It's been a mixed week of training as Tollcross once again screwed us with the programming of their 2 50 metre pools. The "legacy" of the Commonwealth Games only applies to elite athletes. The "weekend warriors" can forget it. They are not interested in building us into their schedule despite our requests. As a result the only weekday 50m swimming will be on a Tuesday morning. I am now having to reschedule my training with my coach which we are arranging this week. To say I am disappointed is putting it mildly. But these set backs will only make me more determined. It looks like I'll need to do a swimming and running double session on a Sunday morning.
So my swimming has suffered for the last two weeks. This weekend I was down south in Market Harborough for a friends 50th. I took my running shoes as I had to do something as my bike ride would be missed.I travelled down on the Friday night as this meant I would have time to run on the Saturday morning before the celibrations started.
I checked the map and headed off to the local park rather than running around the streets. Imagine my joy when I noticed a Park Run was starting at 9am. Park Run is now a national phenomenon where throughout the UK at 9am on a Saturday morning, anyone of any standard can turn up for a 5km run and have your time recorded. People of all shapes, sizes, ages with dogs, push buggies and great runners lined up. I have a 10km race next weekend and I needed a fast training session to encourage some speed into my legs. I did a reasonable time for me but as always with the short sharp races I felt sick by the finishline. Short races are hard when my natural ability to to churn out the miles when all the "sprinters" have burned out. The Park Run organisers made me feel so welcome and I enjoyed being part of the event.
I'm meeting my coach on Tuesday to review my progress over the last 3 weeks and make adjustments. I'll be measuring my heart rate 1st thing every morning this week as we need to establish the impact of the training so far. There are 251 days until Ironman Frankfurt and I'm leaving nothing to chance. Hurdles like Tollcross's schedule or 50th birthday parties will get in the way but what I need to do is keep the goal in sight and make sure I maximise every training session while have a balance with the rest of my life. The quandry every Ironman faces, along with everyone else in life!
Sunday, 25 October 2015
Monday, 19 October 2015
7 Ironmen
Last week was a difficult one. Fitting in training with work and family is hard enough but as I was in London for two days it really screwed the schedule up. I did run in London but the 6m ascent bored me and dodging shoppers, tourists and office workers plus the traffic didn't help my speed. I worked out in a tiny gym and did my core routine in my bedroom but it didn't feel good. When I got back home I was knackered so I skipped my early morning swim on Friday as I listened to my body. I still managed my turbo session in the evening, not that I felt like doing it but it hadn't been a good week for training and I couldn't miss another session.
I headed out for the club ride with 6 club mates and only an hour in realised that every one of us was an ironman and had entered an ironman competition for next year. This is going to be a fantastic training group which will help us get through the winter. I was in full winter gear and we didn't hang around. I had a speed wobble at 7 mph on some gravel which was very scary as there isn't much you can do on those "ball bearings". Fortunately one of my riding partners put his shoulder into me just as I was about to knock him off and that straightened me up - could have been a sore one!
Our average speed over the 93km and 905 metres of ascending had increased from the previous week so that was encouraging - that's why we measure everything so we can recognise improvements - every little improvement counts. I did struggle with a higher heart rate at the beginning of the ride on the hills which could have been me being tired from a busy week but it did settle down later - important to keep an eye on that measurement.
Later on that day I went for a sports massage. As always it was sore especially my feet and OMG my rotator cuff (shoulder) - I can't print what I said when he hit that point! I was told I might feel it the next day but I didn't. I headed out for 9 km run and the good news is I had no foot pain.
Much to the disappointment of my triathlete friends I played golf in the afternoon - they don't see it as a sport. It was such a beautiful autumnal afternoon and my sport massage must have done me some good because I played the best round of the year and I was hitting the ball a mile! Maybe digging into my rotator cuff had released some stiffness, I've no idea but I do know it worked.
Later I watched the rugby and was on the edge of my seat as Scotland came close, but no cigar. A bit like the 86 year old who last week would have been the fasted man ever of his age group in the world championships but was disqualified as he finished 6 seconds after the official cut off. It's an important reminder that crossing the finish line isn't guaranteed and the difference between winning and losing can be "paper thin". And every training session takes me one step closer to the finish line - 257 days to go.
I headed out for the club ride with 6 club mates and only an hour in realised that every one of us was an ironman and had entered an ironman competition for next year. This is going to be a fantastic training group which will help us get through the winter. I was in full winter gear and we didn't hang around. I had a speed wobble at 7 mph on some gravel which was very scary as there isn't much you can do on those "ball bearings". Fortunately one of my riding partners put his shoulder into me just as I was about to knock him off and that straightened me up - could have been a sore one!
Our average speed over the 93km and 905 metres of ascending had increased from the previous week so that was encouraging - that's why we measure everything so we can recognise improvements - every little improvement counts. I did struggle with a higher heart rate at the beginning of the ride on the hills which could have been me being tired from a busy week but it did settle down later - important to keep an eye on that measurement.
Later on that day I went for a sports massage. As always it was sore especially my feet and OMG my rotator cuff (shoulder) - I can't print what I said when he hit that point! I was told I might feel it the next day but I didn't. I headed out for 9 km run and the good news is I had no foot pain.
