Home from work on time. Dropped kids off at school disco then hit the road for a quick six mile run before losing the light. It was a great evening for a run and wow great time again, the consistent training seems to be paying off. Six miles is starting to feel easy, I guess I need to start and pick up the distance.
Blast!!!! I'm in the London office today, so no chance of training. My wife is at gardening club this evening and so I'm babysitting, oh well I'll get a good training session in tomorrow.
Wow just back from my regular 6 mile, Saturday morning run and I've blitzed my best time this year by 4 minutes, just shy of my all time PB by 1 minute.
What was the difference about today from previous weeks ...... hmmm could be this power gel or it could have been the regular training and this was just a placebo. Anyway, today's run was fantastic. The best bit was entering the mile split times into my run tracking spreadsheet, excellent.
I had a fabulous weekend last week which started on Friday, in fact I enjoyed it so much that I'm doing the same again this weekend.
Yesterday (Friday), I dropped the kids off at school and hit the road for a 3 hour cycle around the Oxfordshire countryside. It was brilliant. great sunshine, quiet country roads, gorgeous rolling countryside. (Route is here at www.bikely.com [great web site]).
The best bit of the whole day was cresting a climb and then flying down hill no handed, arms out stretched, head up in the air, shouting yes, yes, yes. (probably not very wise especially as there are lots of pot holes in the road).
Today, I'm out for a six mile run, although my legs are feeling rather heavy from the cycle yesterday.
Crumbs, not long until my 70.3.
Yup I've got Friday off work and I'm off for a lonnnnnnng cycle ride. It was lovely sunshine today, I only hope its sunny tomorrow as well. Actually to be honest, even if its peeing down with rain I don't care, as I'll be cycling through the lovely Oxfordshire countryside and I won't be at work. Yipeeeee.........
Wow where did February go?
Work has consumed my life over the past month and exercise has been confined to the weekends. Midweek, I'm just too tired when I get home from work and want to crash and fall asleep. I found myself getting angry and depressed with the pressure of work and not being able to do any exercise. I think it started to affect my relationship with my family. Anyhow, I'm now resigned to be a weekend warrior and cram training into Saturday and Sunday along with domestic chores, I long for weekends.
Last weekend was great and such a relief. I was able to do a 6 mile run while Sam was at soccer practice and then a 2 hour cycle ride to my in laws on Sunday. I love weekends.
Damn !!! ..... I worked through my lunch-hour and missed the opportunity to hit the gym. OK, plan "B" .....after work, my wife is picking up the kids and so I can leave work early at 5pm and get a couple of hours down the gym before my wife and kids are home.
Blast!!! ..... My wife's train is delayed, I'll have to pick-up the kids. OK, OK, I'll go to the gym later this evening, I'll skip dinner and go after I've put the kids to bed.
Arrrggghhhh!!!! ...... argument with wife .... delayed slightly, but I'll get to the gym
Crikey!!! ..... its late and dark and cold outside, come on .... push on to the gym (despite broken and painful arm).
Bugger!!!! .... car park for the gym is packed ...... keep going ......
Phew !!!! ........ relief at last EXERCISE .........
My seven year old son is funny. He came with me on my run, he was on his bike and I was running behind him. He was wearing his iPod cycling along humming to his music. I followed him smiling with the thought that maybe in a couple of years he would be running with me, or maybe I will be on the bike following him, who knows!!!! He was a great pace setter!
The plaster-cast on my arm comes off tomorrow, I can't wait .........
I love Friday evenings........ no work for two days and I get to go running and cycling...yummy. So plan of attack is 13 mile run tomorrow while my son is a soccer practice and then a couple of hours on the bike Sunday morning........ yummy can't wait, oh I do like weekends.
I'm off to make a cup of tea and think about running !!
Have you ever tried running with only moving one arm? I've just completed 5km doing this and my shoulder of my good arm aches, I think I must have been running lopsided to compensate for my broken arm.
Its fabulous to be training again, I can't wait to get this plaster-cast off my arm.
The morning train into London is packed, some of my fellow commuters are sitting on the floor. Anyhow back to my blackberry and listening to my iPod (great podcast from Bevan and the guys at Ironman Talk).
