The hardest week



In so many ways. 

This was the hardest week in my training programme, and with the weather messing up my long ride last weekend it meant that I have done two hundred mile bike rides in 7 days.

The second one was a full on 110

mile ride, which is only 2 mile less than the actual race distance so was happy with that.

Thankfully with the end getting closer and closer my training after this week begins to taper. Its all relative, so I still have two hour rides and one hour runs during the week but my 7 hour bike rides are 4 hours – I may be getting part of my life back.

The end of this week is the last warm up event as well – a half Ironman. Due to cancellation of my original event I am going to the lake district for this one, and therein lies my big concern.  The swim is in a lake, fine, the cycle doesn’t go over any hill passes, so again that should be fine. But the run is on fell trails and roads. It has quite a gradient and that could possible aggravate my knee. I have made reference to my injury before so here goes.

I have got iliotibial band syndrome. Sounds impressive doesn’t it. Essentially there is a band that runs down the outside of the thigh that runs over the knee. In excessive running it rubs over the bone and swells, becomes inflamed and hurts….lots.

In February I was up to 12 mile runs in 1:40, about 8:30 minute miles which I was very happy with. Then the pain and the physio said no more running for 6 weeks. Since then I have had to limit by speed and distance, and the crucial bit try to remain on flat surfaces. Which is fine in down town Shropshire, not so much running 13 miles in uptown Lake District.

I have to stretch it every morning, by doing a lovely impression of a tea pot, short and stout, and the 
roll it. If anyone has ever had the pleasure of a foam roller I feel your pain. If a physio ever offers you one run, run for the hills (assuming your injury allows you to 1 run and 2 run up hills!)
I have to  lie on my side and put my weight through the band and roll it up and down, the idea being the indentation of the nobbles and the foam stretch the band. It does work but it hurts like a $%^&*&.
With my foot for size reference!
The Foam Roller




















Then after running or at every opportunity I have an ice pack on it, and in addition to that I eat Ibuprofen like I have shares in them!

After the half iron I have four weeks after to recover, which should be enough, and if needs be I will sacrifice the time to make sure I don’t  damage myself, but it could be a tough race.
You’ll have to tune in next week to read the race report!

STATMAN

Miles Cycled this week – 290
Feet Climbed on bike – 13,600
Meters swum – 6000 (3250 outside, 2850 inside)
Events to go – 2
Weeks to go – 6
Panic level – moderate to borderline high!

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