Grade 3 but not in music but a torn calf muscle!!

So i sign up for Windsor and the very next day I was with the kids at school at a tag rugby festival. All was cool we made the finals and then back to school for football training. All was going well, just skinned this 10yr old and my calf went pop!! I even looked around as I thought someone had hit me with a stone but no one was there so went to push off and fell immediately to the floor in absolute agony. The pain was mental. i had to hobble off apply some ice and then hobble to the car for more ice. luckily it was my left leg so my knee was ok so it was quiet easy changing gear.

But today was a good day it was the last visit to the physio and I got the all clear to start very light strength training on it and slowly very slowly build it back up to run on it properly.

I also saw on the gadget show a system for suspension training costing a massive £175. A bit of research and bish, bash, bosh internet searching resulted in the necessary straps bought for £16.50 and have completed my first training session tonight. My word they are fab and that was only doing 30 seconds per exercise. Shaky arms and shaky core as we speak. Mind you my core was shaky before I started in fact every time I walked there was a bit of a wobble!! will post photo of it soon for you all to laugh at me.

Sign up and motivated

Well thanks to Susan tipping me off that a friend of hers has signed up for Windsor and asked if I wanted to do it I immediately jumped at the chance. So then set up a new countdown clock, new profile picture and a change of the profile. In fact the picture was taken at Windsor Triathlon 2007 the last time I raced it in 2hr 34 min. Three minutes quicker than the first time I raced it.

So this time I want to break 2hrs 30 minutes. No excuses. I love the bike leg and the swim is fantastic as soon as you reach the turn around point and get the current behind you. The run is three loops with an evil little climb up to the castle but somehow enjoyable as it has loads of crowd around the course to encourage you to go faster and not walk.

So now a winter of training and plenty of turbo / brick sessions to come. I need to work on my speed having spent the last few years on distance. Time to re-focus and get fast.

So excited and really looking forward as a long training session is going to be a max of 3 hours and not the 7 hours of the past.

Photos of the day

When I showed these to the children I teach most of them said I look a sleep when crossing the line. The bike picture I have got my top wide open and it is full of air hence my rather large mid rift area - Honest!!

Post Ironman Post

So the event was on Sunday 4th July and now it is Wednesday night after the race. For the sharp eyed readers you will notice a bit of a gap between my last post and now. To be honest I lost concentration and more importantly than training for an ironman I got married and then had to write school reports. The reports themselves took a massive 78 hours of work . Anyway enough of the other stuff more about the race.

Ironman Austria is certainly a fantastic event and one that I would recommend to anyone who fancies to complete an ironman. the town is stunning and the organisation is just out of this world. The swim was odd as even though it was a water start we all started on the beach and when the front swimmers reached a certain marker the cannon went off so it was a moving water start which did mean it was not as manic as usual. Th buoys on the way out were clearly marked and very easy to spot. After 1800m you turned left for 400m and then left again and to the canal entrance. This is where the down side was, couldn't spot any buoys, as there were none!, and wasn't too sure of direction do i go leftish? straight on? or slightly rightish? In the end I opted for all three. The entrance to the canal became clear and suddenly the noise of everyone cheering was in my ears with every breath to my left or right. The exit appeared and with the grabbing hands of the volunteers was hauled out of the water.

Transition is massive so I knew it was going to be long day so walked to my bag and got changed and walked to my bike.

My bike was ready, having previously in the weekend being described as an 'old skool' , she was ready to roll along the smooth roads of Austria. And boy were they smooth and boy did it zip along. I t was a joy to ride and filled my heart with happiness as the old skool stead wen zipping past many an athlete with their £5,000 bikes and areo helmets. The bike leg was a dream and the best I have ever raced on. The hills are short and sharp but the descents on the other side are long and fast. The best combination I find. First loop went by in a blur of happiness and knew I would have to hold back or I would never finish and it was all about finishing and not the time.

Cooked on the bike.

Going a bit slower meant I had time to drink and about 8 liters later time fro the first pee stop. The weather was getting hotter and hotter and i could feel my shoulders cook. In the distance the thunder clouds started to brew and the rumble was getting closer. By 1.30pm the rain started and began to land and by 1.32pm it was hammering us and the road. On the decent it felt like hail and the roads turned to glass. A racer in front of me went flying across the road in a massive wave of water but he was ok. Final climb and then a long decent back to T2.

Again another massive transition and again the weather was getting hot again. Making sure I grabbed my salt sticks (awesome stuff) I made my way to the start of what turned out to be a very slow marathon. the first loop was away from Ironman city and no shelter from the sun. I wore my light thin socks thinking that my feet would expand in the heat but every kid along the course were armed with a hose pipe and were soaking us. Me not being a hot loving person was glad of the water but my feet getting soaking in light socks was not. Blisters started after 6k and grew slowly till the end. They are still refilling as I write this! Walked most of the very flat course but by the end I had enough and walked for 60 steps then ran for 60 steps.

The finishing shoot was amazing with an unbelievable buzz, A little tear in the eye but was too exhausted to cry too much. Crossing the line was an amazing feeling and seeing Susan the other side waiting for me was a massive lovely shock. My finishing photo should belong to a picture dictionary under the word exhausted. Got my medal and tee shirt and then suddenly went really light headed and faint. Lying down all wrapped up in space blankets in the first aid centre slowly getting better and the realisation of finishing sank in. I had done it and in a decent time with only 2 bike rides and 2 runs in the last five weeks.

Exhausted

Finishers Medal

Below are my splits:

Swim 1.20:37

T1: 5:40

Bike: 6:36:50

T2: 11:03

Run: 5:57:27

Total Time: 14 hours 11 min 33 sec

Day 155 - Rest Day

Rest Day = LUSH

Only exciting thing was ordering my calf guards off Wiggle. Might look like a teat but if it stops my calf cramping up = Good News.

Day 154 - So Close Yet So Far

Today was very windy and the plan was for me to get up and go for an early morning cycle but with it being the third night on the row that we didn't get to bed before midnight, a lie in was a far better option. As a result I didn't set off till 3pm. With a massive amount of food in my belly, cereal at 7.30 and toast at 10am !!!! I set out. I really wanted to get over 50 miles in and hopefully in a decent time. The first hour whizzed by and i was really enjoying myself and then the hunger pangs started. Downing a power bar then some berry shot blogs I was back on track. The wind at certain places was howling down the lanes and had to put a massive effort in. It made the flat lanes seam like I was going up, up and more up.

I was debating whether to go via the Notleys and Whitham before heading home but with another hunger pang coming on I decided it was best if I head home. I turned off on the Boreham Road at Great Leighs and discovered Essex's answer to the famous Belgium pave. I'm sure they have better roads down the Gazza strip. I have a dentist appointment next week to re-fix all my fillings!! Slight exaggeration but I must check all the bolts on the bike before setting off on it next time, just to make sure nothing was shaken loose.

Steaming down Boreham to the bottom of Little Baddow and having a quick look at my watch I thought I could break 51 miles before 3 hours. I managed to get to 50.91 miles - gutted. With hindsight what I should have done was carry on along the low road before turning up to Danbury. That way I could have kept my average MPH up broken my target distance.

All in all I loved the ride today and will certainly be on the same route in future.

See the link below for all the details of the ride.

So Close Yet So Far by jona.davies at Garmin Connect - Details: "Share"

Day 153 - Saturday Night = Run

We had a mad day today it started off by going to the Civic to watch the Gruffalo with the family. Lots of fun, Freya was transfixed with the characters on the stage and Millie was to begin but restless about halfway through.

We then had a party to go to in the afternoon at a children's ball park place in Braintree. Freya loved the activities and was climbing around with the rest of them in the larger adventure section. Lilly, Freya's cousin, was fantastic at looking after her but slides, swings, ropes, holes anything the older children went on Freya copied. She only came back when she bumped her head but a few cuddles and a slurp of her apple juice and she was gone again.

