Planning and training

Having returned from Boston with renewed energy and seemingly recovered from the knee problems I am now building up the regular running and cycling. I have logged most of it using either Edge500 or Forerunner210 and its uploaded to Garmin Connect. Some of the activity has simultaneously been recorded using the iPhone app for Strava and it is undoubtedly motivating to do the comparison available via this service.

With the regularity of the riding and running has come the planning of training and the research on potential events. Some of this is looking towards the autumn and the idea of a marathon in October or November. So far the first idea was Palma or Frankfurt but a suggestion on the PWR forum was for Valencia and this has become my preferred option as its three weeks later and is supported by Sara. So a long weekend Friday through Monday is going to be booked.

In the more immediate timescale the priority is training for the RAB in early September. I am commuting regularly and this is building up my bike fitness again therefore I will ride from Hayes to Brighton and back with Bigfoot CC this Sunday. Two weeks later is the Sidcup to Whitstable ride organised by Sidcup Cycles. Both these are local events and will serve to get my endurance and time in the saddle. Already planned are the Dragon Ride and BHF London to Brighton both in June.

I do not want to neglect my PWR activities and there are some important events that I am going to participate in. These include the upcoming Beckenham team relays on 9th May, a 3 way mob match at the Bromley parkrun 12th May and the June Assembly League. All these are short distances but will help with improving leg turnover.

This morning I woke to very heavy rain so I decided to leave the bike at home and switch to train, DLR and then run. This journey starts with a 1.5 mile run to Elmstead Woods station and I chose to run in my asics DS Racers today so wet feet were splashing in puddles from the start. Legs felt stiff and had not recovered from Sundays 10k but it's mostly downhill and I was at the station in plenty of time. The connection at Lewisham worked well and by just before 7 I was at South Quay. The rain was heavy and the Garmin is always slow to load in amongst all the tower blocks so I walked forward until the signal was acquired. The usual route was blocked in part but I was soon heading towards the canal and although the legs were tired I made reasonable time. The routine is to complete the reverse journey in the evening but not long after I headed out on the return I was obviously not going to be able to do the full run back to South Quay. The legs were sore and I decided to head to Limehouse to finish with just over 3 miles. I even walked up the 1.5 miles from Elmstead Woods.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is no rain so I will be back on the bicycle for the commute.

There is a lot todo with planning for RAB and that includes the bike I will ride. My Enigma Ethos is my daily commuter but I want something lighter and faster for the RAB and the other Sportive events coming up. Some phone calls to make ....