The Challenge

Last year I didn't have the background to complete the challenge,  despite putting up a pain cave when we went away for our fortnight over the Christmas I just wasn't strong enough to do it.   I also felt that I was being a little selfish;  as all year stuart supports me and this is our only proper vacation.   So I've made the decision to not attempt it this year when we go away;  it means a lot of extra stuff to pack;  lol 4 bikes;  turbo;  all my gear plus the awning;  so we'll be travelling a lot lighter this year!

So that decision made I decided to start the challenge on 4th November this year;  I wanted to see whether I was able to do it this year.

I always have to juggle workouts;  my long ride is usually through the week and wildcard / rest days are better for me on a weekend.  

The first week I had to juggle abit and bought a couple of workout from later in the programme;  as I needed shorter ones.   I also for one reason or another didn't manage the first two 3 hours rides and had to go with 2 hours lol meaning in the final week I did these on the Friday and Saturday;  slightly shorter but got them done.

With about two weeks to go; I really thought this was not going to be possible; Stuart came down with shingles;  Iain was poorly and I had an infected cyst that antibiotics sorted and fortunately I didn't react to them; lol the ibuprofen was a different matter!  Fortunately with some more juggling around of workouts I got through it and partly because Iain is loving school so much he only had 1 day at home rather than the 3 days I feel he should have had!   Honest this was all Iain I wanted him to stay at home!

As I progressed through the challenge I could literally feel the fitness flooding through,  I was stronger and able to push speeds I hadn't previously.  

Yes;  I had some tired days but was able to push through them and the next workout I would feel great.   I had a definite bonk on Sunday past doing 43.0 but the previous 2 days I had done 2 high z3 rides of 2 hours+ and think I just hadn't replenished fuel properly over these days.
This week has been tough but I felt strong;  I was tired on Monday's Kona ride and Tuesday I did a double continuous ride to make up for a missed workout;  the wildcard day yesterday made all the difference to today's ride.   Stuart altered my saddle to the nose pointing down very slightly;  oh boy what a difference;  I was maintaining aero on all big gear work with no problems lol its so so much easier when your comfortable.  

My bike needs a service;  had a lot of dropped chain issues today but Stuart going on a strip and build course on Saturday so my bike will have the tender loving care it needs tee hee :)

So what to take away from this; 

don't be frightened to shift workouts around if necessary (not everyone may agree) but this was primary to me succeeding;  I only missed 2 workouts.   

I was able to do them all within the specified zones but sometimes I would do them low-mid that zone;  other times top of zone;  Monday and Tuesday this week was a prime example; I did them in the correct zone but kept it at the bottom of the zone!

Nutrition is so important; today I really zoned in on this and it's made all the difference; I felt great and at the moment lol; I don't feel I've done a really long ride!  I'm usually wrecked after!

So now what;  I'm currently thinking and edging towards the thought of predominantly base building on the bike with maybe a threshold or interval session once a week over the next couple of months.   December I'm thinking will be a run focused month to try and get my running back up to where it should be and January I'm thinking of focusing on my swimming.

Sorry this has been long winded and thanks for reading :-)

Good luck to you all doing the challenge, I'm enjoying reading all your posts and looking forward to cheering you all on :-)

Thank you for all your support :-)