Small steps

Today when the office doors closed for 2011 and I'd finished the Xmas shopping I went home to test the knee injury out on the turbo (bike).  After 15 mins I decided not to push it and to start the recuperation with small steps.  I did follow with a goods weight session so didn't feel too guilty.  So happy holidays to everyone and I'll keep you up to date with my training regime over the festive period and any observations on life along the way.

Finish line in sight

When reading up on Ironman I cam across a very interesting fact.  It is that people running endurance events can collapse in sight of the finish line.  The reason is that the runner's brain has blocked out the pain during the race but when they see the finish line the brain stops blocking the pain out and the runner collapses.  So for Ironman when I saw the finish line I had pre-programmed my brain not to accept it as the end and that it was beyond the finish line.
In the run up to Xmas it feels like an endurance event and I can feel the finish line in sight but don't want to acknowledge it in case I "collapse".  Like most people I've been "running on empty" and I'm looking forward to a break, time with the family, a change of routing.  But that doesn't mean sitting on my bum for the holidays, but it will be a welcome break.  So tomorrow as the finish line approaches I will be looking beyond it and will probably see my family sitting round the table with a big fat turkey and all the trimmings!

Let their be light!

In case you didn't know, today is the shortest day so from tomorrow the mornings and evenings will be getting lighter - slowly!  Personally I hate getting up in the dark, travelling to work in the dark and arriving home in the dark.  But having past this landmark I hope to have more of a spring in my step although that will probably have to wait until my knee injury heals!
This morning I slept in which is not something I do.  My alarm didn't go off because my iphone had a software problem but normally I wake up before my alarm.  So I think my body is telling me I need a rest.  Having said that both last nights and this mornings swim sessions went really well but that may be due to the fact I was swimming with a floatation aid to take my legs out of the swim.  All the same it felt good and I will continue this over the holidays.  So bring on the light so we can all get out there and enjoy the beautiful country we live in.

It's a funny week

The week before Xmas is a funny week, especially when it falls on a weekend.  At work we're all trying to get tidied up and the excitement (and the hangover) of the office party has past.  So we're working at 75% to clear up while finishing off the plans for 2012 so we hit the ground running.  Otherwise there is a lull in the business in the month of January which filters through in the business performance in Feb & March.  Then you're in a state of catch up for the rest of the year.
Training for an Ironman is no different in that although "it's the season to be jolly", if you're too jolly it will impact on your performance.  As I'm injured the temptation is to do nothing for a few weeks but this would cause major catch up problems in January and with 150 days to go I can't afford to be lazy either physically or mentally.
So this morning was my 1st recuperation session with stretching, massage and ice after my core session.  Tonight I'm swimming and tomorrow I'm having the set up checked on my bike in case this is what has caused the injury.  But don't think I'm a "ba hum bug" character as I'll be enjoying some great food and lovely wine over the festive period but just making sure it's not too excessive as that has consequences!

When things go wrong, adapt the plan

I've been having niggling pains in my leg and knee for about a month but nothing really painful, until yesterdays cross country run.  That last mile hurt my knee so I thought this mornings swim would easy my legs off.  It did until I tried to climb the stairs and there was that pain again.  One call to the physio and I was booked in for the afternoon followed by my weekly meeting with my coach.
The outcome is that I won't be running for a few weeks, will be icing my knee 3 times a day, taking anti- inflammatory tablets, doing plenty of stretching and specific strengthening exercises and taking it easy on the turbo trainer.  Had I not gone to the physio when I did I could have done more damage which would have had a longer recovery period.
So with my coach we rescheduled my training for the rest of the month - it doesn't mean I'll be taking it easy, I'll just be adapting my exercise to protect the injury.  So when things go wrong you have to adapt.  Ultimately the weakness was in the "foundation" and that always comes through when put under pressure whether it be your body or a business. I suppose if there is a time to cut back running it's when the streets are covered in snow and ice so I'm lucky on that score.

Ironman goes cross country

After Saturday off training today was a 7 mile cross country run in very wintry conditions.  But it was a run with a difference - the group ran in fancy dress hence the new picture on the blog.  A few passing motorists almost drove off the road as they watched Ironman, Captain America, Bat Woman, Hong Kong Phooey, Mini Mouse, Pink Panther, Roller Girl to name but a few running through the countryside.
The wind farm can be a spooky place with the sound of the turbines but the views were spectacular.  The mountains were all covered in snow and it looked like a picture postcard.  But it was a hard 7 miles as running in snow isn't that easy.
Full on week of training before a day off at Xmas.  I can't let all the hard work slip over the festive period but I will enjoy a few long lies!

Black Friday

Yes we had our office night out on black Friday - the day when ordinary folk go mad on the booze and keep A&E departments overflowing!  Well ours was quite civilised as we had a fantastic non-christmasy meal with some fine wine.  It wasn't too late a night but I am feeling a wee bit delicate this morning.  Fortunately this was built into the training plan so today I can rest, rehydrate and recover as tomorrow on top of my training schedule we have the ATHelite Tri Club fancy dress run!
Santa outfits have been banned as we had 10 there last year and that confused the kids.  I'll let you know what I was dressed as after the event - these things are kept secret, but suspect there may be a few people in the same costume. 
So off to put the Xmas tree up and start to prepare the house for the festivities.  It's even snowing lightly outside so it must be Xmas!  Hope you enjoy your office party when it comes.