Over the last 5 years of my journey in becoming an "endurance athlete" the one thing that has remained constant is that I have kept records of all my training. Various Garmin watches have come and gone (4 to be precise) but almost every session has been recorded. This way I can tell if I'm on target with my fitness. This is particularly important when getting back to fitness after a 4 month layoff.
So yesterday I went out for 50 miles on the bike but forgot my heart rate monitor. It would have made interesting reading as I struggled to keep up with the group and was eventually dropped with 5 miles to go. Nobody likes being dropped but it makes me more determined to get back into shape. So I'll fit in some turbo sessions before next weekend 50 mile race which I don't want to be dropped from!
This morning I went out for my first run in three weeks. Wearing my neutral trail shoes with my orthotics felt fantastic. No foot trauma. I ignored my Garmin the whole way round Chatelherault and on finishing I found it was my fastest time ever - it was only 5 miles! It also felt like it as my heart rate was unhealthily high which confirmed my lack of fitness. But now I have a benchmark so I'll be able to monitor my progress. The final piece of good news is I've lost 1/4 of a stone from the holiday - much more to go as I don't see the point in dragging this all over the place. A bit like running with a weighted rucksack! :-)
Sunday, 11 August 2013
Monday, 5 August 2013
Listen to your body
When I started this endurance "malarkey" I was given a great piece of advice - listen to your body. It has saved me from many long-term injuries and came in handy again last week. As you know I have been learning to Chi run. I just loved the effortless look to it as I watched people float up hills. At the same time I switched to neutral shoes and also stopped using my orthotics. At first there were no problems as I was running 2 - 4 km as I was trying to improve my Chi technique. But as I stepped up the K's my ankles and feet were starting to complain. Most people said it takes a year for you body to come to terms with these changes so I persevered.
A week ago I ran to 10ks within 4 days and my body started shouting at me. So I immediately stopped running and went to see my podiatrist - he's very busy with people switching running style or shoes without realising the problems it can cause. Apparently my visit was just in time before any serious damage was done. All the symptoms were due to my changes. I have enjoyed running with neutral shoes, so in future I will do with the support of my orthotics and some strength building exercises for the muscles around my ankles. But again I will need to take it easy with the running as my feet get used to the support. So no long miles on the trails for me for a wee while which means I will concentrate on my cycling and swimming.
43 miles on the bike on Saturday in blustery conditions with the ATHelite crew was a good workout. It also let me know just how out of shape I am so I intend to get some extra turbo sessions in so that I can survive the longer weekend rides. And finally I took up the August 31 day yoga challenge which means practising yoga every day. So far so good and I am really enjoying the feeling after finishing the early morning sessions before breakfast. My body whispers to me that it is feeling the benefit and that I should keep it up! Let's see what this week brings.
A week ago I ran to 10ks within 4 days and my body started shouting at me. So I immediately stopped running and went to see my podiatrist - he's very busy with people switching running style or shoes without realising the problems it can cause. Apparently my visit was just in time before any serious damage was done. All the symptoms were due to my changes. I have enjoyed running with neutral shoes, so in future I will do with the support of my orthotics and some strength building exercises for the muscles around my ankles. But again I will need to take it easy with the running as my feet get used to the support. So no long miles on the trails for me for a wee while which means I will concentrate on my cycling and swimming.
43 miles on the bike on Saturday in blustery conditions with the ATHelite crew was a good workout. It also let me know just how out of shape I am so I intend to get some extra turbo sessions in so that I can survive the longer weekend rides. And finally I took up the August 31 day yoga challenge which means practising yoga every day. So far so good and I am really enjoying the feeling after finishing the early morning sessions before breakfast. My body whispers to me that it is feeling the benefit and that I should keep it up! Let's see what this week brings.
Monday, 29 July 2013
New challenge - here we go again!
Since I have returned from the Sahara Desert people have been asking "what's next?" I've had lots of suggestions and there has been a fair amount of communication from "the Tartan Army" as we enjoyed our adventure on "the toughest foot race on earth!" After much contemplation I've decided the next big challenge is The Ocean Floor Race in October 2015. Check out the video and you'll understand my reasons for wanting to go. The quotation from Mark Twaine says it all http://www.oceanfloorrace.com/ . It seems a long way away however I had 2 years to prepare for MdS and it flew by.
So how different will this adventure be? The biggest difference will be that it is less structured - it's a non-stop 160 mile race over 4 days. You choose where and when to stop but let's budget on 40 miles a day for 4 days in a row. That's at least 14 miles more than most days on the MdS, with the exception of the long day. So 4 Ultra-marathons in a row across a desert. I think that's a worthy challenge, don't you? As I will be in control of when I run I intend to start running at first light which will probably be around 5.30am. This will allow me to miss out the heat of the day, assuming I can find some shelter. The number of participants will be much less. As far as I can tell, last year was the inaugural event with less than 20 people so I will obviously be spending time on my own which brings a navigation challenge.
