My work schedule last week and for the week ahead was and is manic. It's just the way it has happened and when you run your own business sometimes you just have to "make hay while the sun shines". Obviously that's metaphorically speaking as summer is yet to start in Scotland and I'm using sun cream only to create a waterproof barrier!
The focus this week was yoga, swimming and running, but not a lot of time was available. I hadn't been in the pool for 6 weeks and on Wednesday it showed. I swam with a club mate and she did her best to encourage me that I was doing fine. I died in the pool and was lucky not to have brought my breakfast up. I forgot my nose clip so knew I'd suffer a head cold for the next 2 days - I wasn't disappointed. I knew going back was going to be tough and had skipped the club session the night before as that would have killed me - literally.
I went for an early morning run with my coach. Running on trails in the early morning listening to the "dawn chorus" is such a privilege. No complaints from my foot so I am happy.
On Friday night I went for an open water swim at Loch Lomond with a work colleague. It turned out we were the only two in the whole loch which can be a bit intimidating especially if there are boats cruising around. However the fact there were none out and that we were the only two in the water tells you something - it was bloody cold! It was my first OW swim of the year beyond my 5 minute dip the other month. I thought my wetsuit would help with my lack of swimming but I struggled to get any rhythm and it made me realise that I need much more time in the pool.
Not a lot of training this week and yesterday I spent the day at Knockhill Racing Circuit with my son. For his birthday I'd got him some track time in a single seat racing car and time in a rally car. We had a real blast and I even got "best driver of the day" for the track with a high score according to the instructors - we both drew on 2nd place in the rally. Today was Father's Day so I spent that with the family relaxing watching the rain pour down.
Tomorrow the madness starts again and training will have to take a back seat but that's ok, I'm not employed as an athlete! Finally congratulations to all the athlete's who completed the West Highland Way race - 95 miles with almost 15,000 ft of climbing. If I can get my foot better and get through the draw then hopefully I will follow in their foot steps in years to come.
Sunday, 21 June 2015
Sunday, 14 June 2015
Tempting fate
After my bike ride last Sunday my foot was giving me some grief. So it came as a complete surprise the following day when I hopped out of bed and had got to the bottom of the stairs before I realised something was different - NO FOOT PAIN! Surely this couldn't be. All day I walked around waiting for the inevitable but it didn't happen. Then I had a decision to make. Should I go out a run and test it or would that be tempting fate? I concluded that if it was going to hurt I'd might as well find out. I ran 10 k and at no stage felt any of the usual twinges under my foot. Sure the top of the foot grumbled occasionally but that's never going to go away so I was delighted.
The following morning was the same and at yoga it gave me no problem. On Wednesday I played golf and towards the end it was telling me it was tired but it didn't stop me doing another 9 k trail run on Thursday at a reasonable pace with no pain.
I took a rest day on Friday and I had scheduled a 2 day yoga course over the weekend. However after 1 day which was mainly theory I decided to ditch the second day and get a run in today.
13 k of trail running felt great. My coach said my "form" looked good which pleased me and made me think that this is what I should concentrate on when running shorter distances and this should help when I build the miles up. This was my longest run in 6 months so I was delighted. Sadly my foot wasn't when I got home with the Plantar Fasciitis giving me some discomfort so I did a lot of foot rolling and took some ibuprofen which settled things down.
Perhaps that was a warning but I'll monitor the signs over the next few days and see how it goes. It felt so good to be running a reasonable distance again. I didn't make the pool this week but will do my very best to get back this week.
The following morning was the same and at yoga it gave me no problem. On Wednesday I played golf and towards the end it was telling me it was tired but it didn't stop me doing another 9 k trail run on Thursday at a reasonable pace with no pain.
I took a rest day on Friday and I had scheduled a 2 day yoga course over the weekend. However after 1 day which was mainly theory I decided to ditch the second day and get a run in today.
13 k of trail running felt great. My coach said my "form" looked good which pleased me and made me think that this is what I should concentrate on when running shorter distances and this should help when I build the miles up. This was my longest run in 6 months so I was delighted. Sadly my foot wasn't when I got home with the Plantar Fasciitis giving me some discomfort so I did a lot of foot rolling and took some ibuprofen which settled things down.
Perhaps that was a warning but I'll monitor the signs over the next few days and see how it goes. It felt so good to be running a reasonable distance again. I didn't make the pool this week but will do my very best to get back this week.
Sunday, 7 June 2015
Stepping it up
I'm delighted to report I am now stepping my training up and the foot isn't giving me too much grief.
On Tuesday I went back to yoga and we did a lot of foot work - thanks Mark! I knew my foot had received a good work out but it was ok.
