No longer a happy hooker!

On Tuesday I played golf - badly.  I hooked everything off the tee.  No I really shouldn't complain as I don't invest any time in practicing and have hardly played this year but when you have a stationery object aiming to hit at a stationery target - how hard can it be?  Well today I played some more business golf and was delighted to be hitting the ball straight again.  What a joy.  In addition my objective was to get my host to agree to certain action which he did so it was a win win putting a bounce back in my step.
I know my fellow triathletes mock the game of golf but you'd need to go a long way to find a game that is played in between your ears!  As far as a decent drive and a five iron I'd say. 
Tomorrow back to the last serious training before I start my "tapering" for the following weekends event.

Early morning disco

Remember disco's? That word dates us all but my kids would laugh if they heard me use it. Anyway at 5.50 this morning I was boogying on down while sweating like a pig wearing tight clothing - just like a disco but I was on my turbo trainer. It's amazing the level of workout you can get up to in a structured hours training - that's the key, having a plan, sticking to it and monitoring the results.
Jumped in the shower and then made myself some porage (scottish spelling)and all done before the kids got up. Yes morning training definitely works for me. Now off to work.

Sometimes life can get in the way

With all the best intentions I was going to train today.  I usually train in the early morning but I took the extra sleep.  Following the blues yesterday today was much better.  I got through so much work today but had to leave early for my son.  That's when it all started.  From 4 - 9.30pm I was involved in shopping, making the dinner, sorting my sons CV and helping apply for his first job, picking him up from a friends house - all normal activities for most people.  But bang went the scheduled training which had been postponed from the morning.  Then my wife and I had a glass of wine and off to bed as tomorrow I WILL get up early and put in my training session.  That explains why it's better for me to train at 5.30am because sometimes life can get in the way!  This lackadaisical approach will change come October when the Ironman training starts and then there's no excuses.

More blues

I had the pleasure of playing golf on The Carrick on Loch Lomond. A beautiful course in one of the most scenic parts of Scotland.  The service from the minute I arrived was 1st class but unfortunately that didn't rub off on my golf - it was poor.  I shouldn't complain as I haven't exactly had the time to practice and looking at it positively I was consistent - I hooked everything so the error was the same one.  Better that than spraying them every where.  But I still had fun and won a minor prize which is better than a slap in the face with a wet fish.
I left early, before the prize giving, to rush to watch my sons 1st league match of the year.  That is when the blues set in watching them play way below their potential.  Standing on the sidelines isn't easy and you feel totally out of control.  Add to this the opposition parents shouting abuse at us and the referee being a great advert for specsavers and was on remote control to the opposition coaches and you get the drift.  In the end our team, and our coaches, just weren't good enough but when the breaks go against you, you have to brush yourself down and make sure you don't find yourself in that position again.  I'm not saying you need to win everything, just give yourself the best chance.  Back to training tomorrow and I think I will feel better, more in control.

Monday morning blues

I am writing this blog while holding for the Garmin Help Desk to answer their phone - I've only been holding for 25 minutes and hope by the time I finished typing I won't be listening to plinky plonk piano music that makes me think I'm in an elevator!
It's been a terrible start today.  I woke with my ham string threatening me with divorce if I went swimming so I decided to take the rest.  That proved costly as knocked out of my routine I stopped for diesel at a different garage and proceeded to fill my car with petrol!  Full marks to The Cross Garage in Stonehouse who were there in minutes and gave me a courtesy car to let me get on with my day - now there's service.  Not like Garmin who I am still waiting for!
But I need to apply an Ironman attitude and amend my plans and get the best result out of the day possible because that wee repair will cost, even at Davie's rates.  As for Garmin, wait they've answered the phone.  Well it's fixed and in total that took 42 minutes and no apology - should have known better.  Hopefully I won't need to do that again for a long time!  Onwards and upwards.

Company on the run

Today was the Strathaven 50 cycle (and run!) race.  However as I was attending Ali's golf club championships I didn't have enough time to take part so I decided to sneak in a quick 9.5 mile run.  I've only run once in the last month and that was only 3 miles so stepping up the mileage on legs that has 59 miles of cycling in the day before was going to be tough.  I'm delighted to say I was happy with the pace although the last mile was sore and I think my left ham string is going to need some tlc over the next couple of days.  I cheered on the riders as they went past and I am sue some thought I was running in the race but that's not on my agenda for a few years yet, if ever.
So a good hard weekends training and next week will involve some swimming which will help loosen of my ham string, some cycling and two games of golf (business golf you understand)!  As for Ali he did reasonably well but had there being a prize for brightest golf outfit he'd have one it hands down as he looked like he'd been tangoed!

...and the hills get bigger!

Today I was out with the Bat Fasterds Cycling Group that are preparing for the Bealach Mor with me.  They took me through some nice countryside, then down the coast where we got lost of verbal abuse from ar**hole drivers who had no patience.  Then we hit "the monster hill".  The Dalry Moor Road.  Every time you think you've reached the top you turn a corner and the hill continues.  It was an excellent work out.  So 59 miles in the legs today at a good pace. 
Later I went for a sports massage with "Grant the torturer"!  He took it reasonably easy as I had been cycling that day but I enjoyed watching my son Ali have his first sports massage.  Surprised that the police didn't turn up with the screams that came from him - even got it on video.  It turns out he needs to do some more stretching - point proven and money well spent!