Training Day

A fun day filled with triathlon stuff and relaxing. These sorts of days are the reason I take Friday's off work. Just having the extra day to do stuff that wouldn't usually fit into the week.

This morning was a mad whirl wind of training stuff, although some of that madness was a little self inflicted so I can't complain to loudly.

The morning started off with a really good run, which was followed closely by a swim, which was followed very closely by a session of Pilates which was finally followed up with a massage.

Wait a second I hear you ask, didn't you run last night? Didn't your blog yesterday contain some whinging about hills and running etc. I am sure I remember that. Well canny reader, your recollection is indeed correct and this is where the self inflicted part of today comes in.

I got home yesterday fully intending to head out running. However, Thursday hadn't been a great day family wise. We had received some frustrating news during the day and the family was generally feeling a bit bummed about it. On top of that, I just felt like I hadn't seen everyone for a few days. So rather than running we went out and had fish and chips by the beach. Well the kids had fish and chips. We adults had some octopus and some of the nicest squid I have had in ages.

The proviso for dinner was that we forgot about our annoying news, I forgot about running, we left the phones at home and went and had a nice evening. And you know what, that is exactly what we did. It was a great night and I don't regret it for an instant.

The plan this morning was to meet some guys at Coogee beach for an open water swim at around 6:30. Whilst I was happy to miss my run last night, I couldn't help but think that I could probably fit in a bit of running before the swim if I was keen. Particularly since there is some great running paths around Coogee. I didn't want to work too hard on the run (so no hills) since I have what I suspect will be a tough run on Saturday morning, but I was keen to get out and move the legs. So that is what I did.

It all worked out amazingly well. I had just enough time to get in a really enjoyable run before meeting the guys for the swim. I may get to my tough run tomorrow morning and regret this morning, but if that happens then it does. I rolled the dice by running this morning and am happy to live with the consequences. Stacking up runs is not something I would usually put into my training, but I am happy to have given it a go this time around.

The swim was another little adventure on its own. The reason I was meeting guys at the beach was to try a new wetsuit (more on that tomorrow). But I thought I might as well get a session in too. Courtney Ogden was down there with his squad doing an open water swim and they were happy for Simon Billeau and myself to join in. Fairly tough session, 8 x 300m efforts with transition style run backs after every second one. Was a really great triathlon session though. The sort of thing you just can't do in a pool. It reminded me a bit of the sessions I used to love up in Darwin at Lake Alexander with Daryl's squad. Not something I will do every week, after all the Friday morning Swim Smooth session is also fairly epic, but I may head down to Coogee now and then.

Other than that I had my usual Friday Pilate's session, before heading to Sportstreat for an hour of teeth clenching agony otherwise known as a massage. I exaggerate, it wasn't that bad, but there sure were some sore bits. I am feeling it a little now, but it will be beneficial in the long run. That is what I tell myself anyway.

As I said, running in the morning, and I suspect it will be a tough one. But that is then and this is now. And right now I have the righteous weariness of someone who knows they have done a good day of work and the smile of someone who knows they are heading to bed soon.