Tubby's Last PIS

Solid weekend

Sat: 110k + 7.2run straight off – Felt surprisingly good, and this will from here on be the Saturday staple.

Drink bottle (between the aeros) came to grief just past the RAAF base. and it took a couple of minutes to reattach. Shano waited by the PIS Train waits for no man, and we had to chase to get back on – or at least I had to hang onto Shane’s wheel to get back on. Finally caught them coming into Wallacia. Very solid ride, and I wasn’t entirely sure we would get there. Thereafter the ride was solid but not distressing. Got all the way across Greendale without any real pressure. Then flatted. Just let them go – rode back to Penrith and knocked out another 40 flat kms there. Jumped off and ran a lap. Tired by the end, but not completely fried – so either I didn’t go hard enough, or things are coming along – depends on whether the glass is half full or half empty.

Sunday was just glorious on Narrow Neck. Sunny, crystal clear-air round 18 degrees. 20 tough kms. Started to crack over the last 5, but it did a power of good mentally and physically.

PM swim with Luke. 1/3^rd training session, 2/3rds recovery session. Works well Sunday afternoon, and I have woken up in substantially better shape than I would have otherwise. This session works for me, and I will keep it to the finish line now.

I now have some firm cornerstones in my weekly plan:

Ø  Saturday - long brick 110 (stretching with time) + 7.2 run. Won’t attempt to lengthen the run, but will start to improve the intensity/speed with time.

Ø  Sunday – Ready to start doing long runs on Sunday. Starting with 20k will add slowly.

Ø  Wednesday – 70 TT. This is the chance to just practice holding some intensity

Ø  Sunday – PM recovery swim.

Worried about losing some leg-strength, so will add a bike hill reps on Tuesday morning this week.

Tubby has taken his last PIS:

The PIS thing works well, and I can see the popularity – there is a great discipline involved with a big group holding each other accountable for getting there each week, and for not slacking once there.

The bunch pulls out at a steady pace at 5:30 and gradually accelerates. People hang on as long as they can, and the bunch splinters through the Cobbity Hills. But it ain;t for me. I’m not a big fan of riding in the dark, but in the dark in a bunch isn’t my thing. There is no gold plate method of avoiding stacks, but there are ways to reduce the odds. Avoiding big bunches in the dark on pot holed roads is one of those.

I also like the wait and stick together approach. Waiting only ever an adverse issue when there is a big disparity in the quality of the riders in the group. But it just works better for me. I’d even prefer to go solo and sit on the aeros than sit in a big bunch and by necessity ride on the tops.

Monday’s weigh in at 80.9. Unbelievale really.