Fionas update
13th - 19th August, Fiona Southorn
13th and 14th
Both days were early track sessions, i found this to be too cold on my lungs and the legs felt like bricks. Thursday was the first time doing standing starts in the gates and progressing to 6 laps at race pace, extremely cold work on the lungs. I ended up with a cough from the cold air, not great for the asthma. These were the last of the early morning sessions. Both days i rode back to the accommodation and got blown off the Highway from the trucks, was nice and warm outside. Stretching, food and a good chill out was required after track, later in the afternoons i went for a recovery road ride in the afternoon. A bit of retail therapy might be in order after my disappointing day, it’s late night shopping, i didn’t get much a few groceries and birthday cards for back home. It was good to get out.
15th
Friday morning was another early start, i had to get in the Gym before going for a massage, Lynn a bind rider who has done 3 Olympics is doing my massages for me, it’s a half hour drive to her house and well worth the drive. She is an amazing lady friendly and very courageous. Later in the afternoon after a good few chapters read in my book i hit the roads again, looking for new places to ride today, i was gone a bit longer than expected and felt a bit thirsty. The Canada team arrived, unfortunately they were met with usual dramas, luggage lost and rooms to sort out, itnhey have a big team of 12. I’m going to treat myself tonight and make Vege Nacho’s, yumm
16th
Wow, had the best sleep ever, 9 hours, i’m pleased about that as i’ve struggled all week to sleep for long, i think i’m watching to much Olympics before bed and may be getting a bit anxious. I have a hard training today on the road and on tired legs it is going to be hard. I dragged Simon out with me so i could chase him during my 20min effort, i then had to find a tight circuit to do some attacking for 4mins then 4min recovery and had to do 7 of these, attacking around courner and up hills. Having Simon there definately pushed me he is a great rider himself. We rode back to the Vines and were surprised to find some of the Australian team had dropped in for a coffee. It was great to see the Tandem girls and Mark on the trike. After a couple of hours rest, in the sun reading my book, i helped Annmarie with her shopping, pushed her trolley. Annmarie is our handcyclist who is weelchair bound. It was a late workout in the gym, i didn’t mind the TV was on and i got to see some track cycling.
17th
Another good sleep, i went for a walk to post some mail, update my blog, read my book and chill for the morning. I was supposed to spend the day with my relatives but my cousin has the flue. I an lucky to know a few people in Perth, so a friend took pity on me and picked me up to take me to Sorrento for lunch and the afternoon. Such a beautiful harbour, really upmarket place, boats and launches everywhere, i thought it nicer than Freemantle. It’a a pity i forgot the camera would of loved to of taken pictures. There was a safe beach set up just for the kids, hydroslides, and a London lollie shop for the local poms. Not that i brought any still hooked on my Cheery ripes when i feel like a treat, most days actually, only half a bar, most times. Teehee. Dispite a great day i i can back feeling completely home sick, the rest of the NZ team had a big day at the veledrome so had buffet for dinner in the Restaurant. I decided i didn’t really need a big meal and declined to join them. Instead i curled up on the couch, watched the Olympics and cried.
18th
After an unsettled sleep, i woke feeling ready for my next weeks training, i had a great early gym session so i could come and watch the Kiwi gals in the Triathlon. The transition area and the first hill is the same course i was going to be riding, then we head off around the Dam. I was devastated for Sam to see her get caught up in a bike wheel in the transition area. I’m not looking forward to riding on rubber, oh well same for all. Today is the first day for my Acclimation training, i brought a heater especially, this might seem weird for some of you but i put in the the bathroom with my bike and trainer, shower on and lightly peddled listening to music, sweating my butt of going no where. This is to get used to the humidity in Beijing. Perth is a very dry heat and the humidity is low. It is also not hot enough here so this is the next best thing. I certainly hope i don’t get as hot and uncomfortable in Beijing as i did today.
19th
Another unsettled nights sleep, maybe i’m watching too much Olympics and getting nervous already. I went out for a walk today, it’s really nice walking around the beautiful homes on the golf course. My training this morning consisted of short sharp efforts including a couple of corners uphill to get used to going out onto the road from transition and up that first climb in Beijing. I did this four times and rode back to the Vines before the rain set in. I got to watch the triathlon once again, was great to see a Kiwi get a medal, Yippee! I had about four hours to get ready for the Veledrome so it e-mails, food, washing. We headed down there early to warm up on ERG’s as we only had a two hour slot from 4-6pm, the Australians were there so it was really great to say “gidday” to them all. Glad I took my MP3, the music really got me in the mood. I did my usual 10min tempo behind the Motorbike today, was faster getting up to 55km’s. Then it was change gear and chase the motorbike as fast as i can, coming down off the track for 30 seconds in a 98” ( 51 – 14 ) i had to do this twelve times on and 2minutes rolling around top of track inbetween. Overall today’s training went very well, much warmer today which my legs liked. Looking forward to that massage tomorrow.
20th
Woke up early today, oh well, may as well get going to the Gym, was good had the machines to myself. Off to my massage, feeling really relaxed, Lynn my massage therapist has noticed my legs have been doing some hard work, she also noticed my tight neck and shoulders and advised me to find ways to relax. Good advice, i’ll try ................. on my way back i ran a few errands at the local mall, just had to pop into the surf shop to. Teehee, By the time i got back it was time to set myself up for another heat training session in the bathroom. Just caught Nick Willis getting bronze, great stuff NZ.
Until next time
Fi
About Fiona Southorn
I am very proud and honored to be sponsored by Avanti Plus Whangarei, Tracey and Paul have been a tremendous help during my campaign to get my bikes up to speed for the Beijing Olympics. I’m riding the Avanti Crono on the road and Avanti Pista on the track. Their generosity has been the best I have ever encounted, staff are friendly and happy to help and are always interested in my racing and results.
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