Procrastinating

Holiday

Phew, one more day to go and then I'm off on holiday for two weeks. I really must crack on and get some work done, however its very difficult ...... I'm procrastinating already! I've been side tracked by Google maps. Apparently it will take over 13 hours and is 825 miles to get to our holiday villa. (I get to introduce the kids to the Tour de France on Sunday)

Oh well must get back to work......

No hats, no boots

When I'm up in the London office I walk past a building site. I'm always intrigued by this sign, its rather peculiar and completely alien to me as an office worker.

I guess I'm lucky, as when I limp into work after a tough weekend on my bike or running, I can crash in my office and don't have to move far. At work I'm only required to exercise my brain and not my knackered body.

Run at sunset

Went for a 10 mile run yesterday evening, the sunset was fantastic.

Yipppeeeee Friday

Its Friday evening and I'm on the train heading home from London. My eyes are feeling heavy and if I'm not careful I'll fall asleep and end up in Wales.

I've just switched my ipod on and Snow Patrol are doing a great job at keeping me awake. My foot is tapping and I'm happy. Yippeee its the weekend. I love Fridays ;-)

OK, its my stop, better get off the train now. The plan this weekend is long run, cycle and watching tour de france. Ooop here we go ......

Sent from My Blackberry

Favourite trainers

I love my trainers, they feel ...... perfect. Alas, like my body, my favourite trainers are wearing out. I've tried to find exactly the same make and size again, but the Asics Nimbus VII has moved on to version VIII.

Hurumph my new trainers are not as good, they don't feel right.

Sun and soccer

On Sunday I took my son Sam to an under 8's football tournament, his team lost two, drew one and won one.

I'm standing on the sidelines when this almighty roar comes from behind me...... "Come on johnny get in there" .....

I think I was deaf for the rest of the match. The poor kids get so confused with parents shouting instructions as well as the coaches shouting alternatives. Poor kids spend most of the time looking to the sidelines for approval.

My son (in red and black) did really well, but I guess I'm biased. Anyway his efforts on Sunday inspired me to get back into training, I've got a couple of months before my next marathon.

Sauna and steamroom

When I first started going to the gym I never used the sauna or steam room, too busy on the treadmill, rowing machine or pumping weights to improve abs and buttocks.

Hmmm then a couple of months ago things started to change, I would workout for about 80% of my gym time and the remaining 20% hit the steam room, then it changed 50 - 50 and now its swung around completely. Yup head straight for the steam room ........Ssssssssss

Muscles

At the gym there were three guys working out on the weights, they had muscles on their muscles, it was impressive, in a freaky kind of way. Although their movements were very awkward.

"Yes mate no carbs after 5 o clock".

I wouldn't mind a body with a few more muscley bits but crikey not that extreme.

Meetings, meetings and more meetings

I'm sitting on a train heading home from a day of meetings in London, my head feels like its about to explode. As I watch the green countryside whizz by, part of me is saying "go for a run when you get home", however the other half is telling me "your knackered, crash on the sofa"?

This internal battle is set to continue for the next couple of hours until I get home. I used to enjoy going for a run or cycle, but now I really have to push myself. I wonder what happened, why have I lost interest?

Update: I hit the gym for an hour or so.

No chance of training in the mornings

I'm amazed that some people are able to spring early out of bed before their family wakes up and go for a run or cycle. For me when the alarm goes off at 05:45am until getting to work is a slog of getting myself and the kids ready for school. (My wife escapes from the morning madness).

The mornings are crazy, what with a daughter who refused to get her socks and a son who can't find his clothes right in front of his face. Remembering equipment for swim practice, guitar lessons, football club, homework and then forms to sign, breakfast to make and shoes to shine, there is absolutely no chance that I could get any exercise in before going to work.

To those mothers and fathers that do, I take my hat off to you and salute you.

Wimbledon, work, rain and studying

Its rained a lot today, my weather station says 20mm, is it really summer? I'm stuck studying this evening (arboriculture), well OK I confess, I was slightly side-tracked (easily done) by Tim Henman and Wimbledon?

Next definite goal is the Snowdonia marathon, but that's not until end of October. Considering the Reykjavik or Helsinki marathon in August, but need to bribe family first?

Wet sunday looking for worms

I'm not sure what I'm doing?! For the past six months I had a goal, but now I just can't motivate myself to get back into a training regime. I had plans for an early Sunday morning run, but it was grey and raining, which was a good excuse to have a lie in. Plan "B" ...... go for an afternoon run.

Its afternoon now. Hmmm not so sure, I much prefer sitting here watching the birds from my office.