Now I need to get back in shape so I will pick up my triathlon training and my yoga. I need to have smaller, but still important, challenges to focus on. In September 2014 I have agreed to enter the River Dart 10k swim http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=events&s&id=92. Yes you read that right, me swimming 10k! Unbelievable but another worthwhile challenge (as I swim like a brick!). I will also be taking part in a series of triathlons including a 70.3 Ironman - I can use this as the build up for the 10k swim.
Now I have made these decisions I feel better. It has brought a focus back that has been missing since MdS. In fairness that was always going to be the case and allowing my body to recover is an important part of taking part in endurance events. So a new chapter begins. I hope you will follow me in my journey and kick my ass if you see me slacking! Go on. Read that Mark Twaine quotation and dream a little yourself. You never know what might happen.
So how different will this adventure be? The biggest difference will be that it is less structured - it's a non-stop 160 mile race over 4 days. You choose where and when to stop but let's budget on 40 miles a day for 4 days in a row. That's at least 14 miles more than most days on the MdS, with the exception of the long day. So 4 Ultra-marathons in a row across a desert. I think that's a worthy challenge, don't you? As I will be in control of when I run I intend to start running at first light which will probably be around 5.30am. This will allow me to miss out the heat of the day, assuming I can find some shelter. The number of participants will be much less. As far as I can tell, last year was the inaugural event with less than 20 people so I will obviously be spending time on my own which brings a navigation challenge.
Now I need to get back in shape so I will pick up my triathlon training and my yoga. I need to have smaller, but still important, challenges to focus on. In September 2014 I have agreed to enter the River Dart 10k swim http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=events&s&id=92. Yes you read that right, me swimming 10k! Unbelievable but another worthwhile challenge (as I swim like a brick!). I will also be taking part in a series of triathlons including a 70.3 Ironman - I can use this as the build up for the 10k swim.
Now I have made these decisions I feel better. It has brought a focus back that has been missing since MdS. In fairness that was always going to be the case and allowing my body to recover is an important part of taking part in endurance events. So a new chapter begins. I hope you will follow me in my journey and kick my ass if you see me slacking! Go on. Read that Mark Twaine quotation and dream a little yourself. You never know what might happen.
Saturday, 20 July 2013
A new challenge!
It's not what you think or are likely to guess. After a fantastic 2 week holiday, where I ran every day and practiced my yoga, I came back having put on weight! This is not something that happens to me, ever, but I've put on half a stone - and I don't like it!
It was also the first time I've been on a cruise and it was probably one of the best holidays we've ever had. Top class service and outstanding food - just way too much of it and also the booze! Now I'm sharing this information so you will realise that "I'm not an athlete" in the sense of watching what I eat and training all the time. However I saw what lies ahead for me if I don't keep training as people in their 50's, 60's and 70's walked by with mega guts hanging over their shorts and the strain that must put on their heart is incredible. It doesn't help when they cruise twice a year and eat and drink everything that's on offer.
So this being my first day back I squeezed into my lycra and went out for 3 hours on the bike with my fellow club mates. I hung on and noticed my increased bulk made me go down hill faster but the opposite was true on the climbs! This heat wave is incredible and it's like cycling abroad if it wasn't for the pot holes. But that's me back and regular training will now commence.
As for cruising, we all want to do it again as its a great family holiday. Having arrived as a passenger I was at risk of being taken off as cargo so next time I'll behave better!
It was also the first time I've been on a cruise and it was probably one of the best holidays we've ever had. Top class service and outstanding food - just way too much of it and also the booze! Now I'm sharing this information so you will realise that "I'm not an athlete" in the sense of watching what I eat and training all the time. However I saw what lies ahead for me if I don't keep training as people in their 50's, 60's and 70's walked by with mega guts hanging over their shorts and the strain that must put on their heart is incredible. It doesn't help when they cruise twice a year and eat and drink everything that's on offer.
So this being my first day back I squeezed into my lycra and went out for 3 hours on the bike with my fellow club mates. I hung on and noticed my increased bulk made me go down hill faster but the opposite was true on the climbs! This heat wave is incredible and it's like cycling abroad if it wasn't for the pot holes. But that's me back and regular training will now commence.
As for cruising, we all want to do it again as its a great family holiday. Having arrived as a passenger I was at risk of being taken off as cargo so next time I'll behave better!
Monday, 8 July 2013
Incredible achievement
Yesterday I watched Andy Murray achieve an incredible goal - winning Wimbledon. The first Scot ever to have done it and the 1st Britain in 77 years since Fred Perry. I was watching it in a bar in Rome and wouldn't be surprised if you could have heard our screams at the TV urging him on. Like many I won't forget that moment. I had the great priviledge of working with Andy shooting 3 videos with him for a leisure group. At the time he was no. 11 in the world and by the end he was no.4. His transformation since then to no. 2 and double major winner is incredible.
