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.