Yippeeee .... long weekend

I've recently moved offices and I'm now working in the London office, which is bad as I'm back into the commuting rat run. However, it does have some good points, my head office has approx 1,000 employees and quite a few good runners. Lunch-times are now spent running around Hyde Park or Regents Park. The guys took me on a run up Primrose hill last week, phew that was a tough one.

Its a long weekend, which is great as I need more training time ........ only 20 days to 70.3 and 104 to full Ironman.

Frank Sinarta, Van Morrison and Vivaldi

"Come fly with me..... lets fly, lets fly away....." said Frank ...... a few minutes later the harmonica of Van kicked in from the "Bright side of the road"......... wahooooo great music ..... sunny blue skies and I'm on my bike. Hmmmm and then "Spring - Four Seasons" from Vivaldi merged in, the shuffle function on my iPhone was certainly mixing up the music.

I'm currently average 40 miles a ride and I need to step up the distance if I'm ever going to be able to finish my full ironman in September. Yikes, only 26 days until half ironman and 110 until the full version!!!!!

Behind you

Feeling better and I'm slowly snapping back into the swing of things. I was out for a run this evening when I could swear I heard someone running behind me. I kept looking over my shoulder, but no one was there? I think I'm paranoid.

Err umm .... very peculiar

Wow, Sunday was a fabulously warm and sunny day, a fantastic day for a bike ride.   I passed several cyclists on the normally quiet Sunday roads, it was brilliant.   After a pleasant 40 mile cycle, I cut short the ride and detoured home as I started to feel slightly peculiar.  I showered and changed, but then had to go to bed to lie down, all of a sudden I had no energy.  

Zonk !!!!! I was out for the count. I woke up an hour or so later running a temperature of 101 f, terrible stomach pains and a stinking headache.  I managed to crawl into work today, fortunately my temperature has gone, alas its knocked training out for a couple of days.

Yellow and green

Today was a day of yellow and green.  

Fields of yellow rape seed, next to fields of green grass.  A yellow banana, washed down with a yellow sports drink dropped onto my yellow/green Palo Alto cycling top.  3 hours of yellow and green, and then a shower and changed back into blue.  

Window shopping

Oooooohhhhh. I do like window shopping for new bikes ......

45 and 129

There are ONLY 45 days until my half Ironman and 129 until my first full Ironman attempt. Yikes..........??????

Craving scooby-doo sandwich

The start of the Whitehorse challenge opened at 0755am and I was the second person out of the gate with a group of 7 others.

For the first two hours it was great, we averaged about 23mph zooming along in a cool paceline. Then we hit the first hump and I was dropped. For the next 30 mins I as out by myself. We then hit a monster of a climb and I was engulfed by a stream of 40 to 50 cyclists zooming up the hill. From then on I was travelling backwards. I did not mind as it was sunny and the coutryside was beautiful.

Then it, started cramp and a craving for a huge scooby-doo like sandwich. The climbs were killers and when I saw a road sign indicating a 17% gradient I could have died. I didn't care too much about the time as I just wanted to finish.

Yikes, I've got a lot of training to do before September and my first full Ironman attempt.

Here we go

just finished breakfast and about to set off for race

Yikes 150kms

I'm doing the Whitehorse 150km cycle race tomorrow and I've got a cold and runny nose. The weather forecast is for rain. However there is no holding me back, while my body is weak and tired I'm focused and ready to bring it on!!!!!!

OK, I've just finished watching a Nicholas Cage film and I've had a testosterone boost, come tomorrow morning I'll be whimpering.

OMG

My entry has been accpeted into the UK Ironman in September ....... yikes what have I done!!!!!

Wait list for IM UK 2008

Tammy, IronTim and Iron Kahuna have inspired me to enter for a full Ironman, and so I'm currently wait listed for IM UK in September. Over the past couple of years, I've been staying at 70.3's tooooo scared to graduate to a full Ironman, well that's about to change.

Next week is my first event of the year, the White Horse Challenge. 150kms of cycling through the English countryside, yikes.

