My training schedule hasn't exactly been good this week. I had a 2k swim on Monday but my next session was Friday where I struggled with a 1,500m swim. On reflection I struggled with motivation as I had nobody else in the pool with me. However since then I've found a 5k race to enter in August which will give me a target to keep me on track for September.
On Saturday I went out for a 2k jog. The back of my knee was tight but I felt fine. It's really only if mu leg twists that it hurts but the swelling at the side has made me book an appointment tomorrow with a specialist. I need to know if I will be able to return to long distance running training as my scheduled desert race is in March and I need to start building the base miles. But I don't want to be do any long term damage so better safe than sorry. I'll let you know.
But today I went out for 2.5 hours on my bike and was accompanied by a local legend on the bike - a proper cyclist who could drop me with the blink of an eye. Tony was looking for some company as was I and was happy to go at a 15mph average which was about my max at this time. It was great to have company and especially one who is able to keep the pace as easily as he did. My hamstring felt ok, a bit tight but no pain. If I can keep this up then while my hamstring is recovering I will be getting my fitness back. Hopefully I will be able to get back to running soon but lets see what the specialist says.
Finally I had a number of friends competing in various Ironman competitions in Scotland, France & Canada. I watched their progress with pride having followed their training - it's great to see people who have worked hard get their rewards. Well done Ironmen and Ironwomen!
Sunday, 29 June 2014
Monday, 23 June 2014
Specialist required
This is the third year in a row I've had my "A race" early season. Apart from not enjoying getting up in the pitch black mornings when the ice is on the pavements or the snow, hail or rain is horizontal as it's driven by a howling wind, I miss the company of my fellow athlete's who are now peaking for their Ironman race. This means we are out of sync as I couldn't go out for a bike ride with them as they are doing 100 miles when I am doing 30 miles. They are running 16 -20 miles when I am building from 1.2 miles as I come back from an injury. Back in March I was running 20 miles and they were running 10 miles - you get my drift.
A visit to the physio this week was painful and depending on how my knee reacts in the next two weeks, may require a visit to a specialist to get a scan to see what the damage actually is. As time has gone on the pain at the back of my knee has decreased but the pain round the side of my knee and the swelling has increased. My 1.2 mile jog was enjoyable and really only to test the knee. It felt fine in a straight line but I had to be careful about the length of stride as I could feel the tension at the back of the knee if I over stretched. My chi running will come in handy here so I will start to slowly increase the distance and see how it reacts. I'll stay off the trails until it's better as I feel any sideways movement won't be welcome and could set me back.
I've been accepted for the Oceans Floor Race in Egypt in March 2015, 160 miles non-stop in 4 days, but have told the organisers only once my knee is better will I confirm and pay my deposit. This will give me a focus to my running training and I can't wait to get back to it while there is still some good weather. I watched in amazement as three of my running pals completed the full West Highland Way, 95 miles, with the best time between them being 19 hours and 2 minutes! Now that is seriously amazing and shows just how high the bar can be set if you hang around with such bad company! And when I get back from my holiday, where I will still be training, I must get back to my yoga because if anything is going to keep my "old legs" going, it's got to be yoga.
And finally let's not forget with all this talk about running, I am preparing for a 10km swim in September. I've got to keep this at the front of my mind as this is a real challenge and one I need to stay focused on and build up the miles. It's not being made easy with the Commonwealth Games closing the 50m pool and the OW swim venue but I'll just need to improvise. This morning I completed 2k in another 50 metre pool and I will continue to build on this over the coming weeks.
A visit to the physio this week was painful and depending on how my knee reacts in the next two weeks, may require a visit to a specialist to get a scan to see what the damage actually is. As time has gone on the pain at the back of my knee has decreased but the pain round the side of my knee and the swelling has increased. My 1.2 mile jog was enjoyable and really only to test the knee. It felt fine in a straight line but I had to be careful about the length of stride as I could feel the tension at the back of the knee if I over stretched. My chi running will come in handy here so I will start to slowly increase the distance and see how it reacts. I'll stay off the trails until it's better as I feel any sideways movement won't be welcome and could set me back.
I've been accepted for the Oceans Floor Race in Egypt in March 2015, 160 miles non-stop in 4 days, but have told the organisers only once my knee is better will I confirm and pay my deposit. This will give me a focus to my running training and I can't wait to get back to it while there is still some good weather. I watched in amazement as three of my running pals completed the full West Highland Way, 95 miles, with the best time between them being 19 hours and 2 minutes! Now that is seriously amazing and shows just how high the bar can be set if you hang around with such bad company! And when I get back from my holiday, where I will still be training, I must get back to my yoga because if anything is going to keep my "old legs" going, it's got to be yoga.
