Today is a rest day and I took full advantage with a long lie till 6.45am. My quads are a bit tender from the turbo session but tomorrows swim should sort them out. Despite me not exercising I had some work to do with my bike. I was having new wheels fitted which are more aerodynamic meaning I will go faster - having tested them for a week I have to agree with the hype and it's £600 well spent! However a few more bits & pieces on the bike need repaired / serviced so it will be going to my favourite repair specialist - Willie Bain. What Willie doesn't know about bikes is not worth knowing - it's so good to know someone who you can trust to do the best job possible for you.
You have to take time to look after your equipment as the last thing you want is for it to breakdown in an event after all the hard work in the training. Now that would hurt!
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Motivation
I reflected on my training today which started with an early morning run, wearing my head light as it was pitch black - I gave a few car drivers a fright! It wasn't a long run, as I have done the hard work for the race this weekend, but I was on my own. The only thing to keep me going was my computer which instantly feeds back my heart rate, time and pace per mile. I use the results to drive me and know my coach will also be looking at them so I can't slack off.
This evening couldn't be more different - a group turbo training session. The dynamics of working in a group are different to training on your own. I am still measuring my output through my computer but I have the added motivation of making sure I'm working at least as hard as my fellow athletes. There is a focus in this group, a respect for one another although we are at different standards of riding but have a common aim - one of self improvement.
Motivation comes in different forms but if you can gender this "group ethos" then everyone will improve and therefore a greater result will be achieved. Why not try this at work? Not the lycra and the sweat but the group ethos of improving your performance but you need to start with a clearly defined objective. Go on. Have some fun getting better.
This evening couldn't be more different - a group turbo training session. The dynamics of working in a group are different to training on your own. I am still measuring my output through my computer but I have the added motivation of making sure I'm working at least as hard as my fellow athletes. There is a focus in this group, a respect for one another although we are at different standards of riding but have a common aim - one of self improvement.
Motivation comes in different forms but if you can gender this "group ethos" then everyone will improve and therefore a greater result will be achieved. Why not try this at work? Not the lycra and the sweat but the group ethos of improving your performance but you need to start with a clearly defined objective. Go on. Have some fun getting better.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Treacle
Today was meant to be a rest day but having missed my swimming yesterday I needed to get in the pool tonight and there was a coached swim session. The warm up went well and I was enjoying gliding up and down the pool but when the hard work started it felt like I was dragging myself through treacle. It's three years since I started swimming properly and going from 40 metres to 3,800 metres in open water is progress. But the swimming is ugly and not efficient and this is what I am working on.
I am persevering as unless I can swim 3,800 metres in the sea at Lanzarote in 206 days time and come out fresh enough to cycle 112 miles in hilly, hot and windy conditions followed by a marathon then I'm stuffed.
The 206 days will fly in so every training session is vital - even if I am not particularly enjoying dragging myself through the treacle. Sometime life is like that but we know these days will pass so always look past them and stay on target, assuming you have one!
I am persevering as unless I can swim 3,800 metres in the sea at Lanzarote in 206 days time and come out fresh enough to cycle 112 miles in hilly, hot and windy conditions followed by a marathon then I'm stuffed.
The 206 days will fly in so every training session is vital - even if I am not particularly enjoying dragging myself through the treacle. Sometime life is like that but we know these days will pass so always look past them and stay on target, assuming you have one!
It never rains but it pours!
In the world of "positive" sometimes you can have a crap day - like yesterday. I felt tired all day but force myself out on the run. However I didn't stick to my normal mantra of no food within 2 hours of running and suffered. Looking at the results from my computer, my heart rate went racing at the beginning and although the objective was to run the second half quicker I was lucky to be running at all. Still I managed to finish the run and although I hadn't achieved my objective at least I felt better at the end.
That was until I met my son who had strained a muscle at athletics and had to cut his session short. This is potentially a real set back as on Friday he has been invited to train with the Scotland U15 Development Squad at football. So some TLC for him and fingers crossed as these chances do not happen often.
And finally, the boiler went meaning substantial cost as we have to redesign the room it is sited in plus the cost of replacing it while having no heating for at least 2 weeks! Aaaggghhhh.
However watching the news this morning put everything into perspective with floods, earth quakes and murders. For those involved there lives could be changed forever so let's count ourselves very lucky.