Mexico to Sweden

I'm home from a great holiday in Mexico, however first day back at work has me flying to Sweden. The contrast between the two countries could not be greater.

Its 1am local time, not sure what timezone my body is in? Hmm my body is not in good shape, the hotel in Mexico was all inclusive, geared towards an American market, crumbs the food and drinks are very sweet. I managed a couple of runs, but phew running in temperatures of +30c was tricky. Oh I must go to bed I have to be up early.

Wahoo off to Mexico

Grrr late home from work, needed to finish handover notes, going on holiday is a painful business. One problem still outstanding that I need to dial in for on Friday...... haven't told the family yet????

All packed. Must go to bed soon as I need to get up at 3am for 11 hour flight.........

Romero, Hoy and the British Cycling team

Awesome racing at the track cycling worlds in Manchester, both the missus and the kids are sucked in. This is crazy normally they don't like my stuff. Just watched Chris Hoy beat Sireau, it was a great two legs, with Hoy pipping the frenchman by mm in the first race.

I just wish the British cycling team got more coverage in our media.

Doldrums

So home late from work, knackered and completely brain fried, I know I'm not going to make it out for a run or to the gym tonight. I seem to be saying that a lot recently ..... "I'll go for a run/gym/swim/cycle tomorrow".

I spent the evening crashed in front of my computer, did read a good article that has me kicking myself for not going for a run. I can certainly relate: "Running Can Make You High"

Digitizing CD collection

So procrastinated all day today, clearing out my office and digitizing my entire CD collection. Several hours and 12GB later all done, just enough time for a run in the wind and snow before bathing the kids.

The weather was terrible this weekend.

Horrible weather

Yeuk, what a horrible weekend, the weather was terrible, wind, rain and snow.

I've been cowering in my office away from the elements, until I finally cracked I needed to get outside. With a zillion layers I braced myself and ventured out on my bike.

Phew it was very windy and after a couple of hours being buffeted on my bike I had to call it a day.

I'm off to Mexican sunshine in 11 days time .....

Knocked for six

Out with fever........

Bosses new bike

My wife's boss has just bought a new bike ...... oooohhh arrrhhhh, it looks great.  

If I won the lottery I would have a bike for each day of the week.

Just got back from the gym, 5k run on dreadmill (21mins), 2000m on rowing machine (7.58 mins) and 45mins on various weight machines. Blast washing up is calling ......  

Mexico

Hmmmm ...... my family and I are off to Mexico in a couple of weeks for holiday. Unfortunately the dates clash with my first event of the year (Grove half marathon).  Oooops.

My mate Mac

After weeks of frustration with Vista and 18 years of dealing with Windows, I've finally snapped, enough is enough.  On Monday, my shiny new Apple 24 inch iMac arrived.  Its truly beautiful.

Mac and I are now best buddies.  If only Mac could ride a bike, although I was mightily impressed with his trek to my house, he started off in Prague.

85 kph and nearly wiped out

Perhaps this sign should also read and valley of the cyclists.

I was out on my normal Sunday cycle ride and I'm on the long downhill, I must be hitting about 85kph when my back wheel lifts up and dances sideways ........ phew it was a scary couple of seconds, it landed on the ground and then quickly snapped back into line. I thought I was a goner.

The best bit ....a long downhill

I was out on my usual Sunday cycle ride, and after 1 hour of climbing and rolling hills I get to the best bit. A lonnnnnnnng downhill........ its not very steep, but it does go on for a while..... wahoooooooo.

Ironman training - gardening?!

Gardening, well digging a vegetable bed actually, I bet this is not part of normal triathletes training programme. I don't see Chris McCormack training regime involving lugging large bags of compost or digging and weeding large vegetable beds.

Well, this is now part of my secret training schedule to blow away the UK triathlete competition .... I'll have to wait until June to see if it pays off.

I've submitted my application for a lottery place for Hawaii ...... don't stand a chance of getting a place and I would probably pee my pants if I did .................