I took my family swimming this weekend, alas I was confined to the side lines with my broken arm in plaster, I was jealous!!. Anyhow I hung onto the plan to go for a long run in the afternoon. I was genuinely up for it, I was in the zone and ready to commit to a training regime again. Blast, I procrastinated too much and got sidetracked providing computer support to a neighbour which took longer than anticipated. By the time I finished it was too late to go out for a run.
hhhmmmm just excuses.......tomorrow, training starts for real even with a broken arm ...... no more excuses!!!!
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My X-ray examiniation shows an undisplaced fracture of the distal radius (see red line) which extends into the articular surface. (Picture snaffled from) 
I went for a run yesterday, it was great to be out running again, despite the dull pain of my arm, it was bearable. The doctor says that I'll be in plaster for three more weeks and should avoid contact sports and ice-skating for at least six weeks. Puh no problems there as you won't get me on ice skates again.
I've just submitted my membership to join the Whitehorse Harriers I wanted to get some regular training in this year and hope joining a running club would help.
I'm sitting in the trauma dept at John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford. Wow its busy, mainly with people on crutches with a broken feet/ankles. I'm certainly in the minority with my broken arm. But what a mix of people, from an Air Force squadron leader, with broken foot to old folk wearing funny socks, kids in school uniforms and a snowboarding teenager. We are all waiting to be processed.
"Florence" ...."Ruby"...."Michael" ...."Carol" .....
Ooo was that my name being called.
"Hello there, please take a seat". The room is dark. A very nice Xray technician maneuvers a large machine attached to the roof ito place. She disappears behind her desk and zoomph, click.
"Thank you very much please take a seat in the waiting room."
Oh right ok, back to my family of fellow patients. I need a wee, hmm have I got time before my name is called. No because as soon as I go I bet my name will be called. Hmm I'll cross my legs and wait ...... and wait and wait.
15 mins later.
30 mins .....
45 mins errr *&(&%%$*@
Phew finally. I'm now waiting in cubicle 8.
15 minutes later ....
"Hello, OK broken arm .... right lets have a look at your new XRays." We check out my new xrays and my arm looks much better, I can see a faint line where the break was. I'll be in plaster for another 3 weeks.
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The ice skating rink was packed and my son had finished and wanted to go home.
"Just one more go dad" said my daughter.
"No more, come on lets go home"
"Please...."
"OK come on then"
I was holding onto my daughter when her skates tangled with mine. I fell backwards and heard a loud crack!!! It was my left arm..... ouch.
I hoped nothing was broken however when I tried to undo the laces from my son's skates I knew it was serious. Unfortunately, my wife wasn't answering her phone. So, with a broken arm I drove to the hospital. After an hour or so at hospital, I was x-rayed and had my arm in plaster (the tea from the vending machine was terrible). Fortunately it was my left arm, however my right is also bruised and very painful. I finally got hold of my wife and she picked me up from hospital.
Crumbs what a way to start 2007. I'm not sure how this will effect training.
Oh no, my head has been turned to adventure racing by a colleague...... I know I'm already signed up for a 70.3 and I'm looking to do a full ironman in August but these do look interesting
http://www.arwc2007.com/
http://www.dynamicadventureracing.co.uk/
http://www.ecochallenge.us/
http://www.ecoprimalquest.com/
Crumbs up early tomorrow for 6 hour drive north to Scotland, trainers and tea bags are packed?!
The good thing about a morning run around the streets near my hotel is that its very simple, down 5 blocks across 3 and back 5.
My only problem being away from home is the food. I'm eating out most evenings and its difficult to eat healthily, the portions are huge and dominated by meat!!!!
I'm Christmas shopping at Stanford shopping centre and I notice a chap with an IronMan sweatshirt. I ask him, which Ironman course he did, and then I notice his shirt says world championships. So my question turns into how was Hawaii. OK he said this is the second time I've done it and I'm still walking.
Wow. I was gobsmacked. What do I do now..... bow.
Anyway shopping all done and off for a cup of tea, oh blast Americans don't do tea!?
