Been away this week, off across to the East, in Martlesham – which is where I used to work at the beginning of my BT career some 16 years ago – now that is a scary thought… Was up there for a workshop, but the hotel I picked had a David Lloyd next door, so on MOnday evening, after I arrived I headed straight over there. I had to bring a towel from the hotel, and worked out from the girl at the counter how to get in, and was told it was “quiet” – it must get very bust then, then I was given a lock and key and away I went.
Massive changing rooms with a variety of people in various states of undress – some people are real exhibitionists, unfortunately found my self a locker, and got into my swimmers. Remembered to take my glasses off, but then felt a little deaf and dumb with my ear plugs in and my glasses off. I stumbled around trying to find the exist it the pool, found it, then remembered I needed to get a shower first,m so stumbled back out again. Then to the pool proper. There were a number of lanes, one said “slow”, one said “fast” and two large lanes were full of children and parents. I felt a little lost.
Anyway, decided I should probably get into the “slow” lane, along with four other people – luckily with the pool being a full 25 meter, it was quite easy to get into a slot. Also after I was swimming for a bit I scared two of the people away. Had a reasonable session, no idea how many lengths but was doing two at a time – partly down to my uselessness, but also because the lane had a bottleneck and I had to pause occasionally. So spent around 25-30 mins in the pool, then stumbled back into the changing rooms. It was now then I realized after I took my key from my pocket, that there was no number on it. The woman had just given me a lock, and I had just picked a locker at random – how I had thought there might be a magical number on it I don’t know, but I didn’t really know which locker was mine. And there were people around, looking at me, as I tried a lock or two. Not being able to see very well doesn’t help this enterprise I can tell you. Anyway I found it (thankfully, otherwise I would still be there) and after a quick shower and a shuffling change of clothes I was back in the hotel.
That was the last I saw of David Lloyd – I had intended to go each morning – but, well, I didn’t. I did have two lots of burgers and six pints though – so not all bad eh?
Due to being away I had to run on Weds night when I got back – but I was tired after the long drive so just did two miles. Went down the Hilton pool on the Thurs morning – it was busy, I swam quite a few lengths – a few sixers. Went out for food with the in-laws on Thurs night down the Old Barn, but up in the morning to have a three miler in the morning.
Rained on Sat and Sun, so I shyed off the cycle or run on Sat, which was bad of me, but at least we went for a little walk down the wetlands. Then had a great session in the pool on Sunday. Got there about 7:30, and there were only a couple there, started sets of six. Tiring to start with, but I kept up, six lengths then about a 40 second break – each set taking around 3 mins. Did six of these after each other, then after the final pause I did a set of 14 lengths to take the total up to 50. So that was in about 30 mins – with pauses though but feeling a little more relaxed about the swim – even though that was only 900 meters and not in the sea, and not under pressure, and not competitive etc etc it still feels good.
So this week:
Run: 1 x 2 mile, 2 x 3 mile
Swim: 3 sessions – 6 lengths at a time, max 50 lengths in one session
Cycle: Nowt (although I have ordered £300 pound wheels
Beer: 17 Stella, 2 Fosters (thanks Ant)