Limits are in the head

Early morning swim covered 2,700 m - 1 year ago I was worried about completing 750 m and 1 year before that 40 m. I had a voice in my head telling me I couldn't do it.  Today I heard two very large ladies discussing completing 50 metres and how good they felt.  They had set it as a goal, planned their training and succeeded - now they are aiming for 100 metres - that's breaking the limits in your head.  If you have the desire, and that's the secret, put together a proper plan with someone monitoring your progress then you're on your way to raising the bar and silencing the voice in you head saying you can't do it.  Go for it and have fun on the journey - I certainly am.

Measuring progress

Another 5.40am start on the bike - the best part of the day.  During my 90 minute ride you get time to think about what ever comes into your head.  My thoughts turned to measuring progress because the previous night a friend had said how fast my time was in the Etape race (81 miles in 4hrs 58 mins).  I was pleased with my time but didn't think it was fast as I was 1.5 hours behind the winner and came 2,263 out of  3,616 cyclists!  But it did make me reflect that results are relative to where you are and where you set the bar.
12 months ago I took part in a 50 mile race and came off walking like John Wayne.  I did think at the time, how was I going to manage 2.4 mile swim before the bike, add another 62 miles onto my 50 and then run a marathon?  As I am 72 days away from Ironman I do believe that all the training will pay off because the structured build up of training has raised my levels of fitness and therefore my expectations.  On 13 June I will find out how my progress is going as I compete in the Bala half Ironman.
I'll leave you with the thought that a goal without a plan is just a wish - why not get some goals written down that you would like to achieve and make a start?  These light mornings are worth getting up for.

Split shift

Today was a split shift; early bike and late run.  Left the house at 5.45am and ran into congestion - a dairy herd!  Breakfast on the bike was a gel, a protein bar and a 500ml carbohydrate drink to give me energy. 34 km later back home for Muesli and fruit.  Diet is an important part so a banana mid morning is required to keep me going but I had too many coffees as I was in back to back meetings.  Lamb shank with plenty of veg for lunch with sticky toffee pudding and ice cream to follow.
I crammed in a protein bar before my 45 min run at 6.30 and had another 500 ml drink while running.  I have to practice this as it will be essential for the race.  Home at 8.30pm and 4 small poached eggs on brown toast and a wee bit of chocolate washed down with a pint of milk - reasonably healthy I think.  Just time to write the blog, help with the kids home work and not to forget a shower or I might get some complaints from the "management"!  Bed by 10.30 as I am up again for a 5.45am start on the bike.  Feeling good!

Different time zone

Following the exploits of the weekend at the kids football tournament with the amigos, I was back to training.  I went to bed early as I needed the sleep and was up cooking my porridge at 5.45 to be ready for my 7am swim.  That is when I noticed my alarm was on European time and it was 4.45am!  This was my first time in the pool in a week and while I survived the 2,700 metres workout I know it wasn't my best.  Back to proper food and my structured training plan -the thought of raising money for Maggie's and the help they provide keeps me going.

The loneliness of the long distance runner

Following the second football tournament in two days (won the first one, third in the second) the kids team return to base for some relaxation before heading home on Monday.  But not for me.  The kids head to the pool, the amigos the bar and I start out on my run although the thought of a cool pint was tempting.  Holland countryside is beautiful but heavy thunder restricts my run to an hour and I get in just before the heavens open.  Committing to Ironman means sacrificing many things but I did get back for a couple of beers and a steak as all training and no play could make me exceptionally boring!  On Tuesday it is back to building up my training as there will be little rest between now and August.

Sting in the tail

On Saturday I was carrying out some low altitude training in preparation for Copenhagen - away at my son's football tournament in Holland. To strengthen my will power I have brought along a bunch of beer swilling amigos to tempt me off my training. So far I have resisted and looking at them this morning it was the right decision!
On my early morning run I encountered a problem which required some quick thinking. A emergency poo in the woods was essential and the docken leaves not only cleared up the mess, but soothed my nettle stings acquired while making myself invisible!  No issue with the treaked back muscle.

Time out

Injury is the one thing that can destroy all your carefully prepared training and you are always advised to "listen to your body".  Well mine is shouting rest as I have tweaked a muscle between my shoulder blades which is uncomfortable and I do not want to risk prolonging the injury.  I am visiting the physio tonight so I will probably be taking it easy for a few days.  I'll keep you posted.