Cold fingers and runny nose

Wow, what a great weekend, the weather was fantastic.  It all started Friday night with a monster session at the gym, followed by Saturday afternoon and a 10 mile run, and then today and a 3 hour cycle ride in the Oxfordshire winter sunshine.

Its Sunday night and I've got work tomorrow, lots of ironing, loads of household chores and my body is tired ....... but I don't care because it was a fabulous weekend.

Layers

What a palaver getting dressed for a cycle ride during the winter????

I start with a cotton vest, (I know its probably not great, as cotton holds moisture, but it seems to work for me). Next over the top, a long sleeve Lycra close fitting shirt, then a short sleeve loose dri-fit t-shirt, next comes Lycra arm warmers, then long leg Lycra bib pants, over the top Lycra padded racing bib shorts, racing cycle jersey and a wind proof gillet, all topped of with hat, gloves and overshoes.

Having the layers works well for cold days, although after a long cycle ride on Sunday and consuming two bottles of water, getting all those layers off to go to the bathroom is somewhat of a challenge.

Yippeeeee

I heard a strange sound this morning.  Birds singing.  Its still only January and the birds have started to sing.  I open the curtains and I'm greeted with a fabulous looking day, a great day for a cycle ride.  

My iphone is loaded and charged, I've got two water bottles, banana, bike repair kit and all set for a great cycle ride.  Sure enough it was a fantastic ride, the weather was great, the roads quiet, excluding the horse riders, runners and other cyclists (my kind of traffic).  Today was the best day of the year. 

(I apologise to those folks in deepest, cold winter).

First Amendment Area

NOISE.  I crave silence, no noise, nothing, just silence. 

I was running, when all of a sudden I stopped, switched off my music, pulled out my earphones and just stood still.  My breathing slowed and just for one minute there was peace and quiet, it was beautiful.

Jet lag

I can't sleep.  Which is very interesting, lying awake in bed at 02.30am listening to my wife snoring!!!!!!!!!! 

My wife and I are complete opposites, in every way, absolutely everything, even our breathing?  I can't sleep due to jet lag and a snoring wife, I've read about 10 zillion books, counted all the sheep in the world and so I try to match my wife's breathing pattern, I nearly start to hyper-ventilate, gosh she breathes fast when she sleeps.

Two doors down

My hotel room is two doors away from the hotel gym, which is great as I've hit the gym everyday, although I think I might have over done it on the step machine.

San Francisco is great, I just wish I had my bike with me.

San Francisco

Wahoooo I'm off to San Francisco tomorrow morning for a week, its not holiday but work.  I'm flying out British Airways business class and back first class.

A week of the hotel swimming pool, sauna  and gym....... piece of quiet from noisy family, shopping, eating out ahhhhhh.

Smarties

I managed a 10 mile run this past weekend, which seems to have put a temporary halt to my weird dreams. Alas, Monday thru Friday is still devoid of any training.  I'm really struggling to get arse into gear. 

I'm down to my last 5 smarties (chocolate M&Ms) and when the last one goes, that's it no more procrastinating.  I'm committed to a road of no more chocolate and a strict exercise and diet program.  Just scoffed another smartie, only 4 left and no excuses. 

Three orange and one green smartie to go.  No stop, couldn't resist 3 left ...... 

UPDATE: Scoffed the lot ..... strict exercise and diet routine has kicked in from now.

Grizzly bear dream

I'm in an ironman event, however instead of swimming, I'm in a sail boat.  I've just finished the swim (sail) leg and enter transition when out pops a huge grizzly bear.  The bear chases and catches me and is just about to bite my head off when I wake up. 

I must get out and do some exercise, before my dreams turn me into a nervous wreck.

(Picture: Dave Hurteau of Field & Stream magazine)

Reoccurring dream

The past two nights I've been waking up mid-dream (night-mare).  I'm dreaming that I'm in an ironman event and have completed the swim but then get lost during the run or bike leg, at which point I wake up in a sweat, rather anxious and confused.

