I couldn't make the coached session tonight so I had an early morning session instead. A 5 week lay off is not to be recommended. I had to use a pull bhoy, board and fins to get back into a resemblance of a swimming technique and managed 1,900 m before getting out feeling light headed and sick! But it's a start and I intend to get back to the fitness level I was at before.
Beautiful day today and if I wasn't so busy I'd go out on the bike tonight.
Tomorrow I am going to start Neil on a walk / jog routine and see how he is doing on his static bike. His training is building up nicely but it's his determination to prove to people that he CAN complete a novice triathlon that impresses me.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Monday, 21 March 2011
Preparation & planning
Although a rest day it hasn't stopped me preparing for my next event. The Ayr Duathlon will be the first time I have taken part in this type of event. I have only run once in the last three months due to injury and weather. The Duathlon involves a 5km run, 20 km bike and finishes with a 5km run. Different muscle groups mean I will have to do some "brick" training i.e. cycle then run to get used to the unusual effect it has on the muscles. That will be my main focus until the end of April then I will work on all three disciplines as although I have a 81 mile bike race in May I have to be prepared for the UK 70.3 Ironman in June and then the prep starts for Lanza IM in May 2012.
A main part of this will be the 90 mile bike race in September and I knew there was a lot of climbing but it turns out to be 9,600 of ascent - that is 200 feet more than Lanza IM and over a shorter distance! That will give me plenty to focus on in the summer but emphasises the importance of preparation and planning.
A main part of this will be the 90 mile bike race in September and I knew there was a lot of climbing but it turns out to be 9,600 of ascent - that is 200 feet more than Lanza IM and over a shorter distance! That will give me plenty to focus on in the summer but emphasises the importance of preparation and planning.
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Finished on a high
Today was the best day of the week. Great weather, wind was slightly less and we covered 75 miles. The mad roadies (the cyclists) went off to beat each other up over the hills but my strategy was to go out in a small group of 4 that were more interested in an easy ride as their legs had covered more miles than mine during the week.
At the first coffee stop we met the roadies who were puffing and panting - they would have left me for dust if I'd tried to tag along. We didn't maage the original target of 90 miles but all the statistics on the 75 miles made good reading for me - right on Ironman pace and considering we climbed 4,200 feet and still averaged 15 mph I was happy with that.
I came to Lanza wanting to get through the week without creating a problem following the flu. I feel so much fitter and also more able to tackle the hills which are always a challenge. So in May I have the etape caledonian, in June the 70.3 IM and in September a 90 mile race with huge hills. This will all help prepare me for Lanza IM 2012 and I now feel I can do it! Back to the rain and snow tomorrow. In the meantime a few well earned beers and pizza are the treat tonight - tomorrow's a day off!
At the first coffee stop we met the roadies who were puffing and panting - they would have left me for dust if I'd tried to tag along. We didn't maage the original target of 90 miles but all the statistics on the 75 miles made good reading for me - right on Ironman pace and considering we climbed 4,200 feet and still averaged 15 mph I was happy with that.
I came to Lanza wanting to get through the week without creating a problem following the flu. I feel so much fitter and also more able to tackle the hills which are always a challenge. So in May I have the etape caledonian, in June the 70.3 IM and in September a 90 mile race with huge hills. This will all help prepare me for Lanza IM 2012 and I now feel I can do it! Back to the rain and snow tomorrow. In the meantime a few well earned beers and pizza are the treat tonight - tomorrow's a day off!
Friday, 18 March 2011
Mechanical failure
Set off this morning on an easy pace with a group. 7km into a steady climb and right before the massively steep climb I have a wee accident at 3mph! All my accidents have happened at this speed and long may that continue. Unfortunately it involves breaking 2 spokes which means I'm heading home to get the bike repaired - no cycling today. But that's where triathlon is good because I put my running shoes on and did 5.5km in the heat of the day, and boy was it hot! A certain amount of acclimitisation will be required before May 2012. This was followed by a pasta and king prawn lunch with a banana split (one of my 5 a day) and a few glasses of wine to help the digestion and keep the calarie count up.
Tomorrow is the final day so I am hoping to ride to the top of the island, now my bike is fixed, to see the last part of the IM course. This will result in a 90 mile ride which will take up most of the day to allow for coffee/cake stops and lunch. My next post will be when I'm home shivering in the cold and swimming as I can't get my bike through the snow. Catch up soon.