Dave and Laura were there so we decided to meet up that evening. I had a fab idea of going for a run with Dave whilst the women supped on their Pinot. Had a lovely run on route I have never done before. The calf tightened up after 3.5 miles but no pain no gain, didn't get worse so kept on going. Just the wrong side of 8 miles but still a very enjoyable run in good company.

However, the worst part about Saturday was hearing that Sophie had been hit by a car, whilst out training on her bike, and had broken her collarbone. With the race only 8 weeks away and she has been given a healing time 6 weeks, things are going to be tight but I hope and I pray that she will be standing next to me, Alice and Paul at the start of the race. She has trained so hard over these months. Soph don't give up even during the really painful times, it will just make that m dot tattoo even more special to wear.

Day 152 - Swim time

I didn't do any running or cycling today just a lovely swim in the pool. I got there all motivated and managed to do a really good fast warm up. I realised that my warm ups are slow and therefore they set the pace for the session. By speeding up meant I had a fantastic work out. 5.30 on a Friday is the time to go as the pool was almost empty. The effort session was a bit of all the best-bits from the other ones all mashed together to great a mega training program. I don't know why but I really enjoy the drills and find that I can really concentrate on them. I don't know if my stroke is improving but I feel smoother through the water. Loving the lap timer that was recommended to me by a parent of a boy I teach. One of the best bits of kit I've got.

Simply put it on your finger and off you go - genius device.

Day 151 - Turbo -tastic

Thursday night and back on the turbo. For some reason the turbo flew by and I really really enjoyed it and the hour and half just flew past no problemo. All in all felt really good to be back on in the saddle and sweating away and dreaming of the Ironman finish etc.

Day 150 - Balancing the Body

Well tonight was a night not of turbo or running or swimming but a night at the gym doing body balance class. This is a mixture of Tai Chi, Pilates and Yoga. It was the second time I'd been and pushed the stretches harder. It certainly worked and could really feel my thighs and legs in the different poses. The ab workout certainly reminded me that I need to get back on my ab training for these last 59 days before the IM.

Back on the bike tomorrow then. I know the Don doesn't schedule this in but if yoga is good enough for Lance then it is good enough for me.

Day 149 - Back on the Turbo

Well I have just done an hour on the turbo and it felt really good. Turning the pedals over at an average of 185 rpm and averaging 17 mph so pretty happy with that. So tomorrow night do I try and run or turbo again? mmmmm will have to wait and see. Whilst on the bike I was debating as to what kit too wear. I like my black IM top and love my white 2XU top but with the history of my bleeding nipples!!! do I really want a finishing photo with two red streaks down my top? Or do I play safe and go black but then run the risk of over heating if its a hot day? mmm ponder ponder. A recent 220 article was stating that white lycra was the colour to have as it reflects the heat. Point taken but only certain people can pull this look off and sorry but white lycra shorts are just wrong. Next dilemma that occupied my mind was calf guards or not? mmm more ponder ponder? I sure the answers will come to me during an other boring turbo session.

Day 142 - 48 - Off again

Every time I seam to be making great leaps forward I get knocked back again. This time on day 142 I went for a run and after .5 of a mile had to walk back. What I thought was a tight calf from the long effort the Saturday before suddenly became worse. The calf was sold and the pain was really tight. I think I must have strained it some how. Gutted was not the word.

More importantly every time I went to train life got in the way and just didn't have the energy to start turboing at 10 o'clock onwards. So all in all I've had a week off. In that time I had time to reflect, read alot and put on some pounds. The verdict is I think I can kiss goodbye to getting a PB - ah well maybe next time. (all ready thinking about an other!!!!!) But it is all about completion now and not finishing like a jibbering wreck but in style. Enjoy the atmosphere and the scenery on the way around and most importantly race with a smile on my face. It's costing me a lot of money and the race is counted as being one of the best IM courses in the world so instead of going eye balls out and going for speed I'm now going as an IM tourist and really absorb the atmosphere I have read so much about and lacked greatly at IM UK and relish the moment and the race.

Day 141 - A Day of Rest

At last a rest day. Not only no exercise but also a day out of class as I was on a course so all I ad to do all day was listen - bliss.

I've added a few photos for the previous two entries and must get back to Woodham Walter in order to get a shot of the tow path. The profile of the run looks really impressive as well as I've put that up.

Now time to turn on the TV eat pizza and watch a few Ironman videos on YouTube.

Day 140 - Lovely bike

Following a late night and Soph not feeling 100% we decided that it would be better to reduce the ride from the targeted 4 hours to about 2 hours. In the end we rode 2hr 20 min. The ride was a lovely loop through Bicknacre, South Haningfield, Stock, Writtle and eventully through Broomfield and finally Sandon to home.

I rode again with the cycle cross tyres on and I really noticed the difference how I had to pedal hard downhill while Sophie could just cruise by my side. I need to buy a new set of wheels one for the cycle cross tyres and one for road tyres. Need to do a bit of investigating to find out how much they cost.

When I got home and everyone left I started digging out the tree stump at the corner of the garden. Ian, next door, came and helped and without him I would still be out there now. He was a machine the way he went about digging out then smashing the axe through those roots. With some rocking and more axe work the stump was soon out.

All in all a fantastic weekend training, with beautiful weather and more importantly surrounded by good friends.

Day 139 - The Long Run

Today the sun was shinning and the weather was beautiful. Aled came for weekend from Plymouth which was fab to see him and have loads of laughs. Sophie and Chris came later with their lovely daughter Dora. The plan was for Soph and I to do our 2 hour run together today and the 4 hour bike ride tomorrow.

We went on a new route and headed towards Riffhams lane then towards Toffs Chase before heading down to the river. The towpath was stunning and so picturesque. The slight tail wind helped but it was a particularly lovely run.

The bad thing with living in Danbury is that you must always finish all your runs with an up hill charge. My legs were tired but my lungs and head felt like I could have kept on running. Unfortunately, Sophie had a bit of blue spell when we returned and didn't feel to clever. After a rest and a little fool she soon felt a bit better.

Another highlight of the day was the BBQ was fired up for the first time this season and I loved cooking on it - fantastic may we have many more this season.

Day 138 - Whacked

Went for an early morning swim and session 12 was ticked off the list - happy days. However, when I got home after a very busy week in school I was just too tired to get changed and go and pound the streets of Danbury for 1'15''. Ah well I listened to my body and didn't go.

Day 137 - Turbo in the ally

I'm finding it hard to type this blog tonight as my hands are frozen from turboing in the ally. Despite the warm weather we are having as soon as the sun goes down it gets bloody chilly. With sweating and the top then getting wet and sticking to me it made my body really cold. Consequently I had to stop with 10 minutes to go, however I had a good session and cycled harder than I should have as I was listening to the football on the radio.

Good weeks training so far and swim early tomorrow morning before a long run after school.

Day 136 - Brick by Brick

Had a session yesterday that on paper seamed easy but 40 mins in to the bike part I was so hungry and felt really weak. I kept on going and instead of a quick change, as requested, I popped in to the house to grap some energy sweets. I had something new and man alive it was like rocket fuel, bits of jelly, best way to describe them, and I was ready for the off and felt like I was rearing to go and body full of formula 1 race go-go juice. The sweets were called Clif Shot Blocks. I must admit the texture was not that desirable but the outcome was amazing. I will definatly be taking these on the IM bike ride with me and instead of having a 1/4 bar every 15 mins I'll have 1 of these every 20 mins.

