Garmin watching

Another successful weeks training.  I'm really starting to feel the benefit of regular training and enjoying it too.  According to my coach today my legs are starting to change shape reflecting the training. Due to the severe weather this weekend I changed my training around.  On Saturday I did a long turbo training session which normally would be boring but during the session I had to pay close attention to my heart rate on a regular basis, sometimes every minute.  I was also monitoring my cadence (speed of the pedals) and it was a great session - sweated buckets!
On Sunday I had the pleasure of the company of my coach and her husband for a run followed by a swim.  The rain was pouring down but I think we got more wet from the feet up!  Rivers were running down the paths at Chatelherault and it was pointless to try and stay dry.  We then headed off for a swim.
After 200m the bad news was broken to me. I'd been working on my technique, incorrectly.  That's the bummer about swimming.  You think you are displaying the technique you had been shown the week before, in fact you've worked hard on it all week, only to be told you're not!  Gutted so back to square one.  Technique, technique, technique.  I worked hard and hopefully made some progress but it's not easy.
Next week is another hectic business week so the training has been carefully planned around my work and family life.  Back in the pool tomorrow morning and hopefully I will be using the correct technique rather than perfecting the wrong technique!

Ice station zebra

Its bloody baltic out there, hense the title.  But more of that later.  This week was going to be unusual.  My training schedule has been beefed up and I had a busy week at work.  As a result I needed to amend the schedule and train 7 days in a row.  Not something that will happen very often but needs must.  Running mid-week led me to believe I might end up with webbed feet which would be handy for swimming but in the last week I have twice been running in floods which meant the water was over my ankles.  I did return to Chatelherault again which is just a joy and the fact it was with a group of triathlete pals made it extra special.  We're all at different stages in our training which showed but I'm happy that I've started my Ironman training early and am building slowly under the watchful eye of my coach Genevieve.  Every stroke in the pool, revolution of the wheel on the bike and step in the run is measured, analysed and worked on.  The results are instantly sent to her and she lets me know if any adjustments are required.
Due to the icy conditions on Saturday I switched the training so I ran rather than going out on the bike.  Anticipating the same conditions on Sunday I was going to arrange an indoor turbo session after my swim.  I did a 3k swim and worked on my technique - this needs to improve for next year.  Then at mid-day I went out for a bike ride in the beautiful sunshine.  The sun may have been shining but it was bloody freezing.  I had to take it easy and pick my way through the potentially icy patches and by the time I got into the shower I had no feeling in my toes or fingers.  I think cycling is going to be moving indoors for the winter with the odd outdoor ride.  It's been a great week's training.  I've also lost 6 pounds which was required.  I don't carry much weight, skinny is a phrase often used, but I don't want to carry unnecessary excess.  What is obvious though is that my food intake needs to increase as I need more fuel.  Nutrition is an essential part of training and I love the fact that my body tells me what I require" - seriously it does.  So a new week approaches but tomorrow's my day off training and I am looking forward to the rest.

Putting things in perspective

Life is never straight forward and death always gives me a shake.  But when it is so close to your doorstep (Paris) it really does make you question what is going on all over the world.  I'm not going to get political but wanted to express my condolences to those affected (across the world).
So fortunately life continues.  The gluppy throat became "man flu" and you know how serious that can be!  Unfortunately it meant I had to cancel my training on Monday &Tuesday.  I then headed off to Marrakech with my wife for four days of relaxation in the sun with some excellent food and wine.  What a wonderful time we had.  An amazing cultural experience and I took full advantage of the time to let my body recover.  It was just what the doctor ordered and I missed the miserable weather back home.
Today was my first day back training.  I went a run at Chatelherault and waded through the floods. The stats were reasonable following 6 days off training so I think the rest did me some good.  The weather continues to be terrible but it makes me feel alive when I'm being battered by the elements.  My philosophy in life is to worry about what you can control and not what you can't hense the reason I am continuing life as normal.  I hope we will all support those affected by terrorism throught the world.

