Le training
If only from a geographical point of view its tricky to get all three of us together to train…..and please be assured, we definitely need to train this time!
When you add in the major inconvenience that is called “work” it was pretty much guaranteed that we were going to have to train and prepare separately – probably no bad thing given we are going to spend nearly three weeks together in a small tent.
So Marc and Dan have sent through something through for me to post about their frankly quite intimidating training schedule -
Marc – Right, the time has come to put our heads and hearts into some serious training…OMG…saying that out loud makes it feel oh so more real!
So, under considerable motivation and enthusiasm (pressure)’ Dan has convinced me that the way to get back to being fit is to join the local spin class ( I know it sounds insane…and it is). So now on a Mon, Wed and Fri morning, me and Dan can be found sweating ourselves stupid , being shouted at by the instructor ( drill Sergeant) to “add another gear” or “stand up and pedal as fast as you can”. Dan assures me that this will help with the hills (mountains)! If not, the 5 mornings a week in the gym must be doing something…please. For these sessions, Dan goes into instructor ( drill Sergeant mode) and tries to convince me that I should “add another 10 kg weight to my stomach” whilst trying to do another upside down sit up! Blimey I hope this works. Throw into this 4/5 swims per week, and we’re feeling good (completely knackered, and now have to go to bed by 10!!!). Still, no pain no gain (thanks for that Dan, keep on with the motivational speak, just don’t be singing “I will walk 500 miles” ANYMORE).
In an attempt to add to the fitness regime, we’ve had our bikes serviced/repaired/tried in anyway possible to make things a bit easier. Dan “the destroyer” had obviously completely killed his steed, through miles of grinding uphill and down dale on our last big adventure (LEJOG)… managing to wear out the chain, cassette and even both his wheels were “certainly no longer round”. But thanks to the very nice men at Speeds bike shop, we’ve now got two ready to go machines…just need to work a bit more on the powerhouses to get them to transport us the 1200+ miles to Monte Carlo.
See you at the Start line!
Gulp!! Well that’s me well and truly scared then.
So lets be really, really clear…my training program does not bear any resemblance to that at all although unsurprisingly I am now worried that perhaps it should. Yes I am trying to make an effort and my weekly cycle is up to about 150 miles on average but basically my “program” boils down to this…..less pies!
I have managed to lose almost a stone since the beginning of April through the judicial avoidance of sugar, potatoes and bread (bread, aaaaah bread….how I miss you!). I am told that “lean is good” when it comes to athletic endurance but to be honest I am starting to worry that what I have gained in lightness I may have lost in strength, power and stamina. With only six weeks to go is it too late to get to the gym and “bulk up” and even then “can I actually be bothered” might be the better question?
“I am sure I will cycle myself strong on the way to Monte Carlo” he says without any real conviction!
PS – “upside down sit ups”! Marc you have really changed.