17 days to go

Just entered for the Snowdonia marathon. The race starts at Nant Peris (300ft) on the A4086 and then climbs to the top of the Llanberis Pass (Pen y Pass 1,100ft), at the end of October that will be cold !!!!

18 days to go

Cycled over to in-laws yesterday, the weather was terrible. The roads were very slippery with all the rain. I thought I was a goner coming down a hill, I must have hit about 40 mph when I felt a wobble .... scary stuff.

Just got back from a 9 mile run this evening.

Arrrggghhhh

Grrrrr mosquito bites. I have about 10 bites and they are soooooooo itchy.

24 days to go

I got home from work last night at about 8:30pm. I was absolutely shattered and could not face going for a run or cycle. Guiltily resigned to missing a days training, I was getting changed into my casual clothes, taking off my shoes and was so close to crashing in front of the TV. A small voice shouts ..... DON'T DO IT, GET YOUR ARSE OUT THERE LAZYBONES...... 20 minutes later found myself diving into the swimming pool doing laps. I felt much better afterwards.

This evening I went out for a 8 mile run. Blinking flies everywhere, they had a good chomp on my legs. Doh must remember insect repellent for my next run.

29 days to go

I couldn't resist. No bloody will-power today. Puh, I won't do that again. I managed to justify the cookie to myself because last night I hit the gym. I set the treadmill to 8% incline for the workout, crikey afterwards I felt like collapsing.

Anyway to make up for the diet detour I hit the road this evening for a long run.

31 days to go

Missed training for the past couple of evenings due to family commitments. It was such a relief to get out for a run this evening despite it being dark and miserable weather. I'm an addict and need a running fix otherwise I will go crazy.

34 days to go

Despite the wind and rain, I went for a run yesterday, it was tough pushing myself to get of out the door, but I'm glad I did.

There were some amazing colours, the sky had various shades of grey, but it was wonderful mixed the vibrant shades of green from the trees and silky wheat fields. I like the month of May and especially living in the countryside.

I was out of bed this morning at 06:30 am for a cycle ride. It was still raining!!!?. I was about 10 miles into my ride just approaching a 8% hill when pssssssstttttt.. ... . . blast I forgot my puncture repair kit.

36 days to go

This picture was taken a year ago standing at the starting point for the UK half Ironman at Wimbleball lake. Yikes..... I am so not ready for this.

The weather forecast this weekend looks rather miserable, I don't mind running or cycling in the rain, just as long as its not cold and windy.

37 days to go

Despite the wind and the rain and more appealing activities such as having dinner with my family, I still venture outside into the grey for a run. Crikey, it was really difficult to push through and not sit in front of the tv, but one thing I have learnt about myself is that exercise keeps me sane.

39 days to go

I was at the RHS gardens at Wisley yesterday when a feathered friend came up to me and said;"Quack".

Which translated into English means; "Give me that biscuit fatty your supposed to be in training?" I am so far behind in my training schedule. Even now in the last light I can hear the birds chirping outside; "Puh. You were supposed to go for a run tonight.....what happened".

41 days to go

During the week my alarm clock bounces into life at 05:45am. Monday through Friday I hate it as I'm normally desperate for more sleep. The weekends were fabulous as I could escape from my alarm clocks demands. However, this has changed as my alarm clock now encroaches into my weekends.

Finding time in my families schedule that allows me to skulk off for a couple hours on my bike is tricky, especially with a partner who has no sympathy for the amount of training needed for an Ironman, which is entirely reasonable. The only free family time where I can do the training is very early on Sunday mornings or late in the evening after the kids are in bed.

When my alarm clock woke me this morning at 05:45am, I switched it off and hid from my guilt under the covers, I was just tooooooo tired.

Fortunately, my partner was in a good mood this morning and I was able to horse-trade for a couple of hours on my bike outside of my allotted schedule, it was great a great ride, although its payback time tomorrow ..... crumbs relationships ?????!!!!

44 days to go

Over the past couple of days this little guy has been singing his heart out from a tree in my garden. He starts his tune when the sun comes up and does not stop until late afternoon. I saw him again this morning, although he seems to have disappeared now, I hope his singing paid off and he has found a friend.

Ooops, as I type this, I've just seen him sitting in the tree, he's not singing!!! I wonder if he's lost his chirp?

Anyhow, if you know of any lonely chaffinches, please tell them to head over to south Oxfordshire.

46 days to go

I've just got back from a run this evening. I hit my PB for six miles on Saturday, I wasn't sure I could repeat it again this evening. Anyhow, I was 1 minute off Saturday's time, but I know the reason why ..... it was all that gardening on Sunday!!!