Not sure what the dream means.  Probably my subconscious telling me that I've eaten toooooo much chocolate and not done enough exercise this holiday.

Its rather foggy

I've been procrastinating and sulking all day and finally dragged my arse out of the house for a run.  It was that or watch High School Musical with the kids.

It was rather cold and foggy, but I'm pleased as I managed a fair pace for about one hour.  I'm not sulking anymore ...... exercise is a great tonic.

Sore nose

Wahooo its nearly Christmas, no work for week. Yippeeee ..... OK long run on Saturday, Cycle Sunday, Swim Monday, Cycle & Christmas Lunch Tuesday, Cycle Wednesday ..... aaachooooooo, snivel, sniff ..... blast where is my hankie!!!

Oh bugger that I feel terrible.  I've caught a stonker of a cold and right now feel like going to bed ............ Ok maybe a run tomorrow will sort me out ... kill or cure.

New car

The roads were very quiet this afternoon.  I was out for a gentle 1 hour run before it got dark.  It was flippin cold.

We are looking to buy a new car.  We test drove a BMW 5 series touring yesterday, it was beautiful to drive, I'm in love.  Alas, it failed the wife test.  Would my bike fit easily into the back of the car in 1 minute with two kids in the rear seats.  (Silly test I know, but I have an inpatient wife).

Despite trying to persuade my wife that I would take both wheels off, the saddle out, remove the handlebars, the forks within 30 seconds, it was with a heavy heart I confessed it failed.  Other cars we have looked at the passed this test with flying colours, just pop out the front wheel and in it slides, even with kids sitting in the back seat.

Crikey that was cold and wet

Today it rained cats, dogs, chickens, polar bear and penguins.  I did battle with the elements as I cycled from Oxford to Marlborough.  It was a tough cycle what with the cold wind and the rain. 

It took slightly longer than planned , plus I was late setting out which meant when I came into Marlborough, the light had just about gone.  (Slightly stupid really as I did not have any lights on my bike).

Shock

My daughter is 6 years old and already she has broken her poor old fathers heart.  Today over breakfast she told me... . ..... ... I can't say this .... .  . . that <trembling voice> she is in fact a MANCHESTER UNITED fan and would not like a Chelsea football kit for Christmas, she would like a Man U kit.

My son and I are still in shock, but I guess we will have to come to terms with her decision.  (Psst son lets put her up for sale on ebay).

I hate winter ......

The weekends slipped by and I stayed cocooned in my house.  Despite the guilt and the lack of exercise, which started to effect my sanity, I really struggled to make the first step or push of the pedal.

Today, I finally plucked up the courage to venture back out into the dark cold evening, back into the breach, as I hit the road on a regular training run.

Its was a relief to be back, I just hope this is the start of normality again.

Huh .... where did 2007 go?

I've just submitted an application for the 2008 White Horse Challenge. This is a 150km cycle race around the Berkshire countryside in April.

I always do this at the end of the year, I get gun-ho and sign up to marathons, triathlons and cycle races for the next year. I forget about the hours of training that lies ahead, the cold dark mornings in January and February, the panic in March as the early races approach .... and then in April I normally fall apart and get cross with myself for entering these events.

I know that if I don't do this now, while the joy of crossing the finishing line in 2007 is still fresh in my mind, I will never enter any events.

Tentative schedule for 2008

06th Apr 2008: Grove half marathon (confirmed)
13th Apr 2008: London marathon (waiting for lottery place - 9th year of applying)
18th May 2008: Copenhagen, Denmark marathon
25th May 2008: Edinburgh marathon (not sure about this one if I do Copenhagen)
15th Jun 2008: 70.3 Half Ironman, UK (confirmed)
23th Aug 2008: Reykjavik, Iceland marathon
07th Sep 2008: Ironman UK

................unless I win the lottery, in which case I will be sitting on a beach.

