BIG training weekend (Sat 31st March and Sun 1st April) was not just a threat but promised!! It was not an April Fool’s Joke either, unless was it and I just fell for it hook, line and sinker!?! The April Fool’s Training Weekend comprised of an undulating 120km time trial on the bikes followed by 5x 7min run efforts at race pace on the beach Saturday. Despite the alarm going off at 4.30am and getting on the bikes at first light by the time we were were running it was scorchio! Sat afternoon I had the energy to do just about nothing, well nothing more physical than watching the box, eating and drinking a cup of tea.
Sunday the alarm went off again at 4.30am, before training we were “on duty” for the Coff’s Tri Club fortnightly Sunday races. Each club race there has to be a certain number of members present as volunteer helpers. Ben had to make sure corners were not cut when the athletes were mounting and dismounting their bikes, I had to usher any wayward athletes back on route and over the timing mats. It was fun to be spectating and supporting as opposed to sweating on this occasion!!!
Duty over it was our turn to raise the heart rate, long run on the agenda! By long run I mean in the region of 2hours 25 mins, Ben notched up just shy of 30k in that time and I plodded for just over 25km. Sunday afternoon was all about being horizontal with “Lords of the Rings” on dvd to ensure we rested!
Hard swim Monday morning (amongst others) was the last tough session before a well-earned day off Tues. Time out Tues was here, yippeeeeeeeeeeee!! Morning coffee at Sapphire Beach before our Jazzie car had a well over due wash. I got to be the “pin-up” girl in the afternoon!?! Just for clarity I accompanied Ben and Russell to the golf course for a relaxing 9 holes. Both boys did themselves proud with some stella shots, Russ nearly got a hole in one on the 3rd hole a par 3. Ben has not lost his touch driving the ball and smacks the ball straight down the fairway. For those not in the know, before his lycra days of triathlons, Ben was somewhat handy with a set of sticks and played off a handicap of 5 when he was 16 / 17 years old. I was also given a ball and 8 iron to start practising my swing! I few divots of turf were sent flying before I got the swing of things and lofted my ball through the air! Looking forward to sharing a bucket of balls at the driving range when we next have some time out.
No rest for the wicked or not much we were soon back in the pool, on the bike and on the pegs. Lots of 50m sprints in the pool, hard gearing efforts on the bike and running hill reps have kept me pretty exhausted over the past few days!
Good Friday I did the traditional thing and re-fuelled after our 4 hour plus session with a hot cross bun! Easter will not be about training and chocolate eggs (or religion) but training and the golf. It is that time of year when the US Masters is on. With golf fans in the shape of Webeck junior and senior I doubt I will miss many shots in the player’s quest for the coveted “Green Jacket”! Russell has also hooked up and worked out how his toy works to record programmed in TV, no chance of missing a shot now and even better it can be watched when suits as opposed to the alarm going off even earlier to catch the golf before training. Would that make me a GWAG!?!
I laughed to myself this morning, (yes in front of the golf at about 6am) when Ben was giving instructions on pace and distance for our run, “just 20k this morning, our long run this week is on Thurs”, he explained. I laughed at the fact a 20k run is no longer classed as our long run! In case you are wondering on the pace of our run, it was a ramp one which means the 2nd half is faster than the first 10k with k’s 10-20 getting quicker.
Being British I must stay true to form and talk about the weather! I promise I am not rubbing it in, I am just living up to our reputation……we are currently enjoying wall to wall sunshine at the moment. Just like at home over the past few summers, we too in Aus are experiencing an Indian Summer. With the rain at bay Aus is now living up to its reputation of being sunny on a daily basis. With great weather what else would we be doing tonight except chucking some meat on the Barbie!
Talking of food, I will not go in to detail of just how many calories Ben can consume now the volume of training is starting to peak, let’s just say a food drip would come in handy! I digressed ..… what I was going to comment on is the meals Ben’s mum, Marg, continues to whip up daily. We have been here nearly 4 months and I have yet to class a single meal as simple!! Ben and I do turn our hands to cooking but there are 3 principles we stick to:
1) No recipe book
2) Prep time does not exceed 15 mins, and
3) No more than 2 pans are used to minimise clearing / washing up!
There is one of my favourite salads on the table tonight, I won’t share the details as no doubt I will try and whip it up when back at home and try and claim it’s one of mine! No one will believe me, well those who are in the know re my “lack of” culinary skills!
3 min bell to dinner has just gone, do not want to be late for my fav salad! So on that note bloggers, bon appetite pour nous a bientot pour vous!
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