SMASHING IT

This week I have been trying very hard to SMASH myself! The last few weeks of training have been very up and down to say the least, so this being the last full week before we go on HOLIDAY (yipppeeee), I decided to go hell for leather and SMASH myself.

Mondays easy/recovery ride turned into Spinervals Hillacious with Coach Troy. niiice... This was in the evening after my first day back at the gym in 2 weeks. My legs were suffering from the squats etc, but I kept at it and did a great, sweaty workout. Lovely

Tuesday was my drills run session. Lunges, knee ups, butt kicks.... all very energetic on legs that are sore from the previous day. However, it was a great run all the same. The evening saw another big swim set by the coach. About halfway through the 3000m set my legs kept cramping up everytime I pushed off the wall, so I had to take it easy and just swim off the wall instead. This slows you down somewhat! Probably what I should be doing all the time, but hey.... I'll take a time advantage where I can get it!

Wednesday I decided to do my ride in the morning instead of in the afternoon. I was out at 5.45am and it was great!! It was so quiet out on the streets - hardly any traffic, no wind - perfect. My legs were SMASHED though. Every little hill hurt but I wasn't going to let that stop me. I found some short sharp ones to haul my ass up and really make it hurt. Felt great when I finished, but pooped at 3pm when I should have been at the gym (note the "should"). Oh well, I can't win 'em all.

This morning was a 1hr 25min run which was to include 2x 12:30 hills. I couldn't find a hill long enough to run up close to home, so I decided to do 4x 7ish mins up a hill I have been running for the last few weeks. I SMASHED it!!!! The first one was 7:15, 2nd 7:08; 3rd 7:15 again, and then I decided to run the last one hard to attempt sub 7 - SMASHED it in 6:52!!!!!!!!! I am a legend!!!!! I have to say that this hill has become easier in the last few weeks - not easy, but easier. My turn around point was at the petrol station at the top of the hill, and each time I turned the attendant was staring at me out the window - probably waiting for me to pass out!! He must have been wondering what the nutter was doing running up and down Waihi Rd at 6am!

So, this week has been great so far. Isn't it amazing what the thought of a holiday will do to you. I have a rest day tomorrow (although I may attempt Wednesdays missed weights session), then a 3hr ride on Saturday and a 1hr 15min recovery ride on Sunday + a swim. I am planning to SMASH Saturdays ride and punish myself further in the hills.

As for next week, well there will be a spot of training in amongst packing, driving to Auckland, catching a plane and flying away from 18 degrees and into 28 degrees!!! Niiiiice. I changed my currency today and it seems more real now. The kids finish school tomorrow for 2 weeks of holidays, and then on Thursday it's Australia here we come for 10 glorious days - I will have my running shoes and my togs, but no bike - bliss!

The last few weeks I must admit I have been questioning this madness of training (again). Spending every spare minute, every weekend, every early morning training. I was wondering if I had finally had enough of it. If it was time to quit. But I can't..... I can't quit training even when some days are hard. I can't give it up, throw away everything I have worked so hard at. I just obviously need a break. I haven't had a decent holiday in over 18months due to Ironman training, so it is time to re-energise I think.

btw, this week hasn't gone along without incident. I had to pick up one of the boys from school today because he had taken a knock to the head by a DESK! What you ask? Well, they had the desks stacked on top of one another to make room for 2 classes of kids, and Blake knocked one over which SMASHED down onto his head as he was sitting below it. Lots of blood and one Doctors visit later, and he is ok. Thankfully he didn't need stitches because what would a trip to Australia be if he couldn't swim!!!

Ciow for now....