I returned to the area I grew up today and used to spend almost every day - the park. The pavilion and the swings are still the same colour and the 2 football pitches were lined out but without the goal posts for some reason. The running track round one of the pitches where our school sports used to take place is overgrown with weeds and has seen better days. It's funny how I can remember so much of the time I spent there. The sounds, the smells, the victories as well as the defeats and the tears and the annual fete run by Roundtable. All these memories make us what we are.
I watch my kids growing up and wonder what influence we as parents pass on and how much comes from their peers and their environment?
Tonight once I have finished work, quickly grabbed some food, dropped my son off at athletics I will cram in a half hour turbo session and a half hour weights session before picking him up and then having a light dinner when I get back before relaxing with my wife and then an early night as I'm on the "red eye" tomorrow to London. Do the kids notice how busy life is or are they wrapped up in their own wee world which revolves around Facebook and COD?
Monday, 9 January 2012
Sunday, 8 January 2012
Training by numbers
Early morning run to build up my knee this morning and keeping an eye on my speed to see how my recovery is going. Then iced my knee before going with my son to the Kelvinhall for his indoor race - didn't have a good run this time following his PB last time.
When I got home I had a 1.5 hour turbo session where I was doing it by the numbers i.e. cadence (speed of pedals) and heart rate. The session was split into a number of different sections and I was pleased with the results. It's not the same as riding on the road but it does allow you to completed a work out in a controlled environment so you can concentrate on the results. Now icing my leg and starting to prepare dinner. Life is good.
When I got home I had a 1.5 hour turbo session where I was doing it by the numbers i.e. cadence (speed of pedals) and heart rate. The session was split into a number of different sections and I was pleased with the results. It's not the same as riding on the road but it does allow you to completed a work out in a controlled environment so you can concentrate on the results. Now icing my leg and starting to prepare dinner. Life is good.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Wind training
The physio is pleased with the progress on my knee but there is still swelling so more ice, stretching, massage and specific exercises. My coach rejigged my schedule so I will be running 3 times next week but only for 30 minutes at a time. I need to build the running up up but not before my knee is ready.
The bike is also where a large number of hours will be spent so today I ventured outside on my CX bike so that I could go on the road and off road as well - it's a harder workout on the CX bike on the road. The BBC had predicted 7mph wind but it was nearer 20 mph so ideal practise for Lanza - only it will be 30 degrees warmer. I climbed up to the wind farm and the noise those turbines make when spinning at speed is incredible. More running and cycling tomorrow and hopefully the weather will stay dry.
The bike is also where a large number of hours will be spent so today I ventured outside on my CX bike so that I could go on the road and off road as well - it's a harder workout on the CX bike on the road. The BBC had predicted 7mph wind but it was nearer 20 mph so ideal practise for Lanza - only it will be 30 degrees warmer. I climbed up to the wind farm and the noise those turbines make when spinning at speed is incredible. More running and cycling tomorrow and hopefully the weather will stay dry.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Taking things for granted
Having no electricity for 60 hours made me realise how we take things for granted. Like waking up to a warm house or switching on the kettle. When I arrived home last night the house was lit up like a Xmas tree and life returned to normal, after clearing out the food from the fridge and the freezer which was beginning to smell!
This morning I went out a run before my swimming session. Because I am coming back from injury this is only my second run and I kept it to half an hour. But the conditions were dodgy with a heavy frost and in some places ice to contend with. It was a joy to be back running, I'd really missed it. It also made the swim session a bit tougher as I already had a work out by the time I reached the pool.
Tonight I am seeing my physio to check my knee and then my coach to go over my results and make adjustments where necessary and make sure I am on track for Lanza. This will be followed by a turbo bike training session so I should sleep well tonight!
This morning I went out a run before my swimming session. Because I am coming back from injury this is only my second run and I kept it to half an hour. But the conditions were dodgy with a heavy frost and in some places ice to contend with. It was a joy to be back running, I'd really missed it. It also made the swim session a bit tougher as I already had a work out by the time I reached the pool.
Tonight I am seeing my physio to check my knee and then my coach to go over my results and make adjustments where necessary and make sure I am on track for Lanza. This will be followed by a turbo bike training session so I should sleep well tonight!