And finally let's not forget with all this talk about running, I am preparing for a 10km swim in September. I've got to keep this at the front of my mind as this is a real challenge and one I need to stay focused on and build up the miles. It's not being made easy with the Commonwealth Games closing the 50m pool and the OW swim venue but I'll just need to improvise. This morning I completed 2k in another 50 metre pool and I will continue to build on this over the coming weeks.
Sunday, 15 June 2014
Putting things in perspective
It's been 7 weeks since I pulled my hamstring completing the 53 mile Highland Fling. Fortunately it happened in the last 20 metres but unfortunately I am still unable to run. I was scheduled to take part in an 70.3 Ironman next week but have had to pull out. My first and hopefully last DNS (did not start). The organisers have been very understanding and postponed my entry for a year which means I save my entry fee. But I haven't been sitting still as I only have 13 weeks till my next challenge, The River Dart 10km swim and 2 of those weeks will be on a cruise where the opportunity to swim won't really be practical.
My training, until my hamstring heals, will be swimming, cycling and yoga. On Wednesday I swam at Tollcross for the last time before it closed in preparation for the Commonwealth Games. I was delighted when one of our group who is a swim coach complemented how my swimming was coming on. It's always nice when your hard work is recognised but as a result I did a couple of extra sprints and later on I could feel my hamstring. I'm booked into the physio on Thursday as I need to know what is causing the discomfort as I am doing what I've been told.
On Friday I went open water swimming and did 6 laps totalling 2,700m without stopping. I felt comfortable in the water and the previous zig sagging was reduced although not completely. I have to build the metres in the coming weeks as 10km is a big challenge. After a tiring week I wasn't surprised to get a low score with an amber light on my HRV monitor so today I went out on my bike for 70 minutes mainly to work my hamstring. Looking at my heart rate readings it's obvious that I'm tired so I've made the excuse it's Fathers Day and put me feet up, after my chores were finished! It was while resting I read in the Scotland on Sunday about Gordon Aikman, a 29 year old who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease - literally a death sentence, he has less than 2 years to live. Reading how he is handling it puts everything into perspective. What an unbelievable attitude. So I'm going to stop getting frustrated over a muscle pull and remind myself just how lucky I am to have my health. Life can be snuffed out in the fraction of a second so make sure you make the most of the seconds we have and give our loved ones an extra hug tonight.
My training, until my hamstring heals, will be swimming, cycling and yoga. On Wednesday I swam at Tollcross for the last time before it closed in preparation for the Commonwealth Games. I was delighted when one of our group who is a swim coach complemented how my swimming was coming on. It's always nice when your hard work is recognised but as a result I did a couple of extra sprints and later on I could feel my hamstring. I'm booked into the physio on Thursday as I need to know what is causing the discomfort as I am doing what I've been told.
On Friday I went open water swimming and did 6 laps totalling 2,700m without stopping. I felt comfortable in the water and the previous zig sagging was reduced although not completely. I have to build the metres in the coming weeks as 10km is a big challenge. After a tiring week I wasn't surprised to get a low score with an amber light on my HRV monitor so today I went out on my bike for 70 minutes mainly to work my hamstring. Looking at my heart rate readings it's obvious that I'm tired so I've made the excuse it's Fathers Day and put me feet up, after my chores were finished! It was while resting I read in the Scotland on Sunday about Gordon Aikman, a 29 year old who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease - literally a death sentence, he has less than 2 years to live. Reading how he is handling it puts everything into perspective. What an unbelievable attitude. So I'm going to stop getting frustrated over a muscle pull and remind myself just how lucky I am to have my health. Life can be snuffed out in the fraction of a second so make sure you make the most of the seconds we have and give our loved ones an extra hug tonight.
Saturday, 7 June 2014
Zig zag zig zag!
It's been a really busy week domestically and work wise so the training has suffered. That's not such a bad thing as my hamstring is showing signs of improvement and I recon another 2 or 3 weeks and I'll be able to start some light running.
On Wednesday I had an amber HRV reading which meant I reduced the intensity and length of my swimming session on Wednesday. On Thursday it was red which could have been down to a runny nose or the accumulated effect of 2 games of golf in as many days (doubt it) or a few too many glasses of wine (probably). But I do take the HRV readings seriously so didn't train till Friday night when I had my first open water swim in almost 2 years.
Strathclyde Park is where the Commonwealth games will be holding the triathlon and as a result they have cleaned up the water. It was not very pleasant before and not somewhere I would have chosen to swim. Waiting to enter the water I was talking to my friend Wilson Kane who was trying OW swimming for the first time and like everyone in that position, he was bricking it. I got in the water with him and helped him relax. Little did he know it was for my benefit as much as his. I gave him some advice on sighting, looking ahead for the buoys, so he stayed on course and then I swam off.