Oh well I'm off to get a cup of tea.
My application for the London marathon was rejected. Over the past 10 years I've applied 8 times, all rejected. I would have got an automatic place this year, however I did not apply in 2003, I was moving house, this broke my application concurrency. I have to wait until 2009 to get a place now??!?!?
Hmm ok back to training.
Hmmm still toying with the idea of doing the full UK ironman in August. Oh well while I dither, I'll focus on the 70.3 for now. Just off to hit the swimming pool for an hour or so.
I was in Barcelona last week for the Microsoft Tech-Ed conference. My hotel was fantastic it had a great steam room, sauna, hot tub, the works. Alas, I spent more time in the steam room than on the running machine.
Damn I must get back into a regular training programme, I've just seem to have lost the will-power ....... COME ON ......
Stats from marathon on Sunday .... hmmm I think I went too fast for the first 13 miles. I did not do enough training sessions longer than 13 miles. Doh I am so stupid, I should have done some more longer sessions.
Mile: Time
01: 08:10
02: 08:08
03: 08:14
04: 08:16
05: 08:28
06: 08:33
07: 08:44
08: 08:51
09: 09:03
10: 09:06
11: 09:14
12: 09:21
13: 09:39
......and then I slowly ground to a halt .......
14: 10:14
15: 10:44
16: 11:06
17: 11:02
18: 11:12
19: 12:01
20: 12:02
21: 12:53
22: 13:13
23: 12:21
24: 12:47
25: 11:13
262: 11:22
Right that's it I'm giving up all sports and exercise and I'm going to lie in bed forever.......OK maybe not, but bugger do my legs ache. Well, I finished my first ever marathon, the time was terrible.
First off I forgot to but Vaseline between my legs in the groin area and so now I'm rubbed and sore and then I got terrible cramp at about mile 18 and lastly I DIDN'T DO ENOUGH TRAINING. Its all my own fault.
Oh well a good learning experience for next time ....... ARRRRRGGGGGHHH no more please.
Yikes only 12 hours until I start my first ever marathon. Alas the weather forecast is for wind and rain. Oh well, bring it on !!!!!
Funny as I start my marathon, the real athletes will be finishing their epic race, Ironman Hawaii.
Kids, kids, kids, kids ....... work, work, work, work.
My son and daughter have been squabbling all day today with the exception of them going to school. Oh crumbs I have 8 years of my kids fighting.
The only thing that keeps me sane is exercise....... I have my first marathon on Sunday ....... yikes.
Crikey only 9 days to go until my first marathon, blast I should have done more training. How do people balance a family, a demanding job and training ...... sorry I'm tooo tired and have to go to bed.
Despite hitting the gym last night in a kill or cure attempt, I just can't seem to shift this cold and cough. Its just after 8pm and I'm going to have to go to bed, I feel very tired.
Hopefully I will get into the London marathon in April 2007, after my 10th year of applying.
I had hoped to do a full ironman next year but I still unsure. Anyhow, while I dither some more, I've entered to do the UK 70.3
No training for the next couple of days as my wife is away on business to Spain. I'm on kid-sitting duties.
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Inspired from listening to the theme tune to Brokeback, I've pulled my guitar out from under the stairs and I'm hooked, I'm not very good, but hey! Alas, this is not helping my training for marathon in a couple of weeks.
In an attempt to get back on track I hit the gym after work, gosh the gym was packed.
I'm off to watch spooks, strum a few chords on my guitar, oh and have a cup of tea.
I watched Brokeback Mountain on DVD last night ..... I've seen this movie before at a cinema in San Francisco ..... it's a great movie ......
Accompanying me on my 11 mile run this morning was the music from the movie by Gustavo Santaolalla. I was completely lost to the hauntingly beautiful guitar, clear blue sunny skies and the autumnal Oxfordshire countryside.
I hit a constant 9.11 minute mile throughout my 11 miles and felt that I could keep on going at this pace.
Only 27 days to go until my marathon, I feel that I'm on target for a good first marathon attempt.
Blast, still feel like crap ... arrrggghhh I haven't been sick for years why now.......???!!!!!
