Today was a bank holiday and my daughter arranged a joint horse riding lesson. It was great fun and I managed the rising trot without falling off the horse. But using my injured leg to control the horse was a different matter. It was lovely to watch my daughter ride around the arena as I could see the benefits of all the hard work she has put in to her technique. Like everything else, there are no short cuts. I was pleased when I got off the horse as the hamstring was protesting.
So in order to give it a rest I went out with a couple of youngsters for 48km on the bike. I've hardly been on my bike for 2 years so it was tough. My heart rate was too high but I was trying not to hold my pals up too much. At hills they disappeared over the horizon leaving me puffing and panting. I've been here before so I was able to shut the chimp up. I was giving 12 years to one of them and 30 years to the other. In addition they've been training all winter. These aren't excuses, they are both better and fitter cyclists but you have to put things into perspective otherwise you will beat yourself up.
Athelites peak at different points during the season and their training schedule will depend on the type and length of event they are focused on. It's important that we all remember this and keep focused on your own plan and goals and not be distracted by others. I really enjoy training with others but may need to do more cycling on my own for a while so I can complete the training within the most effective heart rate zone.
Monday 26 May 2014
Friday 23 May 2014
Recovering from an injury
It's said that the first objective of a long distance athlete is to get to the start line uninjured. The second to be fit, the third to complete it and the forth to do it in a time you are happy with. Until you injure yourself you don't tend to think about the first one too much. Since injuring my hamstring 3 weeks ago, I have struggled with my inactivity but if I step just a fraction too far my hamstring sends me a sore message. I'll wait and see what the physio says tomorrow but hopefully I am on the mend.
But I can't hang about. I have a 10km river swim in September so on Tuesday I went back to the swimming training. I hid in the slow lane and with the exception of 10 lengths, I swam with a pool buoy to take the pressure off the hamstring. It was mentally tough watch people you would normally pass in the pool, passing me but I hadn't swam in about 6 weeks so what else should I expect. I know that I have a month of hard work to get back to where I was so I'll shut the chimp in my head up and get on with it.
This morning I went to Tollcross where the Commonwealth Games will be taking place. A 50m pool is completely different and I swan 1,500m trying to work on my technique but protecting the hamstring again. If anyone saw me they wouldn't be wrong to say it was ugly swimming but I know I am going to get there over the coming months. On Monday night I may even go for my first open water swim which in some ways fills me with dread but in others is exciting because you aren't constrained as you are in a pool - and no chlorine!
I am on the road to recovery and will use swimming as the main way of recovering my fitness while my hamstring gets better. But I am also looking out for a new desert race in 2015 as the one I had scheduled has moved the date back a year. So back to the drawing board. As someone said today if you put in all those miles training you are always going to pick up an injury. It's how you react to it that will make the difference to your season. Take it easy out there folks!
But I can't hang about. I have a 10km river swim in September so on Tuesday I went back to the swimming training. I hid in the slow lane and with the exception of 10 lengths, I swam with a pool buoy to take the pressure off the hamstring. It was mentally tough watch people you would normally pass in the pool, passing me but I hadn't swam in about 6 weeks so what else should I expect. I know that I have a month of hard work to get back to where I was so I'll shut the chimp in my head up and get on with it.
This morning I went to Tollcross where the Commonwealth Games will be taking place. A 50m pool is completely different and I swan 1,500m trying to work on my technique but protecting the hamstring again. If anyone saw me they wouldn't be wrong to say it was ugly swimming but I know I am going to get there over the coming months. On Monday night I may even go for my first open water swim which in some ways fills me with dread but in others is exciting because you aren't constrained as you are in a pool - and no chlorine!
I am on the road to recovery and will use swimming as the main way of recovering my fitness while my hamstring gets better. But I am also looking out for a new desert race in 2015 as the one I had scheduled has moved the date back a year. So back to the drawing board. As someone said today if you put in all those miles training you are always going to pick up an injury. It's how you react to it that will make the difference to your season. Take it easy out there folks!
Sunday 18 May 2014
Support role
My recovery is getting there. My hamstring is now good enough that I can walk and even run 50 metres which is a major break through. However I have a tightness around the side of my knee that will be connected to the hamstring so I'm off to see the physio next week. I don't want to rush and prolong the injury but I will be going back to swimming this week. Can't wait as I have a few pounds to shift as I have been over indulging.
