Today I cycled round the Isle of Arran in a figure of 8. Arran is a beautiful island off the west coast of Scotland and is known as Scotland in minature as it has the highlands in the north and the lowlands in the south. Doing it this way is about 70 miles and it involves some serious climbs, long undulating stretches and some scary decents due to the condition of the road.
I was cycling with 3 pals who will all be doing the Bealach Mor and managed to hold my own until the last 4 miles when they left me for dead. I was pleased with my performance but it shows I need more hill work over the next month.
If you haven't visited Arran then make sure you do. It has everything and I loved the experience.
Have just finished dinner and having a couple of glasses of wine to ease the pain!
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Thursday, 4 August 2011
"Calm down dear"
That's a phrase that caused a few problems recently in Parliment but one I should listen to. I visited my coach following my blog yesterday to be reminded it wasn't that long ago I had completed the UK 70.3 Ironman and my body was still recovering. Hense the calm down dear comment!
I am tacking Arran on Saturday on the bike and looking forward to that, assuming it's not snowing - you never know. It should be a reasonable test and when I get back I will keep my focus on the bike. A friend of mine has completed the course on a number of occassions and says the BIG CLIMB (2,000 ft in 6 miles) takes him about 45 minutes and that the hairpin bends are steep - now that's going to be a real test!
It is vital that I don't train too hard when trying to recover as this only sets you back. Once the Bealach Mor is over I am having a month off training before I start my Ironman training for Lanza in May 2012.
I am tacking Arran on Saturday on the bike and looking forward to that, assuming it's not snowing - you never know. It should be a reasonable test and when I get back I will keep my focus on the bike. A friend of mine has completed the course on a number of occassions and says the BIG CLIMB (2,000 ft in 6 miles) takes him about 45 minutes and that the hairpin bends are steep - now that's going to be a real test!
It is vital that I don't train too hard when trying to recover as this only sets you back. Once the Bealach Mor is over I am having a month off training before I start my Ironman training for Lanza in May 2012.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Struggling
Yesterday I still didn't feel 100% so I did nothing, other than feel guilty about doing nothing! Today I had another long lie but at 7.15 I was trying to persuade myself to get up and get on the bike. I didn't want to but knew that missing another days training was a slippery slope.
I dragged myself up and onto the turbo trainer, the first time in about 6 months. It is an implement of torture but you have to block that thought out. I did a hill rep set due to my event in September. The sweat was pouring off me and at the end I felt light headed but was glad not to have turned over in bed.
Maintaining motivation for long periods of time is difficult and this underlines why I need to get my plan formalised with my coach for Lanza in May. That way I will have the focus required to reduce these periods of laziness and negativity but at the same time I appreciate that my body needed the rest. Just have to make sure I don't overdo the rest!
I dragged myself up and onto the turbo trainer, the first time in about 6 months. It is an implement of torture but you have to block that thought out. I did a hill rep set due to my event in September. The sweat was pouring off me and at the end I felt light headed but was glad not to have turned over in bed.
Maintaining motivation for long periods of time is difficult and this underlines why I need to get my plan formalised with my coach for Lanza in May. That way I will have the focus required to reduce these periods of laziness and negativity but at the same time I appreciate that my body needed the rest. Just have to make sure I don't overdo the rest!
Monday, 1 August 2011
Shattered
Today was my first 5.30 am rise to go swimming in at least 3 weeks. The pool was empty as Ironmen take their well earned rest. I was joined by another triathlete who needed some help with his swimming and this suited me so we just did some drills. I wasn't wanting to put my shoulder under too much pressure and even with this easy session I could feel a slight amount of discomfort.
It turns out Gareth, who will be doing Lanza Ironman with me, was in another lane but by the look on his face he's back in the pool too soon - more rest required. I was going to run tonight as it was a light session this morning but I feel shattered and rest is the order of the day so I avoid further injury and be fit for training tomorrow. Must listen to our body is fundamental to making it to the start line fit to compete.
It turns out Gareth, who will be doing Lanza Ironman with me, was in another lane but by the look on his face he's back in the pool too soon - more rest required. I was going to run tonight as it was a light session this morning but I feel shattered and rest is the order of the day so I avoid further injury and be fit for training tomorrow. Must listen to our body is fundamental to making it to the start line fit to compete.
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Encouragement & yoga
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!
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!
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"!
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