I'm down with flu, sore throat, cough and trouble breathing .... gosh I'm very tired. Hopefully I'll be back to training soon. I've only got 35 days until my first marathon.
So I have seven weeks left until I run my first full marathon. Rather than continue with my unstructured training, I'm attempting to use a plan from someone who knows what they are doing. Although I'm not entirely convinced but hey I'll give it a go.
Week 1
Monday: Rest?????
Tuesday: Easy Run - 3 miles at 10 min pace?????
Wednesday: Rest????
Thursday: Tempo run - 5 miles at 8:55 min pace
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: Long run - 8 miles at 10:30 min pace
Hmmm does not seem very difficult, but hey its only week one. Lets see how I progress. My goal is to complete marathon in 3 hours 45 min.
This is great iPod Nike+
I pushed the center button on my iPod and was off for a quick lunchtime three mile run. Every mile in my headphones a nice ladies voice would call off the mile markers, a push of the centre button and I had my pace, its great, I feel like I have an onboard coach.
But what did make me smile was right at the end of the work-out as I pushed the stop button on my iPod ..... Paula Radcliffe congratulated me on my fastest mile, this was cool. Thanks Paula.
A wonderful morning for a run, it was a peaceful sunny Sunday morning and I left with iPod and new Nike+ ipod connector. It tells me via audio my distance and pace, its a great bit of kit. I kept to 8 minute pace for the last three miles, which was unusual for me, I guess it must have been the sunshine and great music that pushed me on.
Its been an OK week for the running schedule, I just need to start and pick up the pace! Good news though I seem to be getting my fitness back and coming out of my slump.
Crikey this is tough. I've started to step up the run distances and frequency in preparation for my first marathon in October. This weekend I'm aiming for a 12 mile run.
For the past year I was focused on training for my first UK 70.3 half ironman. Having completed this back in June I now find myself in somewhat of a slump.
I can not seem to get back into the swing of training. I thought maybe not having a goal was the problem and so I have signed up for a full marathon in October. Hopefully I will snap out of it soon.
Just returned from a long vacation a few pounds the heavier and I seem to have lost my fitness?!!!!
I need to get back into the swing of training for a marathon in October.
Wahooooo I've got a VIP ticket to the football world cup final, Italy v France, sorry have to be quick as I've got a flight to catch.
Hmmm what next?
Since my 70.3 I've done a couple of short distance runs and a long cycle ride. On Friday I did a 21:15 for 3 miles, with my last mile run at 6 min 41 seconds?!! Not sure where that speed came from.
I have a "London three bridges" relay race on Thursday and then the London Chase Corporate challenge the week after.
Not sure what my next challenge will be ..... maybe a full ironman?!
Wow what a fantastic experience!!!!
I set two alarms for Sunday morning, one at 3.20am and another for 3.30am. I need not have bothered as I was already awake. Trying not to wake the wife and kids, I snuck out of bed into the lobby area of my hotel room. I put my clothes on and pick up my "white" bag and cycle pump.
I crept down stairs and into the lounge area of the hotel, it was a small hotel and the staff had laid out weetabix and milk and two glasses of OJ. At 04:15 my taxi arrived and 40 minutes later dropped me off at the venue.
"OK! I need to check my bike and pump up my tyres".
"Wow, everybody has the same thoughts".
"BANG !!!!"
"Oh cripes what was that" ..... somebody had over-pumped their tyres, poor chap. Fortunately a mechanic was on stand-by.
I finished with my bike and started to put on my wetsuit ..... Ooops I need the toilet. Hmmm .... a long queue.
We were all called to start the swim. The klaxon sounded and we were off. I was at the back of the pack and started to swim, but I was disoriented and could not stop swallowing water. After a minute I finally calmed down and got into a rhythm, a mixture of breaststroke and front crawl. The swim was tough, but I was so pleased to have finished and stumbled out 42 minutes later.
I ran through transition and out onto my bike. I hit the first hill after a matter of minutes. The cycle course was very tough, several 14% hills. During the descents I would zoom pass several people, I guess I was good at going downhill. This one chap shouted across ..... "this is the third time you have passed me on the descents" as we just hit the start of a long climb he added "I guess I'll see you later"???
