Enjoying a week of rest!

I am taking this week off to rest and take a break from training, before starting into the last month before the first 'warm-up' triathlon, plus a half marathon in the middle of June. In a funny sort of way, I really miss the training. A week is long time not to do any. Looking forward to getting back to it on Monday!

Thanks to My Family

It's been 5 months now since I started training. It seems like forever and it has become a big part of who I am. A large chunk of my day is spent either thinking about training, reading relevant material or actually doing the physical hard work.

And as it has consumed me, so it has also become a central part in the lives of those with whom I spend the majority of my time: my family. They probably didn't know what they were letting themselves in for, but my triathlon challenge has impacted their lives in a big way too.

I am sure at times they are fed up with it all. But their constant support and encouragement has been amazing. Shona and Sophie have kept an interest in what I am doing that is hard to comprehend. They always are keen to know how my run was, how did the swim go, or how far did I go on the bike. Thank you both - and you too Sam, even though you don't know what's going on!

Apart from the much appreciated emotional support, there's also the practical side of things too. Shona has been great at keeping me supplied with washed kit. No matter what, I can pretty much be certain that there will be clean running/bike/swim gear whenever I need it. Thank you Shona.

One thing that is special about us is that we can pretty much laugh about anything. Again, a big thank you to my family for their sense of humour. From laughing at my first attempt to get into the very tight wetsuit, to finding the funny side of some of my running accessories, to driving alongside me in the car with the windows down while I struggled up a hill on my bike, they have kept smiling and kept me smiling too. Thank you!

I know that I couldn't have gotten this far without my little family. They have put up with me when I've been grumpy and sore, when I've got up early and woken them up, when I've gone out training instead of sitting chatting. For the sacrifices you have all made: thank you!

You deserve as much credit, if not more, for coming through your first triathlon too. You are very special people! And I love you!! :)

Run yesterday, cycle today

Completed this week's long run yesterday, covering nearly 7 miles in just under an hour. I had felt the signs of my calf strain coming again, but thankfully it didn't flare up. I felt fresh at the end which is encouraging.

Headed out on the bike this morning and did around 14.5 miles in around an hour. My legs are tired! I went the back roads to Magheralin, New Forge Road and then home via the Lurgan Road. I am going to look into getting a new bike very soon.

Interval training run - in the sun

My legs were tired after the bike yesterday so the run today was going to be tiring anyway. But this is the first I've had a hard session in the sun. The interval run consists of 2 laps of a 2.4 mile loop, each lap ending just at my house. The route consists of varying inclines, with one very steep and long hill in the middle where I go as hard as I can. I was very nearly stopping after the first lap! My legs were totally gone, but I forced myself to turn and go again and managed to complete it all. The sun was a definite factor today - but something that I need to get used to.

Meant to get out for a swim this afternoon, but not looking likely now as I am wrapped up in a bit of work.

Another proper bike session

Went out on the road again for another cycle. I did the same route as last week, using the cyclemeter software on my iPhone to record the stats. It felt ok - but I'm still not that happy with the bike and it's suitability with cycling the roads for long periods. Might have to look into buying/borrowing one.

Anyway, here are all the stats via cyclemeter:
Finished Ride: 21 Apr 2010 13:00:29
Route: Drumlin 14
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/e5dd/c2f9/4bc4/5152/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20100421-1203.kml
Ride Time: 55:48
Distance: 13.71 miles
Average: 14.75 miles/hr
Fastest Speed: 30.70 miles/hr
Climb: 174 feet
Calories: 904

Light swim

Headed for a swim today but Lisburn pool was in use for a club session. So headed to Banbridge instead. Unfortunately only half the pool was on use for the public so I just used the short lengths to practice bilateral breathing (breathing to both sides). I got the hang of it ok so it was a good session.

Run to end the week

Headed out this morning for an hours run, a slow easy paced recovery run. Covered 6.5 miles and it went well. This run is not about pushing hard or anything. It's just out to keep things ticking over and to keep the endurance up. Over the next few weeks I'm looking to increase this up to around 12 or 13 miles as I have a half marathon lined up for 16th June.

Average hr = 156
Calories = 1163

Long swim

Headed to the pool today for a 1500m swim. I wasn't looking forward to it for some reason, and I think that slightly negative frame of mind affected my session. It took me a few hundred metres to feel comfortable in my stroke. All in all, another session under my belt.

Things I learned from this session: try to keep the stroke long, push right through on both sides, exhale continuously under water.

Here's a good video.