I then headed off to London for 3 days which involved plenty of walking. This had a worse affect on my foot which required more than a few glasses of wine to make it feel better! It's interesting how walking and running has a different impact on the foot.
On Saturday I went a 10k trail run at Calderglen Country Park with my coach. It was great to be running a reasonable distance and afterwards I could feel my foot but more a discomfort than pain.
Today I headed out for a windy bike ride. I upped the mileage to 60 miles and felt good the whole way round. Strangely cycling does cause more discomfort afterwards but nothing I can't live with. It's getting my fitness back that matters.
I do feel guilty that I haven't swam in about a month so I will be going back to the pool this week and I know what to expect - 3 weeks of pain getting my swimming stroke and fitness back but it needs to be done.
My pals are all enjoying the weekend competitions that I can't take part in but it's great seeing their success. This is as a result of their winter training and I am so pleased for them. Hopefully I will be back competing next season but in the meantime I just need to concentrate on getting back to fitness and sorting my injury.
On Tuesday I went back to yoga and we did a lot of foot work - thanks Mark! I knew my foot had received a good work out but it was ok.
I then headed off to London for 3 days which involved plenty of walking. This had a worse affect on my foot which required more than a few glasses of wine to make it feel better! It's interesting how walking and running has a different impact on the foot.
On Saturday I went a 10k trail run at Calderglen Country Park with my coach. It was great to be running a reasonable distance and afterwards I could feel my foot but more a discomfort than pain.
Today I headed out for a windy bike ride. I upped the mileage to 60 miles and felt good the whole way round. Strangely cycling does cause more discomfort afterwards but nothing I can't live with. It's getting my fitness back that matters.
I do feel guilty that I haven't swam in about a month so I will be going back to the pool this week and I know what to expect - 3 weeks of pain getting my swimming stroke and fitness back but it needs to be done.
My pals are all enjoying the weekend competitions that I can't take part in but it's great seeing their success. This is as a result of their winter training and I am so pleased for them. Hopefully I will be back competing next season but in the meantime I just need to concentrate on getting back to fitness and sorting my injury.
Sunday, 31 May 2015
The bluebells were calling!
This week I've stepped the running up to 2 miles. No reaction from my foot but my lungs were complaining about the fast pace! It's only as a result of not having been running and losing my running fitness but give me a month and I should be fine.
On Friday I played golf. Now I know to a lot of triathletes they hardly regard this as a sport, but it does present a challenge to my foot. My new orthotics did the job and I'm pleased to report no adverse reaction. This is important as I am taking part in my clubs annual Pro Am on Tuesday!
The sun was shining on Saturday morning so I headed out with the fast group knowing that at some point we'd form a smaller, slower break away group which we did. The pace was good and we tackled a hilly route and was pleased to see we completed 43 miles. I'm enjoying getting back on the bike and looking forward to a summer of cycling. That night I could feel my right calf getting tight so I need to keep and eye on it as it was also tight this morning. Some yoga required.
Today the weather forecast looked windy with rain showers so I decided to take a risk and run round Chatelherault. The risk was one loop is almost 5 miles so that was a big increase. In addition the ground is uneven and there is a set of steps which I'd need to be careful on. But I wanted to see the bluebells - my favourite flower. I have missed them for the last 3 seasons due to being injured or recovering from an event, Mds, the Highland Fling. I'm pleased I went. It was so good to be running on trails, through the trees and the beautiful sight of the bluebells. This beats tarmac roads any day.
I'm now resting up watching the football on the telly and I'll be doing yoga later. The calf is tight but so far the foot is behaving. It feels good to be getting back into shape.
On Friday I played golf. Now I know to a lot of triathletes they hardly regard this as a sport, but it does present a challenge to my foot. My new orthotics did the job and I'm pleased to report no adverse reaction. This is important as I am taking part in my clubs annual Pro Am on Tuesday!
The sun was shining on Saturday morning so I headed out with the fast group knowing that at some point we'd form a smaller, slower break away group which we did. The pace was good and we tackled a hilly route and was pleased to see we completed 43 miles. I'm enjoying getting back on the bike and looking forward to a summer of cycling. That night I could feel my right calf getting tight so I need to keep and eye on it as it was also tight this morning. Some yoga required.
Today the weather forecast looked windy with rain showers so I decided to take a risk and run round Chatelherault. The risk was one loop is almost 5 miles so that was a big increase. In addition the ground is uneven and there is a set of steps which I'd need to be careful on. But I wanted to see the bluebells - my favourite flower. I have missed them for the last 3 seasons due to being injured or recovering from an event, Mds, the Highland Fling. I'm pleased I went. It was so good to be running on trails, through the trees and the beautiful sight of the bluebells. This beats tarmac roads any day.
