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.
OK enough excuses, just get out there Paul..... but....but...but... "High Winds And Heavy Rains Lash The Bay Area" .... nope no excuses get your arse out there. Here goes, I've found a local swimming pool which is only a couple of miles from my hotel, so planning on jogging to the swimming pool and hitting the pool for an hour or so.
So I missed my early Sunday morning cycle through the cold and windy Oxfordshire countryside. I'm currently sitting in the British Airways business class lounge waiting for my flight to San Francisco. Its a shame that British Airways planes don't have tread-mills or cycle machines on them as I've go the next 11 hours to kill.....maybe I could jog up and down the aisles.
I could be usefully using this time to train and start to get my fitness back. ** Note to self google swimming pools in San Francisco.
So I'm off to change into my jogging kit for my epic 11 hour jogging trip at 30,000 feet up and down the aircraft aisles. If the captian would like to put the plane at a 15% incline that would help the training session.
Oh dear. Work has just been crazy since returning from vacation and there has been no time for training !!!!! I'm now off to San Francisco on Sunday for work and so my training schedule will be screwed. Good news is my hotel has a gym and I should be able to get a couple of jogging sessions in as well.
Crumbs this is difficult balancing work, a family as well as fitting in training sessions.
Ooops ..... my training slipped slightly whilst on vacation and I have to confess I had a couple of beers. It was a great vacation, superb weather and great location. Anyhow I'm back and ready to get fully immersed into my training.
Do you think I could do my Ironman swim wearing a snorkel, hmm OK maybe not !!!!???
Wahoo, I'm off on vacation to
This afternoon, I'm off to drop the kids off at my mothers/sisters house. Yes, yes, OK, OK, I know what you are thinking …….we are terrible parents for dumping our kids and running out on holiday for a week. I've done the guilt and got it under control into a nice box so please don't start me off again.
My kids are very grounded and sensible, (they take after their mother),
I'm sure they will have a great time with their grandmother, auntie and three nephews...... oh crumbs perhaps we are bad parents, oh crikey, that's done it.
I can’t wait to get away from this cold and miserable British weather and go running, cycling and swimming without wearing five million layers……… ooooohhh yes give me the heat and the freedom to train all day oh yes.
…….hmmmm but what if our plane crashes, the kids would be orphaned..... err ummm hadn't though of that !!!!!
Knocked out with a cold, sore throat and upset stomach!!!!
blast, blast, blast, puh.....
Blast caught a cold and sore throat. No time to stop though must keep going..... quick cross-coutry 5km today
cheerio for now.
Early into work this morning, worked through lunch, fell asleep on the train coming home. Father-inlaws 80th birthday party this evening.......no training. Did get a groovy bottle cage in the post today.