Finished but failed

After months of training, last weekend I finished my half ironman, I was 5 minutes faster than last year.

The weekend started early Friday morning with a trip to the bike shop to pick-up my bike and to Sainsburys for some last minute groceries.

The car was packed with my tri-gear, bike and sleeping bag and so I headed off to Wimbleball, the UK half ironman site. The journey was slow and miserable, heavy rain, thunderstorms and traffic dominated the four hour journey. (An omen for the weekend perhaps).

All went according to plan, early evening on Saturday after finishing my pasta I crawled into my sleeping bag in the back of my car and fell asleep.

I woke before my 04:30am alarm, I was freezing and shaking. I quickly put on more layers but was still shaking from the cold.

At 06:05 I waded into the lake and I started my second half ironman adventure. As I rounded the last buoy, I longed for the swim to be over. This was different, a strange feeling to last year...... "Come on snap out if it" ....I said to myself.

The swim was finished, nothing special just survival. I transistioned to my bike and begun the important leg of the race.

Everything was going to plan, physically I felt OK, nutrition was OK. I sat up on my bike out of the aero position, I looked around and a thought zipped through my head......"why am I doing this" ...... at this point, mentally I had lost my race. The remainder of the bike leg and the run where now just a chore, a task that I needed to finish.

I crossed the finish line 5 minutes faster than last year, but this time it was very different. I was not smiling or crying with joy like last year. This time I just wanted to get my gear and go home. I did not enjoy this, I did not get a buzz from the challenge. Although I had finsihed the race, mentally I had lost.

1 day to go

Errr ummm PANIC......!!!!!

One, two, three ...... breathe ..... two, three, four and breathe..... OK here we go, just need to pick up my bike from the bike shop and then a four hour drive to the 70.3 Ironman site.

So this is it. All the months of training through the cold, dark winter mornings has been for this event, come Sunday afternoon after its all finished it will have been worth it, however right now, with butterflies in my stomach and heart racing ..... I'm not so sure.....

Here goes. ... . . ..... . .

2 days to go

Yikes, bike shop phoned this morning, there was something wrong with my rear wheel alignment. They are able to fix it, unfortunately I needed to shoot off for a meeting and so will have to leave them to it.

Oh no just got back this evening and there was another problem with my bike, the headset needs replacing???? Gosh tomorrow morning will be a panic as I must get my bike by lunchtime at the latest.

3 days to go

I've just checked my bike into my local bike shop for a full service and check up. I'll pick it up tomorrow after work.

I leave for the half Ironman Friday morning. I've started to get my stuff together for packing, thought I would get a head start as tomorrow I'll be shaving my legs !!!!!

4 days to go

Arrival: Chocolate muffin sir......
NO thanks. I've got an apple in my bag.

Mid-morning break: Huge chocolate cookies
NO. I'll have a cup of tea please.

Lunch: Three different cakes
NO. I'll have some fruit please.

Mid-afternoon break: Carrot cake or chocolate dessert
BLAST. Carrot cake is my favorite. I cave in.........

In four days time I will be too fat to do this half ironman.

5 days to go

I'm at a conference in London for most of this week. Its been very tricky as there are biscuits, chocolates and cakes everywhere at the breaks. I did so well for all of today but finally succumbed to a cream scone and jam, doh !!!!

6 days to go

Hmmm I guess I'm supposed to be tapering with only 6 days to go. Unfortunately I could not help myself and hit the road for a 2 hour cycle. I had a great ride, fabulous weather. At one point in the ride I reached 53 mph, lets hope I can repeat this form on Sunday?

7 days to go

I will head down to Wimbleball on Friday morning after I've dropped the kids off at school. Friday evening I'm staying in a B&B close to the race site. Saturday I will head over to the camping ground, which is next door to the start line. I'm camping Saturday evening (in the back of our MPV) and then I'll be all set for Sunday??????!!!!!!!

Oh crikey, I've got butterflies already .......... kdjfhkjdfhl . . . .... .. . . ..... ... .. kjdfpiqurwytifhkuharrrrrgggggghhhhhh.

9 days to go

Today was a day for a serious haircut.

"Hello, number 2 all over please"
"Errumm are you sure"
"Yep, number 2 all over"
"Do you know what you are doing sir?"
"Oh yes. Today is Thursday and I've got 9 days to go. Its a day for a serious haircut"
"OK number 2 all over it is" .....pause ..... "right'o here we go then"
.... 10 minutes later ......
"Oh it looks quite good really, you suit short hair."
"Thanks" I said. I'm looking down at the amount of GREY hair on the floor. Where did that grey come from, surely its not mine?????!!!!

omg only 9 days to go ......

