47 days to go

Yipee back into the swing of things. Yesterday, I nipped out between chores to get in a six mile run, alas afterwards back to reality and mowing the lawn!!!! Today I was up and out early before the household was awake for a great two hour cycle ride. The rest of the day was spent at an under-sevens, six-a-side soccer tournament with Sam (black and white jersey), he enjoyed himself. Although standing around, cheering him on with aching muscles for five hours was an interesting experience.

49 days to go

Where did this week go? Tough week with work. But phew its Friday evening looking forward to long weekend on my bike and running.

51 days to go

My wife is still away on business and I've come down with a stinking cold, but good news my new wetsuit arrived today. Doh ! probably a stupid idea to order this over the internet, yep you guessed it wrong size. Despite the sizing guide being spot on. i.e. I'm 6ft 1in and 76kg and so according to the Orca sizing chart I should need "MT". Nope does not fit, I've got broad shoulders and chest so I think I'm going to need a size 8.

52 days to go

My wife is away to France on business for a couple of days, so I'm back to being one parent family again. I should really sort out a babysitter for an hour so I can keep my training going while she is away.

53 days to go

I had a wonderful cycle ride yesterday for a couple of hours, followed by a swim with the kids. Swimming was great as I had a chance to work on my technique. The total immersion style of swimming seems to be working for me.

55 days to go

I was worried about my knees as the past couple of weeks I've started to run for longer, but I would struggle afterwards with pain in my knees. But hey, I did a 6 mile run yesterday and my knees don't hurt ... well as much as usual????

Anyhow today was filled with domestic chores, washing, grocery shopping and cutting the grass. I'm looking forward to a nice long bike ride tomorrow.

56 days to go

I have a confession, I CANNOT SWIM, this is quite serious, especially as I will have to swim 1.2 miles in under 1 hour in 56 days time. Alright I'm being a bit of a drama queen, but in the world of triathlon, I really can’t swim, well OK I swim a front crawl for about 25 meters and then drown.

So I have 56 days to learn…gulp…..first step was to buy myself a DVD!!!! A learn to swim DVD from total immersion. It’s quite good. I watched the first 20 minutes last night. My wife thinks that my lack of knowledge in some of the fundamentals of swimming is bleeding hilarious. It’s a good job that I’m a fairly confident person, otherwise I’m sure her quips and mickey taking would have pushed me to quit and hide.

Anyhow, I went to the pool to put my new found knowledge into practice, I still nearly drowned, but this time I did it in style !!!!

58 days to go

My wife is away in Spain, training schedule is shot......I'm being both Daddy and Mummy this week.

60 days to go

Castle, knights and a 6 mile run, what a great easter Monday. We all trooped up to Warrick Castle today for a day watching knights battle, archers and a firing of a large trebuchet. After a day of mediaeval events it was good to come home and get a 6 mile run in this evening.

61 days to go

The cows were mooing, the birds singing, the sun shining and my bike was purring ..... or was that me???!!!! Great long ride in the Oxfordshire countryside today.

63 days to go

Wahhoooooo, yippppeeeee ..... no work until Tuesday ...... its sunny and I've just got back from a 6 mile run, I'm so happy...... I've got a great swim planned for tomorrow and a lonnnnnnggggggg bike ride the day after....this is fabulous, I'm grinning like a cheshire cat....this is better than drugs, sex, better even than chocolate.......!!!!!

65 days to go

I had a great run planned for this evening. I was thinking about it all day today........just got home from work it’s about 10pm.........I’m grumpy and knackered and going to bed :-(

67 days to go

My wife is in Switzerland for a couple of days and so I'm doing both drop-off and pick-up of kids. Oh crikey, its 16:30 and I'm still in work. I'm supposed to be on a 16:30 train home to pick-up the kids. Gosh!!! I really must leave now....day care will be closed at 18:00. OK that's it; I really have to leave this meeting ASAP. (The meeting consists of three Americans from the US office who flew in this morning, and a local colleague)..............phew, I'm running to the station..... Hey I'm not puffed; quick hurdle the barriers I might just make that 17:00 train. I made it got to day care, with 5 minutes to spare……. well that’s the only work out I’m getting today ….. now I’m off to bath and feed kids and get stuff ready for tomorrow……oh for a quiet life and a long cycle ride.

68 days to go

I picked my bike up from my local bike shop yesterday. It had been in for a service and overhall. My bike needed a new freehub, new chain try cassette, new bottom bracket and brake cables front and rear (£136.50p). Also it has some wear on rear wheel cup and cones which will mean a new wheel at some point as well as a new headset.

I was really looking forward to a ride on my bike this morning, however I did not have any power in my legs!!! Not sure why? Probably dreading the idea of coming back to the rest of Sunday..... a day stripping wallpaper......with a break to take my son to soccer practice.

71 days to go

My wife is in Spain on business all this week, alas I've not been able to get out for a run, cycle or swim, no babysitter for the kids. Wifey is back on Friday, hope to be able to hit the pool and gym in the evening and then wahoo its the weekend. Saturday I'm looking forward to a good run and Sunday a long cycle ride.

73 days to go

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh work work work work work work work work work work work work kids kids kids kids kids kids kids kids kids kids kids sleep work work work work work work work work work work work work ..... no time for training.

74 days to go

Aouch, ooo, eeee, errr..... oh dear, my knees hurt, I'm struggling to walk. Climbing into bed last night felt great, but getting up this morning was funny, I'm like an old woman. I'm really happy to have run the half marathon yesterday, but crikey my knees ache, oh well better start doing longer runs.

Half Marathon

Wahooo I finished, my first every half-marathon. I finshed in 1hr 57 minutes, not a great time but I enjoyed myself. Ouch!!! my knees hurt, I'm off for a long soak in a hot bath.