With 10 miles to go I started to get cramp, I managed to push through and pulled into transition with a cycle time of 3 hours 45 minutes.
The run was difficult with a nasty hill climb. We did three loops of a circuit and the supporters and fellow runners were very friendly. I hit the 12 mile marker I started to smile, when I hit 13 miles, I was laughing, and when I came onto the red carpet and the finish-line, I was laughing and crying.
I don't quite know what was happening, but crossing the finish line was a tremendously wonderful feeling. I have not stopped smiling since.
This will be my last post until after the event. I am so very, very, very, scared. In my job I've presented to a room full of hundreds of people, I've managed projects that have tottered on the edge, I've been in the middle of critical IT crashes, but never have I felt so nervous about something than I do now. This is stupid especially as its something I signed up for?!!?!?
The swim scares me the most...... I just hope I can do this in under the cut of time. I know the bike and the run will be tough but I can handle those.
Oh flippin heck.
In 45 hours time I will be wading into a lake at 06:05am on Sunday, taking a deep breath and .......
I've struggled to find a taxi who was prepared to take me from the hotel to the venue at 04:30am on Sunday morning, phew finally found someone who would do it!!!! This way the wife and family can have the car and won't have to get up and drive me to the venue. Hmmm not sure why she's coming?
I'm final planning and checking mode........ kit is all OK, bike needs a final check which I will do tomorrow, hotel is OK.
The venue for the UK half ironman does not have very good cell phone reception and so I've bought a couple of two-way radios to keep in contact with family over the weekend.
I've just checked the weather forecats for Sunday and it looks like it will be Sunny intervals and 24c (75f).
My race number was assigned today, I like this number, it feels lucky.
I did my last brick workout yesterday evening and I'm now onto drinking loads of water and bumping up my carbs intake. Its a vain attempt to try and boost my glycogen levels, which should hopefully increase my endurance for the race.
I know I need to cut down on my training, however I had to have one last brick work out this evening, it was great.
I never thought I would be this scared about a race, just typing this gives me a knot in my stomach..... yikes..... Just to add to the pressure, today I drove past a local triathlon event, the competitors were out on their cycle leg, crikey they looked great....... oh why, oh why did I sign up for this flippin half iron man, I can hardly swim !!!!!
Sam (in picture) gave me some good advice....."just try your best daddy"......
What can I say to that......
I've lost weight and I'm down to my fighting weight of 70.6kg with 12.7% body fat, my fitness levels feel OKish, my only weak point is still my swimming. Oh crumbs swimming......quick don't think about it.
Tum te humm tum te hum nah nah nah,
yep forgotten about it........
Forgotten what .....
oh yeah swimming
doh !
I'm working tomorrow morning (Sunday), have to be up for a 5am conference call. :-( Hopefully the call will only last for an hour, please, please all work properly tomorrow, then I can get out early for a long cycle ride.
YIKES !!! I think I'm in the second swim wave straight after the pros. I'll have the M18-24, M25-29, M30-34, M40-44, M45-49, M50-54, M55-59, M60-64, M65-69, M70-75+ followed by the female age groups all passing me........!!!!! oh crikey....... I'm really, really scared now.
Only 17 days.....!!!! OMG !!!!! PANIC !!!!!
Left work on time this evening so I could get my run in this evening before kick-off. England are playing Hungary in a football friendly, this evening. Struggled this evening with my run as my knee is still huring from my crash a couple of weeks ago.
What happened to this week, where did it go....passed in a fast blur. My wife was in Poland and so one parent family again.....screwed training schedule, but hey did get a couple of good runs in and a swim.
Great news though my local gym are getting two double endless pools, wahoooooo!
This was the colour palette of the sky this evening. I was out on a six mile cross country run. It was very wet and windy. I really had to push myself to get out the door into the wind and rain. No sooner as I had taken 10 steps and I was soaked to the core. The colour palette, variations on grey, I call it "runners soggy feet grey".