Finished marathon

The first 15 miles were great, I felt fantastic, hitting around 8:30 minute mile pace .......... but then I died. The earlier climbs and a killer over the top of a flippin huge mountain at 23 miles wiped me out. I was resigned to a slow overall time and was now aiming just to finish. The weather was terrible, wind and rain, but ever onwards.


At about 24 miles a women 100 meters in front of me suddenly stopped and started shouting, grasping her leg. Cramp!!! I stopped to help her, much to the relief of fellow competitors, but I was not racing for a time just to finish. She had cramp in both legs. She moved to the ground and I lifted both legs up in the air pushing them against my chest, as I rubbed her calves. I walked with her for a couple of minutes and left her walking slowly but determined to finish.


I crossed the finish line and was not too disappointed with my time, considering the weather and hills. Its certainly sparked me on to do another marathon soon, but this time, a marathon without any mountains.

3 days to go

Yikes ........... panic...............

12 days to go

I ran in the "Hanney 5 - Stewart Horwood Memorial Trophy" race yesterday. The winner finished in a time of 25mins 32 seconds. This was toooooo fast for me, I tried to stick at my marathon pace and was quite please with 39mins 31 seconds, a bit too fast.

Gulp only 12 days to go.

14 days to go

I'm running the Hanney 5 mile tomorrow, its a good course, I train on the roads every week.

16 days to go

All too often nowadays I find that work stuff fills my head and the only way to clear the junk out, to reset myself, is through a tough workout. A full on, gritted teeth, gasping for air workout, that's what happened today at the gym. It started with knocking up the tread mill to a 14% incline, continued with the rowing machine, which I crawled off gasping for air and then pulled and pushed the weights till I could do it no more. I'm sure it was incredibly stupid ...... but just sometimes ....... I need to do it.

Now, I'm back to proper controlled training.

19 days to go

I've been out for the count with a cold and flu for the past couple of weeks. I'm recovered now and back in training for marathon in 19 days time (OMG) !!!!

38 days to go

Hit the gym this evening. Started on the treadmill with heart rate really low for the first 5 minutes but them knocked up the speed and heart rate bounced up to 175 bpm ..... nearly collapsed at the end of the work out. Probably should not be doing this, but had a lot of aggression to work through !!!!!! 30 minutes on the weights and then crashed into the steam room ...... Ahhhhh

No oomph

It was Sunday 7am and a great morning for a run, a cool crisp morning with blue skies and not a cloud in sight ...... perfect.

However, I got to about mile 4 and died, no oomph. I looked at my stop watch and was shocked by the slow time. I struggled for another couple of steps and then stopped. It was a beautiful clear quiet morning but I couldn't run another step, I can't explain really, but today I had no oomph.

I have 40 days left until my marathon.

Older

Its my birthday today ......... woke up this morning a year older,wiser, grumpier and slower, oh no I'm soooo old.......

46 days to go

Crikey 6 dead rats, 4 dead rabbits, 2 dead pigeons and a partridge in a pear tree, well OK not the last one, but that was the carnage I saw out on the roads yesterday, very smelly.

I've bumped up my distance for longer runs and now go running with a water bottle, its awkward but at least I'm not dying of thirst and ending up like a crispy rat on the side of the road. Yeuk, I'm off to think about something else.

50 days to go

Phew knackered from a 10 mile run this evening, started out way tooooo fast, I nearly died at mile 7. I've downloaded a marathon planner schedule training thingy. Oh dear I'm rather behind. I've got to do another 13 miles before Saturday and then next week I have to run 50 miles in the week?

52 days to go

I've calmed down now and stopped being so angry all the time ...... side effect is that I can't run as fast?!!!!!!

Just got back from my usual 10 mile run. Found myself running the last 2 miles in dusk. Alas I trod on a dead rabbit which I failed to spot because of the failing light. (Yeuk).

Still running on angry

I've just got back from a 10 mile run this evening. 10 miles of running on angry. Yet again my anger and frustration with life and work pushed myself all the way around my run. The higher heart rate and aggression partnered easily with my anger.

I hope this phase of being angry all the time goes a way soon.