I'm now resting up watching the football on the telly and I'll be doing yoga later. The calf is tight but so far the foot is behaving. It feels good to be getting back into shape.
Sunday, 24 May 2015
A mile a day, keeps the physio away!
This has been the first week of my rehab both physical and mental. I visited my physio on Monday and he concluded that my foot injury is chronic and therefore I should forget resting it but start running. I was prescribed to run 1 mile per day for 4 days and report back to him with the results. Well I can report I have suffered no pain while running and my plantar fasciitis has been ok when walking although it lets me know it's still their so I am constantly rolling my foot. So come tomorrow I am stepping up to 2 miles a day - I can't wait!
On Saturday I had a choice. To go cycling with the fast crew or the beginners. Easy choice really. I headed off for a very relaxed, social ride and the sun shone the whole way. There was coffee and cake at the end so that was a perfect ending to a good day. Today I went out with a pal and cycled 56 km on a hilly course in a strong wind. It felt good.
My team mates were all racing this weekend. For some it was their first triathlon and the results were amazing. The club has a pool of talent coming up and it's so exciting to watch from the side lines. Davy Arthur & Lynn Girdwood deserve a special mention for completing Lanzarote Ironman in some very tough conditions. I completed this iconic race 3 years ago and loved it so it was fascinating watching them battle the conditions via Facebook.
I'm not going to be competing until the Strathaven 50 cycle race in August so I can concentrate on building my running back to a decent level. I've got ultrasound lined up for my foot and depending on whether that works or not, acupuncture is next then shockwave treatment - we have a plan so lets move forward.
On Saturday I had a choice. To go cycling with the fast crew or the beginners. Easy choice really. I headed off for a very relaxed, social ride and the sun shone the whole way. There was coffee and cake at the end so that was a perfect ending to a good day. Today I went out with a pal and cycled 56 km on a hilly course in a strong wind. It felt good.
My team mates were all racing this weekend. For some it was their first triathlon and the results were amazing. The club has a pool of talent coming up and it's so exciting to watch from the side lines. Davy Arthur & Lynn Girdwood deserve a special mention for completing Lanzarote Ironman in some very tough conditions. I completed this iconic race 3 years ago and loved it so it was fascinating watching them battle the conditions via Facebook.
I'm not going to be competing until the Strathaven 50 cycle race in August so I can concentrate on building my running back to a decent level. I've got ultrasound lined up for my foot and depending on whether that works or not, acupuncture is next then shockwave treatment - we have a plan so lets move forward.
Sunday, 17 May 2015
A "wake up" moment!
On Friday night I had a "wake up" moment. My son was playing in the final of the schools regional football and it was a horrible night. The wind was howling, the rain chucking it down and they were getting hammered 3-0. I'm not the giving up type but I said to my wife, if they go 4 down I'm heading to the car. Then Ali scored, 3-1 half time. Still they had a tough challenge on there hands. Second half he lays on the second and scores the third - now we have a game. They end up winning 7-4 but it was a tight game. As I drove home the thought occurred to me that I'd given up when they were 3-0 down. I didn't believe they'd come back against such a good side. On reflection this demonstrated how crap my attitude had become in the last few months.
A change of attitude and approach is required. For too long my posts have been more like a report from an A&E department. It's understandable but frustrating. I picked up my new orthotics and had a bit of extra treatment for my Plantar Fasciitis - my podiatrist stuck his thumb into the gristle in my arch and gave it a "kicking" - very pleasant, not!
On Saturday I went for a 4.2km run to test out the new orthotics. They certainly gave me additional support and I wasn't in any pain while I ran. I was aware of a small amount of discomfort on the top of my foot but later on the PF started to ache. The new orthotics are to sort the problem on the top of my foot (Lisfranc mid-foot injury) and it seemed ok so that's progress. I'm meeting my physio on Tuesday to see if we can sort the PF out because it's starting to really piss me off.
I met with my coach and she is in a similar position to me on going back to the beginning on training and building it up so hopefully we will get some running in together - I'm avoiding my club mates because they are coming into their peak fitness and don't need someone to hold them back.
As a result I have reset my goals for the season based around getting healthy and fit. I am ignoring the race schedule as each one I have to drop out of, 3 so far this year, just makes me feel crap. Get the foot sorted and building my fitness and strength back is my priority. This will help silence the chimp in my head who has plenty of material to work with at the moment.
In the meantime my ATHelite club mates went out in horrendous conditions today to complete the Standard & Mid distance triathlon. Freezing cold water, howling wind and rain on a tough bike course. Sound horrible but I wish I was there. Well done to everyone who braved the conditions. It will sent you up nicely for the rest of the season. Enjoy your training and I'll see you at a start line next year. I 've got a lot of work to do.
