Big Jo Training June 10 - June 23

SWIM

No new exciting toys at swimming the last couple of weeks sadly and no exciting swimming news.  The most exciting part of swimming at the moment is the spa at the end which is basically the reason why I go to swimming on these cold mornings.
We haven't been doing any threshold stuff so it has all been pretty easy but apparently some threshold sets will be starting soon which will be good for our up coming races, not sure if everyone else at swimming will appreciate it though...

BIKE

Last week I almost cracked 12 hours on the bike which was a bit of a surprise but then it was followed by a ~10 hour week which is about what it has been for the last couple of months.  The weekends have become a real problem with every Sunday morning pissing with rain which makes our long ride very difficult.  Our long rides have only been about 2.5 hours long instead of 3-4... but we have not even reached July yet and so are very far from the business side of Ironman training so no need to panic just yet.  And all those people harping on about their 160-180km rides of FaceTube are just silly - who needs to be doing such huge amounts of training 4 months+ out from Ironman?! I normally only start training specifically for Ironman about 12 weeks before...  The proof will be in the pudding come October the 12th...

 

Tree down - not good biking weather

The Tadpolemator is very close to be finished and hopefully I will back on it by next weekend, here is a little sneak preview...

Nom nom nom

RUN

Running is GOOD! I have been keeping my long run at about 80mins and I was even a whole minute faster over the same course last weekend - woo! I have to say it is very nice to run without being injured so long may it last.
I bought a new pair of shoes the other day so I am eagerly awaiting their arrival, can't quite say that purple is my colour but hopefully it won't clash with my BMW kit too much...

Shame I couldn't wear my warm jacket during the Polar Blast

Lunch with my new friend John

Big Jo Training May 27 - June 9

SWIM

Exciting swimming news - the Muppet Swimskin II has arrived!! A bit muffintop-ish around the thighs but otherwise fits all good.  Not labelled Little Muppet this time (like my Helix) but with my name which is pretty cool, it would be a bit cooler if they'd spelled my name right...

Jo Carrellllllllllllll

It had it's debut at swimming last week and although I didn't quite have to move up a lane because I was so fast it hopefully did make me a bit faster.  I did at one point glide into Amber's feet which I blamed on the suit but may have been more due to me not looking where I was going.
The Muppet Suit will now be packed away until I hit the warm waters of Samoa in August.

BIKE

The little Tadpolemator is STILL being painted (or maybe sitting around being put to the bottom of the priority queue...) so no exciting biking news.  I got back onto the intervals wagon after a couple of weeks of being sick and was surprised that I was able to pick up where I left off.  I am quite keen to get back onto the TT bike soon though to do some efforts so hopefully it won't take too much longer to get done.
The 2 up TT is on this week but since my previous 2 up partner is now knocked up (but will be rocking some pretty cool MINI tri kit once she is no longer knocked up) plus I have no TT bike I shall be on spectating duties.

Why can't all the evening commutes be like this

RUN

I ran a half marathon!  There was supposed to be a little posse of us running the half at Mount Maunganui but my two running buddies came up sick during the week so both decided to pull the pin.  I wasn't exactly sick but wasn't well either with a stuffed up nose but no other symptoms (which is still going on over two weeks later...)so I was rearing to go.
I thought I'd be doing well to break 1hr40 but then thought 1hr35 was a better target although maybe a bit optimistic.
It was mostly flat but went around the Mount base track twice for 5-6km in total which definitely slows the pace down.  I planned to head out at 4.20's for the first 3-4km then settle in to 4.30's and whatever I could manage around the Mount and my plan worked pretty well except 4.30 was seemed quite easy and I seemed to be in between 4.20 and 4.25 most of the time.  By the time I got to about the 16km mark and realized I was catching the 2nd and 3rd place girls in front I tried to put a bit more effort in but the last couple of km's around the Mount were a bit too tough.  Ended up running mid 93 which I was pretty happy with, it was probably the best paced half I have ever run and the leggies weren't too sore at the end (maybe a little bit sore the next day...).  I did manage to go for a run two days later which I was quite impressed with.
So I seem to be learning that I less I expect from myself (or maybe the less pressure I put on myself) the better I seem to go...

Man down