OK !!! come on, who's pinched the flippin sunshine. If you find it would you kindly, please return it to Oxfordshire asap. My feet seem to be permanently wrinkled from all the rain.
Yikes only 25 days to go to my half ironman, that's like only .....t.w.e.n.t.y.. f.i.v.e....days....... no but really that's nothing, yikes, yikes, yikes.
OK I won't think about it., I'll worry about something else. Hmmm, I know I'm off to google where the sunshine has gone.
squelch, squelch, squelch.
one two......JUMPIN JACK FLASH ITS A GAS, GAS, GAS ...... yeah. I'm half way through my run this evening with Rolling Stones on my ipod, when the music stops.
Silence....except for the howling wind and rain which has completely passed me by. I suddenly feel all alone on this country road, with field and trees for miles. I was so engrossed in my run and singing along to the stones .....I hadn't really noticed the weather or that it was getting dark. Quick, quick get the stones back on again this is way too scary.
I had a good 6 mile run in the rain, I like running in the rain, it feels great.
This evening I caught up with watching my DVD recording from the swim session yesterday. Wow, I was doing loads of things wrong, my swim technique was terrible. Anyhow, I hope to test out some of what I learnt tomorrow.
I took the day off work today for a monster 6 hour swim session. It was tough, but very enlightening. I spent the day with a swim coach learning how to swim free-style properly, I learnt loads but I'm very tired.
Blast.......I couldn't help myself....... it was a crappy day at work and in a moment of weakness, lost all my will-power and I've just scoffed a snickers.....!!! Do you know how many blinking calories there are in a snickers ....... bgzillions.
I'm not sure where I'm staying for the night of my half ironman. All the local B&Bs are fully booked. I was thinking of sleeping in my car and I would have a great view of the lake. My car is a people carrier so I could easily get a comfy bed and duvet inside. I guess this is probably going to be easiest as I would have to be on site for 5am ????
Anyhow, great 6 mile run yesterday evening, best time yet ..... alas my knees are killing me today. I'm looking forward for a long ride tomorrow.
I was out for a cycle last night when ....
...puh puh puh..... yuk .....
.....just swallowed a fly...... yuk!!
Despite the wildlife it was great to be out, it was a fabulously warm evening. OMG only 35 days left until the half ironman, yikes.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My wife is away again for a couple of days, this time its Turkey. I'm still recovering for my weekend crash, its not bad just some bruising and stiffness, I was able to get a swim session in last night and now I'm off to bath and feed the kids.
I persuaded my wife and family to come away with me for the weekend. The plan was for me to check out the half Ironman cycle and run routes. So with family in tow we all set off early Saturday morning and two and a half hours later arrived at Wimbleball lake. After a quick bite to eat with my family, I left them and set-off to cycle the 56 mile cycle route.
Bloody hell this is steep and I’ve only been cycling for 10 minutes ...
8 miles later ....
wow this is fast……whoa these roads are narrow…..whoa, arrrgghhhh oooo eeee SPLAT boing, boing…oooph aouch !!!!!! 
I was traveling at 32 mph and flew round a corner, hit the brakes skidded and went head long into a rather large hedge with stinging nettles. I remember bouncing along in the hedge and landing on my left knee and head a couple of times, once I finally stopped bouncing I sat up. Crumbs I’m shaking, quick check my bike, phew it’s OK. Bugger …. my shoulder hurts, ouch my knee, oh blast I’ve been stung all up my arm. I nnnneed to sit down for a second.
Two minutes later I’m on my way (the wrong way) pulling bits of hedge out of my helmet and jersey. 
The next morning I was up and out to check out the run course, still suffering from bruising I took a gentle jog around the ironman run course. Despite being cold, it was a beautiful sunny morning. The lake was mirror-like and in 39 days time I would be diving in!!!!
Despite my mishap, I’m so pleased I came to check-out the course beforehand. It’s going to be very tough; the cycle route is going to be a killer …. I’m scared, very scared but I guess that’s the best bit !!!!!!
Really horrible day at work......however this evening was great. I was out for a cycle ride followed by a run. It was super.