Neadless to say the run went really well and I really enjoyed it. Wore the Asics DS Trainers and it was like having feathers on my feet. It got me thinking of wearing them on my IM run as they will feel so light after tired legs but then they wont help suport my feet and knees as much. Mmmmm ponder ponder but I think I will end up in the Kayano and play safe.

Day 135 - All good intentions

Had a really early start and was out running at 5.30am. I really wanted to get this run in early so that I could get to Gosfield Lake for the first open water swim of the season in the evenning. I really hate running early in the morning and I felt totaly un-coordinated as I plodded around the course but I got it done.

All day I was looking forward to getting to the lake and swim. My thirst for getting there was fueled even more knowing Sophie had already been and got her wetsuit wet. Luckily, just before leaving school, and after checking their website I decided to give them a call to double check they were open. Gutted they are not openning Tuesday evenning swims untill May 2nd. So off to the swimming pool for me. Double gutted I realised I had not got a padlock, after umming and ahhhing for a while I decided to chance it and leave my clothes in the locker unlocked. I thrashed about for about 15 lengths not enjoying it and always thinking of my kit unlocked. It suddenly dawned on me to put in some effort and swim a 1K TT.

Job done and left the pool with all my kit, nothing stolen, and more importantly really enjoyed the session instead of leaving feeling down hearted. Make note to self to turn all situations to a positive one.

Day 134 - Monday Blues

First day back at work today and felt so tired and was really struggling to stay awake during the whole school assembly. I decided to get off home and drag my sorry backside for a run. A very heavy plodding hour later and I was back home again. The run was not the best. I felt really flumpy and didn't really enjoy it that much but it was still training and all adds up towards the goal of completion of the Ironman.

Day 133 - Sunny Sundays

Today I was planning to do the bike spin and then the Friday night run. But after 5 hours of digging in the allotmant and the garden I decided that today was going to be a rest day and that tomorrow (the official rest day) will be a work out day.

I garden is looking better and a lot less 'stuff' in it after digging out loads of roots and trees. It's hard work but certainly good for the core with all that shoveling and spade work.

However, I did have double helpings of Spagetti Bollognaise as I was so hungry oh and a cheeky beer. A lot to work off tomorrow night then!!!

Day 132 - Long Run

I went out early-ish with Dave. We headed towards the golf course and created a big loop all the way back to the house. When we first started it was really quite chilly with a thick fog around everywhere. But after a while it began to burn off and reveal a beautiful sunny 'summer' day. I'm sure the rest of the Striders tri boys from had a glorious ride as they were meeting at 9.30am.

The loop we did was very undulating with lots of ups and not so much downs. But when I downloaded the Garmin on returning it stated that we had climbed 931m and descended 931m. Either the watch has gone cookoo or by pure fluke we managed to actually do this, find it hard to believe but wont know until next run.

Since it was my second run out I was really pleased with progress 1.5 hours at an average pace of 8:46 min/mile. But by the end my right thigh was very tight and felt full of lactic acid. But if that's it after a long lay off fantastic news.

Will try and squeeze in a turbo session tonight but don't know if this will happen as so wont be too disappointed if I don't get it done. So far a fantastic weeks training = tired legs now. One day to go before a well earned rest day.

Day 131 - No Train Today

The cousins were over and we had a lovely time digging in the garden so unfortunately I didn't get out to run, swim or bike to train. Gutted a bout that but had a lovely day with the children so can not really complain too much.

Day 130 - Nice Day, Nice Lanes = Tired Legs

I managed to get today for the 4 hour bike ride. Susan was meant to be off on Friday and didn't fancy getting up at silly o'clock on Saturday morning so went out today instead. I started off by going a new route and then decided since I had the off road tyres on to go along the tow path to Maldon.

Since it was still early morning I had the path to myself and it was gorgeous. Only one butt clenching moment when the path takes a sharp right, drops down and then a sharp left, slight miss judge of timing and I would have had my first open water swim of the season!!! but skidded my way around it. Dam those disc brakes are good.

I found my way back on to an old familiar route that I have ridden many times for previous ironman training. Then I remembered why I always rode it other way around. A constant up hill struggle from Maldon to Black Notley and the wind mainly in my face. But good training all the same. At Great Leighs I decided to experiment and go some new routes and make it up. I got where I wanted to get to but around some beautiful lanes that were traffic free and smooth tarmac. The other bonus was passing some amazing homes. What do these people do to afford these places - obviously not teachers!!

I suddenly saw the time and decided I needed to put the hammer down and get my tiring backside home. Despite trying my hardest I couldn't get my average speed up that much. Of road tyres are hard work and the amount of effort i was putting in I was not getting the speed as a reward. But having said that when I do get back on the race bike it will feel like a dream in comparison.

All in all a fantastic day out and really feel pleased with the effort, speed, distance and especially loving the new smooth lanes and can not wait to go and explore some more.

Day 129 - Tripple effort and loved it

Today has been a monumental day for me. In the morning I went out for my run that I was meant to do yesterday. It felt odd to be out and about and felt the knee 'itching' to begin but soon found a rhythm and settled down. looked at the old Garmin and saw I was clicking along very nicely. The big question was could I keep it going for the rest of the run. The answer, I'm pleased to say is YES it did - yippeeeeeeeee.

In the afternoon I went on the bike and since I had the off road tyres on I decided to loose my off road virginity. Wow what fantastic fun that is. Realised I had to change riding position when going up hill as I had a few wheel spins. But when your going down hill it was just like skiing and really really enjoyed it such a exhilarating rush that is. But it is very tiring and certainly teaches you good bike handling skills.

In the evening I went to a body balance which is mixture of Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates. It was tougher than I thought but certainly worth doing as the stretches were really good and I realised I need to do more.

Hope the video plays ok.

Day 128 - Swimathon

Went early to the pool and completed the set I was meant to do. Found it hard, not so much the amount I had to swim but the keeping my concentration on my stroke and making sure the effort is there and the stroke was good and not lazy.

Played golf in the afternoon, which was a nice break and almost a 6 mile walk! It is only a short course but my hitting was so way-ward I spent lots of time walking off to the left, then the right, then the left again.

Day 127 - All Clear To Go

Went for physio today and got the all clear to start running again. She did finish off with the classic words "take it easy" - yeah right I feel like I have my licence back and ready to go and run like a mad man all over the place.

So I celebrated by going for a swim. As I had a good weeks training and my legs had just been worked on I decided to us a pull boy and give them a rest. But then this question popped into my head and I was wondering if anyone knows the answer. Do you swim faster with a pull boy or slower? My initial thought was faster, as you are more stream lined but then I thought by kicking you're providing propulsion but your legs hang down more and therefore cause more drag. Anyone got any ideas. (I'm taking endurance swimming not sprinting here) Answers on a comment below please.

Day 126 - Running Again

Another sunny day so got really pi**ed off with this lack of running so decided to go for it. Took out the big double buggy and bribed Freya with the promise of chocolate when we got to the shops to get in - and it worked! After a very quick shop decided to come home via the woods.

To start with the knee was awfully tight and felt like it didn't belong to me and I had no control over it but slowly the old oil started to get in the joint and it loosened a bit. However the biggest fun was pushing the buggy through the woods and the the hearing the girls laughing their heads off whilst being bounced around. Freya was leaning forward and shouting "faster daddy faster" and Millie spent most of her time being bounced and her feet above her head. At one point we hit a big root and the three wheels of the buggy and myself were all airborne like the car park attendants in Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Loved it, it was like a big shot of happiness to my heart hearing the girls laughing and strangely during the moments of panic with buggy bouncing around I didn't feel the knee once.

When I got home Nicola was there with the cousins and took the girls for a walk so I could go on a run. Three miles later I dragged my very tired legs back to the house but it was fantastic to get out there and run.

