I was reminded of this today as I was talking to a client who was in the RAF during the war and was paid 15 p (3 bob in old money) a week! All around his house were pictures filled with memories of a full and interesting life and I was particularly struck by a picture of him as a youngster. Now at 85 he looks a bit different but still has a "young mind / outlook". We had a fascinating chat and it just reminded me that we should enjoy the here and now and get the most out of our lives as one day someone will be looking at our photo's and making similar observations. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't have an eye on the future but remember and smell the roses on the way.
Chlorine was the smell of the day in the pool and it was a 300m warm up, 20 x 100 m on a set time and a 200m kick drill warm down. I followed a more steady swimmer and we got the pace right which meant coming out the water without feeling like an 85 year old! I learned a lot today and not just in the pool!
Monday, 6 June 2011
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Neil Sutherland - triathlete!
Yes he made it. Neil, who battled cancer for the second time last year, completed his first ever triathlon in Stirling today. Now this would normally be a momentous occasion for anyone but let me put his achievement into context. Neil wouldn't describe himself as fit; bowls was his chosen sport. His cancer is in remission but in the last 3 weeks he has hardly been able to train due to an infection. The hospital have been doing tests and took him in on Friday to give his system a boost as a precaution and will have him in tomorrow to make sure he's ok. So we're not talking about someone in peak fitness.
He started with a great swim, went off a bit fast but settled down. It's quite nerve wracking as faster swimmers pass you in the lane but he kept his focus. The bike was tough as it was windy and he had a couple of big hills but he did it in his target time but he was "running on empty". The run was also done in a respectable time for him and all the marshalls made sure he was ok. Crossing the line 17 minutes under his stated target was emotional for everyone especially his long suffering wife Maz who lived and breathed every moment of his training and was a nervous wreck on the day.
I left him in the capable hands of a physio getting a massage and I'm sure he is already planning his next adventure! I can't praise him enough for his determination to make it to the start line and then to grind his way through the event - the hill on the run almost finished him. Well done Neil you should be proud to call yourself a triathlete and the money you raised for the Beatson is amazing. Enjoy your rest and recovery.
He started with a great swim, went off a bit fast but settled down. It's quite nerve wracking as faster swimmers pass you in the lane but he kept his focus. The bike was tough as it was windy and he had a couple of big hills but he did it in his target time but he was "running on empty". The run was also done in a respectable time for him and all the marshalls made sure he was ok. Crossing the line 17 minutes under his stated target was emotional for everyone especially his long suffering wife Maz who lived and breathed every moment of his training and was a nervous wreck on the day.
I left him in the capable hands of a physio getting a massage and I'm sure he is already planning his next adventure! I can't praise him enough for his determination to make it to the start line and then to grind his way through the event - the hill on the run almost finished him. Well done Neil you should be proud to call yourself a triathlete and the money you raised for the Beatson is amazing. Enjoy your rest and recovery.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Mental work out
Today I went out with 3 of my club mates today; all three are preparing from Ironman Switzerland. I was doing a shorter ride, 77 miles whereas they went on and completed 100. Group riding is fun in that you get some chat as you go along and you also keep up a good pace but as the ride went on and we headed back into wind I began to drop off the back. I wasn't familiar with the route and felt I was in the "valley of the dead" at one stage with an endless road and I had no idea how long it was to the next village. The head wind was constant and every incline / hill I came to I just dropped back further.
My mates tried to encourage me and once again I was reminded that it "miles in your legs" that matter.
Was it fun, no. Did I want to find a taxi and throw in my bike in the back and head home, yes. But it's days like today that make you an ironman. It doesn't come without pushing yourself physically and mentally, oh and some pain!
Tomorrow is Neil's big day so early start to help prepare him for an event that a year ago would have seemed impossible.
My mates tried to encourage me and once again I was reminded that it "miles in your legs" that matter.
Was it fun, no. Did I want to find a taxi and throw in my bike in the back and head home, yes. But it's days like today that make you an ironman. It doesn't come without pushing yourself physically and mentally, oh and some pain!
Tomorrow is Neil's big day so early start to help prepare him for an event that a year ago would have seemed impossible.
Friday, 3 June 2011
Hard work paying off
This morning was a continuous 3k swim. It was all about getting the pace right and keeping my mind focused on the task. I decided to break it down into 3 x 20 lengths as keeping count can be difficult. This boosts my confidence for 2 weeks time but I need to get in the open water now to get used to the conditions and the different technique. This also includes getting out of the wetsuit in quick time as wasting an extra minute is 3 months work in the pool to reduce your time.
The weather is going to cool down over the weekend but I'm going out for a big bike ride on Saturday which will be my last before the event. I will continue with normal training for a week (without big sessions) before starting my tapering the week before the event.
