It’s been a frustrating week in terms of training, but a rewarding one in terms of being a dad. I have to use my annual leave up by the end of September so I’d taken this past week off with the intention of getting some quality training into my legs. The best laid plans of mice and men springs to mind as my training equates to 50 miles on the bike and a couple of hours on the turbo.
The week started off great on Sunday when I joined my club mates from COLT on a challenging 41 mile ride over the hills. I was reminded of the famous Monty Python sketch called Bruce ( If you don’t know it, check out YouTube ) as there were six of us on the ride and four of us were called Andy. It certainly made it fun to communicate; you just shouted “Andy” and you got a response, although not necessarily from the person you wanted to speak to. This was the first club ride I’d been on in months, being a new dad hadn’t allowed me the time. And to be honest I’d enjoyed my Sunday mornings off relaxing with the family.
The lack of long rides certainly became apparent as every time we hit a hill I was dropped off the back. Being a Clydesdale with little fear I descend like a stone and was soon back with the peloton after each hill. That set the pattern for the morning as we covered the 41 miles in 2.44, with climbing of 1619 feet. It was a great workout and just what I needed to kick off my September of hard work.
This was also Em’s first week back at work after maternity leave. So I became a full time dad this week. My planned daily long rides turned into cuddles, Disney Jnr marathons, visits to the doctor, warming bottles, and changing more diapers than I thought it would be possible to fill in one day. Most days by the time Em had got home from work, and we’d got Charlotte off to sleep, and eaten it was gone 9pm. We both fell into bed exhausted by 10pm, the return to work and the full time parenting days taking their toal.
One night when I did have some energy I managed to set up my turbo trainer ( a sign that winter has arrived ). My Dad had managed to fix the seat post on the Roo after he and my mate Nicko had the same idea ( both engineers ). I was so pleased as two local bike shops and Quintana Roo said it couldn’t be done, not the best customer service I’ve come across. Oh yeah and don’t ask me what the idea to fix it was – way too technical for me. I’m just glad it worked.
I did an hour on the turbo, interval training to heart rate. Ten minutes warm up and then five minutes in various zones, and a twenty minute warm down. I’d forgotten just how tough the turbo can be when done properly. And WOW how much do you sweat on those things!! Good job mine is in the basement because I looked like I’d just ridden Splash Mountain as I was dripping wet.
My diet has also been going well, it’s only been a week but I feel much lighter. I know that sounds daft but I really do. Apart from Baby fatigue I also feel more energised. I’m looking forward to seeing what the scales say on Monday morning, I won’t be my usual scared self in front of them.
So there you have it the best laid plans…..of a dad ( first ) and triathlete ( second ). There will be other weeks to train, more days in which to suffer, there will only be one chance to be the best dad I can be. Maybe this past week wasn’t as frustrating as I first thought.
Andy Holgate is the bestselling author of “Can’t Swim, Can’t Ride, Can’t Run: From Common Man to Ironman.” He lives in England, competes in triathlon and enjoys life to the full with his family.
He has his own blog HERE and his book is available from all good bookshops including Amazon HERE.
Follow on twitter @everymantri or view latest videos on YouTube.