Day 125 - The Magical 84 days

Today is the start of the magical 84 days to go until the event. According to the article (mentioned in previous blog) this is the critical phase for training for endurance events. Susan was away tonight so I hitched a lift to where she was going and decided to cycle back. It was really windy with it swirling around all over the place but mainly came from the side.

It was really good to be out on the race bike and certainly felt the difference. It just felt so easy cycling this lovely bike. However, I stupidly put a race head on and started really hammering it around the roads. 60 minutes in to the ride i had covered 21 miles!!! No wonder my legs were screaming at me. But boy was it good fun to be zipping around the lanes of Maldon. I decided, no absolute lie there my legs decided, that enough was enough and headed for home. By the time I got home I had been out and about for just over 2 hours and covered just under 36 miles.

I didn't stay out as long as I wanted but with Grandma baby sitting I really needed to get back.

Tomorrow I am going to try and run. Put the girls in the double buggy and off I go.

Really enjoying my training again and can not believe only 84 days to go.

Day 124 - Fri-didly-day

Got to Friday and training has been going well for the week really pleased. Went to the allotment this morning. We hadn't been there for ages so there was about 2 hours worth of digging and it doesn't look too shabby now - well 1/3 of it isn't.

In the afternoon we went for a walk to Bradwell to the beach and have a look at this ancient church, which was origionally a Roman place of worship from 625 AD.

Was so tired when we got home with all that digging over the last 2 days I was almost asleep by 8pm!

It's good to have break every now and then.

Day 123 - Swim like a brick

Well I had a tough day in the garden today. What was meant to be a little digging and change to the garden turned out to be a full on monster dig the took almost 5 hours. No need for core exercises tonight then!

I basically discovered a pond that was complete running under the flower bed and lawn. It measured about 3m x 2m and was at least 1m deep. The problem was the concrete sides were still intact and they had to be knocked out and the cover was intact as well which meant the soil was very wet and the stink was horrific.

I really wanted to swim 3k tonight but my back and shoulders were so tired from all that digging I could only manage 2k. Managed in 44 mins so happy with that all things considered. Had my new pool counter on but I know on a few laps I had switched off so much I forgot to press it and then over compensated and pressed too hard causing the device to pause! arhhh

Lesson learnt and feeling good with how all the training is going so far this week.

One last funny thing was reading my friend Sophie's blog and decided to post a comment on it, check out the classic verification word I had to type. Mad me laugh loads. hee hee

Day 122 - Bratt 21

So due to the much talked about running problems so decided to turbo again. Had to put the turbo in the kitchen as the disadvantage of having solid walls is the baby monitor doesn't work in the garage. But my god it was hot in there and there was almost a swimming pool on the floor after I finished. I decided to take it nice and steady today so put it in gear and just pedaled. Still managed over 18 mph so happy with that.

What I wasn't happy with is I turbo'd longer than the battery on the lap top so the film I was watching just cut out. Gutted. Once that had gone I lost all motivation and climbed off. Job done and felt good about it.

Day 121 - Turbo time

Back on the old beast with the ipod. It is amazing how much rubbish I have on that. I was going up a gear every time the song changed, did this for 3 gears and then on fourth went back down for one. I was chinned but needed a hard session to get my arse back in to gear again and blow some cobwebs away.

Felt good and had a good hard talk to myself about the whole Ironman project whilst I was doing it. Honestly before this set back i really wanted to break 12 hours but no I'm just going to be happy to get around the course.

Read an interesting article in 220 last night about how the last 84 days are the most important for an endurance event. This really helped me regain my focus as well.

Lets go Jona lets go!

Day 120 - Runing in the pool

Managed to get to the pool this morning. Swam a few lengths first and then ran 50. Looked like a complete turkey going up and down. Started in the slow lane but was lapping people swimming!!! So moved to the fast lane where I kept my place and wasn't lapped.

I started off by pushing my legs back and sliding my feet on the ground. This was ok but didn't feel correct so ended up almost vertical like the Pose method of running and found this was great apart from the odd time when my foot slipped and head almost went under. Much to the amusement of the teenage lifeguard and a few people swimming lengths. Stuff them they don't have an Ironman to train for.

Felt really weird but good to get going and training again. The knee felt good as well. I remember that my achilles was sore and only stopped hurting in Feb after two months of training on it so really tempted to go and run but I am going to wait until after Monday next week and physio to see what outcome she says.

Day 119 - Blooming Weather

I know this should not make a difference but it does and yes i didn't go out. The reason was I needed to get new tubes and fix others and we got home late last night so didn't get act into gear ready to go in morning.

Lesson learnt = get act into gear and stop mopping around and get training!!

Day118 - What the f***

Well you know what they say - Red sky in the morning (whatever job you want to say) warning. Did I heed the God's warning - no. Despite saluting every Magpie I saw disaster struck again when I was only 40 mins into my ride. Another bloody puncture!!!!


I'm really starting to believe that there is someone somewhere telling me to stop, don't carry on just give up your dream of doing IM AUS and go back to bed. I have since realised that Boardman bikes are fantastic the tyres they have are crap. So after a quick spending spree at Wiggle and two Contador Grand Prix 4 Season 700 x 28 tyres ordered at nearly £60!!! my wheels should be bomb proof. In the mean time I now have my off road cycle cross tyres on and what a difference that makes to the friction on the road. On the plus side I will hopefully fly when it comes to riding my race bike with 23 ml slicks on. It will be like running with racing flats after training with lead boots!

Day 116 - 117 - Still oiling the old knee

Well Thursday didn't manage to get out as was running around and getting stuck in a lot of traffic. Last day of term and all. Happy days love the Easter Hols. However the weather was awful. On Friday I was trying my hardest to get out and do something. I was itching to go for a run I don't know if this is a sign of the knee at last getting better or just frustration. Really tempted but waiting to get to physio on week Monday before getting the all clear.

But I have packed my stuff and set the alarm for another early start on Sat morning to go and get the 3.5 hour cycle. I planned my route and was really looking forward to it, but not the 5.30 alarm!

Day 115 - Turbo time

Back on the turbo today and it felt good. Managed to bash out an hour of training and even managed to run from the garage to the back door a massive 5 metre brik session!!! - mammoth!!
I don't know how I managed a three hour turbo session before because they are so so boring.

It felt good to be back on the race bike down on the tri bars and pushing a 85rpm and over 20mph. The sweat was dripping down and it did feel good but was ready to climb off by the end of the hour.

All in all good to be back and knee felt really strong.

Day 114 - On the bike

I rode to work today to get myself in gear - literally! The ride in was lovely and really enjoyable but as the day went on the rain came down which made my ride home a mud pit. I decided to skip Graces Walk on the way home and come via the ford. Ha what a mistake! the waters were high and the little path to get over it was further in the water than I expected so i decided to ride in and risk it but it got past the point of no return and suddenly when i was on the down stroke of the pedal my foot was going under the water. Cold feet and still about 2 miles from home.

On the plus side my knee was good and I also did a bit of running today as I had to referee a football match at school. I could feel it but it was far better than it was but not good enough to go for a proper work out yet.

Day 113 - Day off

Feels odd writing this as i feel that I haven't trained that hard to deserve this. I was planning to get up and swim but I haven't been sleeping all that well but this morning there was no hope of getting up early. I was zonked, out for the count, wasted, in the land of the nod. So no hope of swim.

Day 112 - Bloody BST

Got up and out on my bike real early - or was it? The answer is of course no. I thought I was starting at 6 but it was really 7am. Not so much gutted about that but Mum and Dad were staying the night and were wanting to go to my sisters for 9.30ish and I knew my mum would have remembered about the clocks so my planned 3 hours had to be cut to 2 hours.

