Turned over as the alarm went off at 6am and reset it for 7.30am - this is something I never do but thought if I needed the sleep I would go over. Next minute it was 7.30am so good decision, I'll run late afternoon I thought. So busy day, then took my son to the physio and thought I would get out for a run. Then I realised that as my wife doesn't get back from her 6 day yoga in New York till tomorrow, I had to take my daughter to her music lesson, buy and make the dinner.
I do appreciate my wife is obviously "wonder woman" as she takes these things in her stride while helping me run the business but I have made an executive decision to have another days rest and go running at 5.30am tomorrow morning before I pick her up at the airport. That reminds me I'll need to book granny to take the kids to school tomorrow. Conclusion: runing a business and training for Ironman is easier that running a house and family - but don't let on to my wife! Now how do you work this hoovery type thing............
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Monday, 16 May 2011
Rest day
Was really pleased to wake up with no aches or pains after yesterdays race. I also had some time to study the data and was delighted to have achieved an average speed of 17.05 mph - that's my best ever and to sustain it for 4hrs 42 mins and 59 secs (the official time) in that wind makes me realise it was worth the effort. Today I will give my body a day to recover before starting again tomorrow.
I often talk about goals being relative. On checking the results I came 1909th out of 5,500 and 222nd in my age category. Now there are no prizes that far down the ranking but that wasn't my goal and this is what is vital for anyone setting a goal. It's what it means to you and the other day I sponsored the supervisor in the local bakery who is doing a 5km walk. When she asked she said "it's not like it's a 10 km run" (meaning difficult) but her goal is raising money for charity and that should be encouraged.
This week I'll catch up with Neil (aka Mr Baldy) who is on the run down to his first triathlon after his brave battle against cancer. I'll report back but I know you will all be willing him on in the Stirling Novice Triathlon on June 5th. In triathlon we say the first achievement is getting to the start line. The beer will be chilled and waiting for him at the finish line and we know that, plus all his screaming supporters and his determination, will get him over the line.
I often talk about goals being relative. On checking the results I came 1909th out of 5,500 and 222nd in my age category. Now there are no prizes that far down the ranking but that wasn't my goal and this is what is vital for anyone setting a goal. It's what it means to you and the other day I sponsored the supervisor in the local bakery who is doing a 5km walk. When she asked she said "it's not like it's a 10 km run" (meaning difficult) but her goal is raising money for charity and that should be encouraged.
This week I'll catch up with Neil (aka Mr Baldy) who is on the run down to his first triathlon after his brave battle against cancer. I'll report back but I know you will all be willing him on in the Stirling Novice Triathlon on June 5th. In triathlon we say the first achievement is getting to the start line. The beer will be chilled and waiting for him at the finish line and we know that, plus all his screaming supporters and his determination, will get him over the line.
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Etape Caledonia
Today I revisited the Etape Caledonia race having completed it last year for the first time. 5,500 cyclists from all over the UK and Europe compete in the only closed road race in the UK. Its a hilly 81 miles and it was made more difficult than normal by a strong wind - the first 30 miles were straight into wind!
It required me to travel up the night before and get up at 4.45am to be there in time to have everything prepared. That includes queueing 20 mins for the toilet and next time I'll bring my own loo roll as the majority of the portaloos had run out. Too much detail I hear you say but the point I am making is that I learn something new every time I race - sometimes the hard way!
There were a few people taken off the course by ambulance which underlines how you must give the course your full concentration. The crowds were amazing as we were cheered all the way round. My target was 4 hrs 30 / 45 mins. not allowing for the wind and I came in on 4hrs 43 mins so very pleased with the result. Then I bumped into one of the real cyclists from Lanzarote who came in 3rd in 3hrs and 22 mins! What a star. Another of that crowd came in just under 3 hrs 30 mins. At the end of the day you set your own goals based on what you think you are capable of.
Finally a colleague of mine entered the race and was in it just to finish - he had his doubts. During his training he shed some weight which was one of his goals and completed the course in 5hrs 41 mins which is a fantastic result. It just goes to show what you can do when you put your mind to it and I'm looking forward to see what's next on his list as he can build on this result.
It required me to travel up the night before and get up at 4.45am to be there in time to have everything prepared. That includes queueing 20 mins for the toilet and next time I'll bring my own loo roll as the majority of the portaloos had run out. Too much detail I hear you say but the point I am making is that I learn something new every time I race - sometimes the hard way!
There were a few people taken off the course by ambulance which underlines how you must give the course your full concentration. The crowds were amazing as we were cheered all the way round. My target was 4 hrs 30 / 45 mins. not allowing for the wind and I came in on 4hrs 43 mins so very pleased with the result. Then I bumped into one of the real cyclists from Lanzarote who came in 3rd in 3hrs and 22 mins! What a star. Another of that crowd came in just under 3 hrs 30 mins. At the end of the day you set your own goals based on what you think you are capable of.
