This was my final week of full on training because as I write this I am starting my two week taper. It’s crazy to think I’m only 14 days from my goal race, something that I started training for 16 weeks, 4 months ago. Time has flown.
Here’s how last week went down:
MONDAY: Heading into the final stretch this week I decided it was important to cut out all of my extra workouts – well as many as I could – which meant I sat out on my usual Tribe sprint workout. The crew headed down to Remembrance Park for some intervals of strength with sprints and it was a blast. I began this as my first day of hamstring focus and during the time strength training with the crew put extra attention on my hamstring which has still be giving me grief. Time is ticking and I need to sort this out.
TUESDAY: Our pool has been closed all weekend, so I took this as a sign from the universe to get out and open water swim more. I headed down to Cherry Beach just after 8am and got in a 30 minute swim. As I had missed a longer swim/run brick last week I had planned on running 80 minutes. While coming back from the Leslie Spit, I tripped on loose gravel and went down hard.
It killed. I sat on a rock (cried) and collected myself. Then (covered in dirt and blood) had to run the 3km back to my car. I was brutal and painful and actually worse then it looked as all the dirt was covering some serious gravel rash. But luckily for me it was just my skin, no strains or sprains, so training continued the next day.
WEDNESDAY: Today was a hot one. I stayed indoors on a bike and then got in our Tribe 5km crew run in the evening. Following our run we did our annual August trip to the CNE. It was a blast. We ate trash (I had a hard scoop ice cream cone) and enjoyed the sights and sounds. A blast. (Note you can see the road rash in the photo – yes, I’m wearing the same top).
THURSDAY: For strength and flexability tonight a did a 40 minute routine using the NTC app. What I like about this app is that you can pick the focus and length of the workout. Most of the workouts require minimal equipment. What I don’t like is they pretty much do the same exercises repeated for the entire duration – so it does get boring. I added my hamstring exercises at the end and spent a great deal of time stretching using my band and roller.
FRIDAY: With the pool fixed I kept today’s swim indoors. My scabby leg was feeling better so I followed the swim up with a quick 50 minute ride. Last month I had decided to schedule a training race, the Wasaga Olympic triathlon, which will be happening tomorrow, so this workout also acted as my shake out.
All week I had to keep reminding myself that although I have a race Saturday, it’s not my goal race and I need keep my training in full form, so I did.
SATURDAY: Race Day! I had a blast. Things went better than I anticipated and I finished the race feeling confident for my goal race in 2 weeks. More to come on this day in my race recap.
SUNDAY: Our final outdoor yoga jam. Say whaaat! How is the summer – dare I say it – over (eeek). All I did today was our leading our Tribe Yoga Jam. I had the intention to ride, but decided that I would recover from the race instead. I actually felt surprisingly good, but still thought the break was best.
With two weeks left, I’m going to continue to focus on strengthening my hamstrings and getting my stretch and roll on every night. The end is near, and I’ve feeling great.
Missed a week of my training?
Week 14 Week 13 Week 12 Week 11 Week Ten Week Nine Week Eight
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