Linda Donaldson blog: Getting the balance right - JOGLE training

Training while under the weather is never a good plan.  About a week ago I developed a bit of a chesty cough nothing much to complain about but wanting to knock it on the head quick I trooped into the chemist and armed myself with a cough bottle and carried on training.   By Tuesday I thought I was winning as my cough had subsided but an after work session told me otherwise, as my legs felt lead on the watt bike and my body just generally a bit weak.  Wednesday training involved a kettle bell core session which was going reasonably well until halfway through I felt something pop under my right shoulder blade.  Sensibly my trainer called a halt to my session and started to get to work on the sore area with a massager.  Later I felt battered, bruised and ready for my bed.

The next day my cough had still not gone and my shoulder was now really hurting quite badly so despite getting through another gym session I knew that I was not really on the mend.  If anything I felt a bit worse for wear and on Thursday even my legs had started to give up and I complained the whole way through a half hour power plate session (sorry Joey).

The trouble is I am a bit stubborn when I set myself a goal which, given the JOGLE task ahead, is probably no bad thing, so when the offer on Thursday of a late entry to the Longleat Lionheart 100 miler, I jumped at the chance.  Still dosing my aching throat with ibuprofen and swigging cough mixture at regular intervals on  Saturday morning I set off in search of padded shorts and a new cycling helmet (the old one had really started to hurt my head on long rides).  Purchases compete and provisions for the next day's ride bought I settled down for an afternoon of rugby in front of the fire.  And what an afternoon, despite my beloved Scottish boys losing to France, I enjoyed the Italy game and the championship decider in Wales. 

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Bed early and alarm set for ridiculous o'clock I readied myself for the day ahead. But as the day itself arrived I woke feeling worse than ever and knew I was not well enough to take part.  Fed up, but in need of some serious sleep, I stayed in bed and wished my cycling chums luck.  And boy did they need it, as the snow, sleet and hilly route took its toll on many of the riders. It also highlighted to some of my fellow JOGLE participants just how much additional training we need to put in between now and the ride in June.

So having finally taken a good 48 hours out of my training schedule, I got back on my bicycle yesterday and enjoyed a swift 15 mile lunchtime ride in the sun.  Despite my initial instincts to keep training  last week taught me that rest is definitely needed when training hard and I very nearly got that balance completely wrong.

Lindax

On the 8th of June I will be cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End in aid of the Bath Rugby Foundation.  This ride will involve cycling more than 100 miles per day for nine days.  If you are able I would be grateful for any donations www.virginmoneygiving.com/LindaDonaldson1