All in all looking back it was a good ride but the first hour + was bad. I thought my chain needed oiling, my brakes were catching all the the classic blames rather than just poor legs! I was convinced I was cycling into a strong head on wind but couldn't see any trees move when I looked. It wasn't until a was by the side of some fields and I saw the wind chimes spinning like mad and realised there was a breeze and it was a strong one and it was in my face most of the time. This became all the more evident when I turned off and was protected by high hedges, suddenly I was zipping along. But there again I had just downed a packet of sports beans so maybe that was the cause of the good legs and not being out of the wind!

So I know I haven't trained all that hard but it is good to get back out there and ride and as a Brucie bonus absolutely no pain in the knee today at all. Try some running next week and start to build it back up again - slowly slowly does it.

Day 111 - Late Night = No Chance of Early Morning

Today I was all set for an early morning ride, but since I didn't get to bed till 1.30am there was no hope of me waking at 5.30 for a quick breky and be out by 6am. However, Freya started to wake at 5am and climbed into bed and started to move about. This was me being booted out really. But boy was I so tired there was no hope of donning the lycra and getting my arse on a saddle. By 6 I was wide awake and so was Millie.

So all in all no bike riding but an early morning all the same with the girls!

Day 110 - Feeling Better Every Day

Man alive do I feel so much more positive than I did this time last week and the week before that and the week before that! Haven't done any running on solid ground or any biking but have been swimming again and also ran in the pool.

The swim was the best one I have done so far and feel so much more fitter for it. Felt like I was gliding and each stroke was a glide with a hard pull rather than my usual splashing windmill and collapse under water.

Am really looking forward to getting out there on the bike early doors tomorrow. It's meant to be a sunny day so fingers crossed. Got spare inners ready and bike got cleaned on Thursday night so ready to go.

Feel so happy as I really have to think hard of when I had pain in my knee rather than trying to remember what it was like to be pain free.

Just noticed on the countdown clock that under 100 days to go and I'm on day 110!!

DAy 107 - 109 - On the mend

Physio on Tuesday turned out to be a major turning point in my knee problem and my attitude towards he injury and getting better.

It turns out that when I stand naturally my left foot turns slightly to the left and is not straight and this turning out problem increases when I've been doing the effort sessions at the club and has caused the knee pain. Apparently lots of the quads, ligaments and tendons all attach just below the knee join on the inside of your knee. There is also a small 'pad' called a bursar there as well. If I have understood this correctly due to my increased speed on efforts which causes my foot to stick out has caused a twist in my shin bones which is causing a pulling of the muscles, tendons, ligaments etc away from where they are attached on the inside of my knee. Now this is not a problem but the problem arises from me not stretching out these muscles properly and therefore they have been getting tighter and tighter and tighter, hence the pain every step, every hour, every minute in my leg for the last 2 weeks. So once CJ (the physio) worked her magic in some key, and very painful, places the muscles began to relax and within the hour I was walking pain free for the first time in 15 days!

Since then I have been concentrating on keeping my foot aligned and and gently exercising the knee. On Wednesday I went swimming and even managed to have a good run in the pool. It is not deep enough to do proper vertical aqua running so I had my feet on the floor and pushed and slid my feet backwards. Running lengths of those soon got the lungs gasping for air and the heart pumping.

Today, Thursday, I was going to turbo but didn't instead I took the opportunity to fix my puncture and clean the bike ready for an early start on Saturday to get out there for 3 hours.

Tomorrow I'm going to swim straight after school and run even more lengths for trying tentatively to run on soft ground on Sunday.

So all in all a good positive approach. I'll just keep telling myself that this lay off has done me good and not bad. Time to pick it up again next week though and then keep it going till the end.

Day 103 - 106 - Getting there but slowly

Friday started with a non pupil day but more importantly was my knee was in agony with every step and and every angle it seemed to hurt. A driving pain on the inside of the knee. However, throughout the day it started to loosen and work better. I went for a lovely long swim in the evening and tried to do a bit of aqua jogging it felt ok but whenever I go to lift my knee up that is when the pain started it felt really tight all through the inside of my knee.


Saturday morning and got up at 5.30 breakfast, change and out on the bike by 6am. Riding nicely I really enjoyed it at 52 mins i hit the 15 miles mark and was out towards Good Easter. The wind was driving me sideways and the light rain was lashing into my face but I loved it. My knee was strong and no pain and my cadence was good. Then the ride felt not as smooth as it was a quick glance between my legs confirmed my suspicions - a puncture.

A quickish change latter and after checking the tyre and pulled out loads of glass and a quick squirt with a canister the tyre was ready to go. I decided to text Susan, just to let her know that I would be a bit longer after fixing a puncture. All of a sudden their was a massive bang and a puff of talc came from my tyre. My initial thought some farmer had not liked seeing a bloke in lycra and shot my tyre. God knows what had happened but the inner tube had blown up and shredded, shooting the tyre off the rim. I couldn't believe it. So from texting to two seconds later to being on the phone to come and rescue me.






It was freezing waiting there, but the cavalry came and the soon I was in the car with the heaters on full.

So that's it for me - two weeks enforced off but plus side really enjoying my swimming and it is fine on the bike. Down side no running and before this knee went I was really enjoying it.

Physio tomorrow so we'll see what they say.

Day 94 - Day 102 - Knackered Knee So Frustrated

Well I have been so slack with the updating of my blog but i have also been so so so frustrated. The night of the last efforts session the inside of my knee started burning and getting really hot. Even the sheets knocking my foot sideways slightly caused masses of pain shooting in my knee. The next day it was so sore when ever I tried to lift my leg, I had to use both hands behind my leg to lift it up without shooting pain.

Basically all I have managed to swim and swim. But this weekend I am going to try and get out on my bike and see what it is like riding. Hopefully it will have recovered enough for that. But I did run the sports relief mile today in school and it hurt non stop all the way around.

If it is still bad on Monday then physio it is then. Trying to think positively but finding it hard.

Hopefully another good swim will do the trick and cheer me up tomorrow.

Day 93 - Stirders Effort Session.

Well it was running club again tonight and efforts on Humber Drive they are .37 of a mile long and my 9th effort was my quickest at 2:15 min before that the 3rd was the slowest at 2:23 min and all the others were completed between 2:18 and 2:20 min. All in all I'm really happy with the effort and my timing of the efforts. Once again nice and consistent. Left knee hurting a little bit on the inside sure it will be nothing but will monitor it just to make sure.

Day 92 - Day off

Happy days, despite missing yesterday I have still trained hard this week and really enjoyed it.

Day 91 - Sunday Blooming Sunday

Well I was going to go out first thing, then that drifted to morning, then that drifted to afternoon, then drifted to an evening turbo but finally ended as doing nothing but having a lovely time with the family and eating a lovely roast. Ah well.

Day 90 - New Route Run

Well I went on a new run this morning. It was so nice to out in the sun and wearing shorts. The new route was lovely but mainly up hill for a long time, so I think next time I will try and go the other way around to see what it is like.

Lovely run, lovely day.

Day 89 - Friday Night Alright

What a busy Friday night I've just had. It started at 4 when I went for my massage on my legs to make sure they are still tick-a-dee-boo. Straight after that I headed to the gym. I know you are not meant to exercise after a massage but the 'Don' said we must run for an hour so that's what I did. My legs were all over the place and I was really thinking it is not a good idea but carried on. After 45 min had to do a zone 4 effort for 5 minutes. Found this easier than I thought and was ticking along nicely. Looking back at my watch when I got home and found my average speed was 7 mph but my max speed was an impressive 1,533.7 mph - eat your heart out Billy Whizz! a glitch me things!

One other amazing thing happened tonight. I started my swim training and managed a nice and steady 1000m. I can hear the gasps from here - what only just starting now? you mad? etc. Maybe but to be honest with you the thought of getting wet in those dark early mornings used to turn my stomach and especially if I had been up in the night to the girls. I needed that extra hour in bed. But now the warmer weather is peaking around the corner it is time to start and dedicate myself to the pool.

