What doesn't kill you...

...makes you stronger so the phrase goes.  Hard pool session today with 500m warm up, then 3 x 300m, 3 x 200m, 3 x 100m with 1 minute breaks in between followed by 200m warm down.  I try not to think about the total distance or what is left to do when my lungs are crying out for air, I just concentrate on the segment I am working on.  There is no point worrying "will I make the last part" when you aren't there yet.  That's just uses negative energy and you need to channel that to the present moment.  It's the same in life and make sure you enjoy it!

Back on the bike

I've been putting it off with weak excuses like, cycling in 6 inches of snow is dangerous so when I looked out this morning and the temperature was ok I couldn't put it off any longer.  I took my bike off the turbo trainer and headed for the hills.  It was great to be out in the fresh air and plenty of cyclists nodding as you pass or offering words of encouragement as it was obvious I was working hard (for that read puffing and panting!).  So I've set some benchmarks for my bike training and it's now up to me to get out there and get the fitness back.  Some strength work will be required  for the events I have entered are all hilly in preparation for Lanza next year.  Last night I found the race I wanted for September, Bealach Mor which has some severe climbs so again that will keep me focued on the area of triathlon that will make the biggest difference to my time.  As you can see I am sticking with my motto "want it, plan it, work it, do it".  Now I need to go and clean all the dirt off the bike!

Mind set

Today was a rest day for me as I watched my sons football team come back from 1 down in a cup match to draw in the end.  Standing at the sidelines allows you to observe the players and their different attitudes.  Some turn up and are fully committed whereas others seem to have left their commitment behind.  Confidence ebs and flows but the one thing that remains consistent is those that want it the most usually succeed.  So tomorrow I am back on the bike and this cup tie has reminded me of the importance of knowing why I'm doing it and why I need to remain focused with short-term goals which build to the long-term goals.  Bring it on.

Perseverance

Usual 5.40 porrige, 7am swim.  500 warm up, 5 x 400m plus 100m cool down.  It's amazing what you can think of in that time in the pool while trying not to lose count of the lengths plus reminding yourself of the technique you are trying to master.  As I caused the usual traffic jam in the lane with the better swimmers I reminded myself that perseverance is what is required if you want to achieve anything worthwhile - there are no short cuts.  That is why at 6.55am there was a queue of 30 people waiting to get into the leisure complex with an average age of say 57.  There not all athletes in fact quite a number of them are severely obese and will spend an hour walking up and down a special pool - that's perseverence with the desire to accomplish something worthwhile and I take my swim cap off to them.  So now for some strawberry milk, bananas and I'll be ready to face the day.  How are you getting on with your goals?  Post some progress.

Don't ignore the signs

Following yesterday's swimming session (video nastie now available) I was due to run today but ended up on the turbo trainer. Towards the end of the session I started to feel a slight twinge just above my knee.  You have to watch for signs so i will be booking myself in for a sports massage which I haven't done in a while.  Small niggles can end up as long-term injuries and the first goal of every triathlete is to make it to the start line.  Back in the pool tomorrow at 7am so this might help loosen it off - here's hoping!

All becomes clear

We all have an image of ourselves and tonight my swim coach took a video of me swimming - a very sobering experience.  You have one view of how you think you look and then there's the reality!  It does no harm to have a reality check so that I have a more accurate image and next time I'm in the pool I can work on improving my technique to make the task easier.  Once I can get the technology to work I'll let you see the video nastie.  The report card would have said "room (lots off) for improvement!"

Managing energy

Yesterday was a long day which meant I decided to stay in bed when the alarm went off and postpone the turbo session till the evening.  I was in a meeting all day and struggled to keep my energy levels up so when I climbed onto the turbo trainer tonight I wasn't feeling up to much.  However as always the session rejuvinates the energy levels and I am now away to fill up the tank again with some food /fuel.  This is the challenge we all face whether athletes or "corporate athletes".  The later category have the toughest job of maintaining energy 5 days a week, 48 weeks a year.  This takes great awareness of your body, constant eating of the right food and plenty of hydration.  Here's to you corporate athletes out there.