Today was the Strathclyde Park Standard (Olympic) distance triathlon and team ATHelite were out in force. I was meant to take part in one of the relay teams but lucky for them my injury kept me out. As a result we won gold and silver and I am waiting confirmation we may also have got bronze. There were lots of good individual performances as well. I was able to watch through the lense of my camera and take pictures of my team mates as they gave it their all. I was able to shout out words of encouragement which I know from personal experience always acts as a boost. Especially when you're getting tired. It really put me in the mood for a triathlon as I just realised my last one was 2 years ago at Lanzarote, if I exclude the DNF at Aberfeldy which I have deleted from my memory.
So back to training this week and I can't wait. Better news to follow in my next report, I hope!
Today was the Strathclyde Park Standard (Olympic) distance triathlon and team ATHelite were out in force. I was meant to take part in one of the relay teams but lucky for them my injury kept me out. As a result we won gold and silver and I am waiting confirmation we may also have got bronze. There were lots of good individual performances as well. I was able to watch through the lense of my camera and take pictures of my team mates as they gave it their all. I was able to shout out words of encouragement which I know from personal experience always acts as a boost. Especially when you're getting tired. It really put me in the mood for a triathlon as I just realised my last one was 2 years ago at Lanzarote, if I exclude the DNF at Aberfeldy which I have deleted from my memory.
So back to training this week and I can't wait. Better news to follow in my next report, I hope!
Tuesday 13 May 2014
Endurance sports
For the last 6 years I have been building up to taking on endurance sports and challenges. It started in Set 2008 with a sprint triathlon in Nairn. It was a big deal at the time because I hadn't a clue. I borrowed a bike with clip ons which came as a bit of a shock especially at junctions, but it did make me go faster. I also discovered that if you don't get your pre race nutrition right you may face some discomfort leading to me wondering what end it was going to come out! Fortunately it didn't and you learn and move on.
Since then the challenges have got harder and after my latest, 53 mile ultra marathon the highland fling, I'm recovering from a hamstring injury - it went with 20 metres to go.
I'm taking it easy on the physio's instructions but that doesn't mean doing nothing. Now 2 weeks in I can walk properly but have to be careful if I forget and go to run across a road - I very quickly stop as my hammy says so. No much good if you're in the centre of Renfield Street and the lights have changed to green! 'Cause when you start limping the drivers think you're having a laugh.
So my latest endurance challenge was a 4 day golf trip. The 30 degree heat in Portugal made me think of the MdS in the Sahara which was 45-52 degrees. I was able to cope with that without any problem. So to try and replicate what it felt like in the Sahara I joined in with my team mates drinking to silly o'clock in the morning to get the feeling of severe dehydration - it worked. So 3 nights of that certainly made lasting 5.5 hours on the golf course more challenging. To add to the challenge, while my team mates were having a long lie I got up early and went swimming which is part of my rehab for my hammy. I probably was over the drink driving limit for swimming but for some strange reason nobody else was there to see me wander across the imaginary lanes.
So now I have added golf to my list of endurance sports. My triathlete friends won't agree with this but they need to realise that the après golf and the daily temperatures need to be taken into account. I'm sure my Physio will be pleased with my profession rehab approach! Cheers. 😜
Since then the challenges have got harder and after my latest, 53 mile ultra marathon the highland fling, I'm recovering from a hamstring injury - it went with 20 metres to go.
I'm taking it easy on the physio's instructions but that doesn't mean doing nothing. Now 2 weeks in I can walk properly but have to be careful if I forget and go to run across a road - I very quickly stop as my hammy says so. No much good if you're in the centre of Renfield Street and the lights have changed to green! 'Cause when you start limping the drivers think you're having a laugh.
So my latest endurance challenge was a 4 day golf trip. The 30 degree heat in Portugal made me think of the MdS in the Sahara which was 45-52 degrees. I was able to cope with that without any problem. So to try and replicate what it felt like in the Sahara I joined in with my team mates drinking to silly o'clock in the morning to get the feeling of severe dehydration - it worked. So 3 nights of that certainly made lasting 5.5 hours on the golf course more challenging. To add to the challenge, while my team mates were having a long lie I got up early and went swimming which is part of my rehab for my hammy. I probably was over the drink driving limit for swimming but for some strange reason nobody else was there to see me wander across the imaginary lanes.