60 days to go

Despite the long weekend up in London watching "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" I was still able squeeze in a couple of training runs. Gosh only 60 days to go until my Snowdon marathon.

The Joseph show was OK, I thought the director compromised on the show as it did not seem to flow very well. The performers were excellent, the narrator played by Preeya Kalidas was superb. (I could have done within out the kids in the show, I found them very annoying).

Running on angry

I went out for a 10 mile run. I achieved a PB. I was able to do this because I was angry and forgot about the running. The more angry I got the faster I pushed myself. As I approached the end of my run I had worked myself into such an angry state that I could have given Paula Radcliffe a run for her money. I would probably still be running if it had not have gotten dark.

Alas, my anger still resides with me and now causes me to be awake at 10 past midnight.

Hmmm..... anger..... good for training bad for sleeping !!!!!!

Monday morning

"Bjork - Play Dead"

Oh dear its Monday morning and the work week stretches out in front of me ...... I must stop procrastinating and get a grip.

Can I just go and hide?

I know, I'll go for a run at lunch time that will save me.

Back to life

So its been two weeks since I came back from my holiday and earlier this week I finally snapped back into life. I had a shave (getting too much grief at work about growing a beard) and no.2 haircut. So that's it, back to humdrum.....

On Monday I mapped out a 12 week marathon training schedule. doh! I'm arelady behind as I've only managed a six mile run this week. Just about to hit the road for a nine mile run, although its just starting to rain!!!! oh well guess I'll get wet.

English rugby hero Martin Johnson

I met Martin Johnson yesterday. He came into my office as part of a corporate motivational talk, (my company is sponsoring the Rugby World Cup)

He's a great guy, although I did feel sorry for the chap, having to come to a very boring data centre with a load of blokes asking for his autograph every two seconds.......

Had a quick chat with him about the Tour de France, as he saw a stage while he was on holiday in France this year. Great guy told some good stories.

Running through vineyards

I normally don't have any problems sleeping, when my head hits the pillow I'm out for the count until the alarm jumps into life at 05:45am. However, last week at about 04:00am I just woke up, wide awake, just like that. Normally it takes several bashes of the sleep button before I actually wake up.

Being wide awake and nothing to do, I embarked on a very early morning run through the vineyards and countryside of southern France, it was fabulous despite a close encounter with a wild boar!!! I suppose I should go for a run this evening......... ... . . .... . blast this chair is too comfy .... maybe tomorrow!!!

Car crash

We left our villa in France early Saturday morning (06:18am). It would take 13 hours to drive the 770 miles through France to our home in England.


Its about 8am, we are travelling along the A75 motorway and we are somewhere between junction 17 and 18. The road is fairly quiet and I can see a single blue car approximately 300 meters ahead of me.

There is a puff of dust, the blue car HITS the central crash barrier, my heart stops, the blue car spins up into the air. I look in rear-view mirror, I can see cars behind me, I try to finger the four way emergency indicators to come on, the blue car lands onto the road and debris flies everywhere, my speed has dropped to about 50 mph and I'm dodging glass and bits of car. The blue car is now on its roof spinning across the road, it hits the inside barrier and spins across towards the centre of the road. My speed is now down to 30mph, I'm following the blue car waiting for it to stop.

The blue car finally comes to a stop on its roof, I'm out of my car running towards the blue car. The road is so empty, I'm running along the motorway towards the blue car. It takes me about 30 seconds to reach the blue car. It might explode quickly pings through my head, there is no smoke, we will be OK.

I finally reach the car and as I do three guys crawl out. The driver has blood coming from his head, he's shouting and kicking his car, the passenger in the front seat has flesh torn up and down his left arm with blood everywhere, the third guy in the back seems ok.

They are standing looking at the car. I move them to the side of the road away from the car. I get the guy with the terrible arm injury sitting down, holding his arm in the air. The driver seems OK, despite what looks like raw flesh on his head. I'm by myself for about a minute when more people arrive.

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!!!