Bad weather forecast

I've been travelling for the last 2 days but before I flew off I did a quick 10k run in the morning to try and sort my legs out or to be more accurate my glutes as they were complaining after my bike ride.  So at 5.50 am on Wed I set off in a beautiful sunny day but had to wrap up as there was a frost on the grass and mist down by the river.  I also knew that the good spell of weather was going to break so I had to get out there.
The glutes felt great but my quads knew they had worked hard so they were grateful for the day off today.  Back in the pool tomorrow as it's not warm enough for open water swimming which they tried out last week.  Apparently the extremities were a bit nippy!
Neil's been out on his bike and managed 6km - great effort for his first real go on the bike.  He needs to cycle three times a week to build it up and with the start of his triathlon 31 days away there is no time for slacking!

A day of 2 halves

A phrase borrowed and slightly amended from football.  I said the training was going to increase so this morning took to the pool at 7am for my first swim in 13 days, and it showed.  The group were all tired so we went for an easy session.  Including my warm up, which was slightly more as I got in first, we did a total of 2km and it wasn't fast.  I got out feeling totally drained, light headed and feeling sick.  Fortunately my 5.40 am porage didn't make a reappearance but I didn't feel good.  An hour later two coffees and a fruit scone with jam and clotted cream boosted my sugar levels and I began to feel human again. 
Later on in the day I went our for a 45 mile bike ride.  The first half was great but then I realised the way home would be into wind.  My average speed was 15.3 mph which is the norm and I can't seem to improve on this but will over the summer.  This is more like the training I need to get ready for IM 70.3 UK.
I'm now showered, fed, watered and watching the football but my bum is complaining - it had better get used to it as there is more pain to come!
Neil's going out on his bike tonight so I'll report back on how he got on.

Watch out Lance!

Dropped off Neil's bike to him tonight and he took to it like a duck to water!  Garreth from the tri club kindly supplied a slick road bike and they can be a bit twitchy to a less experienced rider.  So now Neil has one month to finalise his training for the big day so I'll be drawing up a revised programme to help him.  He has managed most of the training on his own which shows he is determined to succeed.  This is helped by the support from the head coach Maz (his wife) and everyone who has sponsored him - he's raised over £900 so far for Friends of the Beatson http://www.justgiving.com/neil-sutherland .
Tomorrow I'm back in the pool having taken a few days off to recover from the Highland Fling.  I have a lot of work to do between now and the UK IM 70.3 .

New experience

Yesterday was an unbelievable day in every sense.  This was the sunniest day without a cloud in sight.  The race followed the West Highland Way route from Milngavie (north of Glasgow) to Tyndrum which includes going along the side of Loch Lomond which I have never seem more beautiful.  As expected my Garmin watch gave up before the start so I had nothing to judge my progress.  I went off too fast but had to stay up with the group as it was easy to get lost in the beginning
The first leg was only 12 miles but cross country with lots of uneven footing.  A previous years winner tripped, required 10 stitches and had to retire.   Another runner was airlifted out with a suspected heart attack after stage 2 - I'm sure the heat was a factor.
I was happy with my time of 1hr 40 mins but felt a "cheat" as people congratulated us as we went past thinking we were fast but this is in comparison to the "ultra" runners that were completing the 53 miles on their own so therefore taking slower.  I was amazed at the age of a large majority of the ultra runners i.e. 40 + and they came in all shapes and sizes.  It made me think what a wimp I was being knackered after 12 miles but then I had given 100% knowing that was the finish, for me.  Being part of a 4 man team was great as we all mucked in support each other through the race.  Finished with fish and chips and headed home for a "wee dram" to send me off to sleep.  Rest day today, back training tomorrow as the etape 81 mile bike race is only 2 weeks away!

MIS

My Management Information System (MIS) is down.  With 13 hours to go I am finalising my preparations for tomorrows Highland Fling - cross country half marathon.  My foot pod which gives vital information to my watch about my pace had been playing up and I was hoping to sort it but it's beyond fixing.  Well at least I've got my watch and heart rate monitor but the read out on the watch is fading in and out......bugger.  Looks like I'm going to have to run a route I've never run before, off road which I've never done before and pace myself based on how I feel.

I have mentioned in the past that measurements are important as they help you measure your progress.  But occasionally you need to ignore the readings and feel how you are doing and tomorrow I don't have any choice.  So I will be entering new territory with a positive frame of mind.  It's only 13 miles so I'm going to give it my very best.  I'll report back on Sunday as I am away all day supporting my three team mates who are doing the other stages.

Anyone for a Highland Fling?

Yesterday I spent 17 hours in hospital with my son who was getting an operation on his ankle - so he's now out of action for 3 months.  I was thinking how frustrating that must be not being able to take part in exercise when I jumped out of bed this morning for a quick and short run, just to make sure the legs were working for the weekend - more of that in a minute.  At 6.06am it was 4 degrees outside but the sunniest day this year, it was beautiful.  But the last couple of miles were slightly uncomfortable as I'd forgotten to go to the loo before leaving.  Palates on the move (cheek clenching!) I call it but fortunately I made it, just!
I also received a call yesterday to say my services were needed for the Highland Fling on Saturday.  This is a 53 mile ultra marathon on the West Highland Way, Milngavie to Tyndrum.  I am part of a four man relay team therefore doing a half marathon cross country.  Not exactly the preparation I would have put in had I known I was definitely doing it but it should be fun.  I am running the last section (Ben Glas to Tyndrum) which is stunning scenery so I am really looking forward to it.  So another easy day tomorrow to conserve my energy.

Mans best friend?

Yesterday I skipped training and played golf with my son as its his last game for a few months as he is going in for an ankle operation tomorrow.  It was fantastic weather again and the golf was slightly better than the day before which shows the benefit of practice!  So when the weather continued I took the opportunity to go out for a couple of hours on the bike in the early evening - the benefits of this time of year.
I avoided the busy roads and travelled 50 km through beautiful countryside.  The birds were singing, the lambs running riot in groups and then there was a bloody sheep dog.  I was approaching the top of the hill when I was ambushed by the dirty mutt.  It chased me for 200 yards and my heart rate shot up from 150 to 165 in an instant.  I suppose practicing sprints is good for the fitness but I don't want teeth marks on my ankle or to crash and get injured.  I'll be ready for it next time although I think it will be tougher than the Jack Russell I had a run in with before.