Day 88 - Turbo Tastic Thursday

Bike on the training today and straight back on the turbo. It was a really good session and felt really strong. It was great to turn the old legs and blow the old cobwebs out of the joints. Need to start taking cod liver oil and other bits to ensure the old legs don't start giving up as the training cranks up. But tonight was really good and really enjoyable. Just need to suss out how to get the Garmin to work with out the GPS working so I get true speed, and distance data to add to my geeky spreadsheet.

Massage time again tomorrow then a swim.

Day 87 - Day Off Mid-week - Lush

My legs were tired after Tuesday's Striders session and following the weekend and Monday brick session so a day off was well in order. The only problem was I had to travel up to Birmingham for a conference. So it was an early start and a longish drive. Good day there and then a long drive home. Home by 8.30 and asleep by 9pm.

Oh yeah forgot to add a photo yesterday of bad toe nail management - OUCH!!!

Day 86 - Striders Industrial Estate Efforts

I know what the 'Don' had planned for me today but I went to running club and completed 5 long efforts of 0.65 miles with an average speed of 6:48 minute per mile. Pleased with that in fact very pleased with that. The short efforts were 0.42 miles and completed with an average speed of 6:46 minute per mile. Again I am very happy with that.

This session is really boring but it is an effort session that I would not do if I was on my own. What is more pleasing is that I only had a 13 second variance between all my long efforts and only 2 seconds variance with the short efforts. Really really pleased with this. Not only with my own self discipline but with picking off loads of runners on the last couple of efforts who had shot off too quickly and then blew up.

Day off tomorrow and can not wait. Sleep tight all.

Day 85 - Brick by Brick and lots of Stats

Today was meant to be rest day but I trained. The only reason I trained was because on Wednesday I'm in Birmingham for day at a conference so I decided that is the perfect day for a rest. So Wednesday's brick was completed tonight. Despite the heavy weekend of training I didn't really feel that bad and the run section felt really good.

I also decided to have a look at my training so far on a spread sheet and look at all the details of it. I know a bit geeky but I enjoyed doing it. But it did show some interesting facts and proof that the training is working. I trained for 5 hours less in Feb than Jan but managed to complete 13 more miles with an average heart beat 9 beats per minute slower and a max heart beat 12 beats less and my average running speed had increased. Told you it was geeky but an interesting bit of reading I think you'll agree. Well happy with that.

Day 84 - Mud Mud Glorious Mud!

Well yesterday was such a fantastic lovely day with almost spring like conditions but today was out and out horror with wind and copious amounts of rain. The ground was sodden anyway but with last nights and this morning rain on top it was very very wet.

We all felt a bit groggy first thing and did the usual shiver when we started the run in the rain but we were soon into the running and all saying how we enjoy these wet runs. Riffhams field was practically under water and the water soon found my toes. That first feeling of wet is so horrible but they were soon to get very wet and as always warmer. The paths in Blakes Wood were practically rivers but it was so enjoyable to know that most people were inside and we were out splashing around.

I did make one school boy error by stopping my watch for Alice to tie her shoes lace and forgot to restart it. Consequently every time I looked at it we had completed only 29 min but in truth we had been running close to 47min - oops! and we were the furthest point from home - double oops! Weaved our way home along the tracks in the woods before battling with Riffhams field again. Up the hill and home only 5 min extra but four very wet and even muddier people arrived at home to look forward to a hot brew and a hot shower before lunch.

What a lovely weekend with great friends and lots of talk of Austria 2010. Can not wait. Better start swimming now!

Day 83 - Training Weekend Saturday Ride

What a fantastic day today was. The sun actually made an appearance and by the afternoon it was positively warm at one point I even thought I had even over dressed. This weekend was a lovely weekend as Sophie came over with Dora and later Alice arrived with Paul. After a quick lunch by Alice and Paul we were all changed and off out on our bikes. It was a lovely ride around the lanes of Danbury and later the reservoir of Haningfield. The roads were quiet but smooth and and like I said the sun was shining and it was beautiful to be out and about.

We stayed out for close to 2.5 hours and covered a lovely 34 miles. We were so lucky with the weather and we all commented how lovely it was to be out riding in the sun rather being stuck inside on the turbo. Alice and Sophie were whizzing along and all those hours spent on the turbo have obviously paid off as they were pedaling smooth and efficiently.

Got home and showered before tucking in to a lovely curry and some lovely company till late into the evening.

Happy days and went to sleep with a lovely smile on my face with many happy memories from the day.

Day 82 - Firday night off

Had no choice but had to have a night off as life got in the way and that is that, nothing else really to say.

Day 81 - Thursday Cycle to school

Ah life got in the way of training and so didn't manage to get anything done apart from ride to school and ride home from school. The ride down there was not too bad but the ride home was horrendous it was blowing loads and the rain was coming down in the style of North Wales horizontal. Oh yeah and both were battering me in my face.

By the time I got home I was covered head to toe in grit and crap off the road. Had to take everything off in the shower and had enough sand to build a sandcastle in there! But it was enjoyable and brought a smile to my face.

Day 80 - Wednesday Brick Session

I don't know why but i really enjoy these sessions now. I don't know if it was because it was a small session only 45 min and 15 min but really enjoyed it. Not a lot else to really say about it to be honest.

Day 79 - Striders

Went back to running club tonight for the first time since September. And I went straight back to a fartlek session - gulp. Over 7 miles in 1hour 3 minutes. So for me it was a fast session. we must have done at least 20 'fartleks' in that time some very short max of 50m and the longest lasting .84 of a mile. We spent most of the time up and down the Avenues in Chelmsford. It is very boring but good as there are gradual climbs that last for quite a long stretch.

I didn't go flat out but kept my head and I would say was steady for all my efforts and by the end and especially on the long effort was picking off the people which caused more of a bounce in my step.

Got a good feeling about training this week think its going to be a classic.

Day 78 - Day off

Well the program says day off so taking it. I trained the last one so this one is deserved or so I keep telling myself.

Day 77 - Cambridge and turbo

Came back from Olney and stopped at Cambridge. We had a lovely couple of hours there, especially seeing Freya's face going on a double decker and sitting in the front was a delight to see. When we got back I climbed into my training kit and jumped on my bike and began to turbo.

The 2.5 hour session was daunting and i just didn't get into it so after 1hr 20 I climbed off. What was the point I wasn't really doing anything and my heart just wasn't into it.

There we go still got lots of weeks left so not that big a deal.

Day 76 - Saturday and off

We went off to see friends so there was no chance of training. I was planning to get up and go for a long run really early but when the alarm went there was no hope of me getting out of my pit. Don Fink would have been cussing me but hey ho life is such. Even had two beers in the evening and it wasn't the end of the week! how very naughty!

Day 75 - A nice long run

Nothing really to report apart from it was a lovely long run with lots of ups and a few downs but on the whole a very lovely long run that I felt good with at the end.

Day 74 - mmmmmmm no training

It was Thursday the dreaded spin session and Susan and I had a chance to be together without the girls so we took it and had a lovely day. In the afternoon started building a place to put all our recycling and in the evening had a lovely time with some good friends so no training for me today.

Day 73 - Longest Brik Yet

45 min on the turbo and 30 min run. I was really happy with this session not because it was a 1.15 hr of effort but for what went on when I was doing it.

Firstly, the bike was fun I decided that every time my iPod changed tune I'd crank up to another gear for four and then back down. A mini pyramid session but it kept it interesting and some crazy songs were coming on through the shuffle! In fact the last song was The Eagles song that starts with 'I've been running down the road.....' how I smiled, too tired to laugh, when I realised this was on and 45 min were up.

