best I can under the circumstances.
The weather in the first couple of days has been Cape Town summer - Tuesday especially was 42 degrees when I left my client in Worcestor to race back to do my long run - Tuesday was a bit of stress bunny day - when you've got a commitment after work and you watching the clock knowing its a two hour drive back home. Anyway, done and dusted and looking forward to the weekend now.
On an amusing note though - and here's where a little back story comes into play - I have two messed up shoulders, one where the collar bone points freakishly skyward and another that I hurt as a combination of my neck injuries in my bike accident and a trip down the Zambezi (don't ask) anyway, I can't really do backstroke in the pool as my arms don't bend backwards without a clicking, grinding sound that I could seriously do without, so I just do crawl when we have to do backstroke at squad - btw I actually suck at all other strokes except crawl, I learnt to swim very late in life - but last night I attempted to do butterfly.
Well I got two strokes in when my right shoulder clicked out AND my neck went into spasm, and I am waiting for it to loosen up a bit so I can click it back into place.
All this exercise is particularly bad for one's health hahhaah
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Weekend
Haven't blogged in a while, yes I'm very guilty!
Had a bit of an interesting week, work-wise - did my first month end for Dark Horse Consulting, and had a 13 day on Friday, so ended up missing two or three sessions in total last week.
I was worried that it would end up being another missed session when I got up on Saturday morning - the wind was howling so badly - and the trip from Hout Bay down into Camps Bay turned into a trial by fire - at some stages I just wanted to stop and get off, I couldn't keep the bike straight, the wind usually gusts off the mountain side-on, heaven forbid one should be using a pair of deep sections on the bike :)
Once we got through Camps Bay, it was more settled and ended up riding through to the Atlantis turn off on the R27 - it was a pretty big group and we all knew that once we turned around, the real work would begin. It was a SLOG.
But I just concentrated on sitting on my bars and turning over and try not to think about the wind. I think it eventually becomes a head thing to just try and shut it out (pretend you're riding up a looooooong hill)
One the way back up Suikerbossie, I think the week and the lack of proper nutrition caught up with me - I went a little hypoglycemic, when you starting feeling a bit chilled even though its hot and I personally start getting the shakes.
But just kept it steady and I suppose that eventually you will get to the top.
Down into Hout Bay, and another loop to make up the final distance and another long ride in the bag! (Thank goodness)
Had a bit of an interesting week, work-wise - did my first month end for Dark Horse Consulting, and had a 13 day on Friday, so ended up missing two or three sessions in total last week.
I was worried that it would end up being another missed session when I got up on Saturday morning - the wind was howling so badly - and the trip from Hout Bay down into Camps Bay turned into a trial by fire - at some stages I just wanted to stop and get off, I couldn't keep the bike straight, the wind usually gusts off the mountain side-on, heaven forbid one should be using a pair of deep sections on the bike :)
Once we got through Camps Bay, it was more settled and ended up riding through to the Atlantis turn off on the R27 - it was a pretty big group and we all knew that once we turned around, the real work would begin. It was a SLOG.
But I just concentrated on sitting on my bars and turning over and try not to think about the wind. I think it eventually becomes a head thing to just try and shut it out (pretend you're riding up a looooooong hill)
One the way back up Suikerbossie, I think the week and the lack of proper nutrition caught up with me - I went a little hypoglycemic, when you starting feeling a bit chilled even though its hot and I personally start getting the shakes.
But just kept it steady and I suppose that eventually you will get to the top.
Down into Hout Bay, and another loop to make up the final distance and another long ride in the bag! (Thank goodness)
Sunday, February 27, 2011
West Coast Wind
Sat morning 5am and the alarm goes off. Faaaaaaaaaaaak here we go. I can hear the wind gusting outside. I think to myself if we get more than 100km in on the bike today we will be lucky. I wanted to sleep on but knew I would miss out anf kick myself later if I wasn't there.
5:45 we are at Velocity Sports Lab ready to to start riding. A few guys and chicks pulled in and the by the look one everyones face I could see that no was that keen to brave the wind let alone face it on the windiest stretch of road in the Cape ..... The West Coast Road!!!
The stretch of road down to Camps Bay we were met with terrible cross winds I actually contemplated changing the route but once we had made it down to the Vida we had settled down and started to find our rhythm.
There were about 20 of us which was really cool it always makes it that much more pleasant when you are in a group. A group comprising ... multiple Ironmen, people who have raced in Kona, people training to tackle the Pyrenees mountains and guys putting in the distance for their first Ironman. A great group.
The ride out was comfortable with a nice tail wind and my bike after its set up felt so aero. It really has made such a difference. We went through Koeberg reserve and then a further 5km down the W coast road. We turned ........ HELL ........ hahahaha okay not so bad. We worked in a team riding back towards Cape Town.
In strong winds I always try to ride lighter gears and keep my cadence higher ... it always makes the work feel less and it saves your legs.
Eventually we arrive back at the Vida in Camps bay for a quick re-fuel before tackling Suikerbossie.
The run on Sunday a bit of a mixture of trail and road. we parked at Constantia Nek and ran the green belt down to the Vida in the village (funny how many times I am riding or running to Vida ... I think I have a problem) to meet Ryan for his Vida run. It was great fun and we got about 2.5 hours on the legs. SATISFIED with that.
Later today will be a quick gym ..... no point in doing Ironman if you don't look good crossing the line!!! hahahahahaha.
Ciao for now.
RobbieG
5:45 we are at Velocity Sports Lab ready to to start riding. A few guys and chicks pulled in and the by the look one everyones face I could see that no was that keen to brave the wind let alone face it on the windiest stretch of road in the Cape ..... The West Coast Road!!!
The stretch of road down to Camps Bay we were met with terrible cross winds I actually contemplated changing the route but once we had made it down to the Vida we had settled down and started to find our rhythm.
There were about 20 of us which was really cool it always makes it that much more pleasant when you are in a group. A group comprising ... multiple Ironmen, people who have raced in Kona, people training to tackle the Pyrenees mountains and guys putting in the distance for their first Ironman. A great group.
The ride out was comfortable with a nice tail wind and my bike after its set up felt so aero. It really has made such a difference. We went through Koeberg reserve and then a further 5km down the W coast road. We turned ........ HELL ........ hahahaha okay not so bad. We worked in a team riding back towards Cape Town.
In strong winds I always try to ride lighter gears and keep my cadence higher ... it always makes the work feel less and it saves your legs.
Eventually we arrive back at the Vida in Camps bay for a quick re-fuel before tackling Suikerbossie.
The run on Sunday a bit of a mixture of trail and road. we parked at Constantia Nek and ran the green belt down to the Vida in the village (funny how many times I am riding or running to Vida ... I think I have a problem) to meet Ryan for his Vida run. It was great fun and we got about 2.5 hours on the legs. SATISFIED with that.
Later today will be a quick gym ..... no point in doing Ironman if you don't look good crossing the line!!! hahahahahaha.
Ciao for now.
RobbieG
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