It was all worth it because Fiona and Andrew's wedding was so much fun! They had such an amazing day and they both looked brilliant. I loved Fiona's dress so much, she just looked so beautiful. After TFD (The Flying Dutchman) telling me that he doesn't dance I had to practically drag him off the floor once he got started. :) Everything was perfect about the day and the weather was incredible! I wore an Amanda Wakely halter neck backless dress in dark blue. It went all the way down to the floor with a big bow at the back. My hair was up in a French roll with some bits hanging down. The obligatory 2kg of hairspray and 17 bobby pins to hold it all together were in there too. TFD was in a tailor made grey suit and was looking very handsome. I tease him and tell him I only have him because he makes such great arm candy ;)
Training is going well. We went out to Ludlow for the Autumn Epic a few weeks back but didn't end up doing the event as the weather was so bad. Checking out forums the next day, people were having problems getting to the start line as the surrounding roads were flooded and a lot of people who actually made it there pulled out in the 1st 10 miles and turned back. We made the decision not to do it after the alarm went off at 6am and it was a complete downpour outside. Being wet for 6 hours is not my idea of fun, and I really can't afford to get sick now. It is far too close to Arizona for me to have any time off. It wasn't all bad, we were staying at Fishmore Hall just out of Ludlow where they have a Michelin starred chef so we went for the 7 course meal on the Saturday night. Very nice. Great place, would definitely recommend it. We headed back in on the Sunday and we watched a movie 'together'. TFD was on the couch with his feet up and I was on my rollers sweating it out doing a training session on my bike. The movie wasn't long enough so a few episodes of South Park bumped up the time in the saddle. Only problem was I kept almost falling off because I was laughing so much. Not ideal focused training and 2 hours was more than enough. It was the longest I have ever done on my rollers.
2 weekends ago we did a sportive down in Surrey from Dunsfold Park. Really great ride, except for the getting lost part so we did a few extra miles which was a shame because we missed out on getting silver by only a few mins. I was pleased, I was 3rd fastest woman which wasn't bad given it was only TFD and I. We would have been much faster in a pack. We got back in and I did a run on the runway as it was at the airfield. The runway was obviously not in use ;)
Last weekend was another wonderful weekend in Nice where we did a snappy 3 hour ride Saturday. I was getting very cranky, my legs were not working as they should have been. All the training is making me tired and they were sore from a heavy weights session Thursday. TFD was 'encouraging' me but I was throwing abuse back, more because I was frustrated with myself for not being able to push harder. We got in and I did my hour run along the promenade, around the marina and out of Nice up the side of a mountain and back down again. TFD met me and handed over goggles, swim cap, bikini and Zoot suit and then into the sea for a 45 min open water swim. The water was 20 degrees so a bit chilly but refreshing. The problem was the jelly fish! I got stung on both feet and under my left arm. The 2 on my feet went away by Saturday night but the one under my arm was over the top of some chaffing from running so hurt a tab bit more. I am taking my wetsuit next time so I can stay out there longer than 45 mins.
Yesterday we did 3 big climbs. The pictures are from the Col de Braus which was the 2nd one we did of the day. 10km of up and up and up, but so much fun around those hairpin turns :) We then headed back down to sea level to Menton and then up to St Agnes and onto Col de la Madone. That's the climb that lance Armstrong used to do his testing on. I believe he used to do it in about 33 minutes. I can manage an hour, so we are clearly neck and neck (if he does it twice!).
The best thing about all the climbing is the descending and the going as fast as you can part. My riding and handling skills have really improved the last few months and I put them to good test when riding in France. We always try and do the big ride on a Sunday when there is less traffic and it pays off because you only see a couple of cars. After descending Col de la Madona it is 45 mins back to Nice and it is sloping down with one up hill.
TFD and I generally race each other back in doing an average of 50km/h and sometimes more and really hammer it. The descents are great and I have no idea how fast we are going on those, way too fast to look at my speedo and check that's for sure! You really have to work and I just love going at speed. The cars are very forgiving which is great, they don't try and run you over if you take a wider corner. The only bad driver we encountered yesterday was a guy in a 4x4 with British plates who tried to overtake us on a super narrow rd and besides almost pushing us into the wall almost had a head on with another car. We are back in Nice in 2 weeks for another few
days of heavy training and that marks the end of Arizona training and then the taper starts!! I am feeling great and very strong. The 2 or 3 core and strength sessions are really paying off, and I have never been able to do 50 pushups before in my life which is pretty cool ;) I am really looking forward to Arizona and if I had to do it tomorrow I would be ready. The fact I have another few weeks is a complete bonus and I am really happy I have yet again managed to keep my promise to myself that I do everything I can so I never turn up to a race thinking I could have done more. As I say to TFD he isn't going to Arizona to watch a loser :)Stay safe and happy training.
Cx
Posts
