It’s now been a month since returning to Japan, and my 7 month sojourn in UK and Spain seems a distant memory. I’ve got back to some sort of routine, although things are far from normal, with many offices and shops being closed and a state of emergency in place, meaning restrictions on what you can and can’t do. This has meant that I’m back to being stuck on my arse on the sofa much more than I would like, and I have to admit I’m questioning my decision to come back to Japan. This gets highlighted everyday when running through the city streets, or stuck riding my trainer indoors or looking for little patches of green to enjoy a stroll. 

That being the case I decided to take myself to the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, with its wide open spaces and beautiful wild scenery. I’ve come up here many times over the years as I’ve hit peak training weeks, due to being able to ride for unlimited miles unbothered by cars and traffic controls, as well as the fact to escape the suffocating humidity of Tokyo summer. 

This time will be different though as I’m still at base training for my late November Ironman, so there is less need for intense race focused specialisation, and more about regular strength and endurance building. Also there are a handful of my Tri club members up in the same area on a Tri training camp, so my normal isolation and self focus will most likely be broken 

That is actually an issue that I’ve been wrestling over a bit. As detailed in previous posts, I find it hard to relax socially when I’m off the booze (haven’t drunk or smoked since I left Spain), and I also am very used (and happy) to train by myself – I actually don’t remember the last time I went out for a ride/run/swim with anyone else. However I realise that probably isn’t the best for me, both on a mental level and in regard to getting the most out of my training , so I will make a effort to get out with some fellow TiTs, even if not on all sessions. It will be good to be pushed a bit and do a few things I might otherwise avoid, and I’m also sure I’ll enjoy the company of like minded Gaijin (the Japanese word for foreigners)

I’ll post again once my week here is over, with details of how it all went, so for now will end with the stats from the last three weeks of training 

Stats for week beginning 2^nd August,  16 weeks to go

Monday morning health checks

Weight : 83.8kg

Blood pressure :128/76

Resting HR : 51bpm

Weekly training

Bike 4 sessions on indoor trainer for total 7hours. Long ride 3:15hrs

Run – 3 sessions for total 32.5km. Long Run 15km

Swim 2 sessions. Total 1:20hrs

Strength and condition 2 x 60 minutes

Stats for week beginning 9th August,  15 weeks to go

Monday morning health checks –

Weight : 83.8kg (same)

Blood pressure :132/78

Resting HR : 54bpm

Weekly training

Bike 3 sessions on indoor trainer for total 6hours. Long ride 3:30hrs

Run – 5 sessions for total 42km. Long Run 18km

Swim 2 sessions. Total 1:40hrs

Strength and condition 2 x 60 minutes

Stats for week beginning 16^th August,  14 weeks to go

Monday morning health checks

Weight : 82.2kg

Blood pressure :129/79

Resting HR : 47bpm

Weekly training

Bike 4 sessions on indoor trainer for total 6:25hours. Long ride 2:45hrs

Run – 7 sessions for total 35.5km. Long Run 11km

Swim 2 sessions. Total 1:25hrs

Strength and condition 2 x 60 minutes