Cold weather training

Choosing an endurance event in the first half of the year has one major drawback - a large part of your training is done in winter conditions.  This morning was too icy to be safe on the bike so I did 1.5 hours indoor on the turbo trainer which was tough.
I then travelled to Loch Lomond to complete my Mission Ironman promotion video.  This involved cycling (there was no ice as it was later in the day) and running up and down Glen Luss while being filmed from the back of a car - a good workout.  It was cold with snow on the hills and the run was wet.  Once again I was attacked by a Jack Russell (what is it with those dogs?) but managed to fend it off with my shoe otherwise it would have been "road kill" and I'd be in A&E as I was travelling at speed.  Then I finished off with a swim in Loch Lomond which was freezing cold despite the sun coming out.  I was only in for a short while but my head felt like it would explode with the cold.  I didn't see anyone else swimming funnily enough.  So it's now over to the editor to make it look good.  I will have it on my website www.missionironman.co.uk by the 19th Feb.
These conditions will offer an interesting contrast to the conditions I will face in Lanzarote in 4 weeks time at my training camp.  I think it will take a few days to get used to the heat but hey there's got to be some payoff for the hard work in these conditions!

Learn something new every day

I always try and learn something new every day and today was no exception.  I was at a professional development workshop and the first thing I learned was that, despite not being the oldest, I had been in the financial services sector the longest - 33 years.  At first I thought I may have the arithmetic wrong and then realised I didn't.  What was throwing me out however was the amount of totally grey haired gentlemen (I have my share) in the room with expanded waistlines, if you get my drift.  It made me realise how lucky I am to have triathlon to keep in shape.
It also made me think how fast time passes and therefore we must make the most of it.  We always put off doing certain things in life and if, for whatever reason, that window of opportunity was reduced we'd end up cramming it in hoping we'd get there before it's too late.  So why wait?  If you've got something you've always wanted to do, start working out how to do it rather than focusing on what's stopping you.  As the phrase goes, you're a long time dead!  Dare to dream.  Start this weekend and enjoy the journey.

It's the apostrophe that makes all the difference

Recently I was speaking to a triathlete during a training session and they said "I can't...." We've all been there but if we say we can't then it's true and the more we say it the more we affirm it in our minds.  However if we skip the apostrophe (and miss out the t) then we can.  Having a can do approach increases the chances from 100% certain that you won't to a high probability you will. 
We all have strengths and weaknesses and I struggle with kick drills at swimming - basically I suck at it.  So although I dislike the drills I give it 100% as I know it will only get better if I think I can rather than think I can't.
So for the next month pause before you say you can't and switch the emphasis to you can and watch the difference.  Just remember can't lives in won't street!  Have fun, I know you can!

it's the thought of it!

If you're like me then sometimes "it's the thought of it" that puts you off - whatever "it" may be.  This morning "it" was leaving the sanctuary of my nice warm bed as, if my nose was anything to go by, the heating hadn't come on and it was cold.  The temptation was so great to just shut off the 6am alarm and turn over but I force my legs out of the bed and yes, the heating hadn't come on.
Did I fancy going out to minus something and run for an hour - no I didn't.  But this is why you need to have a good reason to do it because it's on mornings like this that you need to remind yourself why you have undertaken this challenge.  Wrapped up with hat, buff and gloves I turned to climb the hill, always a bad start, and within 100 metres my eyes were watering and by the top of the hill I had lost the sensation in my pinkies.  30 minutes later I was warmed up and enjoying the breath taking views of a star lit sky - sunrise was an hour away.  I ran passed the early morning commuters with stress all over their faces and realised how lucky I am being able to run at this time in the morning.  Back home and showered before the kids are up and ready to face a new day.
Turbo session tonight which will be tough but it should also help my legs after today's run.  Then 3km swim in the morning before joining the commuters heading into Glasgow.  At least I'll feel refreshed.  Why not get out of bed an hour early and go for a walk or run - it's the best part of the day and you're missing it!  It will set you up for the day.

Preparation

A heavy schedule today with the main sessions being 1 hours turbo session early morning and a 1 hr 15 min swim session tonight.  Going across to the "sweat studio" at 6.30am wasn't nice but within 5 minutes I started to heat up.  By the end of the hour there is a pool of sweat under the bike - great start to the day.
I was searching for some video clips to use for my Mission Ironman conference talk when I came across the swim start in Lanzarote Ironman. 1,600 people all rushing into the sea at the same time - it was a free for all punch up.  It just reaffirmed my belief that I wont be taking the risk of getting wiped out before the race starts, which does happen with the feet and fists flying.
Preparation is vital hence the reason I am going to Lanzarote in March for a weeks training so I can learn the bike course.  It's important to know when the extra effort is required so I can take the "fuel" on before I get there.  Preparation can make the difference between success and failure so must be taken seriously.

Back with a bang

This is the first of three hard weeks training.  It started with a 2,900 m swim including 16 x 100m timed efforts.  After a week of light training this felt tough and my times had slipped.  Later on I went for a 50 minute run at three different paces and felt good.  The temperature was low at zero degrees but it was a lovely crisp winters night.  Tomorrow the forecast is for snow but fortunately all my training is indoors; turbo, core, swimming and stretching.  With the training increasing my diet is going to have to change and my intake increase.  I will probably have to take food into the office so I can eat more regular but smaller meals. Yum!

Camera, lights, action

Although I am on a rest weekend I needed to take part in filming my "indoor" training yesterday.  This resulted in me going flat out on the turbo trainer to get the effect of the heat coming off me and the sweat dripping off me - looks good on camera.  However I wasn't expecting these shots to take 31 mins so it was a great workout on  my rest day.
With the snow on the ground the director decided it would be good to do the weights outside.  Again when filming the bench press the number of takes exceeded my expectations so I had a big weights workout.  The purpose of the filming is to make a short promotion video for my Mission Ironman conference speaking (www.missionironman.co.uk) and next Sunday I will be swimming in Loch Lomond as well as cycling and running.  This will give a snapshot into Ironman training.
My new schedule starts tomorrow and the endurance is building in all disciplines.  My weights and core sessions reduce by one each but three stretching sessions have been introduced to keep the muscles flexible as they will shorten and tighten with the longer sessions.  My wife is designing a yoga workout for me which should keep me right - can't wait to get started.