Enforced rest

I feel worse than if I'd just done an Ironman - I won't bore you with the symptoms but I am going to make sure that when I am back to full fitness I am not going to take it for granted.  At least it's just a chest infection and not lying in a ward some where battling something serious.  Normal service should be restored in the next few days I hope.

Man down

The lurgy got me.  Chest cold which as all me will know could be very serious and is probably going to develop into "man flu".  Therefore all training suspended over the weekend which is really upsetting because it will knock my fitness levels back having just got them to a good level.  Could be worse, it could be just before an event.   That's why the first objective in any training like this is to get to the start line fit and injury free.  I'll leave it to Neil to take up the batton over the weekend with some training - progress report to follow.

AWOL

So I've been AWOL.  One email suggested that I missed my blog yesterday because I might have a hangover - very perseptive.  Yes I was away at a conference at the Belfry and yes it was an exceptionally long day, night and early morning.  I "trained" hard with all the other "corporate athletes"  seeing who could last the pace.  It was tough, but not as tough as getting up for an early morning meeting!  Just got back this afternoon and think I'll write today off as a rest day!  Back at it tomorrow in between kids football, horse riding and other domestic tasks - that's assuming this tickly cough I've picked up doesn't develop into something nasty.  Keep the posts coming for Neil - fantastic encouragement all round thanks.

OMG

Oh my god!  That's all I can say about tonights swim session.  The hardest of my short tri career.  While it was "only" 2,600 m it was intervals e.g. 200m within a certain time and then 4 x 25 m within a short time - this was repeated 3 times.  This was repeated in various guises.  The thought going through my head as I crawled through the water was just keep it going, ignore your lungs that are screaming to give up or the cramp that's starting in the arch of my feet and works its way into my calves.  But I made it.
And Neil was starting his power walking with his biggest supporter, his wife Maz.  Both were out pounding the streets in the rain - he's got the bug.  The great thing about having a stretching goal is that it makes the effort worthwhile.  Also the ATHelite tri club are right behind him.  The swim coach wants to help and I have also been offered a bike for Neil to use.  That's one of the great things about the sport of triathlon, the people.  No matter what standard you are if your willing to try then they will do everything to help.

The BIG announcement

It gives me immense pleasure to inform you that Mr Baldy (remember him from last year?), now to be known as Neil, who bravely battled cancer for his 2nd time last year has stuck to his word and 5 minutes ago entered his first Novice Triathlon on 5th June.  To put this in context, last year we almost lost Neil as he contracted pneumonia when his immune system was shot to pieces.  This is when I suggested the challenge to him - it gave him something to think about other than needles and drugs.
Neil's idea of fitness is going to the bowls or the football - to watch.  He hasn't swam since he was a kid or cycled for that matter and the last time he ran it was because he had "the trots".  So last night we went for his first training session in the pool, after his doctor had approved.  Neil's arms were sore after 50m but we took it easy and by the end he had even attempted front crawl.  This is quite a challenge and those that know him are in complete disbelief when he says he is going to swim 400m, cycle 13km and run 2.5km.  This is making him all the more determined.  Your support for Neil would be greatly appreciated.  All you need to do is post a comment giving encouragement on this blog (just open a google account it's easy).  Neil's too modest to have his own blog, although I wish he would, so I'll keep you informed on how he's doing.  This is an inspirational story - come on Neil!

Ice station zebra

The plan today was to run 13km and take a minute off my time.  I started off at 6.45am with my tourch and the first thing I noticed was the "furry" pavements otherwise known as frost.  However when I got out onto the country B roads we were now talking sheets of ice and a change of plan was required otherwise I was going to take fall.  So I decided to pick up the pace, where I could with the ice, and run a fast 8km which was fun.  Sometime you have to change your plans to take account of the conditions but it doesn't stop you achieving a goal, perhaps a different one from the original goal but still one step closer to the overall objective.

Marathon marathon man!!!!

I constantly talk to people about anything is possible if you put your mind to it.  People keep smiling nicely as though I'm 2 sandwiches short of a picnic but wait to you read the story in todays news (click the link)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12375646 .
365 marathons in 365 days with an average time of 4hrs - respect to THE MAN.  But it does go to show that anything is possible.  So I have a question for you.  Did you make a new year resolution or even set yourself a target?  I hope your still on track and if not, why not revisit the resolution / goal and get back on the case!  Have fun.