Smell the roses

Today was an extra "rest" day as I was in charge of the kids, if that's possible.  I also had a funeral to attend and although these are usually sad occasions, this was a celebration of a colourful and successful life in all ways.  A fiddle orchestra played at the service and I've never tapped my feet before at a funeral or wanted to clap - that's the way to go, have a shindig!  But it also made me realise that we should enjoy every day and take time to smell the roses.  So when the hailstones are smashing into your face and your feet are like blocks of ice on the bike, just be grateful you are fit enough to be taking part in life.  Enjoy every moment.

If it sounds too good to be true....

...it usually is.  The swim warm up was cut to 300m this morning.  Great I thought.  WRONG.  We then did 3 x 1,000m.  Sounds worse than it was as it lets you get into a rhythm but it was still a challenge mentally.  Lots of stretching required with the shoulders as they were starting to protest as I tried to put my jacket on.  Watch out for my blog next Wednesday as there is a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT coming up!

Blown away

Well the plans for today changed due to the weather and a sports massage.  The weather was headline news and I was pleased to see that common sense took over for the tri club and they cancelled the group run.  Trees were being blown down and a lorry overturned in my town so perhaps a sensible move.  However I had forgotten I had an appointment with Grant for a sports massage.  As I am not training at ironman level currently I thought it wouldn't be too bad - think again.  Aaaaaaaaaagggggggggggooooooonnnnnnyyyyyyyyy!  Having a tree fall on me would have caused less pain but it's an essential part of the training making sure the muscles in your legs are not knotted.  I just need to keep stretching and go back and see him on a regular basis.  Can't wait!

Double dip

..no not the recession.  This morning I had a lesson from a friend of mine who swam for Canada.  He summed up my swimming after 2 lengths - stiff!  In 20 minutes I had a few tips to go away and work on.  I didn't have to wait long to put them into practice.  Tonight was a group training session where we covered 2,200m.  Perhaps it was my imagination but I thought the tips had paid off.  Also a month ago this distance would have been hard but following the 3,000m on Monday it was "comfortable" - can't say easy in case my coach reads it and hammers me!
Running tomorrow with the group which will be my first group run in 2 months - can't wait as this is my chance to shine while some of the good swimmers will find in more difficult.  This isn't me being competitive, just enjoying playing to my strength.

Western v Eastern thinking

Long lie this morning and boy did I need it!  This is my official rest day to allow my body to recover and it gives me time to think.  In the west we are taught to work on our strengths but in the east they work on their weaknesses.  A good example of this is when I studied Karate and we were always encouraged to work on our weaknesses based on eastern thinking.  The example I always use is you may have the best punch in the world however if you have no defense i.e. a block to protect yourself you might never get the opportunity to use it.  Why am I writing this today?  Well I was reflecting on Andy Murrays result at the weekend (note I didn't say loss).  Andy's strength is his variety of shots but this is also his weakness.  Sometime keeping the strategy simple produces the best results.  Every training session, every result is one closer to your objective.  So tomorrow I will start to work again on my weaknesses knowing I'm one step closer to my objective!

Almost gave up!

To finish the weekend off we went to see the Waterboys perform in concert last night so it was another late night - this weekend was not normal, I don't want you to think I have a busy social life!  So 7am in the pool started with the usual 500m warm up - felt as though I had woken up, 200m kick drill - starting to struggle followed by the main set; 600m, 500m, 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m with reducing rests in between.  Half way through the 600m I felt like giving up but then thought "what will I say in my blog?".  So I presevered and got over the mental demons thanks to you.  The followers who will rightly so give me a hard time if I was to step off the "train".  It did feel like I'd achieved something and I will benefit from this in my first race in June.
Now recovering with chocolate milk, bananas, nuts and raisins to get fuel in the system to build back my energy.  Taking tomorrow off from training so I can rest.  Have a good day and hope you are all still working towards your goals?

Fit for life

I'm writing this blog from the comfort of my couch while watching the footie.  Now before you think I have wimped out of this weekends training this break is my recovery following my 13k run this afternoon - an essential part if training.  I was particularly pleased as it follows a hectic social life - we finished our ceilidh last night at 2.30am and had to get back this morning for my sons football match at 10am.  My heart rate was within the limits and my speed was good. 
Last night I met some very successful people who had extremely busy lives and following our discussion they have promised to set some goals around biathlon and triathlon because they realise that being fit for life helps all aspects of your life.  Missionironman continues to spread the word!