Finally a colleague of mine entered the race and was in it just to finish - he had his doubts. During his training he shed some weight which was one of his goals and completed the course in 5hrs 41 mins which is a fantastic result. It just goes to show what you can do when you put your mind to it and I'm looking forward to see what's next on his list as he can build on this result.
Friday, 13 May 2011
1st open water swim
Tonight I went for my 1st open water swim of the season. With only five weeks to go I need the practice as it is different from swimming in a pool - no blue line to follow! The water was so cold I had to wear swimming socks and a neoprene swim cap with chin band. I don't care what it looked like but without that, and the wetsuit of course, I wouldn't have been able to get into the water.
I knew in advance that it wasn't going to be pleasant. When you face goes under the water the cold literally takes your breath away. You feel that your wetsuit constricts your chest, your heart races and your breathing is all over the place. If you don't site every 4 strokes, that is look at an object on the horizon, you go off course and take a much longer route. And despite knowing your ok there is an element of panic. So a 600m swim feels a lot harder but I've been here before and know that after a few more outings I will be ready for the UK 70.3 IM 1.9km swim in the cold Wimbleball Lake.
I actually prefer the open water as there is no chlorine and the wetsuit makes up for my poor kicking by keeping me afloat. Just need to work on the different technique and get over the mental side of the open water swim. At least Nessie is in Loch Ness and I know Jaws is a rubber shark in Disney!
I knew in advance that it wasn't going to be pleasant. When you face goes under the water the cold literally takes your breath away. You feel that your wetsuit constricts your chest, your heart races and your breathing is all over the place. If you don't site every 4 strokes, that is look at an object on the horizon, you go off course and take a much longer route. And despite knowing your ok there is an element of panic. So a 600m swim feels a lot harder but I've been here before and know that after a few more outings I will be ready for the UK 70.3 IM 1.9km swim in the cold Wimbleball Lake.
I actually prefer the open water as there is no chlorine and the wetsuit makes up for my poor kicking by keeping me afloat. Just need to work on the different technique and get over the mental side of the open water swim. At least Nessie is in Loch Ness and I know Jaws is a rubber shark in Disney!
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Short and fast
Back in the pool after 2 hot days in London - the "rest" did me good as it allowed the body to recover from the hard weekend training. I had asked for some advice on how to get my cycling faster and was told it's the same as swimming and running. Basically you do shorter sessions but faster and this makes you faster over longer distances. So after a 500m warm up we did 18 x 100m in a set time for each 100m which includes a short rest (between 5 - 30 secs depending how quick you do it). Tough session but good and I am to adopt the same method in the bike which I really need to get quicker on, but not in the pool! I won't be using this technique in the running as my left hamstring would go on strike as it always does when I try and run too fast. My run time is acceptable anyway so I'll just work on the stamina. There's is always something to work on in triathlon which keeps it interesting.
Neil's enjoying the bike but I hear the walk/running has slipped so I'll be having words later. He's not in this for enjoyment! Great news is he has exceeded his charity fund raising target and thank you to everyone who supported him. If you haven't there is still time - www.justgiving.com/neil-sutherland .
Neil's enjoying the bike but I hear the walk/running has slipped so I'll be having words later. He's not in this for enjoyment! Great news is he has exceeded his charity fund raising target and thank you to everyone who supported him. If you haven't there is still time - www.justgiving.com/neil-sutherland .
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Building on the foundation
Today I felt, for the first time since IM last year, that I was building on a solid base of fitness. The hard work has started to pay off. Following yesterdays 63 mile bike I ran 13 miles today in my best time ever; 1hr 36 min 42 sec and this is on a hilly course. There are much faster runners around by I am concentrating on what I can do as there is little point in competing against real athletes or ones that are 15 - 20 years younger. Today the hills seemed smaller so I will continue in my journey which is mapped out before me and strive to achieve my goals.
Saturday, 7 May 2011
It's all about the bike
I took advantage of the good weather today and did a 4 hr, 60 mile session. Average speed of 15 mph is ok but considering the wind I came back into I was pleased with it. I felt tired and stiff getting off the bike but within 15 minutes was moving around fine. The thought of doing 112 mile bike then running a marathon, having swam 2.4 miles, doesn't compute but I don't need to concern myself with that till May 2012. My focus is on 19 June UK 70.3 IM and after the Etape 81 mile race my training will involve a lot of brick sessions i.e. bike then run.
As I've said before "a goal without a plan is just a wish". If you've got things you want to achieve in life then get them written down.
Sadly we lost Seve Ballesteros today at the age of 54. We've one life, live it and don't postpone things you wan to do or achieve saying "I'll do that when I get there". There doesn't exist, it keeps moving. Adios Seve.
As I've said before "a goal without a plan is just a wish". If you've got things you want to achieve in life then get them written down.
Sadly we lost Seve Ballesteros today at the age of 54. We've one life, live it and don't postpone things you wan to do or achieve saying "I'll do that when I get there". There doesn't exist, it keeps moving. Adios Seve.
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