Mummy Morris's training week!

BY: Donna Morris

Published: 6th April, 2014

Ok, the time has come to give you a snap shot week at my training.

Until 2 weeks ago my training consisted of more time in the swimming pool and with my trainers on than being on my bike! A combination of horrendous weather,shifts and racing everywhere with the kids, alongside fighting Phil for a jump on the bike.

For those of you that don't know I work as a midwife and have two children, Hali-Rae who is six and following in mummy and daddy's footsteps on the bike. Whilst Ryley, is coming on, strength by strength and is aiming towards being a parolympian in years to come. Then there is my husband Phil, who is a familiar face on the race circuit. It's his training turn next week!

So now for my training, out of the team I'm pretty sure mine will be the wildest!! I don't have a heart rate monitor, I do nothing with training zones, and basically hop on my bike when the weather is half ok and when I have a chance. Due to the nature of my work, I work adhoc shifts, regularly work nights and extremely long days. I don't work the same days and times each week, so structured plans are a no go.

This past week I have actually managed to get on my bike a good few hours more than normal, however I have done little and often and I have only been in the pool once. My usual week consists of 2 or 3 sessions in the pool, 2 two hour rides on the bike and maybe another hour ride or a race on the weekend.

Monday

Last weekend was the opening national series at Braintree, so many would say Monday should have been a rest day. But originally I was working on Tuesday and wasn't going to be able to get out on Tuesday, so I had to make the most of Monday and do a recovery ride. However, living in the deepest of Mid Wales my flattest recovery ride has ten times more climbing than the Braintree National circuit.

My legs where feeling good it was just my upper body, back and sides that where in agony. My loop was a hilly 20mile road ride, average speed of 13mph and took roughly 90minutes. I'm only going my simple map my ride on my phone! No garmin!!!

Tuesday

It was a last minute change and I was starting work a little later so I took advantage, dropped the kids at school and went on a 50 minute short, hilly route, averaging 12mph on the road. A quick shower then my 60 mile commute to work!

Wednesday

No work today. The weather was crappy so I dropped the kids at school then headed on down 10 miles to my local pool. After swimming (mile in about 31 minutes) I'm doing a few triathlons this year aswell, so I need to keep my swimming up to scratch. Then as I had taken my mountain bike on the rack, I headed out in the rain for a fun, ten mile route, averaging 7 .5 mph. The loop took me about 70 minutes,only a short ride but a very pleasing one for me. A year ago I would never have never rode the rocky descent. But today I thought to hell with tis, I can do it and I did. Mission accomplished!! Well I have got to get brave to take on Jay and Mad's whealmaid course!

Thursday

No bike for me today, working a long day, leave the house at half 5 and returning home at ten o'clock. Nannie on duties with the kids!!

Friday

Phil was off, so he dropped the kids at school and I took advantage of us having a bank appointment in a local town. So I head off about 8am, ride a hilly 18 miles on the road, averaging 14mph. I meet phil, then have a lift to the local bike shop and then finish my ride off by biking a further eleven miles home taking 50 minutes with an average 12.5 mph. Then swimming duties etc with the kids.

Saturday

The weather was rubbish, but I had a lovely spontaneous mountain bike ride with my occasional riding buddy Kim Williams. She like me is one of the few women in my area that loves the mountain bike and has not been converted to the road. We had a lovely 8 mile hilly, hill ride only averaging 5.5 mph but felt like we rode 40 miles!! Ride start at 1297 ft maximum gain 448ft.

Then a few hours playing the kids before heading to work to start my 12 and a half hour night shift.

Sunday

After getting home at half nine, sorting the kids out to go for dinner to nannies I climb into bed for a few hours after been up for 28 hours! Needless to say my body is not gonna function now and with working a course on monday, I won't be back on my bike until Tuesday.

I hope that has given you an insight to a busy, full time working mummy bike training schedule. Needless to say I have not included all the after school trips and chores!! Which as those few riders, racers who have children can support me in saying that sometimes is training in its own right!!

My weeks total 7 and a half hours, on average I would say I normally to between 2 to 5 on a fine week.

Any opportunity guys get on your bike!

Donna Morris Riding for xcrcaer.com/scimitar

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Donna Morris

Mum of 2 cherubs, keen to get better mountain biker, wife of Phil and mini manager of XCracer.com team

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Mummy Morris's training week!

BY: Donna Morris

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Donna Morris

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