Weekly News Number 35
Back in training and one of the last weeks before I can slowly start getting back into running with some run/walk sessions.
This week, I did three sessions where I went from the beach up to the lookout. I finished each session with some stair intervals, moving quickly up the stairs. As I've mentioned before, the impact on the foot is relatively low, but you still get a really good training stimulus. I can definitely imagine keeping the stair sessions in my training plan even once I'm back to normal running.
I'll tell you more about how the return to running is going next week. I'm actually starting my run/walk programme as soon as I've finished writing this blog.
The home race is just around the corner
Alongside the stair sessions, I also had three good bike sessions with some intensity last week. That gives me a lot of confidence going into this Sunday, when the 70.3 Sunshine Coast is on the programme. It's the home race for everyone here on the coast and I'm really looking forward to it, even though I won't be running.
Besides the usual squad swimming, I met up with our Sunday swim group at the beach again. Last Sunday we had a northerly wind, which means warmer temperatures here. For the first time, the thermometer showed 30 degrees again. To be honest, I wasn't quite ready for the warm weather yet and it was a bit of a shock to the system. But you get used to it again. And we'll have to, because it's only going to get warmer over the next few weeks. I'm looking forward to that as well.
Luckily, the water was still nice and cool, which made it perfect for the wetsuit. Because of the northerly wind, though, the bay was pretty rough. On the way out, we were swimming against the waves and I never really managed to find a good rhythm. It felt more like fighting my way through a washing machine.
The way back was a completely different story and, of course, much faster. With the waves behind me, I suddenly found a really good rhythm and could swim much more relaxed. I also managed to stay on the feet in front of me, which made for a nice and comfortable pace all the way back to the beach. So in the end, there were definitely some positives to take away from the session.
Training before work
I also worked quite a few hours this week, which meant I got to see the sunrise almost every morning and head outside to train first thing.
I've really started to enjoy getting going at 6 am or even earlier and getting my training done before work. I actually think I enjoy the sessions even more this way. I know I only have a limited amount of time, so I want to use that time as well and as focused as possible.
At the same time, I've started using Brick to block my social media apps. There are now days when I don't open Instagram until the evening because the app is blocked before then. Especially in the mornings, I've noticed how much I enjoy not looking at my phone first thing and instead simply getting outside and moving. It makes it much easier to get out of the house. Not taking my phone to bed with me has helped as well.
It's probably mainly a problem for us younger people because we spend so much time on these things. But you also have to admit that the industry is clever. Apps and phones are designed to keep us using them for as long as possible.
Slowly understanding the Australian system
The days went by pretty quickly this week. Apart from training and work, not that much happened, even though my workdays were usually only three to five hours long.
There was one new thing, though: I've now opened my "Super" account. In Australia, it's called superannuation and it's basically the retirement savings system. Here, you can choose which provider your employer pays the money into.
Emma helped me look at the different providers and compare how they have performed over the past few years. Luckily, she studied economics, so she understands much better than I do what makes sense and what you should be looking for. So, with her help, I opened my account online and learned a little more about how things work over here.
To be honest, I'm still a long way from understanding the whole system. But I'm learning more step by step. Sometimes you only really understand how something works once you actually have to do it yourself, ask questions and talk to people about it.
Now it's race time
And that's another week done. The foot continues to make progress, training is going well and this Sunday I'll finally get to experience some race atmosphere again at the 70.3 Sunshine Coast. Even though I won't be completing the full distance this time, I'm really looking forward to being part of a race again.
To everyone in the Northern Hemisphere, I hope you're enjoying the start of autumn. Down here in the Southern Hemisphere, we're slowly heading into spring and the warmer months.
Next week, we'll catch up again after the race and I'll tell you what happened at the Sunshine Coast.
See you then.
Cyrill