Tomorrow is the final day so I am hoping to ride to the top of the island, now my bike is fixed, to see the last part of the IM course. This will result in a 90 mile ride which will take up most of the day to allow for coffee/cake stops and lunch. My next post will be when I'm home shivering in the cold and swimming as I can't get my bike through the snow. Catch up soon.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
De je vue
Day 4 in Lanza and today we got our first real sunshine. Day 1 was getting settled in and setting the bike up, day 2 I was dropped of the back of the group after 18 minutes (some very strong cyclists here) so went off on my own (Derek no mates!) and did 25 miles with a very nice lunch - they did 75 miles! Day 3 was 65 miles (very hard) miles - it hurt. Today, Day 4 was a rest day (for the very strong cyclists); it had some really easy riding (my kind of pace) and some hills that sent the HR up along with the pain - we did 50 miles (on a rest day!).
I have this feeling of de je vue. 1 Year before Ironman I completed my 1st 50 mile cycle and was walking like John Wayne wondering how I'd complete an IM, but I did it 12 months later. Lanzarote is brutal. Hills (9,400 feet of climb on the IM) and a constant wind that destroys you on the bike - your not allowed to draft (shelter in a group of cyclists) that's why it has the reputation of being the toughest in the world. So my mind is saying how the heck can I manage Lanza IM in 14 months time? A very serious training plan to work on my cycling and strength will be required along with a lot of determination and support from the family and my training partners.
The guys and gals out in Lanza have been great as I have been the "cows tail" every day and they have encouraged and helped me through this brutal regime. Tomorrow I'm taking the day off as I need to have a rest as my body is creaking - I'm walking like John Wayne again! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and the hills in the UK will be easier as a result - bring it on.
I have this feeling of de je vue. 1 Year before Ironman I completed my 1st 50 mile cycle and was walking like John Wayne wondering how I'd complete an IM, but I did it 12 months later. Lanzarote is brutal. Hills (9,400 feet of climb on the IM) and a constant wind that destroys you on the bike - your not allowed to draft (shelter in a group of cyclists) that's why it has the reputation of being the toughest in the world. So my mind is saying how the heck can I manage Lanza IM in 14 months time? A very serious training plan to work on my cycling and strength will be required along with a lot of determination and support from the family and my training partners.
The guys and gals out in Lanza have been great as I have been the "cows tail" every day and they have encouraged and helped me through this brutal regime. Tomorrow I'm taking the day off as I need to have a rest as my body is creaking - I'm walking like John Wayne again! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and the hills in the UK will be easier as a result - bring it on.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Sign off
You know what it's like when you are trying to go on holiday....you work so hard that you need a holiday to recover! Finally finished everything that needed to be done and will now relax with a few glasses of.....orange juice (yeh right!). Tomorrow I'll dismantle (and hopefully not break) my bike and pack it away. 3am rise on Sunday and by lunchtime I'll be enjoying smooth tarmac and 21 degrees!
Dropped off Neil's static bike today so he can start his bike training. He is really motivated to prove all those that say he won't do it so I am looking forward to a progress report when I get back.
Where possible I will send in an update on Lanzarote. Catch up when I get back. Work to be done as the etape caledonian 81 mile bike race is at the end of May!
Dropped off Neil's static bike today so he can start his bike training. He is really motivated to prove all those that say he won't do it so I am looking forward to a progress report when I get back.
Where possible I will send in an update on Lanzarote. Catch up when I get back. Work to be done as the etape caledonian 81 mile bike race is at the end of May!
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
4 seasons in a day!
Woke up this morning to snow, followed by wind, rain and now bright sunshine - that's Scotland for you. In preparation for my training in the sun, not sure if I mentioned I was going to Lanzarote where it's 21 degrees, I am taking it easy as I still have a tickly cough and gloopy throat. Tomorrow night I am going swimming with Neil to see how he is progressing. The latest report is he is increasing his distance in the pool and amazingly he has knocked 5 minutes of his power walking time - much to the annoyance of his wife who was puffing and panting to keep up - way to go Neil!
On Friday I am picking up an exercise bike for him so he can start his cycling training. He is as keen as mustard and remember 1 month ago he did not take part in regular exercise. What he doesn't realise is the impact his journey is having on total strangers. Only yesterday a middle aged executive told me that Neil had inspired him to tackle a novice triathlon so I am pulling together another training plan. If you're following Neil's progress then post a blog and give him the encouragement he deserves.
On Friday I am picking up an exercise bike for him so he can start his cycling training. He is as keen as mustard and remember 1 month ago he did not take part in regular exercise. What he doesn't realise is the impact his journey is having on total strangers. Only yesterday a middle aged executive told me that Neil had inspired him to tackle a novice triathlon so I am pulling together another training plan. If you're following Neil's progress then post a blog and give him the encouragement he deserves.
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