Swim, massage, run & weights plus a full days work with travel meant I didn't have a spare minute. But the sports massage eased my legs and then I went for a run - not the normal order but what a difference it made to my running. It was so easy and without trying I was flying!
Then onto the weights and I had to increase my reps to take the muscles to exhaustion. Seemed like a good idea but I struggled to open the bottle of Prosecco and that would have been a disaster!
So a busy weekend of kids activities and training but I am looking forward to a bit of relaxation as well. Probably catching 40 winks in front of the telly.
Friday, 18 November 2011
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Seasonal change
The other day I had commented on how beautiful the weather was for running. Had I run this morning I would have said the same but I was away early on business so my training happened when I got home. A sweaty turbo session followed by a run. The weather was horrendous as I was blown up the hill and squelched my way up the pavement, picking out the puddles with my "davy lamp". Back home and a core session to finish.
I'm afraid that these are the conditions I will be training in for the next 3-4 months so I'm just going to have to "man up" and get on with it. As Billy Connolly said, Scotland doesn't have bad weather, you're just wearing the wrong clothes. So I will make sure I'm wrapped up, get my head down and convince myself that this will make me stronger!
I'm afraid that these are the conditions I will be training in for the next 3-4 months so I'm just going to have to "man up" and get on with it. As Billy Connolly said, Scotland doesn't have bad weather, you're just wearing the wrong clothes. So I will make sure I'm wrapped up, get my head down and convince myself that this will make me stronger!
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Technical difficulties
I have a problem with my rear tire in that I have ruined 3 inner tubes trying to get a tire to remain inflated. Today I was offered help from a fellow athlete and 5 seconds after the tyre was inflated it exploded. The inner tube was completely wrecked plus my trousers will probably have to go to the dry cleaners!
But I was lent a rear wheel which allowed me to take part in a group turbo session tonight. It was tough, not helped by the champagne from yesterday. I had a bit of a fuzzy head and was tired so it wasn't the best of condition to be training but I felt great afterwards. My recovery was steak, eggs, toast, milk and chocolate. So I'm going to have to stay up to digest my food but I am also trying to finish my book - The Marathon Des Sables so I'm happy. With a few nights out over the next month or so I will need to make sure I don't over do the booze as when you are fit it really sets you back.
But I was lent a rear wheel which allowed me to take part in a group turbo session tonight. It was tough, not helped by the champagne from yesterday. I had a bit of a fuzzy head and was tired so it wasn't the best of condition to be training but I felt great afterwards. My recovery was steak, eggs, toast, milk and chocolate. So I'm going to have to stay up to digest my food but I am also trying to finish my book - The Marathon Des Sables so I'm happy. With a few nights out over the next month or so I will need to make sure I don't over do the booze as when you are fit it really sets you back.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Childhood memories
With the 50m pool closed in Glasgow my new alternative 25m pool has also closed for a refurb so this morning I travelled to a 50m pool that has just reopened after a five year refurb! It brought back childhood memories as I used to go there 40 years ago with some friends and my big brother. I couldn't swim but used to enjoy jumping in with a rubber ring on and splashing around. Afterwards we'd always get a mince pie and a drink.
Today was slightly different as I had a planned set to do, timing my 200m intervals so not jumping in and splashing around. You have to suss out the other swimmers when you turn up at a new pool and time your swimming so as not to disturb them too much. It's a bit like an F1 race when re-entering from a pit stop. You don't want to pull out in front of someone going much faster as you'll annoy them and at the same time try to avoid the slower swimmers so that you aren't held up when on the stop watch. The new pool was fabulous except for a couple of "rabbit droppings" left by the swimming club which I tried not to inhale or swallow as I went up and down the lane! Hope the chlorine has done it's job and nullified any chance of infection!
Turbo and weights tonight and then a day off training tomorrow as it's our 20th wedding anniversary and we're going out to celebrate. I think if I suggested I slip in a quick training session I may not see my 21st anniversary!!
Today was slightly different as I had a planned set to do, timing my 200m intervals so not jumping in and splashing around. You have to suss out the other swimmers when you turn up at a new pool and time your swimming so as not to disturb them too much. It's a bit like an F1 race when re-entering from a pit stop. You don't want to pull out in front of someone going much faster as you'll annoy them and at the same time try to avoid the slower swimmers so that you aren't held up when on the stop watch. The new pool was fabulous except for a couple of "rabbit droppings" left by the swimming club which I tried not to inhale or swallow as I went up and down the lane! Hope the chlorine has done it's job and nullified any chance of infection!
Turbo and weights tonight and then a day off training tomorrow as it's our 20th wedding anniversary and we're going out to celebrate. I think if I suggested I slip in a quick training session I may not see my 21st anniversary!!
