Saturday 31st January

14 mile run along the tow path this morning. Leg pain (periformis )very bad today and I really struggled to complete the run. So disheartening as I feel strong at the moment. Our pace was a bit mad too for a supposed long run - finished it in 2 hrs 8mins.

My shower is broken so I went to the gym for it and did a good stretch and an 800m swim while I was there...

Friday 30th January

Early morning 1200m steady swim. My back is a bit sore at the moment. Going to order the Body Control Pilates Manual to get some specific exercises for strenghtening. Apparently with this manual you can select a programme based on your weak bits and for areas which you would normally sucumb to injury. Book is half price on Amazon - happy days! Watch this space for feedback....

Half hour on turbo trainer. Missed a spin class due to the traffic,grrr! Fast legs for whole session, followed by 15 minutes of core work. Manual ordered from Amazon!

Thursday 29th January

Early morning turbo session with fast legs

Wednesday 28th January

Half an hour on the turbo and 15 minutes core/strength work. Life getting in the way of my running this week - broken shower, meetings, etc, etc...

Monday 26th January

Early morning spin class and 15 minutes core work. Decided that I had better get back to spinning classes after struggling on a few hills on Saturday. Spent most of the class doing seated and standing climbs - so this should help...

Saturday 24th January

Well, a bit of a mental day today. Started off on a frosty sunny morning with a 12 mile run along a new off road path that we have discovered. Fine for the first 10 miles, then I really felt my lack of running over the last two miles. Pace a bit uneven which didn't help, I supppose. Anyhow, I survived that, quick lunch and then:

A 27.5 mile cycle this afternoon down to Groomsport and back. Mental note to myself: do not cycle any where near Bangor on a Saturday afternoon! Traffic was just too heavy. Need to do a lot of bike technique work, particularly on the gears. That will be my project for the next few cycles. All in all a good day - just under 4 hours of training. Think I will have earned a thimbleful of wine tonight !!

Friday 23rd January

Still not getting any easier to get up in the mornings! Half an hour on the turbo on a high cadence. Undergearing to increase my leg speed.

Thursday 22nd January

Early morning 800m swim. Finding it hard to get up to train in the mornings - after effects of the flu probably. Can't believe this is my first swim in 4 weeks - not good!!

Wednesday 21st January

20 minutes core and stretching work this morning. Talk about rusty core muscles - abs and quads really feeling it! Pain is good though - I hope!!

Another 7 mile run in the bag tonight. Nice tempo run with the club. Got a bit of a niggle in my right achilles tendon - biofreeze for me tonight...

Monday 19th January

20 minutes core strength training this morning. Aim to really sort out my core this year to help prevent more injuries.

Good 7 mile run this evening through snow, rain, sleet, frozen rain etc etc - got a few funny looks from drivers wondering what sort of nutter is out in those conditions!!
Miles starting to go back on the clock again though...

Sunday 18th January

Just over an hour on the turbo trainer this morning. Kept the resistance fairly high for most of it. Intensive stretching after it. Legs are a bit tender after yesterday's run...

Saturday 17th January

Back out on the road/towpath again. Managed 9 miles this morning. I really felt the lack of running recently. I want to start an intensive stretching campaign as I will have to build miles very quickly - about 3 weeks short for training for Vienna. Good to be out running again though !!

Friday 16th January

Early morning half hour turbo session. Took it fairly easy - hopefully that is me back into training again!! Also need to remove the 3lbs I have put on from not training and Christmas excesses...

Wednesday 14th January

Still not feeling terribly good - energy levels in my boots. Very, very frustrating as I really want to train again. Amazing what effect not doing anything has on your head! I have entered for Vienna Marathon on 19th April so I desperately need to shake this lurgy off and get out on the roads again - hopefully within the next day or so.

Sunday 11th January

Managed to get outside and do a brisk hour's walk along the towpath. Tame, I know, but at least I am vertical again...

Wednesday 7th January

Well, I've finally been stricken with the flu that is going around which has scuppered my training this week so far - hopefully back at it again soon

Sunday 4th January

Le Grand Bornand was today's skiing destination. Again empty pistes, great snow but very cold. Good number of miles covered, including being dragged down a black run with very large moguls by my, now very able, ski buddy. Legs 100% wrecked now! Good core training though. Back to the grind tomorrow, unfortunately.

Saturday 3rd January

Off to Flaine for today's skiing. Excellent day - great snow, pretty empty pistes and a good skiing companion. Legs about 75% wrecked!!

Friday 2nd January

Great day's skiing in La Clusaz in the Haute Savoie - one hour from Geneva. Leg muscles took a minor battering..

New Year's Day

Managed an hour and a half skiing in a little resort very close to Geneva. One way of getting rid of a hangover and a great way to start the new year!