Over kill over hill

So after missing 2 workouts, I decided to make it up...

Did a brick workout last night, an hour on the bike then 20min run. Had a mini break in middle of ride as I stopped at a friends house to pick something up. Some very important lego merchandise for my son! Thank you friend!

Its really weird getting off the bike and going straight to the run.  My legs feel like they belong to someone else. Really bizarre! Really fun though. You feel like a spaceman (or woman!). Its a mildly addictive feeling. Try it sometime.

This morning I had the breakfast of champions (3 jelly babies) and went of to run up a big hill.  Half way up I thought my legs were going to fall off and wait for me by the side until I was done. Ridiculous legs today. But my legs and I did a deal.  If I made it to the top, I would give them an actual breakfast when we got back.

We made it. Hard going though.  But it was worth it, I feel like I have conquered.  The cows appreciated my whoop of joy at the top.  I did a little rocky type montage to them, (da da DAA da da DAA, and super cool shadow boxing) and inside (I could tell) I made them smile. Cows keep their cards close to their chests but I think they have a sense of humour underneath it all. They are not always moooody. I know I know....

Dear Blog

Dear Blog,

Its not you, its me. You are great, I am the one with the problem. I'm sorry we've been on a break.  I have not been giving you enough attention, and I'm sorry.  Lets not split up, lets try again. I'll change.
Yours apologetically,

Esther.

Its been a ridiculous week. I have not been to bed before midnight all week, and my youngest has been ill and up in the night every night. Its been a nightmare! We are off on youth summer camps over the next few weeks, and the preparations are intense. I have missed 2 workouts this week already, and its only Thursday.  Rubbish. I went for a run day before yesterday and honestly had my eyes closed for half of it.  I was running alone a quiet road with no traffic, and honestly thought to myself "I could just close my eyes for a bit til I get the the end of the road.  There is not traffic, its safe to sleep for this bit!"  Seriously, if I am considering sleep running in a semi conscious state then I *might* be overdoing it. Might be. Just a bit.

10 years

Got loads going on at the moment aside from Triathlonning. So mega busy. Finding it hard to get up and train when bedtime is midnight. But havent missed a day aside from my saturday rest day in 5 weeks. Pretty proud of that.

Have been married to Bradley for 10 years tomorrow! Best 10 years of my life.  Actually its been a whole third of my life. Looking forward to the day when I have been married longer than not married.  If that makes sense. Happy anniversary boy.  Here's to the next 10! x

Foxes vs Rabbits

Saw 2 foxes and 23 rabbits on my run this morning.  The rabbits were clearly pretty tough bunnies to be hanging around near the foxes.  I like to think they have staged a demonstration and won. Screw you foxes, we are not going to be afraid any more.

Go rabbits.

Swimming through molasses

This week is supposed to be a recovery week (easier workouts to prepare for much harder ones next week).

This mornings swim was only 750m which in theory is easy. But just couldn't get going today. Felt uncoordinated and weak, just couldn't find my pace. Started to get it together in the last 100m, which was really frustrating.

The problem? BED TIME! Just can't get there at a reasonable time. I am being woken by a sweet chubby hand poking me in the eyes at 6am which is fine as long as I am in bed at 10! The same chubby baby also woke me at 1am and 3am which doesn't help the tiredness issue!

Got lost with N on the run yesterday. Going for a run is so much more fun when you have to climb fences and wrestle through hedges!

What to wear to the ball....

So what am I supposed to wear for this thing? I have been researching, and I can get a cheap trisuit for about £30.  Is it worth it? Or should I just go all out nude.... I might have a chance at winning if I do that. Make them all run the other way! Like the cows!


No one is going to beat this guy...

Sunday swim - 1k
Monday bike - 9 miles

Steak + swim = tiring swim

Went out for dinner with some family last night and enjoyed a huge steak.  Thank you Boars Head Aust. Very nice. The downside, was trying to stay afloat in the water this morning. Hard work!

150m warm up
7x100m
150m cool down

=1 kilometre

sleep riding

Thursday - 45 mins on the bike whilst actually asleep.  I opened my eyes when cars were coming. Mostly.

Food and mood and mood food

Ran through fields of wheat in the early morning summer rain. Well worth the early start. I love running in the rain. It's my favourite running weather. It's the icing on the cake.

And whilst on the subject of cake...

I am finding it increasingly hard to know what I should be eating and how much is sensible. I am still breastfeeding my youngest, and training 6 days a week. Those 2 factors make me really hungry.

I am aware that not eating enough will mean I have a hungry baby, but eating too much is very easy. It's a tough balance. I get moody in the afternoons if I have not eaten enough, and lazy if I eat too much.

My morning sessions are going to get longer and tougher in the next few weeks, so need to get the balance right. Less chocolate, more umm, good for you type stuff!

Laptop lifeguarding

Kids have a piece of technology for everything these days! The young lifeguard this morning was deeply engrossed in his laptop.

The ability to save lives whilst looking at a screen is a brilliant piece of technology. Either that or he was just on Facebook ... My mum says he would look up if there was suddenly no splashing noises. Surely he would need to look up if there were LOTS of splashing noises...

200m warm up
50m x2 fast
75m x6 faster
250m cool down

Total: one kilometre.

Sunday runday moo

Went for a 6.15am run with great friend n. Mostly involved taking shirts off and running at the cows shouting. She is a vet, but I was still terrified. Heart rate monitor went bananas!

I heart you heart rate monitor friend

So for the last week I have been wearing a heart rate monitor for my workouts. Its been fun. I have a new relationship with my heart. I have never known what its been up to until now.

I am trying to work at 70-80% of my maximum heart rate. I thought I would be struggling to get to it, but actually I am near the top of it for the running, about right for the biking, and near the bottom for the swim. So I need to swim harder, and run easier. I would never have known that.

Its also pretty cool wearing it around the house because I am a geek like that.  When I shout at the kids (which is OBVIOUSLY never....) it goes pretty high!

Badger dodge

Did 10 miles on the bike on Thursday morning. Was pretty much asleep on auto pilot aside from the big hill (which was not so bad this time, helps to know when the top is coming.  The more I ride it, the easier it gets). 

In my half asleepness I nearly rode straight over a dead badger. I smelt it before I saw it, and swerved just in time. Poor little dude. Actually its not the worst thing I see on my rides.  The worst is people meeting up at 6am down by the river to "talk" or whatever. They never expect to see me thats for sure! MORNING!! I usually cheerfully shout.  They love that...