Quarterly review

2013 - what a year, and we're only 3 months in!

It seems that January was mostly spent indoors though the number show otherwise. A minimal amount of running, most off-road due to ice and snow including a good XC league race at Tadley. Lots of turbo cycling though - great quality and quantity. 

February was an improvement in running volume and quality though the biking was reduced due to tapering and racing. Some good duathlon race results at Dorney and Althorp and of course qualifying for the ETU champs.

March was a bigger month all round with some great quality bike (road and MTB) and run sessions. The month was finished nicely with a ~4 hour club ride finishing at the cafe at Dinton Pastures, where I refulled with a sausage roll, chocolate fudge cake and a coffee.

With hindsight I wish I'd had some quick tracker so I can separate turbo and road rides. Perhaps something for me to add to my TrainingPeaks metrics.

April started with an easy 30km road ride, where I took in a lap of the HCC234 time trial course. My TT season starts there this Thursday. Tomorrow morning will be a good threshold TrainerRoad turbo session and Wednesday will be a 30 minute recovery ride to spin the legs out in readiness for Thursday. I'll swim Friday.

No running for me this week. A tight calf has caused my Achilles to become sore. Knocking running on the head for a week will not affect the goal for me. I will also stop my daily hamstring stretched as I have an inkling that the stretches are also contributing to the problem. Shame, as I was enjoying the track sessions. More time on the foam roller needed.

Even though it was a busy training weekend, the extra two days holiday meant some really good family time was had. We didn't do much - visited the in-laws Saturday for more cake, and then back over for Sunday lunch. Friday and today we chilled at home. Daughter leant to play draughts and is already beating me. One day I'll win against my wife too. Here's hoping at least!

Tadley XC

Today was the penultimate race in the Thames Valley XC league, hosted by Tadley Runners.

The course is always a favourite of mine, with plenty of mud, especially the long muddy gully that runs downhill towards 3 ditch crossings. This is followed by a horrendously muddy field that must be skirted before hitting some gravel trails shortly before the finish.

Due to the gravel I wasn't wearing XC spikes, so I was wondering what purchase I'd get on the ground and how this would affect my placing. As I headed down the muddy gully I could see the front of the course heading up the field, a sight I'd never seen before. Obviously gains have been made over the year!

I crossed the line 68th overall, as 61st man and 2nd Finch Coaster. One of my targets at Tadley had been to beat Finch Coasters' fastest lady. Alas it was not to be, as she had finished 9 places ahead of me. 28 seconds is a looong way!

As usual for a post TVXC race we had lashing and lashings of sandwiches, pies, cakes and tea to recover. This afternoon will be spent with the family, probably messing about in the woods.