Scratching an itch...

[Jellybaby]

I've got an itch that needs scratching. I also find myself in the enviable position of relatively clear weekends for the next few months, a gym next to work, a room with a turbo in it and a swimming pool on the way home. Any suggestions.

Also, hello again everyone *waves*

[ris]

hiya jb... encouraging sign...

sign up for an event to keep you motivated? persuade bendy to join you for a surry ride-out... ?

[Kevy427]

I've got an itch that needs scratching

One would suggest a visit to the nearest 'specialist' clinic before it gets worse

[Bopomofo]

A plan is required. I've made many, although stuck to very few.

I read a book once. It said the start of your training plan should be to write down very carefully and honestly what your schedule is for the week. Then you can see how much of your already free time can be taken up with training.

Some things cannot be compromised: work; family time; meal times; travel; sleep. You see what you've got left, then try to fit in your training. Nice to drive past a pool on the way home but not so nice if you don't have time to use it, for example.

Also, remember a 30min swim takes 90mins if you're very speedy at changing and driving to/from pool. A 5km run eats an hour by the time you've changed into/out of running kit and showered etc.

You know all of this crap, you've done IM.

Meanwhile.... sportives with mates, parkrun as often as possible, occasional local TTs to see what it is all about, 10k races and aim for a local pool-based tri mid-summer. After that re-assess.*

Great to see you back JB!


*This is my plan. It might work for you too.

[CCS]

Wot Kevy said...... you should probabaly get some cream for that

.... welcome back!

[Jack Hughes]

What is the itch?

A running itch? cycling itch (or are you still off cycling)? swimming itch? triathlon itch? 4 hours a week itch? 32 hours a week itch? Low key fun itch? Long distance itch? Local itch? abroad itch? race to Compete itch? race to Complete itch?

[Jellybaby]

Horrible feeling it might be a long-distance itch. I found Artur and Ben at the clinic, who both have the same problem.

Was reminiscing about IMCH with someone who's doing their first one this year - as happens every so often - and found myself more excited about racing, and particularly IM, than I have been any other time I've thought about it for the past few years. This is very annoying. Perhaps i'll see if I can cope with 2 weeks of IM training and work out if I can keep it up.

Bopo, thankfully I don't drive for work. I can walk past the pool on the way home, which is an absolute boon - it doesn't open early enough for me to be able to go pre-work, but that's no bad thing as it'll tire me out nicely before bed. Pool-based tris can do one, frankly, I hate them. Too boring. Up and down, up and down (careful Kevy) and having to count. Give me OW any day.

You must spend a long time on something when doing a 5K for it to totally take an hour, and I assume it isn't through doing you hair...

[Jack Hughes]

Horrible feeling it might be a long-distance itch. I found Artur and Ben at the clinic, who both have the same problem.

So, IM Maastricht - Limburg at the end of July?

Does that give you enough time?

Set a plan and see if you can do it!

[Jellybaby]

Just about. It's 4 weeks short on the good old Be Iron Fit plan, but I can take two weeks out of the build phase so I'm only two weeks short on the base side of things. Going to follow that and see where I am in 4 weeks. If i'm feeling like i'm where I know I ought to be then i'll enter. The current price is held until May, so plenty of time on that front, and it's not a quick bike course (elites look to be 20-30 mins longer on this than the flatter ones, partially elevation, partially it's more like 114 miles), and the run has a couple of smallish bumps in which should put people off and is full length (ie, not like bolton). The course looks quite interesting too, and short sharp hills I have in abundance round here to practice on. Let's get the first week out of the way first!

[kfjatek]

Notes from our outing to see the bike/run course: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10859

Ben loved the road trip.