Early morning drop off at horse riding made me bump into a friend who was out running trying to get ready to do a sub 40 minute 10 k. Goals have a way of bringing out the best in you and he looked in good shape. I had a quick chat as I drove past and was delighted when he said he kept up on my blog and to keep the training up. A nice reminder that encouragement lifts your spirits.
The rest of the day was spent on family duties but this evening my wife started me back on my yoga training. She's a very patient teacher especially as she needs to adapt the exercises for me as I am as stiff as a board. That's why it's so important that I continue
with this training to reduce the chances of injury, improve my flexibility and core strength. My daughter joined in and this only highlighted why I won't be making any public appearances at a yoga class. I sweated buckets following the instructions and then went off for a shower leaving the bendy girls to continue some more strenuous exercises! Its great having a yoga teacher for a wife - I just hope I don't try her patience too much!
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Saturday, 30 July 2011
Preparing for Bealach Mor
It was important that I increased my mileage on the bike as I have a couple of lengthy rides coming up in preparation for September, so I need "miles in the legs". Today I cycled with 3 of the ATHelite team and managed 51 miles. We took in some good hills so when I got back I knew I had worked hard.
However a lot more to be done because on 4th Sept I will be cycling 90 miles and when you're half way through you have to climb 2,000 ft in a 6 mile stretch. I can't imagine what that will be like except probably the hardest bike ride of my short 3 year career! So many more miles and hills to conquer in the coming month.
Tomorrow I'm "touchline dad" as the football season has started and I'll be supporting Ali. So it's a day off, well sort of. There's an outside chance I may have a 10k run later on but we'll see how I feel.
However a lot more to be done because on 4th Sept I will be cycling 90 miles and when you're half way through you have to climb 2,000 ft in a 6 mile stretch. I can't imagine what that will be like except probably the hardest bike ride of my short 3 year career! So many more miles and hills to conquer in the coming month.
Tomorrow I'm "touchline dad" as the football season has started and I'll be supporting Ali. So it's a day off, well sort of. There's an outside chance I may have a 10k run later on but we'll see how I feel.
Friday, 29 July 2011
Tougher than ironman?
As my wife is away for a few days yoga, I'm looking after the kids. So while trying to work from home, I double as a regular taxi driver to the golf, the shops, horse riding and swimming. I have to get the shopping and prepare dinner at 2 different times while catering for one semi-vegetarian! It's now 9pm and I'm sitting down for the first time.
So no training today although I feel I've been through a major workout. Tomorrow morning, after the drop off to the horse riding and before the shopping for new trainers for my son, I'll squeeze in a 3 hour training session.
No wonder my wife does yoga to recover from running a house and kids - on a full-time basis it's possibly tougher than ironman but don't tell her I said so"!
So no training today although I feel I've been through a major workout. Tomorrow morning, after the drop off to the horse riding and before the shopping for new trainers for my son, I'll squeeze in a 3 hour training session.
No wonder my wife does yoga to recover from running a house and kids - on a full-time basis it's possibly tougher than ironman but don't tell her I said so"!
Thursday, 28 July 2011
Train to eat!
I am one of the lucky ones as far as weight is concerned although some better floatation aids would help my buoyancy in the pool! So tonight after a fast 10 k run and then off to watch the end of my son's first training session after his injury, I went to the CHIP SHOP. A fish supper followed by Equi's ice cream and a couple of Becks. The great thing about triathlon training is that you can eat what you want, to an extent.
The majority of my time I eat healthily but today I needed some rubbish and I had a feast. If you like eating but are worried about your weight, pull on your running shoes, get on your bike or get in the pool.
The majority of my time I eat healthily but today I needed some rubbish and I had a feast. If you like eating but are worried about your weight, pull on your running shoes, get on your bike or get in the pool.
Bike focus
As promised the focus is on the bike until 4 Sept but I'll still be having the odd swim and a few more runs. Yesterday the physio pointed out that my swimming had resulted in being stronger on the front of my body than the back and therefore my shoulders were being pulled forward causing discomfort. So now I have a serious of exercises to sort it out and I will be back swimming next week. It just shows how you need to balance the training to avoid injury and if you have a niggle, get it sorted by a pro immediately.