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Tough schedule
In some people's view Sunday is a day of rest - not in mine! My training today was a 43 minute run, a 1 hour turbo and a 40 minute core session. However I had to build that round my sons football, furniture shopping, food shopping, preparing dinner and various drop off and pick ups.
I broke it down by running before the football. Again a beautiful autumn day and when I started running I just felt so good. It won't be long before it's windy, raining or snowing and blowing a gale so I was going to enjoy my run. Then on to the sidelines to support my son - they won.
Once the shopping was over I returned and did my hour on the turbo. It is mind numbing but so is ironman. At least I am focused on my cadence, heart rate and my form (my reflection in the window tells me when if I am staying still and not wavering all over the place). You sweat buckets and it's a great way of keeping fit. Straight after that and in for my core session.
Shower, cook dinner and relax. Only two pick ups with the kids and I'll be heading to bed as I'm up early for swimming! Ah the life of a triathlete. Seriously though, I feel great.
I broke it down by running before the football. Again a beautiful autumn day and when I started running I just felt so good. It won't be long before it's windy, raining or snowing and blowing a gale so I was going to enjoy my run. Then on to the sidelines to support my son - they won.
Once the shopping was over I returned and did my hour on the turbo. It is mind numbing but so is ironman. At least I am focused on my cadence, heart rate and my form (my reflection in the window tells me when if I am staying still and not wavering all over the place). You sweat buckets and it's a great way of keeping fit. Straight after that and in for my core session.
Shower, cook dinner and relax. Only two pick ups with the kids and I'll be heading to bed as I'm up early for swimming! Ah the life of a triathlete. Seriously though, I feel great.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Recovered
8 days ago I twisted my knee and had to be given a piggie back into the house as I couldn't put any weight on it. The following day I cycled the Braveheart race over 44 miles with no pain but that was because the movement on my knee didn't involve any lateral movement. I took the week off running and concentrated on turbo training.
So today involved a 30 minute turbo session followed by a 30 minute run. It was a beautiful day and it was such a privilege to be out running, pain free. I didn't push it but kept a reasonable pace as I tested my knee. It was fine but I know if I put any sideways pressure I'd be in trouble. But it was reassuring to know that I'm getting better.
Then for a weights session as I build up my strength. This is a critical part of my training as I need to be able to maintain my form on each discipline when tired. So once finished I had lunch, rehydrated with lots of water and am now going to have a wee rest so I'm fresh for tomorrows training!
So today involved a 30 minute turbo session followed by a 30 minute run. It was a beautiful day and it was such a privilege to be out running, pain free. I didn't push it but kept a reasonable pace as I tested my knee. It was fine but I know if I put any sideways pressure I'd be in trouble. But it was reassuring to know that I'm getting better.
Then for a weights session as I build up my strength. This is a critical part of my training as I need to be able to maintain my form on each discipline when tired. So once finished I had lunch, rehydrated with lots of water and am now going to have a wee rest so I'm fresh for tomorrows training!
Friday, 11 November 2011
Every step counts
It's been a hard week with the last two days in London so when the alarm went off at 6am I didn't feel like getting up. I actually thought of turning over but I new I'd have to face my coach so fell out of bed just to be reminded we still didn't have any central heating - week 3! Once I was in the pool I was fine and set about my programme. It was a relatively short session, 1,500m, and by the end I wanted to go on which was a good sign but I stuck with the programme and got out the pool because I knew I had another session later.
After a full day of meetings I got home thinking I had a 30 minute turbo session but on looking at the schedule I discovered it was a hour session. I really was tired and didn't feel like it but was determined to do it. After getting ready I noticed I had a flat tyre! The perfect excuse not to train and I needed to be finished quickly so we could organise dinner. But with an understanding wife and the tyre reflated 1st time I jumped on the bike and knocked out the 1 hour session. I felt so good afterwards, full of energy, that I had completed the training and was now ready for dinner and relaxation with the family. There are always reasons or excuses not to train but every session counts as it's one step closer to my objective.
After a full day of meetings I got home thinking I had a 30 minute turbo session but on looking at the schedule I discovered it was a hour session. I really was tired and didn't feel like it but was determined to do it. After getting ready I noticed I had a flat tyre! The perfect excuse not to train and I needed to be finished quickly so we could organise dinner. But with an understanding wife and the tyre reflated 1st time I jumped on the bike and knocked out the 1 hour session. I felt so good afterwards, full of energy, that I had completed the training and was now ready for dinner and relaxation with the family. There are always reasons or excuses not to train but every session counts as it's one step closer to my objective.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