Much to the disappointment of my triathlete friends I played golf in the afternoon - they don't see it as a sport. It was such a beautiful autumnal afternoon and my sport massage must have done me some good because I played the best round of the year and I was hitting the ball a mile! Maybe digging into my rotator cuff had released some stiffness, I've no idea but I do know it worked.
Later I watched the rugby and was on the edge of my seat as Scotland came close, but no cigar. A bit like the 86 year old who last week would have been the fasted man ever of his age group in the world championships but was disqualified as he finished 6 seconds after the official cut off. It's an important reminder that crossing the finish line isn't guaranteed and the difference between winning and losing can be "paper thin". And every training session takes me one step closer to the finish line - 257 days to go.
Sunday, 11 October 2015
Inspiration all around
Training for Frankfurt Ironman on 3 July 2016 can be lonely. Over the coming months a lot of hours will be spent training on my own however this is essential. You have to train your brain to be able to take the boredom. Long runs, bike rides and swims where it's just you and your inner voice. The voice that's always there keeping you company but you have to ignore it at times. That's why on a Saturday morning I look forward to cycling with the club because while it's still hard work, average speed of 26.6kph on a hilly route, you're able to have some chat. And this week was particularly good as one of last weeks Barcelona Ironmen was able to share the experience with us.
It's timely to hear of his adventure as I'm just putting the building blocks in place for mine next year. So I know how he's feeling, elated and proud of a fantastic achievement but it only happened due to hard work and a steely determination.
We also had 3 team mates competing in the Glencoe marathon and others in the Great Scottish Run 10k and half marathon. This weekend one of our team got a PB in the Berlin Marathon. Everywhere I turn a team mate is doing something amazing so inspirational examples are all around which is so uplifting.
This week there were a couple of training sessions where I really couldn't be bothered. This will happen from time to time but it's those sessions where you have to dig deep that get's me to the start line. Juggling family life, business and training isn't easy but then if it was the prize wouldn't be worth it. Bring it on.
It's timely to hear of his adventure as I'm just putting the building blocks in place for mine next year. So I know how he's feeling, elated and proud of a fantastic achievement but it only happened due to hard work and a steely determination.
We also had 3 team mates competing in the Glencoe marathon and others in the Great Scottish Run 10k and half marathon. This weekend one of our team got a PB in the Berlin Marathon. Everywhere I turn a team mate is doing something amazing so inspirational examples are all around which is so uplifting.
This week there were a couple of training sessions where I really couldn't be bothered. This will happen from time to time but it's those sessions where you have to dig deep that get's me to the start line. Juggling family life, business and training isn't easy but then if it was the prize wouldn't be worth it. Bring it on.
Sunday, 4 October 2015
...and so it starts
On Thursday this week I started my Ironman training. That's 275 away from the event. If you have ever wondered how you prepare a 53 year old body for a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 run then please follow my weekly blog. As I write this my pals are just crossing the line in Barcelona Ironman in fabulous times. Others were doing the Glencoe Marathon, the Glasgow 10km and half marathon - a busy day. Completing an Ironman doesn't just happen. It requires dedication to train your arse off 6 days a week. The training time builds up but starts off getting your body ready for the hell that is going to be inflicted on it. The hard bit is having done it twice before, I know what's coming!
My coach has laid out an online training plan and my garmin records every session. The data downloads to the online website and Genevieve sees everything. Therefore every stroke I swim is recorded. Every revolution of the bike and foot strike in the run is there for her expert eye to analyse. There is no hiding place. And that's what I like. Because when I'm not feeling up to the session, I know I have to give it my all or else I'll be getting my butt kicked!
Yesterday I went out on the bike with the guys and we did 83k at an average speed of 26.1km per hour which I was very happy with. But today Genevieve turned up for a "social" 90 minute ride. She "suggested" I could improve on this so we went out and smashed it - 28.6km per hour! It's amazing how your focus changes when your coach is sitting on your tail. A quality session.
I've a long way to go but I know tomorrow is my day off training and I think my body will appreciate it. Since Thursday I have been doing exercises I wouldn't normally do and my body is telling me something is going on. It sure is. I'm being prepared for hell on earth and the reason is I'm doing this is simple. Being in phenomenal shape impacts positively on all aspects of your life and at the same time I'll be raising money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres. It doesn't get better than that.
My coach has laid out an online training plan and my garmin records every session. The data downloads to the online website and Genevieve sees everything. Therefore every stroke I swim is recorded. Every revolution of the bike and foot strike in the run is there for her expert eye to analyse. There is no hiding place. And that's what I like. Because when I'm not feeling up to the session, I know I have to give it my all or else I'll be getting my butt kicked!
Yesterday I went out on the bike with the guys and we did 83k at an average speed of 26.1km per hour which I was very happy with. But today Genevieve turned up for a "social" 90 minute ride. She "suggested" I could improve on this so we went out and smashed it - 28.6km per hour! It's amazing how your focus changes when your coach is sitting on your tail. A quality session.
I've a long way to go but I know tomorrow is my day off training and I think my body will appreciate it. Since Thursday I have been doing exercises I wouldn't normally do and my body is telling me something is going on. It sure is. I'm being prepared for hell on earth and the reason is I'm doing this is simple. Being in phenomenal shape impacts positively on all aspects of your life and at the same time I'll be raising money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres. It doesn't get better than that.
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