A change of attitude and approach is required. For too long my posts have been more like a report from an A&E department. It's understandable but frustrating. I picked up my new orthotics and had a bit of extra treatment for my Plantar Fasciitis - my podiatrist stuck his thumb into the gristle in my arch and gave it a "kicking" - very pleasant, not!
On Saturday I went for a 4.2km run to test out the new orthotics. They certainly gave me additional support and I wasn't in any pain while I ran. I was aware of a small amount of discomfort on the top of my foot but later on the PF started to ache. The new orthotics are to sort the problem on the top of my foot (Lisfranc mid-foot injury) and it seemed ok so that's progress. I'm meeting my physio on Tuesday to see if we can sort the PF out because it's starting to really piss me off.
I met with my coach and she is in a similar position to me on going back to the beginning on training and building it up so hopefully we will get some running in together - I'm avoiding my club mates because they are coming into their peak fitness and don't need someone to hold them back.
As a result I have reset my goals for the season based around getting healthy and fit. I am ignoring the race schedule as each one I have to drop out of, 3 so far this year, just makes me feel crap. Get the foot sorted and building my fitness and strength back is my priority. This will help silence the chimp in my head who has plenty of material to work with at the moment.
In the meantime my ATHelite club mates went out in horrendous conditions today to complete the Standard & Mid distance triathlon. Freezing cold water, howling wind and rain on a tough bike course. Sound horrible but I wish I was there. Well done to everyone who braved the conditions. It will sent you up nicely for the rest of the season. Enjoy your training and I'll see you at a start line next year. I 've got a lot of work to do.
Monday, 11 May 2015
Extreme training!
It's been a week of extreme training. Pushing my body to the limit while trying to perform at the highest level. The warm up was two days at a business retreat at St Andrews - no seriously it was business and didn't involve golf. But there was the odd glass or two of wine. This was very deliberate as it was preparing my body for the extreme training ahead.
On Thursday a 4.15am start and off to the airport to meet with my team mates for the annual "Stryder Cup" in Portugal. 3 days of intense, nail biting golf followed by food and.....the odd glass of wine! The nutrition programme started off at 6.30 am with a full Scottish Breakfast and a pint of Guinness. I only do this once a year and most of the time I am walking through the airport at this time looking over at the noisy crowd and wondering how can you drink at 6.30am? Now I'm wondering WHY did I drink at 6.30am?
Our organiser had gone to extra lengths this year and on top of 2 (out of 3) superb golf courses he had arranged for the Miss Teenager Universe Portugal 2015 to be hosted at our hotel and for the contestants to be staying there the whole time we were there. Now before you start getting the wrong idea, I have a teenage daughter as did a lot of the players so we were very well behaved. But watching them at breakfast, lunch & dinner walking up to the buffet was hilarious as they did it "cat walk" style. Sadly they didn't crack a smile and it's not something that looks much fun.
Back to the golf. I was captain of my team and am delighted to say we won comfortably although the individual games were tight. Now you might not think golfers are athletes but 5 hours plus in the afternoon heat when you've been out to the very small hours the night before takes dedication and mental toughness!
Back home now and hopefully this week I'll get the orthotics sorted out so I can start running to shed a few of the extra pounds that have gone on unless the weight is muscle from the strenuous activity of golf!
On Thursday a 4.15am start and off to the airport to meet with my team mates for the annual "Stryder Cup" in Portugal. 3 days of intense, nail biting golf followed by food and.....the odd glass of wine! The nutrition programme started off at 6.30 am with a full Scottish Breakfast and a pint of Guinness. I only do this once a year and most of the time I am walking through the airport at this time looking over at the noisy crowd and wondering how can you drink at 6.30am? Now I'm wondering WHY did I drink at 6.30am?
Our organiser had gone to extra lengths this year and on top of 2 (out of 3) superb golf courses he had arranged for the Miss Teenager Universe Portugal 2015 to be hosted at our hotel and for the contestants to be staying there the whole time we were there. Now before you start getting the wrong idea, I have a teenage daughter as did a lot of the players so we were very well behaved. But watching them at breakfast, lunch & dinner walking up to the buffet was hilarious as they did it "cat walk" style. Sadly they didn't crack a smile and it's not something that looks much fun.
Back to the golf. I was captain of my team and am delighted to say we won comfortably although the individual games were tight. Now you might not think golfers are athletes but 5 hours plus in the afternoon heat when you've been out to the very small hours the night before takes dedication and mental toughness!
Back home now and hopefully this week I'll get the orthotics sorted out so I can start running to shed a few of the extra pounds that have gone on unless the weight is muscle from the strenuous activity of golf!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