At first I thought why are the other swimmers continually cutting across me. It took a while before I realised it was me zig zagging as I was forgetting to sight on a regular basis. Numpty! It was great to be back in OW, especially clean water, and this is the start of my training for September.
I met Wilson as he left the water and he was buzzing. He loved the freedom of the water and that reminded me just how exciting OW swimming is. Next time I'll take my own advice and look where I'm going!
On Wednesday I had an amber HRV reading which meant I reduced the intensity and length of my swimming session on Wednesday. On Thursday it was red which could have been down to a runny nose or the accumulated effect of 2 games of golf in as many days (doubt it) or a few too many glasses of wine (probably). But I do take the HRV readings seriously so didn't train till Friday night when I had my first open water swim in almost 2 years.
Strathclyde Park is where the Commonwealth games will be holding the triathlon and as a result they have cleaned up the water. It was not very pleasant before and not somewhere I would have chosen to swim. Waiting to enter the water I was talking to my friend Wilson Kane who was trying OW swimming for the first time and like everyone in that position, he was bricking it. I got in the water with him and helped him relax. Little did he know it was for my benefit as much as his. I gave him some advice on sighting, looking ahead for the buoys, so he stayed on course and then I swam off.
At first I thought why are the other swimmers continually cutting across me. It took a while before I realised it was me zig zagging as I was forgetting to sight on a regular basis. Numpty! It was great to be back in OW, especially clean water, and this is the start of my training for September.
I met Wilson as he left the water and he was buzzing. He loved the freedom of the water and that reminded me just how exciting OW swimming is. Next time I'll take my own advice and look where I'm going!
Sunday, 1 June 2014
Planning 2015 and beyond
It's been an interesting week as I ease my way back into training, making sure I don't have a set back with my hamstring. On Thursday I cycled to work which is 14 miles through the countryside with a number of inclines to make sure you work. I was so excited to be riding to work I forgot my laptop and my socks - doh! After work I had a light sports massage and apparently my hamstring is getting better and then peddled home. Still don't like the feeling round the side of my knee so I am being patient and not going out running even although I dreamt about it the other night.
On Friday I went swimming and was so pleased to have a training partner as that sure made me work harder than I would have done on my own. I did a total of 2,500 metres without a pool buoy and my hamstring felt good. However my speed slowed down during the pyramid so I've a long way to go. Next week should see me start my open water training.
Saturday was a glorious day and the ATHelite group were going out cycling but I'm not up to keeping up with them and knew my heart rate would have gone sky high so I decided to go solo. I set my garmin up only to give my heart rate and I concentrated on keeping that low. It felt fantastic cycling for 2.5 hours through the countryside and not chasing someone else's back wheel while breathing out my bum!
But today I decided to rest, catch up with some household chores (I don't do many!), and spent time planning 2015 and beyond. There are so many great races in the world but they take a lot of planning. My desert race in Nov 2015 has been postponed a year so I checked out the race they substituted it with - not for me. I'm now considering going back on my word (no more early season races to avoid winter training) and was checking out the ocean floor race. Check it out. Www.oceanfloorrace.com. It looks amazing, a real adventure and a tough challenge - 160 miles non-stop in 4 days. I'm 99% certain this will be it and once decided the deposit will be paid and I will start preparing my training plan. I'm so excited just thinking about it but I mustn't rush back to running just yet. And there are more races in my sights for 2015 and beyond but let's get the first big one in the diary before I get carried away.
On Friday I went swimming and was so pleased to have a training partner as that sure made me work harder than I would have done on my own. I did a total of 2,500 metres without a pool buoy and my hamstring felt good. However my speed slowed down during the pyramid so I've a long way to go. Next week should see me start my open water training.
Saturday was a glorious day and the ATHelite group were going out cycling but I'm not up to keeping up with them and knew my heart rate would have gone sky high so I decided to go solo. I set my garmin up only to give my heart rate and I concentrated on keeping that low. It felt fantastic cycling for 2.5 hours through the countryside and not chasing someone else's back wheel while breathing out my bum!
But today I decided to rest, catch up with some household chores (I don't do many!), and spent time planning 2015 and beyond. There are so many great races in the world but they take a lot of planning. My desert race in Nov 2015 has been postponed a year so I checked out the race they substituted it with - not for me. I'm now considering going back on my word (no more early season races to avoid winter training) and was checking out the ocean floor race. Check it out. Www.oceanfloorrace.com. It looks amazing, a real adventure and a tough challenge - 160 miles non-stop in 4 days. I'm 99% certain this will be it and once decided the deposit will be paid and I will start preparing my training plan. I'm so excited just thinking about it but I mustn't rush back to running just yet. And there are more races in my sights for 2015 and beyond but let's get the first big one in the diary before I get carried away.
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