Last night I went out for a fast 23 miles on the bike with hill climbing. Speed was good and after 10 miles my legs felt fantastic. It was such a lovely night, 20 degrees and sunny so I could also enjoy the scenery when the sweat wasn't dripping in my eyes. On Saturday I will go out for at least a 50 mile cycle as the following weekend I am going out with a new bunch of cyclists who are taking part in the Bealach Mor and I don't want to be left behind on the hills!
Tonight will be my first "group" run with the ATHelite Tri Club since February when I pulled a hamstring muscle. Looking forward to it following my running in Portugal. With my 16 mile run around 6 parks on the south side of Glasgow at the end of October I need to keep my running up and this event will keep me motivated to run - I find it essential to have a goal to keep me focused on my training.
Last night I went out for a fast 23 miles on the bike with hill climbing. Speed was good and after 10 miles my legs felt fantastic. It was such a lovely night, 20 degrees and sunny so I could also enjoy the scenery when the sweat wasn't dripping in my eyes. On Saturday I will go out for at least a 50 mile cycle as the following weekend I am going out with a new bunch of cyclists who are taking part in the Bealach Mor and I don't want to be left behind on the hills!
Tonight will be my first "group" run with the ATHelite Tri Club since February when I pulled a hamstring muscle. Looking forward to it following my running in Portugal. With my 16 mile run around 6 parks on the south side of Glasgow at the end of October I need to keep my running up and this event will keep me motivated to run - I find it essential to have a goal to keep me focused on my training.
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Final run
It's been a great break with the family in the sun and we will all come back relaxed with a tan. I've surprised myself by running 10 km every other day and had my last run early this morning. Running along the beach was really hard as the tide was going out and the sand was soft and wet but it beats running in the wind and rain back home. Straight into the pool when I got back and now for some breakfast - it wold be nice is someone else was up!
So I've coped with the heat but was grateful for the wind. Lanzarote should be no different. I've enjoyed the running so much I've entered a 16 mile race around 6 parks on the south side of Glasgow at the end of October. This will keep me motivated to run while my main focus will be cycling. Home soon enough, can't wait for a decent cup of tea!
So I've coped with the heat but was grateful for the wind. Lanzarote should be no different. I've enjoyed the running so much I've entered a 16 mile race around 6 parks on the south side of Glasgow at the end of October. This will keep me motivated to run while my main focus will be cycling. Home soon enough, can't wait for a decent cup of tea!
Friday, 22 July 2011
Change of scenery
Yesterday my son Jamie arrived, 2 days late having been Ill and so the whole family could enjoy the rest of the holiday. I am sure claiming on the holiday insurance for the flight will result in 6 months of wasted effort but that's something to look forward to when I return.
In the meantime I am enjoying the change of scenery when running. Leaving the resort onto the beach and running beside the waves as they come in is great although running on sand isn't easy unless is packed hard. Then up through the village of Sagres. We deliberately decided to come to the far end of Portugal as it isn't overly commercialised, yet. Give it 10 years. So running through the village you pass the old men in their caps having coffee at the side of the road - do they do anything else I wonder? Then out to the end of the cliffs where the fortress is. The other day we went out by car but had to step back from near the cliff top for the fear of being blown over. It was only through me going for a run that we discovered the hear of the village and have been back on a regular basis to eat there. Getting off the regular track and having a change of scenery is to be recommended. I also managed my fastest 6 miles yet knocking 2 minutes off but I didn't need my watch to tell me that - I didn't cool down until I had 2 showers.
In the meantime I am enjoying the change of scenery when running. Leaving the resort onto the beach and running beside the waves as they come in is great although running on sand isn't easy unless is packed hard. Then up through the village of Sagres. We deliberately decided to come to the far end of Portugal as it isn't overly commercialised, yet. Give it 10 years. So running through the village you pass the old men in their caps having coffee at the side of the road - do they do anything else I wonder? Then out to the end of the cliffs where the fortress is. The other day we went out by car but had to step back from near the cliff top for the fear of being blown over. It was only through me going for a run that we discovered the hear of the village and have been back on a regular basis to eat there. Getting off the regular track and having a change of scenery is to be recommended. I also managed my fastest 6 miles yet knocking 2 minutes off but I didn't need my watch to tell me that - I didn't cool down until I had 2 showers.
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