That was until I met my son who had strained a muscle at athletics and had to cut his session short. This is potentially a real set back as on Friday he has been invited to train with the Scotland U15 Development Squad at football. So some TLC for him and fingers crossed as these chances do not happen often.
And finally, the boiler went meaning substantial cost as we have to redesign the room it is sited in plus the cost of replacing it while having no heating for at least 2 weeks! Aaaggghhhh.
However watching the news this morning put everything into perspective with floods, earth quakes and murders. For those involved there lives could be changed forever so let's count ourselves very lucky.
Monday, 24 October 2011
Dawn chorus
This morning I dropped my son off at the leisure centre for his first early shift - he's a life guard. Early mornings are not something he normally sees except when coming back from a party but this is a new habit he will have to get used to. As for me I would normally go swimming but couldn't today so headed off to the early shift at the office.
When I stepped out of the car I was amazed at the beautiful dawn chorus that greeted me from the birds. I could have pulled up a chair and sat and listened. However a light "smir" of rain had started which discouraged me hanging around but this brought out the fragrance of the flowers which again I hadn't really noticed before - usually because I'm in the pool at this time!
It made me think. A weeks relaxation on holiday and my senses are more tuned in. I'm going to work hard at making an effort to take these noises and fragrances in going forward as it made me feel very grateful to be healthy and alive! Have a sniff and listen next time your "up with the lark".
When I stepped out of the car I was amazed at the beautiful dawn chorus that greeted me from the birds. I could have pulled up a chair and sat and listened. However a light "smir" of rain had started which discouraged me hanging around but this brought out the fragrance of the flowers which again I hadn't really noticed before - usually because I'm in the pool at this time!
It made me think. A weeks relaxation on holiday and my senses are more tuned in. I'm going to work hard at making an effort to take these noises and fragrances in going forward as it made me feel very grateful to be healthy and alive! Have a sniff and listen next time your "up with the lark".
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Sunday - a day of rest. Yeh right!
Today started with a long lie, a full breakfast and then watched my son play football - good victory and he scored! Then I had to drag myself out for a 1.5 hour run with the weather starting to turn windy and wet. But when you have a written programme and you know you will be meeting your coach in the next couple of days to examine the results, you can't skip it. Knowing that each mile is recorded and will be compared means there are no "junk miles" - every one counts. Also my coach likes a negative split meaning the 2nd half of the run should be quicker than the first half. This keeps you completely focused with every step and giving it everything at the end.
So I managed to knock almost 2 minutes of last weeks time and I achieved the negative split - yeeeees!
Shower, recover and replenish with food and fluids. After dinner I finished the weekend off with a gym workout to build my strength. Now for a cup of tea and X factor - it doesn't require any thought or effort!
So I managed to knock almost 2 minutes of last weeks time and I achieved the negative split - yeeeees!
Shower, recover and replenish with food and fluids. After dinner I finished the weekend off with a gym workout to build my strength. Now for a cup of tea and X factor - it doesn't require any thought or effort!
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Why do it?
This is a question I get asked on a regular basis. Especially when people see my training schedule. Today I went out with the group for a few hours on the bike. It was very windy but that was a good test for my new wheels. The strong headwind made the hills tougher however after the hilly mountain bike workout yesterday I felt strong - not as strong as some of the "real" cyclists but I have come a long way in the last 2 years and can feel the difference.
Home for some lunch and then out for an hours run. The wind had really picked up but I just got on with it. My coach has me running a negative split i.e. faster 2nd half so that you finish strong. I haven't been doing much running recently but I managed this at a good pace.
So why do it? I feel fantastic and am in good shape. This improves my quality of life which benefits my family and helps me be more effective at work. Finally it allows me to raise money for the charities I support which also makes the whole journey worthwhile. So I hope that answers the question but every time I'm asked it it reinforces my belief in what I'm doing.
Home for some lunch and then out for an hours run. The wind had really picked up but I just got on with it. My coach has me running a negative split i.e. faster 2nd half so that you finish strong. I haven't been doing much running recently but I managed this at a good pace.
So why do it? I feel fantastic and am in good shape. This improves my quality of life which benefits my family and helps me be more effective at work. Finally it allows me to raise money for the charities I support which also makes the whole journey worthwhile. So I hope that answers the question but every time I'm asked it it reinforces my belief in what I'm doing.
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