Testing times

I could see from my schedule this was going to be a tough week.  My coach set a number of "tests" for me to establish certain measures.  Two swim sets where I was aiming at consistent times which is easier said than done.  On the second one I ended up too fast and inconsistent so I'm redoing that test again.  On the turbo we were establishing my threshold and that was a hell of a workout.  I was shattered when I slid off the bike having done 65 sweaty minutes.
So come Saturday I was looking forward to the group ride but the forecast didn't look so good - and it was right.  I rained heavily the whole ride and mix that with leaves on the roads and crazy car drivers and we really had to be extra careful which slowed our speed down.  A car overtook me doing 70 mph just as a car was passing on the other side of the road.  He must have missed me by 2 feet.  Later on that day I was in a taxi and it turned out he was the car going the other way and had to almost go off the road to allow the idiot to squeeze through.  It turns out two others in the group had altercations with cars.  I rode the whole ride in a "bubble" to try and block out the miserable conditions.  65km and 2.75 hours later and I climbed into bed to warm up before going in the shower.  If this weather continues I'll be training indoors as the risks are too high.
This morning I returned to Chatelherault to run as the forecast was rain and gale force winds.  I ran with my pals and as we were only doing one lap we ran "the big hill".  Normally I walk this but not today.  My heart was bursting out of my chest by the top but I kept going and probably completed my fastest lap.  It felt good to be running here again.  I felt alive and at one with my surroundings which is a special feeling.  However I had noticed a "gloopy" throat when I got up this morning and it now feels like I'm coming down with a cold. I hope this doesn't set back my recently found fitness but if I'm going to get a cold it's as well I get it now.

Hard work pays off

It's been a good weeks training and with a busy work schedule, 3 events after work, and I've been tired.  But having a training programme to focus on and knowing my every move is being monitored I've got through the 11 training sessions.
I met with my coach and we "adjusted" the training schedule with some more emphasis on my weakness and a planned course of action.  So the plan is changing and I'm looking forward to it.  Saturdays bike ride was wet and windy but I was out with a good bunch of guys (9 ironmen and a cyclist - class group).  I did wonder if cycling 65km was a good idea before my 10km race on Sunday but that's what the coach had on the programme so I did it.
This morning was beautiful with the sun shining and I headed up to the startline.  It's been a while since I raced (anything) but I was up for it.  A few of the competitors were on my radar and my 1st goal was 46-48 minutes as I'd been running 50 min 10kms in training.  But my real goal was sub 45 mins.  My last 10km race was probably 4 years ago and I did 45:55 having given it everything.  4 years of long distance running doesn't make you faster.  But the course was fast (not easy) with 4km downhill start.  I lined up with a local legend and asked her for some advice on the race.  "Don't kill your legs on the downhill because it then turns uphill and you'll grind to a halt".  I followed her advice.
I ignored my watch and just ran as fast as I thought I could maintain but my legs were wondering what the rush was.  On the final km I looked at my watch.  I had 4:18 to get in under 45 mins.  I was not running smoothly and the harder I tried the worse it felt.  It was downhill but I knew there was a tough little rise before the finishing straight.  I was busting my gut and giving it everything I had.  I could hear people shouting encouragement but all I could focus on was the line.  As I crossed the line I felt immediately sick and then I was on all fours giving it a dry puke!  The medics came across but I gave them the thumbs up and after a minute stood up like a new born girrafe.  I checked my garmin which I had stopped the minute I crossed the line - 44:56.7. Result.  That was until I got the official time 45:07 - how did that happen.  I was gutted until a few hours later someone pointed out my "chip time" was 44:56!  I'd done it.  There are many people faster than me but in relative terms I pushed my own limits and succeeded.  As soon as I got home, before my shower, I had to complete a 30 minute strength session.  Why not.  The results are obviously working.
My legs know they have had a workout and although tomorrow is a day off training I'll do a relaxing yoga session as I think the muscles need a good stretch with plenty of controlled breathing.  I loved competing again and realised that you can push yourself in training but when you're toe to toe at the startline it's a whole different ball game.  Bring it on.