Close call

Today I went for a longer than normal run to get some mileage in my legs as I am potentially running a half marathon for a team taking part in the Highland Fling at the end of the month - I'm the sub runner.  So I completed a hilly 20 km (13 miles) in 1hr 38 mins and was happy especially as I had a wee accident with 5km to go.  I was running on a narrow B road and there was two cars approaching from opposite sides.  I moved over to the side of the road and went over on my ankle landing straight in a puddle at the side of the road - 2 grazed knees and a grazed hand.  If that wasn't bad enough it was in full view of a double ironman and a 2 time completer of the Marathon De Sables!  They ran the next 2 km with me before they went off into the wilderness as they were out for a long run.  It just goes to show how easy you can be ruled out with an injury and how you must concentrate all the time.  The ankle seems fine but I will switch to swimming for the next couple of days to give it a rest.

Brick session

Brick sessions are good but hard at any time, but as I prepare for my first duathlon they are essential as it prepares my legs and my mind.  I ran for 2.64 km with a reasonable average pace, then cycled in really windy conditions for 20.25 km at around my average speed but good considering the wind.  I then got off the bike and ran 5.75 km a fraction slower than my fast run on Thursday so this was real progress based on what had gone before.
The mind part is for when you get off the bike with heavy legs, or at least that's how they feel as you start to run and from my house it's straight up hill!  But the marker is now down.  Longer run tomorrow then possibly a swim on Monday before leaving for Centre Parcs.  I'll be concentrating on my running when I'm there along with relaxing and the odd glass or six of wine as I relax with my wife.  I don't expect to see the kids for most of the break as they will have their friends to hang out with, unless they want fed or need money - nothing changes there then!

Time passes

What a busy week this has been as I try and get my fitness back to a decent level.  Wit h the Duathlon 2 weeks away my focus has changed to running and the bike.  On Tuesday I ran 10km, 1st real run in 3 months, in 48 minutes which for a starter on a hilly course is ok.  I am aiming to get much closer to 45 minutes by the time I do the UK 70.3 Ironman as the speed training will help my half marathon time.  I was then travelling for two days but when I got back I pulled on the running shoes and did a fast 5.7k run and felt good after it - progress.
Today was a 2,500m swim including 2 x 800m.  I am a few weeks away from getting back to my swim fitness.  I picked up my rear wheel which was being repaired so weather permitting I will be doing bike/run sessions.  It's great to have an even to aim for as it concentrates the mind.  Hope you're all out this weekend making giant steps towards your goal as our Neil is.  I'll catch up with him when I get back from a weeks holiday where I'll be working on my running.  By for now.

Too good to resist

I got home early from the office and as I had no kid duties (taxi service) until later and it was such a nice day I decided to go out for my first run in months (except my wee short effort in Lanza).  Running gives you time to think and look at spring all around you.  It also made me think how sport is so good for you.  It makes you feel food, encourages you to eat healthily (when I feel fit I'm like a pregnant woman craving for healthy food!) and it also can provide you with a life skill. 
Take my eldest son who is just turning 17.  He's sitting his highers but decided to sit his Life Guard Award so that he can get well paid part-time work in his final year at school.  He's fitter as a result, has successfully passed and has a job interview for a life guard post on Wednesday.  If he hadn't had the goal of earning some money or having a plan "B" if things don't work out, he'd never have bothered getting in the pool.  So the moral of the story is, getting fit can have additional benefits and setting the goal in the first place will increase you chances of success.  If nothing else he can save me when I am struggling in the pool!

Fire Alarm

Was just getting into the session in the pool this morning when we were ushered out of the pool due to a fire alarm.  At least they didn't make us stand outside but it did cut the session short.  My focus will shift over the next 2 weeks to running and cycling as I have the Ayr Duathlon (5km run, 20km bike, 5km run).  The ATHelite team competed in the Stirling Duathlon on Sunday (10km run, 40km bike, 5km run) and were saying how tough it was - not for Gen who came in 3rd in the ladies!  Mixing up the disciplines requires practice so it will be bike/run seesions for me for the next 3 weeks and I'll use the swimming to give my legs a break.

Age & attitude

I am constantly talking to people about goal setting, what they want to achieve out of life and explaning why I am doing these various challenges (because they think I'm mad!).  The other day I was speaking to a friend in his early 50's and he had effectively given up on any type of fitness and was having difficulty coming to terms with how he is now compared to in his youth when he regularly played sport to a good level.   This is something we all face and my view is that we must get over it and set realistic goals - we don't stay 18 forever.
My advice, if you're interested, is if you want to lose weight or get fitter or reinvigurate yourself then you need to make a real commitment, create a plan and deliver it - it helps if you set the goal based round an event and link it to raising money for a good cause.  But that requires the attitude of can do rather than thinking in your 50's your active days are over.  When I was in Lanzarote cycling there were some exceptionally fit cyclists in their 50's and the best part was they loved getting out on their bike.  Spring has spung and if your feeling you need to do something give the old bike a clean up and get out into the countryside.  Have fun and remember your age is determined by your attitude.

Puffed out

7am in the pool and joined by 2 ATHelite's.  Fortunately as one of them was preparing for a duathlon this weekend and I was meant to be on a rest week we opted for drills which helped me improve my swimming technique which I had seemed to have lost.  Then we did 100m efforts but I had to bail out after 5 as I am not fully swim fit and still recovering from Lanza.
When you're fit it is easier to shut down the negative voice telling you to stop but when you are puffing and panting it is more difficult.  Perhaps that was what Neil was trying to say to me last night if he had been able to speak!  Normal service will be resumed next week.