Out on the road

It's been a while since I was out on a real bike and cycling on real roads. It was a good workout, tougher than on the static bike. I used an iPhone app that I just downloaded called cyclemeter and it recorded everything for me:

Finished Ride: 15 Apr 2010 15:18:07
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/e5dd/c2f9/4bc4/5152/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20100415-1418.kml
Ride Time: 57:13
Stopped Time: 0:00
Distance: 13.98 miles
Average: 14.16 miles/hr
Fastest Speed: 47.94 miles/hr
Climb: 305 feet
Calories: 1029


Not much else for me to say!!

Triathlon nightmare

I had a very surreal dream last night. It was my first triathlon event & somehow I'd got volunteered into looking after some kids who were doing a kids' race. I was so busy looking after them that I forgot to set up my stuff at the transitions and I also hadn't had a chance to try on my wetsuit yet.

Next thing I know, the hooter goes telling competitors to make their way to the start! Panic! I rush to get my wetsuit on & it is totally wrong. There are big gaping holes in the sides, nevermind the fact that it was far too big.

All I remember is some lady telling me that there's no way I can compete with a wetsuit like it. So I wander back dejected...

And then I woke up!

Short swim

After the run this morning, had breakfast with a friend and then Shona & I both headed to the pool. I completed 800m, in sets of 300, 100 & 400m.

Not sure how beneficial it was, but did swim 400m without a stop so that was good.

I also focused on a little detail which seemed to help my right arm pull. When starting the pull I rotated my elbow ever so slightly. This made my forearm into a better 'paddle' and felt like it gave me more propulsion. Such little details!

Dawn run

Headed out at 6am this beautiful morning for an interval run session. 4.8 miles - slow, fast, medium paced ... and repeat. With the hills it really is a great workout.

Av hr = 156
Max hr = 183
Calories = 863

TV Cycle

Still struggling a bit with a back strain, hence the break for a few days. But back to it tonight with a static bike session...in front of the TV! A 60 min interval session, adjusting the resistance really gave me a good workout. And the TV helped take my mind of things slightly.

Average hr = 146
Max hr = 156
Calories = 956


Looking forward to getting out on the bike, after discovering a tool for the iPhone that a friend has been using. Cyclemeter uses GPS to keep track of routes and times etc. Looks very good!!

Static cycle

So this session was supposed to be on the road, but I hurt my back on Monday night putting Sam into his cot and it is still niggling. Cycling isn't the best thing for sore backs so I decided to just do a static session instead. I did 50 minutes and the back held out ok. My legs felt so tired though!! It's been an intense few days as regards to training.

One run to go - in the morning!

Swim speed check

Went to the pool today to do a shorter session (800m) and to check my times and see if I could do anything to quicken up.

It worked out at around 2 minutes per 100m for short stints. Slower for longer ones. Not that fast. So I'll have to look into that and see if I can swim quicker but still endure long distances.

Although I'd rather swim slow and finish, than swim fast and drown!

Heading for a cycle now.

Quick update: cycle, swim, run

After a bit of a late start this week to training, I managed to get a cycle fitted in on Wednesday night on the static bike. - 55 mins. It's hard enough going as there is no free wheeling!!

Yesterday I managed to fit a swim in and a run. I swam 1500m - which is the longest I'm going to do until June. From now on, I'll keep that as a session and then work on the speed in the 2nd swim weekly session. I came home from the pool and headed out for a 4.8 mile interval training run. Tough going but hopefully it will pay dividends. It was a quite a warm day so I was a little bit drippy by the end of it all!

Just about to head to the pool now with Shona. I plan on doing around 800m and try to get some speed into my stroke.

Long slow run

Finished off March's 5 week schedule with a (deliberately) slow 60 minute run today. It was fine and brings to an end a long, tiring 5 weeks of training. My legs definitely feel tired!

But no rest for a week or so yet, but still have to an April's training!

Bike session - tired legs.

Did 45 minutes on the static bike, keeping HR up around 155. It's been a long month (March - even though we're now in April!) but the end is in sight.

April will see the bike sessions up the time/distance, now that a good base has been built.

60 minute run in the morning and that will see March's schedule come to an end.

Last swim of the month!

Headed for an early swim this morning. It was tough going! I don't know whether it was because I had a late night and early start, or whether I hadn't had any breakfast but it took a while before I felt comfortable and in a groove.

However, I swam 54 lengths, which is 1350 metres. Only a few more to the mile!

I hope to go right after this and do a cycle - so I'll be back soon.

More interval training

Headed out in the cold tonight for a run, mixing up the speeds with a variety of slow, medium & fast sessions. Completed nearly 5 miles over a hilly route which I go around twice.

One of the hills is a steep one and I use it as a fast session. Challenging but rewarding.

Hopefully a cycle tomorrow.