health – Page 3

The last couple of weeks of training has gone well. The weather has been improving and I’ve managed to get out on the bike more, slowly getting more miles in, with both running and swimming going well.

My ankle and calf are both doing well, I’ve not had any pains for two weeks. I’ve continued the physiotherapy exercises daily and they seem to be working!

Last Friday was my birthday, my last year in my twenties! I finished nights in the morning and after a short nap, Sam treated me to a shopping spree in Glasgow. We met up with some friends for a Mexican meal and we all went to a gig to see Marissa Nadler. I had the day off training, had a few cheeky Margaritas and was treated like a princess.! Thanks Sam!! ️

Edinburgh has had amazing weather over the last couple of weeks and I’ve managed a few open water swimming sessions at Threipmuir reservoir. I was pleasely surprised that the water wasn’t that cold (once I got swimming). I’ve been trying to open water swim at least once a week in the run up to the race. I really don’t like swimming with a wetsuit, I find it quite restrictive. It usually takes me a couple of sessions each season to feel comfortable in swimming in my wetsuit. I would highly recommend and or insist on practicing before a race! During my first open water race I panicked and felt I couldn’t breath even after a couple of training sessions in my wetsuit.

On Sunday I competed in a triathlon relay race with Edinburgh triathletes. The race consists four team members completing a mini triathlon after each other. The distances are quite short; a 300metres swim, 7km bike and 1.5km run. The team consists of two ladies and two men, the order for the race is girl, boy, girl boy. The relay was at Knockburn, Aberdeenshire at a purpose built triathlon venue. We had a glorious day resulting in sunburn on my back and forehead (I never learn!) I started the race, my swim was quick, I got kicked in the head and I couldn’t get my wetsuit off my right leg after the swim but that’s racing! My bike ride was alright and I felt my run was slow but the time wasn’t too bad. I found sprinting each discipline really hard as I’ve been training for long distance (steady pace) so after 23minutes my lungs felt like they were going to explode! The race was well organised and I really enjoyed the post race food (fancy sandwich and ginger cake). Overall we were tenth out of 24 teams so pretty pleased with the result and we all had a fun day out.

Yesterday I completed a long brick session – I cycled 50miles and ran 10miles. I now feel confident enough I can complete the race. My aim in this session was just to complete it, I kept a good pace whilst cycling and ran relatively slowly. My run time was pretty rubbish but I didn’t want to push it, plus it was 21 degrees in Edinburgh! On the bike I mimicked my nutrition for the race with two gels and a porridge bar. For hydration I had one energy drink and half a bottle of water. On the run I had one gel but had to stop to buy water as it was so hot! On race day I will probably just have a sip of water every 3-4miles. When I run a half marathon I don’t usually take anything on board as it usually comes back up, so my aim is to try and take as much fluid and nutrition as I can on the bike.

I’m currently writing this blog on a flight to Barcelona. I’m away with friends for a week, we are going to Primavera Sound music festival followed by a few days in Barcelona, can’t wait!

I’ve now only two weeks away from Staffordshire Ironman 70.3 (well actually 11 days), I strangely feel ok about it. I’m now going to start tapering, in preparation for the race. Perfect time for holiday (not), I intent to stop drinking from Sunday, continue running and cycling at the hotel gym. I also intend to fully enjoy my holiday!

I’m about to two weeks behind on my blog, I wrote this on Wednesday 1st June. I’ve now completed Staffordshire Ironman 70.3 on Sunday, yippee! Blog post to follow soon.

Jenwaar x

Training Weeks 12 to 14

My lack of blog posts for the last two to three weeks is due to a few reasons; firstly after the Edinburgh race I developed an ankle injury which was causing really sore calf pains in my left leg. Due to my injury I haven’t been training as much as I would have liked and felt pretty low about it. Secondly I’ve been very busy with work and social engagements and thirdly life just sometimes gets in the way!

During the Edinburgh Great Run I was aware of some calf pain and had a few niggles on a run a couple of days before the race. I put the pain down to pushing myself during the race, walked it off and stretched after the race. I went for a run two days later and my calf was in agony after 3-4 miles. I slowly made it home and used my foam roller which helped slightly. When I got up for swimming the next day and it was still sore I knew something was wrong and more than a pulled muscle.

I booked an appointment at pro-active sports physiotherapy on Dublin Street. Del the physiotherapist confirmed my calf pain was due to my weak ankle, my foot is overcompensating by running on the side (of my foot) which is causing my calf pain when running. He strapped up my ankle, gave me exercises, massaged my leg and told me not to run that week. I returned a week later and it did feel better. I was told to continue resting but I felt able to compete on Sunday at the Selkirk triathlon. I’ve started running again doing short distances and continued my exercises so hopefully will be fine for June!

Luckily I was able to swim and cycle so I was able to continue my overall training. One positive out of my injury is that I’ve had to cycle much more. I faced my fear of going out cycling solo and now found a new love of cycling. The improved weather has helped but I have really enjoyed going out cycling myself, getting lost in the Scottish countryside and having time to clear my head. As a result my cycling times and bike handling have massively improved!

Cycling is my weakest sport out of the three disciplines. I didn’t go out enough because I couldn’t really repair a puncture. On Wednesday afternoon I completed a bike maintenance course at Grease Monkeys Cycles. I choose Grease monkeys because the course was one to one, I could pick a time convenient to me (most courses in other bike shops are in groups and on set days) and I could also choose what to focus on. My main focus was puncture repair, removing the rear wheel and tightening my breaks. It is particularly important I am able to repair a puncture, during triathlon races only I can repair my bike. Bike mechanic Grant was very patient with me, he went through everything step by step and on the second attempt I was able to successfully remove the rear wheel and repair the puncture myself. Grant also showed me how to adjust gears and break blocks. I would highly recommend doing the course. I am more confident and feel much safer cycling. It also includes a cuppa and a chocolate biscuit!

I’ve also been a little social bee. As my little brother James is moving to Sydney Australia to start his new job. We had a little family get to together at Oregano restaurant on Leith walk; the antipasti and Pizza are amazing!! The food is reasonably priced and you get good portions. I am so sad to see James because we are close but I don’t mind going to visit him, ha!

Two weekends ago I organised one of my closest friends Naomi’s Hen do! We all had fun in Edinburgh, having Afternoon tea, hula hooping, cocktail making, drinking, Karaoke singing and dancing the night away. It was a great distraction whilst being injured and also nice to have a break.

Last week it was Sam and I’s first wedding anniversary! I cannot believe it’s been a whole year since we wed, crazy! We treated ourselves to meal and stay at Hotel du Vin on our anniversary followed by a spa day with treatments at One spa. We had a lovely couple of days hanging out and relaxing which was amazing!

On Sunday I competed in Selkirk triathlon in the Scottish Borders. It was a beautiful day and I even managed to get sunburnt in Scotland! It was a standard distance triathlon; the swim was in a pool (which I prefer) followed by a very hilly cycle with wonderful views and fairly flat run along the less inspiring A7. I was pretty happy with my swim time, the cycle was slow but I put that down to the course and the run was ok. It was the first time I ran in three weeks and my calf and ankle were fine. Ideally my run time should have been better but I was happy just to complete it.

I’ve also recently dyed my hair blonde and got a new tattoo on my arm (Sorry Mum, Dad and Graddad).

Only 4 weeks now till Staffordshire Ironman (eek) my aim for the race is to enjoy it and complete it rather than aiming on a time. These next few weeks I’m focusing on distance, building up my running distance, and keeping injury free.

Jenwaar

Tag: health

Training weeks 15-17

Training Weeks 12-14