It's been a good, no GREAT, weekend

FINALLY - some sunshine and fine weather instead of weather bombs.

Max HR testing over, it was time to roll in the hills again on Saturday. I had 2hrs 45mins scheduled with 2 hill reps off our local hill riding mecca Welcome Bay. It seemed every man and his machine in bright yellow was riding on Saturday as in the space of about 50metres I saw 20 cyclists - literally ALL in fluroescent yellow! The cycle safety message is obvisously starting to get through.

My main aim was to stay seated through all the climbs. I did manage this bar a couple of times when I had to stand to unlock my lower back! The last few times I've been over Welcome Bay I have spent the entire time in and out of the saddle. This time, much better. Legs a little trashed afterwards, but successful all the same. I was bloody slow, but efficiency and strength building was the order of the day, not land speed records!

Fast forward to the afternoon, and I had my first real taste of what it would be like to Coach "for real". And I looooved it. I am coaching a 15 year old boy to his first triathlon in December. He is in the school rowing team and is fit and able, but hasn't swum in a long time. So, with Mum watching, we set about trying to put together a swim plan for him. He has the technique and the speed, just not much endurance. But, ample time to get there, so he is away. Mum has asked me to give him info regarding nutrition and the such like as he won't listen to Mum and Dad - "maybe coming from you he will do it"..... so, info sheet all typed up, he now has his first official programme and I'm hoping I won't kill him in the first week.

After I had been with him, my next group arrived. This was for my casual technique/ recovery swim that I am trying to get running for my tri peeps. Today 5 came. It was great. They had all dragged themselves from a nap on the couch, and then proceeded to swim and love it. All claimed they would be back next week, dependant of course on whether they had any better offers at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.

This week we were social ourselves on a Saturday night, and went to dinner at a friends house. The sun has barely peeked out from behind winter and we had our first BBQ of the summer! YUMMO. The cookies and cream ice cream covered in chocolate sauce, not so great, but oh so good all the same.

Today was a 1hr 10min easy recovery ride. Got about 1hr into it when the nice wee hissssss sounded from my front tyre. Wish I had timed myself because that had to be the fastest, calmest change of a puncture I have ever had. Normally I stamp my feet for 10mins and blow and curse the interruption to my ride, before I even think about getting the tools out. Today, the sun was shining, I only had 10mins to ride to get home, so I sat in the sun and changed it. Got the last bit of the tyre on without a swear word or a stomped foot too - another success!

We sold our car (finally) last week, so decided to take the kids out to lunch for a treat. Liam has been a bit unwell this weekend, but wanted to go all the same. Not sure what drugs they put in his food, because he came home and slept for 3hours! That hasn't happened since he was about 4, so it was a very quiet afternoon in our tired household (midnight social outings and training are really quite hard work!)

This evening we have been at my Dad's for dinner - another BBQ - I love summer! The best bit though??? 2 dinners and 1 lunch I didn't have to cook this weekend! BLISS............