Saturday 8th to the Friday 14th March 2014

Saturday 8^th March

Up early this morning, I had my alarm set for 6.30am to do one of my long runs in preparation for the Connemarathon in April.  This morning I needed to do 20miles.  I got up grabbed my bottles of water, lucozade and was on the road around 7.30am.  I was doing a route close to home this morning.  I run back the road for 2 miles and this brings me to a 3 mile loop, which I would do a number of times before returning on the original 2 miles to get home.  Its a tough route where the highest hill is over 600 feet and I have to do that in the first 1.5 miles and then again on the last 1.5 miles.  I was debating whether to the 3 mile loop 5 or 6 times, if I did 5 times I would only have 19 miles completed but if I did it 6 times I would have 22 miles completed.  I decided to go for the 22 miles.  The weather was great, nice bright dry morning, perfect running conditions.  I was very comfortable all through but getting close to 18 miles I really started to get tired, but I powered through and I finished in around 4 hours.  Considering the route I was pleased enough with my time.

After the run I went to the gym for a quick session.  I did 35mins on the X-Trainer, 20mins on the Stepper and 25mins on the Bike.  

I went for a quick 10mins swim and then home in time to watch the rugby.

After the rugby I brought the dog for his 4 mile walk.

Sunday 9th March

I went to the gym this morning for around 10.30am.  I did 10mins on the rower to warm up. 50mins next on the X-Trainer, followed by 25mins on the Stepper and then 30mins on the Bike.  I finished with core and ab work.  I did 30 seconds plank, followed by 30 push ups (push ups with knees on the ground to start back with) 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 a 30mins swim and home for dinner.

After dinner I went for a 7 mile walk with the dog.  It is the same route that I ran yesterday morning.

Finished for the day and time to relax.

Monday 10th March

I was in the gym for 7am.  I did 20mins X-Trainer, 20mins Stepper and then 20mins on the Bike.  Finished with a 30mins swim.

I got a walk done on each of my 3 breaks today.

In the evening, i went to the gym, I did 30mins on the X-Trainer, 20mins on the Stepper and 25mins on the Bike..

Then a 10min swim to finish the day.

Tuesday 11th March

I took today off to rest.  The only thing I did was a 30mins swim in the pool at 8am.

Wednesday 12th March

I had a lie in this morning.  I got up in time to go for a swim at 8am.

I got a walk done on 2 of my breaks today.

This evening I got my regular evening session done. I did 30mins on the X-Trainer, 20mins on the Stepper and then 25mins on the Bike.  

Finished with a 20mins swim.

Thursday 13^th March

I was in the gym a bit late this morning; I got there for 7.15am.  I got 20mins done on the X-Trainer and 20mins on the Bikes. Then time for my swim before heading to work.

I got my regular walk done on my breaks at work.

Friday 14th March

I took this morning off to get a bit of a lie in before the Pakie Ryan Memorial run on Saturday Morning.

After work I hit the gym.   I did 30mins X-Trainer, 20mins Stepper and then 25mins on the Bike.  Finished with a 30mins swim.

Headed home to get my gear ready for the race in the morning.