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Conference speaking
Today is a day off from training which is just as well as I have no electricity, no phone connection, network connection or hot water for the 3rd day running. It's bad enough trying to get a quick wash without coming in from a training session completely covered in sweat and not being able to get a shower. But tomorrow I'll be back in the pool but will probably have a long shower before and after the swim for obvious reasons! So last night we sent the kids off to friends and my wife and I had a carry out curry on the floor with candles.
I then spent the evening preparing for a conference speaking event in February around Mission Ironman - "achieving results beyond your wildest dreams". If you've followed my journey from non-swimmer, non-cyclist three years ago to Ironman you will know the transformation that has taken place. While a lot of it is physical, the crucial aspect that makes it happen is "mindset". At some stage in almost every hard training session I think "wouldn't it be nice to slow down or stop", but I have to keep reminding myself why I am putting myself through it. I am so fortunate to be fit and healthy and by training for Ironman that improves my well being but it will also raise lots of money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres. It's a win-win and has opened my mind up to the art of what's possible.
I hope in 2012 you will take on a challenge and enjoy the journey which could be life changing. After all, you're a long time dead as they say.
I then spent the evening preparing for a conference speaking event in February around Mission Ironman - "achieving results beyond your wildest dreams". If you've followed my journey from non-swimmer, non-cyclist three years ago to Ironman you will know the transformation that has taken place. While a lot of it is physical, the crucial aspect that makes it happen is "mindset". At some stage in almost every hard training session I think "wouldn't it be nice to slow down or stop", but I have to keep reminding myself why I am putting myself through it. I am so fortunate to be fit and healthy and by training for Ironman that improves my well being but it will also raise lots of money for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres. It's a win-win and has opened my mind up to the art of what's possible.
I hope in 2012 you will take on a challenge and enjoy the journey which could be life changing. After all, you're a long time dead as they say.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Washing in public
After a cold night with no electricty or heating I woke up to go training and cooked my porridge on the gas cooker by candle light - romantic? I don't think so. Then off for my swim which was a tough session (500m warm up, 50m fast / 50m steady x 2, 400m (40sec rest), 300m (30 sec rest), 200m (20 sec rest), 100m (10 sec rest), 50m fast / 50m steady x 2 = total 1,900m. It's a hard workout as you time every metre so there is no let up. When I sit down with my coach at the end of the week she will compare the times agaist previous sessions to make sure I am making progress and not being lazy! This is a real motivator when you are feeling tired and want to ease off but you know your computer is counting every stroke and every second - no hiding place.
But on the upside I had a good shower and scrub up which the family won't be having but I do hope the electricty is back on when I get home tonight otherwise they may be a bit smelly!
But on the upside I had a good shower and scrub up which the family won't be having but I do hope the electricty is back on when I get home tonight otherwise they may be a bit smelly!
Black out
My blog is a day late due to the severe winds meaning I've had no electricity, internet or mobile phone signal for over 24 hours. The only reason this is being posted is because I am back at work.
It's amazing how your life depends on those necessities and last night I was sent to the chip shop for our dinner - unfortunately half the town had the same idea so it was a bit of a wait!
The biggest benefit was we had a family "dinner" sitting round a gas fire with candles which was fun. Then we played cards which we hadn't done in years. The kids had a new game called "bullshit" where you bluff your way through the game. It was an eye opener to see how good they were at lying so just wait until the next time they come out with an excuse I may have fallen for before! That's what they get for beating me at cards.
It reminded me of "the winter of discontent" when I did the same with my parents round a coal fire. I hope my kids look back in years to come as to how much fun we had without a computer, mobile phone, TV, DVD or any other type of gadget.
It's amazing how your life depends on those necessities and last night I was sent to the chip shop for our dinner - unfortunately half the town had the same idea so it was a bit of a wait!
The biggest benefit was we had a family "dinner" sitting round a gas fire with candles which was fun. Then we played cards which we hadn't done in years. The kids had a new game called "bullshit" where you bluff your way through the game. It was an eye opener to see how good they were at lying so just wait until the next time they come out with an excuse I may have fallen for before! That's what they get for beating me at cards.
It reminded me of "the winter of discontent" when I did the same with my parents round a coal fire. I hope my kids look back in years to come as to how much fun we had without a computer, mobile phone, TV, DVD or any other type of gadget.
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