Yesterday was one of those days. Out of the house at 05:30am and on the road for a 3 hour drive to a business meeting. By the time I got home, I still had loads of work problems to deal with and I was really struggling with time, motivation and energy to go out for a run. Anyhow at 8pm after parenting duties and work completed, I managed to get out for a six mile run. I'm so glad I pushed myself to do this.
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.
Where did this week go? Tough week with work. But phew its Friday evening looking forward to long weekend on my bike and running.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 !!!!
My wife is away in Spain, training schedule is shot......I'm being both Daddy and Mummy this week.
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.
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.
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.......!!!!!
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 :-(
My wife is in
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I took my bike into my local bike shop for a full service and repair. (I just don't have the time or skills to do it myself). My bike needs new brakes, cables, freewheel, new chain, bottom bracket. I've had the bike since last year but its done a lot and lots of miles and I guess I've worn everything out. I can't wait to get it back fully repaired on Thursday. Oh crikey half marathon on Sunday !!!!!
Wahooo it arrived today, a new super duper saddle, only 190g, I should go rrrrreally fast now. Err umm I think I might need to focus slight here, as I have a half marathon on Sunday, and I don't think a bike saddle is going to help me much with a run. Hmmm maybe I should start to concentrate a little.
On Saturday, Sam and I went to a triathlon trade show. We were both amazed by the folks swimming in the endless pool It was very good as they had cameras in the pool and the pictures shown on a big screen. They had a guy with a microphone who talked through swim techiques. I learnt loads. Sam spent most of the time collecting freebies from the different stalls.
I'm very good at procrastinating ..... I currently find myself day-dreaming back to my vacation to St Lucia last month, hmmmmm. RIGHT snap out of it .....back to work. Good gracious only 83 days to half ironman and 9 days to half marathon ...... gulp !!!!
I'm not sure I understand heart rate thresholds etc, but what is clear is that my max and average heart rate is lower doing the same run at the same time when compared to last year. I had a good run today, I'm concentrating on running as I have a half marathon next week, yikes.
Late home again from work. It was a huge struggle to force myself to get my arse down to the swimming pool this evening, I forced myself to go, despite being so tired and I'm glad I did. It feels great sitting here afterwards knowing that I was able to push myself to do a good swim session this evening. Its so about mental ability.....
Sunday was manic. Up and out early for my Sunday bike ride, which was cold but great to be out on my bike. I really had to push all the way home as I had to get home to take Sam for his first football match. I came in showered and out the door with kids in tow in about 5 minutes. Sam had a great time at football (he's on the floor in the picture). Two hours later back home again to get changed and then out again to meet the in-laws …. come Sunday evening I was knackered.
Despite the wind and cold I got a good cross country run in today, although my knee and calf is feeling a bit stiff.
We all hit the ten pin bowling alley this evening, not sure this counts towards my ironman training! After a hard game of bowling sustenance was required!
Work, work, work, work, work. Hit the gym lunch time, uh oh my knee is feeling a bit dodgy. I should be able to make it to the pool for a swim this evening.
Good hour in the pool yesterday and 5km run. Alas, no training today..... working all day and stuck on a conference call all evevning....... due to finish at 11pm.
Wow less than 100 days to go to my half ironman and 20 days to my half marathon, I'm number 361.
Fiddlesticks, I seem to have put on weight with my trip to the US, I'm up to 76.6kg, I blame that packet of M&Ms and a fondness for Taco Bell. Anyhow, I had a good couple of hours on my bike today although my fingers were so cold. I really hate the cold, I ended up scrunching my fingers up inside my gloves until they warmed-up, I think I need another pair of gloves.
I attached new tri bars onto my bike, first time I have ever used them, they were really great, got into a good position I actually seemed to be going faster today. Back to work tomorrow, will hit the gym for lunch and a swim in the evening.
So I'm in the British Airways business lounge at San Francisco waiting to go home. The training plan for this week didn't go very well as the meetings ran long and sleep was short, I managed a run (22:12 mins for 5km) and a swim so the week was not a complete wash-out, OK who am I kidding........!!!!!! I'm looking forward to getting back to a proper training routine and can't wait for a bike ride on Sunday.