Fingers and toes crossed for Neil on Sunday. He's come a long way now it's just a question of sticking to his "game plan".
The weather is going to cool down over the weekend but I'm going out for a big bike ride on Saturday which will be my last before the event. I will continue with normal training for a week (without big sessions) before starting my tapering the week before the event.
Fingers and toes crossed for Neil on Sunday. He's come a long way now it's just a question of sticking to his "game plan".
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Neil's progress
12 months ago Neil was battling his second bout of cancer and wasn't winning at that stage. However he came through and has been training for his FIRST triathlon on Sunday. Tonight I met Neil to go cycling as he was struggling with the gears on the bike. We sorted that out and went for a short cycle over an undulating course where he did well. We discussed his plan for Sunday and I will meet him before his triathlon starts just to make sure he is comfortable. One of the key messages will be about the mental side. You shouldn't think about the full event, you need to break it down i.e. when swimming only think of the swim - don't start worrying about the bike or the run. Follow that through with the other two disciplines. He has raised a fantastic amount of money for "Friends of the Beatson" and when he reaches a dark moment in the race, and he will, this is what he must focus on. You have to know why your putting yourself through this pain. If there's no pain then he's going to slowly or has chosen too short a course!
Tomorrow morning I am swimming 3k in the pool and it's a tough task but if I pace myself correctly it will be achieved. It will be my last long swim before UK 70.3 IM and obviously it is longer than the 1.9k I will be swimming on the day. However it will be open water and I need some more practice in open water as it is quite different. I know I can do it I just need to get more comfortable in the open water before the event.
Tomorrow morning I am swimming 3k in the pool and it's a tough task but if I pace myself correctly it will be achieved. It will be my last long swim before UK 70.3 IM and obviously it is longer than the 1.9k I will be swimming on the day. However it will be open water and I need some more practice in open water as it is quite different. I know I can do it I just need to get more comfortable in the open water before the event.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Meeting Royalty!
Last night I attended a reception hosted by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Rothesay (Prince Charles wife!) at The Palace of Holyroodhouse as she is the President of Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres - the charity I have been raising money for over the last 3 years. What a fantastic reception, incredible building and HRH was very nice taking an interest in all the guests. I met a few very interesting people from politics and TV and have even persuaded one of them to take part in the Stirling Triathlon next year. You know me I can't resist the opportunity to convert someone into stretching their comfort zone - everyone benefits.
So if XYZ, you know who you are, are reading the blog then please follow through with your handshake. You said you would like to complete a triathlon and become a triathlete so remember the motto "a goal without a plan is just a wish". I'm here to help, support and motivate - even with your schedule it can be done and that's a promise.
Day off today so back training tomorrow with Neil as he makes his final preparation for his first (note I said first Neil) triathlon on Sunday. If you're in the Stirling area then please come along and offer a very brave man your support.
So if XYZ, you know who you are, are reading the blog then please follow through with your handshake. You said you would like to complete a triathlon and become a triathlete so remember the motto "a goal without a plan is just a wish". I'm here to help, support and motivate - even with your schedule it can be done and that's a promise.
Day off today so back training tomorrow with Neil as he makes his final preparation for his first (note I said first Neil) triathlon on Sunday. If you're in the Stirling area then please come along and offer a very brave man your support.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Lonely swim
I don't normally swim on a Tuesday but as I can't tomorrow and we have a LONG CONTINUOUS swim coming up on Friday, 3k, I thought I'd better get the practice in. So I went to the pool and did a 300m warm up, 4 x 500m main set and a 200m warm down. There was only one other swimmer in the lane but as he was doing something different we didn't exactly get to chat. Swimming can be very anti-social that way and sometimes when doing a long session, the good swimmers have left by the time I finish!
But in 19 days time I will be swimming 1,900 m in open water followed by a 56 mile bike and a 13 mile run so I have to make sure I am used to swimming for a reasonable amount of time without a break. Day off training tomorrow and will get a bike session in on Thursday night and also catch up with Neil's final preparation.
Sunday is his big day and I am so impressed by the way he has done the majority of it on his own. He's raised £1,530 so far for his chosen charity Friends of the Beatson and his determination to complete his first triathlon is first class. No doubt there may be the odd beer afterwards but he'll have worked for it. I wonder what he'll attempt next?
But in 19 days time I will be swimming 1,900 m in open water followed by a 56 mile bike and a 13 mile run so I have to make sure I am used to swimming for a reasonable amount of time without a break. Day off training tomorrow and will get a bike session in on Thursday night and also catch up with Neil's final preparation.
Sunday is his big day and I am so impressed by the way he has done the majority of it on his own. He's raised £1,530 so far for his chosen charity Friends of the Beatson and his determination to complete his first triathlon is first class. No doubt there may be the odd beer afterwards but he'll have worked for it. I wonder what he'll attempt next?
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