New to Tri: Gráinne O’Brien – Week 2

Last weekend started out well with a 20km easy cycle with my cousin. It was my first long spin on the bike so Sharon kept the distance we had done quiet until we got back.

On the cycle, I got an introduction to the hand signals used when cycling in groups. My first mistake was thinking that a hand low to the right meant to go to the right; there’s a hole on the left. But I learnt the hard way I had gotten that one backwards as I hit a nice big hole. No damage done.
 

Read on for more…
 

We took it at a nice easy pace, but now I know I can cover that distance and still feel comfortable. Next time we’ll push harder.
The swimming mentally this week was the hardest. I’ve just moved out of the beginners lane for the Sunday evening swims and up into the “OMG how fast are they lane”. The distances in each set and overall are increased, as is the speed. Speed will just have to happen later as on my first evening I didn’t even manage to complete the main key set. I did join back in for the next one. But I’m told I’ll get there and just to keep going. So with that in mind I hit the pool myself on Tuesday, as to be honest it’s not every Tuesday I can wake up at 6 and make the club swim.
 
I had jotted down the swim set from Sunday, with some minor changes and headed to my gym. To begin with, I found the water freezing; I think I’m getting too used to the toasty water in WW. I also forgot my waterproof mp3 player, and the talkative person in me got lonely 🙁 Nevertheless, I managed to complete everything I had set out for myself so I was happy to reward myself with 10 minutes in the Jacuzzi.
 
Unfortunately, the running is still on hold due to my right calf being a lazy bugger. Apparently, I walked funny for the past five years after breaking my baby toe and it’s only now that my poor foot is feeling the pain of an underdeveloped calf muscle. Lesson here folks is to watch those poor toes when doing the house work, or just don’t do any 🙂
 
I’ve ordered a trisuit, hopefully to arrive in time for next week’s pool session for us newbies.