10 days to go

F**&%***"!()_%&()&"£$#@#~~ excuse the language, as I've injured my right knee yesterday whilst on 9 mile run, I hope drugs and rest for a couple of days can fix it. Depressed!!!!

15 days to go

I couldn't resist, they arrive next week!!!!

Last night while on 9 mile run I was past by a barn owl and a world war II Lancaster bomber, strange run really?

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!!!

52 days to go

I was out on my bike this evening and saw my first Swift. I guess summer is on its way. Yippee. It was quite and eventful cycle, it started with a Kamikaze rabbit who decided to run in front of my bike, followed up by a crazy dog chasing after my ankles.

Gosh only 52 days to go....

58 days to go

Wahooooo. Finished work early at 5pm, jumped onto my bike and hit the road for a 2 hour cycle. It was fabulous ........

59 days to go

I was working from home today. This afternoon I looked out of my office window and I see this female Sparrow hawk. She had swooped down and grabbed a pigeon. She was sitting in the middle of the garden looking rather annoyed that her lunch had a lot of wrapping. I was watching her for about two minutes plucking out the mass of feathers.

I tried to get a better picture, but scared her away, she picked up the pigeon in her claws and with a couple of wing beats was up and away to eat her lunch in piece and quiet.

64 days to go

Guess who I work for, see this article , so you can imagine that today at work was interesting !!!!!!

The kids are at their grandparents this weekend, yippee long run planned for Saturday and lonnnnnnnnngggggg cycle on Sunday.......groovy, I love weekends.

67 days to go (Yalla, yalla !!!!)

Yeuk, first day back at work after my holiday to Egypt, Jordan. The picture is from the walk into the hidden city Petra, Jordan, its an amazing place and is up for voting for one of the new seven wonders of the world. I want to go back to Jordan, the place and people are fantastic.

Alas, the training schedule suffered while on holiday, I managed a couple of swim sessions, however this was more about practising technique than a serious workout, hmmm ok I was snorkelling.

Back into the training regime tomorrow, jeepers only 67 days to go, but as my guide in Petra would tell us ...... yalla, yalla.......

Back from holiday

79 days to go

I hate commuting into London, 50 minutes of standing on a train trying to read my newspaper is not fun, grrrrrr.

Anyway, I don't care this week as I'm off on holidays to Egypt/Jordan for a week of sun, sea, sand and pesky kids!!!! It should be great fun, the kids are really looking forward to it. The hotel has a gym, steam room etc wahhhhoooooooooo.

80 days to go

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.

81 days to go

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.

84 days to go

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.

85 days to go

Another Friday off work

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.

Wahooo no work tomorrow

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.........

Crumbs what happened to February

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.

Puh some days!!

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 .........

Pace

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 .........

Wahooo weekend

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 !!

Swinging one arm?

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.

Hmmm excuses!!!

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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Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

Undisplaced fracture of distal radius into articular surface

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.

Hospital

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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Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

BROKEN ARM !!!!!

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.

Adventure racing vs Ironman

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?!

Blocks

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!!!!

Crumbs do I bow !!!!

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!?

San Francisco here I come

Wow it only seems like yesterday since I was here. I'm currently sitting in the British Airways executive lounge waiting for my flight from London to San Francisco (10:30). My hotel has a swimming pool and gym, so there will be no excuses for getting in some training, also the weather is much better than here in London.

Oh well I'm off to get a cup of tea.

Hurumph .....

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.

212 days until 70.3

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.

Fiddlesticks

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 ......

Ouch my legs hurt

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

Completed first marathon

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.

1 hour 30 mins to go????!

Crikey I'm soooooo nervous. Oh well here goes........

12 hours until marathon

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.

5 days to go

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.

9 days to go

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.

Cold and cough

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.

UK 70.3 - 2007

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

Sitting on a train

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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Opening - Gustavo Santaolalla

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.

11 miles to Brokeback Mountain

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.

Cough, cough

Blast, still feel like crap ... arrrggghhh I haven't been sick for years why now.......???!!!!!

Out for the count!

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.

7 week training schedule for 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.

You are half way ... said a ladies voice

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.

Fitness and diet

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.

Cup of tea anyone?

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.

Stepping up

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.

Slump

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.

74 days to go (marathon)

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.

World Cup Final

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.

Pictures from 70.3

What next?

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?!

Wonderful !!!!

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.

1 day to go

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 .......

2 days to go

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?

3 days to go

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).

4 days to go

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.

5 days to go

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.

6 days to go

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......

8 days to go

11 days to go

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 !

12 days to go

Work, work, work

14 days to go

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.