Ironman55 weekend

A very different training weekend as it coincided with my birthday on Friday and the Ironman55 double celebration on Saturday.  I had the day off work on Friday so I had a lie-in and didn't go swimming until 7.30am although in reality I was awake earlier but forced myself to go later as it was my birthday.  I completed a drills progression session working on my stroke with sets of single arm, catch up and fist drills.  The first drills session for some time but part of my plan for the winter to improve my swimming - mind you that was my plan for last winter!  I swam for 57'06" covering 1840m in a series drill sets, mind you I still 'cheat' in the kicking sets using fins otherwise I would get nowhere. A planned gym session on Friday didn't happen as I was shopping and then went out for a birthday meal.
The Saturday ride didn't happen, I was planning to go but the reality of getting ready for the party that night meant I had to go shopping and do tidying up and preparation.  I had planned that I would celebrate my 55th birthday and the Ironman at a party and tonight it was to be, great to see so many friends and family joining in including those from the IM Austria party - supporters and athletes.  Now the party is over I must begin to think about my next targets - OR - I could wait until my holiday is over in mid-August.
Despite a late night and a few beers I joined the Sunday run at which it was good to see many who had been at the party the night before even if some were a bit the worse for wear.  It was to be a Rob special from Harlestone Firs - the last time I had run the route it had just snowed and the ground was frozen, today the sun was out and the ground was baked hard.  The route goes across many fields and pathways with stiles to cross so plenty of stop/start to recover and chat.  A few new people today who really enjoyed seeing the fantastic Northamptonshire countryside.  I ran for 1hour 49'38" or more precisely I was out for that length of time, lots of stops, covering 9.76miles.  Lots of high HR, partly due to the hills and partly the data - managed to do 72% of the run in HR Z1,2or3.  A great run, very enjoyable still with some spring in my legs as I ran the last mile or so at a faster steady pace.

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