Saturday 22nd to the Friday 28th February 2014

Saturday 22^nd February

Today is a week out from my first competitive race of the year, The Rock and Road Half Marathon in Kinvara, on Saturday 1^st March.  So my training will be tailored to suit this.

This morning I met up with the Clare Crusaders running group for a 13mile run.  The route this morning is:

• DNG, Carmody St, past Cloughleigh School, left on Lehinch Rd.
• Go left onto bypass and continue until exit for Clarecastle.
• Continue through Clarecastle. 
• Take 1'st left after the bend at top of the hill on Limerick side of village. Continue ~1/2 mile, then take a right up a side road. 
• After a few hundred metres, take another right (following signs for Mid Clare way)
• Follow this access road parallel with motorway towards Limerick, then crossing under motorway, then back parallel towards Ennis. Continue up over a hill, through the right hand side of the gates.
• Follow this disused road until merging back onto Doora road beside the motorway roundabout. Go right here, as far as Doora church.
• Turn left here opposite Doora church; continue across Quin Rd, continuing as far as Knockanean road. Take left here, as return back home via Tulla Rd, Clon Rd, Flannan's, DNG

It was a good route. Most of these roads I have never been on and it was great to see a different part of the countryside.  I completed this route in just over 2 hours.  Not my best time but I did stop a number of times to double check I was on the correct route.

After the run I went to the gym for 25mins on the X-Trainer and 20mins on the Bike.  Then I finished as I was going to my friend Laura’s Wedding.

Sunday 23^rd February

I woke in my hotel room feeling a little worse for wear after a great night drinking and dancing at the wedding.  I headed down for the full Irish breakfast; it was just what the doctor ordered.  After breakfast Geraldine (work Colleague) and I went for a stroll.  It was a casual stroll just to clear the head.  We estimate we did about 5k.

Once I got home and changed my gear I headed to the gym to make up for the damage I did last night.  I did the X-Trainer for 40mins, the Bike for 25mins and the Stepper for 20mins.

I finished with core and ab work. I did the plank and push ups.  I followed this with ab crunches with my leg raised.  I then did a variety of ab crunches.

I then went home and had a relaxing 4 mile walk with the dog, he needs his exercise too.

Monday 24^th February

I woke up at 6am this morning and was in the gym for 7am.  I did 20mins on the X-Trainer, 20mins on the Stepper and 20mins on the Bike.  I finished off in the pool by swimming 30 lengths.

I got my regular walk done during my breaks at work today.  I do a lap around the block on my two 15mins break and twice on my half hour lunch, it’s a 0.75mile route.

In the evening I did my regular session of the X-Trainer for 30mins.  Next up it was the stepper for 20mins. Then on the bike for 25mins. I was in a hurry this evening so I went to the pool for a splash and dash; I did a very quick 10 length swim.

Tuesday 25^th February

I got to the gym a bit late this morning.  I got there at 7.15am.  I did 25mins on the X-Trainer and 20mins on Stepper.  Then down to the pool for 30mins swim.

I got my walks done on my two 15min breaks today.

After work I got to the gym around 5.30pm.  I started today with a quick 5min warm up on the rower.  Next was the X-Trainer for 40mins, then I jumped on the stepper for 20mins and the last bit of cardio on the bike for 25mins.

I finished with core and ab work. I did 30 seconds plank, followed by 30 push ups (push ups with knees on the ground) 10 seconds rest and repeat 4 times.  I followed this with leg raises and ab crunches.  I did 20 leg raises followed by 1 leg raised ab crunch, 20 with each leg raised; 10 seconds rest and repeat 4 times. I then did a variety of ab crunches X 80 and again repeat 4 times.

Then finished off in the pool with a 30mins Swim.

Wednesday 26^th February

I was in the gym for 7am this morning I did my normal session of 20mins on the X-Trainer, 20mins on the Stepper and 20mins on the Bike. Then 30 lengths in the pool.

I walked on my two 15min breaks today.

I went for a run outside this evening; it was a 6.5mile route. This was with an eye on the race in Kinvara on Saturday, to make sure my legs were familiar with the roads.  The weather was lovely starting off but after about 1 mile in the wind and rain arrived.  It did not stop.  When I got back to my car I was like a drowned rat.  It still felt good having completed it.

I completed my training with a swim in the pool.  Nice and warm.

Thursday 27th February

I went to the gym for 7am.  I got my regular work out of 20mins x-trainer, 20mins stepper and 20mins bike.  Then my 30mins swim and I’m all set to go to work.

I got a walk done today on my lunch break, about 1.5mile.

After work I arrived at the gym for 5.30pm.  It was my regular session of the X-Trainer for 45mins.  Next up it was the stepper for 20mins.  Then on the bike for 25mins.

Finished with a 30min swim.

Friday 28^th February

The day before the race!!

I went to the gym for 7am.  I did my normal session of 20mins on the X-Trainer, 20mins on the Stepper and 20mins on the Bike, at a handy pace. I didn’t push myself too much.

Went to the pool for a 30mins swim and was all set for work.

I walked on my two 15min breaks at work.

I took the evening off to relax before the race.