week in review

It would be fair to say its been an odd week. Bike arrived on Tuesday and spent most of the evening putting handlebars, wheels and seats on. I did surprise myself with an ability to grasp the basic mechanics of it all, thanks to YouTube managed to reattach the oily chain and work out the way it was meant to go on (the Internet basically can tell you EVERYTHING!)

I'm impressed with the bike, nice smooth ride too, brakes well (a must)- gear changes seem to baffle me but will get the hang of it. The fact that it actually fits me and is Women's Specific Design makes a huge difference - i could actually describe the seat as 'comfortable' not sure for how long (30miles later could be a very different story!)

Had a meander round the park and round the block, funny and humiliating, made me feel like a child learning to ride. Basically I am...

So this week in review: Pros: Have bike
Cons: Weather has been rainy so only managed one ride on Friday night.

Monday started off well thanks to G keeping me company with brick training (nothing to do with housebuilding) 5k running loop of parliament hill followed by a freezing dip in the Lido - hence only managed 12 laps (720mtrs)

Tuesday enforced rest waiting for bike to arrive.

Wednesday slight redemption with body pump weights class for 60mins, then 45mins spin class and a gentle 10minute 2k treadmill run.

Thursday a good lunchtime saw 2 loops of regents park outer circle - beating my previous PB with a 52minute 9.3K - nice so smiled all afternoon at work- then ruined it with 4 pints after work and cheese on toast at midnight...oh well, no matter how I try some thing's never change!

Friday - post work break in the rain so took the 'baby' out for a virgin spin in the local area. The Heath cycle routes are a total waste of time - one is too short, the other is gravel so only suitable for bikes with suspension! GRRR! Had to make do with the actual roads to West Hill and then up Millfield lane through Fitzroy Park - big hill! (I admit I stopped once first try - the gears fault honestly!) - back down and up again for practice, then up Millfield Lane and out at Highgate village, I resisted the temptation of heading up a big B Road...and had a pootle round and down Highgate West Hill - wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Complete with white knuckles as a van pulled right beside me! Brake control was all I used all the way to Swains Lane - where I went into residential streets - lovely undulating roads and hardly any traffic. Phew! I'd like to think it was around 5miles in an hour and 20mins. Had to text my nearest and dearest when I returned just to let them know I survived :)

Saturday - early morning wetsuit swim - lido temp had dropped from all the rain to a cool 15c. Only managed 14 lengths, felt tired.

Sunday - to make up for the unscheduled rest day on Tuesday and mitigating circumstances of rain, I ventured to the gym for a long session. 25mins xTrainer, 30minute 22K Bike, and 5k run in 29min.

Two PB's in one week - knackered and proud are the only words I have now. Looking forward to roast chicken and a good nights rest as reward.