So now I have added golf to my list of endurance sports. My triathlete friends won't agree with this but they need to realise that the après golf and the daily temperatures need to be taken into account. I'm sure my Physio will be pleased with my profession rehab approach! Cheers. 😜
Monday 5 May 2014
Outside "the ropes"
My recovery continues. The Physio was encouraging and I'm now walking better I.e. Without the aid of a Zimmer frame! I will be starting some short, light spinning to promote blood circulation and using a roller on my hamstring. Even if my hamstring injury hadn't happened today was the first green light on my heart rate variance monitor therefore I wouldn't have been training. The technology was telling me to rest.
But this weekend was a real treat. On Sunday I watched team ATHelite compete in the Bishopbriggs novice and sprint triathlon. I took my camera along and watched all my teammates give their all. Watching it through the lense of the camera I could see how hard they were working and whether a first timer or experienced triathlete they pushed the limits. Being "behind the ropes" e.g. Spectator was great fun. I felt like I swam every stroke, rode up the tough hill and took every tough step in the run. I was knackered by the end.
But the great results and PB's weren't achieved without a lot of hard work. And mine will be starting in another 3 weeks. In the meantime I will be taking easy steps to get me back on track without leaving a legacy of a bad injury. Too many athletes make that mistake. Patience is a virtue, so they say.
But this weekend was a real treat. On Sunday I watched team ATHelite compete in the Bishopbriggs novice and sprint triathlon. I took my camera along and watched all my teammates give their all. Watching it through the lense of the camera I could see how hard they were working and whether a first timer or experienced triathlete they pushed the limits. Being "behind the ropes" e.g. Spectator was great fun. I felt like I swam every stroke, rode up the tough hill and took every tough step in the run. I was knackered by the end.
But the great results and PB's weren't achieved without a lot of hard work. And mine will be starting in another 3 weeks. In the meantime I will be taking easy steps to get me back on track without leaving a legacy of a bad injury. Too many athletes make that mistake. Patience is a virtue, so they say.
Friday 2 May 2014
Scientific experiment
In the last 6 years, since I've started all this training malarkey, I feel as though I've been putting my body through a scientific experiment. The type of training I am doing will dictate my shape. Ironman gave me big lat muscles and pecks which gave me some shape up top. MdS build up my quads and calfs with all the running as did the Highland Fling, so your body shape changes.
Now I'm injured with a pulled hamstring and my next goal is a 10km swim in September, I'll be changing again to bigger lats and pecks.
But I am going to take this opportunity of strengthening my core and improving my flexibility especially in my legs. Being injured isn't fun and while the muscle must have been fatigued, more yoga would probably have prevented it.
What's interesting is that my Heart Rate Variance monitor has been giving me exceptionally low (poor) red scores so even if I wasn't injured I wouldn't be training as my body needs time to recover. The strange thing is that with the exception of my hamstring, my legs feels great. Monitoring your heart, recording your time, watching what you eat - it's all an experiment and generally speaking I like the results.
Tomorrow I am visiting the physio as this hamstring is very sore. Any sudden movement has me doubled over in pain. So it's going to take time but here's hoping I will be back training on Monday in the pool and soon Lock Lomond. Got to keep going as there are so many different races/challenges I want to complete. It's great to feel and be alive.
Now I'm injured with a pulled hamstring and my next goal is a 10km swim in September, I'll be changing again to bigger lats and pecks.
But I am going to take this opportunity of strengthening my core and improving my flexibility especially in my legs. Being injured isn't fun and while the muscle must have been fatigued, more yoga would probably have prevented it.
What's interesting is that my Heart Rate Variance monitor has been giving me exceptionally low (poor) red scores so even if I wasn't injured I wouldn't be training as my body needs time to recover. The strange thing is that with the exception of my hamstring, my legs feels great. Monitoring your heart, recording your time, watching what you eat - it's all an experiment and generally speaking I like the results.
Tomorrow I am visiting the physio as this hamstring is very sore. Any sudden movement has me doubled over in pain. So it's going to take time but here's hoping I will be back training on Monday in the pool and soon Lock Lomond. Got to keep going as there are so many different races/challenges I want to complete. It's great to feel and be alive.
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