strava w@nkers, warm weather training

 

It had to happen, but today was as much about strava and training in the heat than hitting the tourist spots. But it felt pretty worthwhile achievement.  Dropped our bikes off first thing, even recording that kilometre trip on strava to start the w@nkery has we meant to go on.  Living off apples, grapes and cheese for 'in flat' snacks at the moment, so the day broadly starts quite healthy.

In terms of moving onto the run I was slightly edgy knowing I don't run well in the heat and also not wanting to spoil the holiday vibe. I did require some double figure distance though to maintain some fairly intense marathon training that has consumed me to date this year, and whilst this week will be a little lower on the long runs, I can't fall off a cliff completely.  (or at all literally come to think of it)

The route I chose was the first part of our cycle yesterday, not overly inspiring, and nothing new, passing the wreck and not wanting to be one was the first goal of the day.  To try and make something new happen on the run and inject a bit of tourism I chose Castello de San Gabriel in Arrecife as my first turnaround point, had seen it in the distance yesterday, but had to cross the moat on a cobbled path to make it up to the old fort.  Two cannons outside nodded to its former self, a museum inside I understand that I did not have the time to explore, first built in the 16th century but burnt down by pirates, they have a bit of a history with those menaces of the sea.

Started to feel quite confident on the return leg so decided to round the miles up to a half marathon which did involve some mental arithmetic around Costa Teguise and a bit of back and forth. I did stumble out across a cobbled walkway in the main beach of LasCucharas to a sculpture of some sort of sea guardians as another minor new tourist point for the day.  

Caught up with Chrissi in the cafe next to our flat, gulped down some water and turned my attention to the next thing to put on strava!  Having uploaded the half mara of course ..

Another difficult transition today was the 45 mins I had between running and my second swimming lesson.  On the basis that yesterday had felt relatively easy as I'd stop, started a lot to get advice on stroke, how to kick, and was more conversational, I felt I had the necessary energy.  Today however was a lot more laps, back and forth up the pool with a different piece of apparatus each time. Meant I did manage quite a lot of distance but lets say I had many helpful accompaniments from floats, to flippers to aid buoyancy and balance. It felt a notch up in intensity, and having looked up my coach for today Joju, masters world athlete, I should have expected nothing less. Although what he made of someone his own age being such an abject shambles in the water I will never know, but he hid it well.  What I will say, and for those who can swim and want to improve, take a look at spending some time with this guy if you get out this way, oozing quality in coaching and performance.

It takes it out of you does this kind of thing, and for all the jokes about warm weather training, I was pretty much in need of a long siesta by mid afternoon. Did venture down to the appartment complex pool, Chrissi had a swim, I read my book, but even getting up and down from the sun lounger was requiring enough exertion to merit another strava entry. (joke)

So hot in the day here, but we do note it cooling around five most days we have been here, a cloud seems to roll in right on cue, and that is the time to move to our little balcony, pour a glass of wine and see what has been going on in the world.  Chrissi also having done the 3 different disciplines of triathlon too today also feeling rightly pleased with herself, so a broadly positive glow as the sun set amongst those clouds.  Definitely a bit moody in the atmosphere, adds a nice touch to the end of the day I find.

You stick an extra layer on in the evening here, but perhaps as well extra shivery due to catching the sun when out and about.  Our food needs tonight were pretty basic, I was hankering for a burger and chips, found an Irish bar Scanlons Cavern nearby, and even had a bit of premier league football on, right above my dining partners head. Couple of ciders to wash it all down, but before getting too carried away, I knew my final swimming lesson in the morning would keep me honest, and we returned to the flat for a cup of tea ... yes, we bought teabags!!