Secondly, the run is always tough I can never get used to the wobbly leg feeling I get after a bike session. I don't think I ever will either. However, after not long one or two strides start to feel good then some more and more until you realise your in your running style and happy. I ran a lovely loop that I didn't think was possible in 30 min but managed to get around it so that was a buzz.

Finally, what I am most pleased with is before the session started I went to the toilet and noticed I was slightly dehydrated so made up a litre drink of High 5 4:1 energy drink. Whilst on the bike I drank constantly so when running I had a large amount of water sloshing inside me. This caused a stitch and sharp pain in my left shoulder but I didn't stop - that's what I'm happy about. I carried on, previously I would have stopped and had doubts etc. I happy as well because I enjoyed the pain and realised I'm getting mentally stronger and overriding little doubts that pop into my head. May this new mental toughness continue all the way to the finish line in Austria on July 5th.

Day 72 - Chelmsford 10k and 2 more miles

The weather today was horrendous and the wind and the rain didn't stop all day. Despite this I still went out for a very good run in the monsoon conditions. I went with Dave and he certainly kept me ticking along at a very tidy pace. The first 3 miles were not that bad but it wasn't until we turned for our way home that the wind and rain drove into our faces with stinging sleet. What a school boy error!

The sides of the road were underwater now and there was no point trying to jump puddles as they were across the road and 10 meters long! There were some amazing houses on the way or maybe they were just ordinary but the rain was causing me weired vision?

After all that we ran for 1.07 and covered just over 8 miles so I was really happy with that and it was so nice to go running with a good friend in weather that most people would prefer to stay at home and turn on the heating. Loving that glowing cheek feeling from being out in awful weather.

Day 71 - Day Off - ish!

Today was meant to be the start of the build phase and therefore a day off. However, I had to do yesterdays hour and half run. So when Grace arrived off I plodded. I felt so bad to begin just felt like I couldn't get going but looking at the Garmin I noticed I was doing 8 minute mile pace. So then the battle of the brain versus the Garmin started. It's faulty, it's shit, overcast is giving it funny times etc. The usual mumbo-jumbo going around my head. Then I started laughing as this is the same argument I had with myself in IMUK about my watch there. But that time I listened to my brain and had a depressive 3rd lap on my bike, thinking I was near the back and was going too slow and will be picked up etc. So this time I looked at my watch and took it for gospel and turned my doubting brain into a positive one.

Suddenly I was thinking about why this happened and then I realised that is the power and the beauty of Don Fink's book. The training has been building up so slowly I hadn't noticed and going from struggling to complete an easy 20 min sun to charging around for 90 minutes doing 8.45 pace. But more importantly felt like going further. - Lush!

Got home and Susan had put the water on for me, very hot shower and lying on the bed after had a lovely couple of hours kip. How fantastic and lovely is that, train during the day and an afternoon sleep. Fan-bloody-tastic!

Day 70 - Valentine Croup

So today is St Valentines Day so I wanted to train but was not that fussed if I didn't get out there. We were off to spend the day with friends (Freya's little boyfriend!) and had such a lovely afternoon we ended up staying till after 6.30pm. By the time we got home and put kids to bed and I was so full from over eating I really couldn't face going out into the cold again.

I wimped it!

However, I did have an endurance training session to do because at 10pm ish Millie started barking like mad a real strong rasping cough that was horrible to hear. We thought she might have something in her windpipe stopping her from breathing. She starting going all droopy in my arms. Talk about a rush to the heart. Then as quickly as it came it went. She was fine and happy and then fell asleep and within 5 minutes she was really coughing again louder, raspier and stronger than before. Decision made A and E for it. Arrived there by 11.30 pm and saw the nurse within 30 mins and she was the one who said it sounded like croup. 4 hours later we see a doctor and she simply said there are no symptoms so go home! What the f**k. Apparently the nurse who sees you prioritises cases for the doctor to see and as Millie had perked up by the time we got to see the nurse we were deemed to be last! What is even more gutting is that there were only 10 people in the unit and of those only 4 had to see a doctor. Average 1 patent per hour!!!! if you ran a business like that you would go under instantly.

Anyway got home at 4am and finally got everyone to sleep by 4.30ish. Grandma phoned at 8am to see how we got on and duly woke us all up! Great!

Ironkid and Ironbaby

Am I training too much and is my training starting to influence the girls a bit too much?








This is genuine and not planted in her hands, she picked it up and started 'reading'.

This one however is totally rigged, of course she can not read and very surprised it wasn't ripped and eaten within 30 seconds of being on the floor!

Day 69 - Thank God for the iplayer

As the rugby was on and it is still not light enough to get the 3 hr bike ride in and back home before the swimming lessons I decided I will turbo it and watch Wales play against Scotland. So settled down on the saddle at about 1.30 pm to get the big match build up and then time was flying and the kick off had started. By half way through the first half I wanted to kick off the turbo and head out as we were awful, terrible and getting hammered! Kept going till half time and decided we need a come back so what happens Wales conceded a penalty instantly! Argggg

But the end was worth waiting for and my legs were spinning like a mad man as Wales kept on running and running. Got the win but only just.

Very tired now after a hard day in the saddle so off to bed for me.

Day 68 - Poor Lady

I decided to do the same loop as I had done so successfully on Tuesday night but this time a lot more conservatively considering I had a three hour bike to do tomorrow. But when I got to the Co-op there was a lady calling for her lost dog. She asked if on my run I would keep an eye out for the dog who was brand new. She had literally just picked him up and on the way home decided to stop to get something to eat. Opened the door and out bolted 'Badger'. Poor lady was in pieces so I decided to detour and put in a few laps around the playing fields to see if I could see him. Tried hard but couldn't so carried on my way. However, all the way around all I could think of was this poor dog.

The other downer was I couldn't take it easy as I had spent time looking and now needed to get a shifty on in order to get home close to the hour mark. Came back in 1hr 4 min so not too late.

Hope she finds her dog.

Day 67 - Parents Evening Part 2

I was so tired after parents evening tonight as well I could not be bothered to train. My hip is starting to bruise quite nicely and certainly hurts if someone touches it but apart from that not too bad considering the force I hit the floor with it. Back on it tomorrow.

Day 66 - Parents Evening

It was the first of 2 parents evening today and it doesn't finish till 8pm so I decided to ride my bike to school and ride home after. No problem getting there but major problems when trying to get home.
1 Whilst chatting away for 3 hours about progress and attainment to parents it had been pinging down with snow outside!

2 My front light is totally inadequate! perfect for roads with street light but awful for small lanes and Graces Walk

3 28mm street tyres slide all over the place in snow and ice.

I was like a duck on a frozen lake. I managed to stay up right for the majority but not all. I had a 1mph flop in Chelmer Park and then just before getting home went flying - truly slam dunked on my left hip. Both feet clipped in and slipping across the lane.

What is gutting is I really enjoyed myself until then listening to the snow under the wheels it was just like Ice Road Truckers! What caught me out was the bloody camber on the road as it dropped to the side and with my inadequate lights didn't notice.

I need to change my tyres for mt cycle cross ones. Harder to pedal but at least I will have some grip - I hope! as I'm getting fed up sliding along ice on tarmac!

Day 65 - Thanks to the 80's

Went for my run tonight and decided to go around the Ridge and back along Riffhams and I know it is mainly down hill apart from the start and the end. I was enjoying listening to the Ministry of Sound Electric 80's so much I forgot about staying in zone 2 and just bounded along and took a clean 4 mins off my pb for that route. What is even more nuts on certain songs I'm sure I was singing out loud and clapping my hands in beat. I must have looked like an demented escapee from a local loony asylum. But who cares I loved it. Shame can not have ipod on for ironman.