A few years before that I had the pleasure of playing John McEnroe in a game of doubles. When asked about Andy he thought he'd get into the top ten but his partner Peter Fleming said top 5. Neither said he'd win Wimbledon.This just goes to show how driven he was to ignore those around him that doubted his ability and believe in himself.
This weekend 4 Athelite members became ironmen following the success of 2 the weekend before. During their journey they will have had self doubt, injury and questioned what they were doing. During the race they will have overcome pain and have visited some very "dark places". But they believed in themselves and got the reward they deserved, just as Andy did. So lets all reflect on the success of individuals who set the bar high and achieve it. The only question is, what's next?
A few years before that I had the pleasure of playing John McEnroe in a game of doubles. When asked about Andy he thought he'd get into the top ten but his partner Peter Fleming said top 5. Neither said he'd win Wimbledon.This just goes to show how driven he was to ignore those around him that doubted his ability and believe in himself.
This weekend 4 Athelite members became ironmen following the success of 2 the weekend before. During their journey they will have had self doubt, injury and questioned what they were doing. During the race they will have overcome pain and have visited some very "dark places". But they believed in themselves and got the reward they deserved, just as Andy did. So lets all reflect on the success of individuals who set the bar high and achieve it. The only question is, what's next?
Sunday, 30 June 2013
Inspired by others
As I approach my holiday I realise I have done no exercise in the last week. It's been hectic, not an excuse but a fact. There have not been enough hours in the day as business and family pressures have taken priority over my fitness - as they should.
However I have had the pleasure today of watching 2 friends (online) complete their first Ironman - such a special moment for them. Congratulations Gavin & Lorna Gall on a fantastic achievement. What it made me realise was just how much hard work and dedication goes into achieving your goals. And right now my focus is on family and business, but I need to get back to fitness. So when I go on holiday I will make a real start but at the same time enjoy some chillax time.
Over the next few months more friends will be taking part in Ironman competitions and it's so good to see people attain their goals through dedication and hard work. There are no short cuts in life so it's time to restart my fitness campaign but first I'll need to set some goals to create the required focus.
However I have had the pleasure today of watching 2 friends (online) complete their first Ironman - such a special moment for them. Congratulations Gavin & Lorna Gall on a fantastic achievement. What it made me realise was just how much hard work and dedication goes into achieving your goals. And right now my focus is on family and business, but I need to get back to fitness. So when I go on holiday I will make a real start but at the same time enjoy some chillax time.
Over the next few months more friends will be taking part in Ironman competitions and it's so good to see people attain their goals through dedication and hard work. There are no short cuts in life so it's time to restart my fitness campaign but first I'll need to set some goals to create the required focus.
Monday, 24 June 2013
My role as a "domestique"
As you know on Thursday I was cycling 84 miles with my friend Stuart Kerr who is completing Lands End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) and on Sunday I was back with him doing another 84 miles. Cycling gives you time to reflect on lifes journey as you try and deflect your thought from your sore arse! You see before these 2 spins on the bike I had only another 4 trips on the bike and they were all in the last month and none over 40 miles. So my arse was out of practise!
As "domestique" my job was to do everything to get Stuart to the finish line in the best possible condition. This meant sitting in front of him taking the wind. Normally I'd be hanging onto the back of a bunch of cyclists getting the benefit of the pelaton but not this time. The interesting thing is what it did to my mindset. I had to be the leader and protect the "star cyclist" - after all I was only doing 2 days, he is doing 11. So I gritted my teeth as we headed into the 20mph wind and rain swept Glencoe and just got on with it. And all because I had a worthwhile purpose. It also occured to me that without this to look forward to, my bike would still be gathering dust in the garage.
So as I type this latest activity, Stuart will have finished day 9 and getting into a cold bath before grabbing some grub. He's finishing the rest of the route on his own (as he has done most of it by himself) and it is an INCREDIBLE achievement for someone who only took up cycling 18 months ago. But then he has a worthwhile purpose (raising money for Yorkhill Childrens Hospital) and he determination hasn't wavered.
Perhaps that's something we should all reflect on.
As "domestique" my job was to do everything to get Stuart to the finish line in the best possible condition. This meant sitting in front of him taking the wind. Normally I'd be hanging onto the back of a bunch of cyclists getting the benefit of the pelaton but not this time. The interesting thing is what it did to my mindset. I had to be the leader and protect the "star cyclist" - after all I was only doing 2 days, he is doing 11. So I gritted my teeth as we headed into the 20mph wind and rain swept Glencoe and just got on with it. And all because I had a worthwhile purpose. It also occured to me that without this to look forward to, my bike would still be gathering dust in the garage.
So as I type this latest activity, Stuart will have finished day 9 and getting into a cold bath before grabbing some grub. He's finishing the rest of the route on his own (as he has done most of it by himself) and it is an INCREDIBLE achievement for someone who only took up cycling 18 months ago. But then he has a worthwhile purpose (raising money for Yorkhill Childrens Hospital) and he determination hasn't wavered.
Perhaps that's something we should all reflect on.
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