We’ve known about this challenge a while now. To be honest
it only feels like we’re just getting going.
To bring everything up to date. We’re doing one of the
disciplines every day now. Yesterday was a bike session. This involves being
put through my paces by an ex pro here in Eritrea, he’s called Yonas. He’s
ridden the Tour of Eritrea numerous times and has all the connections with the
pros here. We’ve been able to go out riding with a few pros who have been
riding all over the place. This includes meeting 3 riders who currently ride
for Dimension Data, based in South Africa. The main religion here is cycling –
definitely.
Yesterday’s session was a first venture off the edge of the
escarpment at 2300m and down the main mountain road towards the coastal city of
Massawa. We cycled approximately 20km down and then spun around and came
straight back up. Although it was a fairly long climb it wasn’t massively
taxing, the gradient wasn’t too tough (between 5 & 7%) and I actually
really enjoyed it. Next time more distance required. I think climbing is my
favourite cycling discipline. It’s the only area where Yonas can’t drop me……as
much! It has been good during the Yonas sessions to learn new drills when cycling
and have the chance to learn the tricks of the trade when riding within a
group.
Swimming is this session for this evening. The pool is hot. Therefore, smashing out rapid
times is near on impossible without overheating. However, it does the job. A teacher
at our school, Shikara, is a qualified coach and very talented swimmer. She’s
been doing some sessions based around improving distance swimming. It clearly
works, my arms don’t always work properly the next day.
Running is on the back-burner at present. The occasional run
will occur, but keeping injury free at the moment is a priority. I need to give
my knee the chance to fully recover from the ITBS before I give it a hammering
over the coming months.
I'm 30 now - but I think I can top my PB in terms of fitness levels regardless!!!
#swimbikerun
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