BRICK
June 6th, 2009 by Andy NicollLast week and into this I’ve had the longest break from action for as long as I can remember. I did a whole 8 days, Tuesday to Tuesday, without running or biking - I did however have a bit of a swim in the Med but it wasn’t exactly serious as me and my boys had a ’silliest entry’ competition which I reckon I won with my ‘front somersault butt splash’.
I thought the break might have done me good but when I got back and tried to train I felt like a lead weight rather than a springy fully rested athlete. I’m not convinced munching pizzas and guzzling beer while sitting on the balcony watching the world go by is what you’d class as quality training. Oh well, at least I only do it for a week - some folks live their whole lives like that.
Anyway it’s back to business now and after cycling to work on Wednesday I ran with my dog Thursday morning then did a hard run Thursday night with the guys at Bingley Harriers. As is always the case - on the night when I’d have settled for a steady hour, Robin (a close friend of mine who is a fantastic athlete and far quicker than me) was up for a blast. He took four of us on a hilly off road 10 miler around Bingley and St Ives and I was definitely the wooden leg of the team hanging on to the back of the bunch with my tongue trailing on the ground.
Friday morning my legs felt as stiff as a very stiff board but I still managed to hobble my way around my dog jog which I think helped the recovery process.
This morning, despite the lovely British summer weather (cold, rain and wind) I did what the Tri freternity call a BRICK or a ‘bike run session’. Not really sure why they call it a brick - perhaps triathletes aren’t too great at spelling (maybe I’m perfectly suited to the sport….!!).
I did 1 hour on the bike at reasonable intensity then jumped off, stripped off a couple of layers, put on my trainers and shackled the dog before heading out for a quick 20 min run through the woods.
I’m starting to use my HRM a bit more now and today’s sesh used 1300 Cals of energy over 1 hr 20 mins with an average of 153 (85%) and a max 0f 172 (96%). I’m not entirely sure what to do with the data yet but everyone seems to swear by heart rate training so I think I’ll give it another try.
Just 4 weeks to La Marmotte in the Alps so I need to try and get some more long bike rides in but next weekend it’s the Millennium way realy where I’m running leg 2 for Bingley with my pal Jamie so my biking might get curtailed.
Tonight we’re off to a 70’s Fancy Dress Disco - photo to follow…..
