Training Week in Review: Back on Track With Kobi After Holidays

Getting back into my routine after a holiday always feels a bit like hitting the reset button. This week marked my first real push to sync up my 70.3 training, with life at home, and back to work,. It was nice to get back out on local trails with Kobi and finish the week with an old friend on a min mountain.

Starting to lay a foundation isn’t just about logging miles; it’s about a mindset proving to yourself you can get up early or go out when you don't want to and setting a pace for the weeks ahead. Each run, ride, and swim is a step closer to bringing the consistency I'm looking to achieve. Having Kobi by my side added some fun, making each outdoor session a little more lively.

I’m looking forward to sharing how these weekly efforts stack up and what’s actually working as I balance training with the rest of life.

Getting Back Into the Groove After Crete

Coming home from a holiday in Crete, I felt the aftereffects of travel: sluggish legs, a slightly foggy mind, as well as an itch to reset my training routine. The weather at home was cooler, with spells of summer rain and some pretty strong winds.

Getting into gear after a layoff can feel awkward, but one familiar part of the routine returned that really helped—Kobi was back from his Holibobs in Kennels. The switch in routine, gear, and even mindset felt less like a chore and more like finding my stride again with an old friend.

First Runs With Kobi Back

Running with my Kobi is a reminder of why I train, not just how. The companionship helps me shake off the cobwebs from travel and gets my training pointed in the right direction again. If you’re looking for extra motivation after a break, a canine sidekick makes all the difference.

Highlights of This Week’s Training Sessions

Getting out on the trails, hitting the pool, and jumping on the bike kept my schedule varied. Nothing keeps you guessing quite like switching gears between running, cycling, and swimming. Here’s a look at what stood out and where things got interesting.

Running Recap: All About Frequency and Easy Trails

Running was my anchor this week. Instead of pushing for more distance or upping my pace, I focused on lacing up as often as I could. Every run was on local trails—quiet, winding paths lined with fresh green leaves. The hills and moors of the Pennines peeked between the trees, a reminder I was home after Crete’s sun and salt.

The plan was simple: keep things relaxed. Every run felt almost meditative, letting me reset my mindset while my legs found a steady rhythm. The softer terrain helped ease any tightness from walking miles across ancient Greek ruins just days before.

Dawn Runs With Kobi are a favourite

Swim Workouts: Tackling Nerves and Building Basics

Swimming is still my biggest hurdle, but I want to incorporate it into my regular training routine. I can keep myself afloat and move from point A to B, but not quickly or with much confidence. Getting into the pool for the first dedicated session was nerve-wracking: the lanes were narrow, the water felt cold, and I was conscious of other swimmers gliding by, clearly in their element.

My checklist looks like this:

• Just show up to the pool and get in.

  
  

Breath control and technique are now at the top of my list. This will take time, but each session means less anxiety and more confidence.

Run with an old friend.

Friday evening saw me run out with Tom (Insta tag @Englishtriathlete) and hit the trails around Chrome Hill in the Peak District. I don't often run with two-legged company, so it was nice to catch up with Tom and share a run he'd never been on before.

Tom on Top of Chrome Hill

My New mantra is "No Bad Steps." I want to avoid arriving at races or being so fatigued that I risk injury. And this starts with training, sticking to key pillars like hydration, sleep and recovery. Not focusing on miles but having a smart training load that includes strength, resilience and utilises multi-sport. I want to avoid the common injuries caused by muscle fatigue with unnecessarily long runs or volume of miles.

Balancing Work and Play

Running Velorunner is fun, but we are small and independent, and so this means catching up with missed emails, but also looking at the gaps in sales, cash flow, and marketing, and recognising that Simon has also been running the place (fantastically) with Danny while I've been gone and is probably pretty tired. It was a few full-on days in the store, where I spoke with some reps, paid some bills, and managed the Insta and FB accounts. The best, as always, is dealing with clients both face-to-face and virtually. It's great seeing the riders coming back and runners in store after training sessions. It's why we exist, so the more the merrier.

Conclusion

This week was a solid first step in my reset training journey.

Getting outdoors reminds me how much those small moments matter, not just the workouts. My nutrition, sleep, and mindset all felt better thanks to simple changes and more time on trails instead of chasing stats.

While the swim still feels awkward and my schedule never goes exactly to plan, I’m happy with the progress. The goal is to keep showing up and find fun in the routine—there’s always room for better technique or squeezing in a few more minutes, but joy and consistency come first.

Thanks for following along. Let me know how your own training is going or if you’ve got a favourite outdoor session that helps you stay motivated. Every story keeps the momentum rolling for all of us.