From Bad to Worse ...

This week has been a total washout for training. I haven't raised a heart beat in action all week. I felt rough on Monday but just put it down to being tired but then it just got worse as the week went on and finally I took a sick day Friday to try to shake the worst Man-Flu I've had for years. I've been popping Ibuprofen, Strepsils and Lemsip Flu tablets and the combination seems to be working. I feel like I could probably go for a short bike ride tomorrow (Sunday) but I'm not going to risk it. Jo's got it now, although obviously not as bad as me or the same strain ... Man-Flu doesn't cross over between the species. 

The only news I got to report on the 'training' front is that I pulled my bike handlebars back into shape and the bruise on my leg has been going through the colours of the rainbow. I've resisted putting naked pictures of my leg on here as to not offend people but I quite like the colours it is now so a picture is attached below. You have been warned. 

must do some weeding

If I'm not training, the next best thing (sometimes better) is planning the training. I'm not going to be able to run a Half M at the end of May so I have scrapped that. My focus with running is just to get back to being able to run for an hour without 'pulling' the calf. My running comeback is going to be slow and over short distances ... maybe just 10 or 15 mins to start with. I WILL beat the calf!!! I've been doing calf raises on a step all week without any hint of trouble. Both calfs feel strong ... but then again that's never been an indication that they won't 'go'.

I've created a Google Doc (not sure if anyone else can open it) that gives an overall plan for the year. It's worked out quite well with the kids school holidays and the weeks that I have off. They naturally break it up into 3 phases of roughly 10 weeks each with a 'rest' week inbetween. I've scheduled some rides on the course to look forward to after the winter. I'm hoping that I will be able to transfer some of the speed I've gained over short flat distances to the longer, hillier course. I'll be suing Endurance Nation if it doesn't. Might even try to get on the course before the winter to get some 'base' data. 

I'm going to take it easy next week to give myself time to fully recover from the Man-Flu and then I will be back at it. I've really missed being out there, especially on the bike. Tempted to go out tomorrow but will stick with the sensible option and sleep in ... maybe start with a short run on Monday. I hate being sick!!!