Day 64 - Start of week 10

This is the last week of the base training before moving on to the full on training. Today is a rest day even though last week was such a poor effort for me I really don't think I deserve on I took it and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to getting back on the miles again this week and switch my head in to gear to train.

One week left of term before a week off school - fab. Downside is the two parents evenings in the middle. Not meeting the parents as such but their such long days 13 hour jobies so thinking of riding to school and back on those days just to get some training in.

Day 63 - Total Eclipse

From the high of the sun yesterday to the low of the eclipse today. I woke up or rather I didn't wake up and stayed in bed for ages and then when I did I was like bear just come out of hibernation. I really couldn't get going at all. I really wanted to do two sessions today the bike in the am and the run in the pm. But I ended up doing neither I really couldn't get going all day and the thought of getting out there and changed into kit and pedaling for a few hours made me want to cry (not really but you get what I'm saying!)

Basically - sacked it!

Day 62 - Sunshine

When you were in the sun today it felt like a lovely spring day so much so that for the first time since last year I ditched the tights and got on the shorts and went for a fantastic run through all the woods in the area. I was pleased as pie as well because I did over the hour and felt really good and strong. The conditions were ideal wet under foot but in true Essex clay style very sticky which does have the advantage of meaning you can descend very quickly because you through your foot in the ground and you sort of aqua plane for a few centimetres before your other leg comes through and your surfing on that one. I never really used to enjoy trail running and off road running I was always paranoid about my knee popping again. But these runs this year I have thoroughly enjoyed. Enjoyed even more since being fitter as well.

Day 61 - No Strikes

Had a surprise meeting after school which turned into a usual talking shop of which I must admit I contributed to as well. But the result was I didn't get out and back to my class to tidy up in time to go for a run and back home and then back out again for seven o'clock at the bowling alley. So hey - ho once again life got in the way of training. Will have to make up the time.

Day 60 - Turbo-tastic

Well I sort of morphed two sessions in to one. Instead of doing the Thursday spin session I did a flat out turbo for an hour with no run at the end. I really didn't want to as I didn't getting started till 8.50pm but forced myself out there and thought I would only do 45 mins but once I was on it and started peddling then there was no point in stopping I might as well go all the way till the end.

I felt good with strong legs all the way but was ready to get off by the end. I'm writing this at 4.45 am as one child has just been fed and the other needed the bed changed and I was lying there thinking of the Ironman and going through all sorts of different scenarios of what could happen on the day. This immediately woke me up and that was that cup of tea and blog entry to do then sit down and finish reading Rosie Swale Pole 'Just a little run around the World'. Loving it and a few classic quotes.

"If it's important enough, it's possible to carry on no matter what."

" When times are difficult, think of something very special to keep you going."

Two that will certainly be going through my head in Austria for sure.

Day 59 - On the road again

Well I decided to go for it and went for an hour run and the knee was tick-a-dee-boo. Which is a big relief but the rest of my legs felt really tired. But, when I checked my watch I was only a minute slower than my PB for that course so I was amazed.

I had one scary moment on the run a bloody huge massive badger came flying across my path! it scared the living s**t out of me. I have never heard a badger make a noise before but some weird sound came out of his mouth as he went through my head-torch beam. Very strange but also lovely to think that there are wild badgers living just 3 minutes run away from the house.

I think that apart from the little injury I think I also went through my first little training blues downer, but after tonight I feel so much better and ready for my next session already.

Day 58 - Physio day

Well I went for physio today on the old achilles and the calf muscles but asked for the physio to look at my knee. The verdict is good some slight soft tissue damage and inflammation that should clear up over the next couple of days. So I think I will rest it again today and then start back on the training schedule tomorrow. I wont do both session one after the other but will try and mix the match the two. Maybe do the bike first for 30 minutes and then do an hours run. We'll see how it goes I'm sure that it will be ok.

Day 57 - Day off

And here it is again a day off. The week before was a rest training week and it certainly felt like it. The knee is feeling better at least.

Day 56 - no go day

It is just too stiff and painful to try and run on it today following yesterdays crash. I wont try and make up the time on Monday as I have physio already booked for Tuesday. Fingers crossed that not too much damage has been done and it might be just a bit of swelling.

Day 55 - Ice Road Biker

What a very scary bike ride today was. It was cold but very clear and the sun was starting to get above the clouds. However, there was quite a lot of ice about. I managed to avoid it all until right towards the end whilst entering East Hanningfield and going over a large patch of ice and when getting to the end I was suddenly upside down and sliding and spinning on my back across the road. I went down hard on my right knee and it was hurting to start with but managed to ride back ok. As the day wore on it was getting stiffer and stiffer. I'll rub some arnica cream on it to hopefully help with the bruising but we will see.

Will have to wait and see how it is before going for a run tomorrow.

Day 54 - Happy Days

Last night I had a sneaky day off but today was back on the road and pounding the streets of Springfield. It was freeeeeeeeezzzzzing again but I got my head down and got on with the job. The start of the run was slow but ok, the middle part was even slower and then I suddenly woke up and instead of just going through the motions of running upped the pace, rose from a heel strike to a forefoot and started to speed up the cadence. Consequently the last 2 miles of the 7 mile run were by far quicker. The burn started especially since those 2 miles were mainly up hill but it felt good.

Tomorrow is a 2 hour bike ride hopefully the weather will be ok so I can get out there and pound the roads rather than sit on the turbo. A 2 hour bike ride on the road seams very easy but the thought of a 2 hour turbo seams like a mammoth session and rather daunting. So cross fingers for ok weather.

Day 53 - Nope not tonight Mr Fink.

I know there I was banging on about every second counts and they all add up. But here I am tonight missing a session because I'm too dog tired to get changed let alone ride my bike for an hour at 100+ rpm.

Ah well new motto - listen to your body! (now to find the chocolate!!!)

Day 52 - Tuesday High = Wednesday Low

So the low that normally starts the week started a day later this week. I don't know why but the bike part of the brick went ok'ish but legs ached towards the end but the run was a 'mare' I just couldn't get any pattern to my strides going. It felt like I was running with someone else's legs. After a good 10 minutes they suddenly woke up and managed to get a good rhythm going again and suddenly everything seemed so much easier and my leg speed was quicker and breathing easier. It felt good until I hit the hill coming up to the house then it was back to the ironman shuffle. Ah well not everyday can be a good day but at least I got out there and didn't stop till the end of the session.

Tomorrow no running, all on bike so all should be good again. Fingers crossed.

Day 51 - And the week starts again.

When I first ran this course it took me 59 mins and a few seconds but tonight I did it in 53.54 and felt really comfortable. I don't know why but it just sort of happened. I did have music in my ears and it was quite lively but would this really cause me to run that much quicker? I didn't really feel like I was massively out of breath when I got home either. So all is good then. Historically this first run has been awful so I don't know if tonights effort will result in a bad ending or just a good training week ahead. The later I hope.

Day 50 - Day Off

I can not believe that another day off has come around again so quickly, but it has and I am not complaining. Day 50 already fantastic. When I started this program I thought of Day 50 as a massive mile stone but now I'm here I'm already thinking of Day 100. How cool does that sound Day 100?

So here goes for another 50 days of training and not that much resting.

Day 49 - On the Road Again

Well the end of the week and what a week. Finished off with actually getting out on the road and riding for 2hrs 28mins and 59 secs just 1min and 1 sec short of the target but it was so nice to be outside and on the road. To begin it was baltic my hands, feet, arms and face were freezing but soon warmed up as I hit the first hill, but my hands didn't warm until 10 mins from the end.

If ever the phrase 'There is no such thing as being cold just bad clothing' was true then today was it. I couldn't find one of my winter gloves and used my running ones and paid the price.

I rode the first part like a possessed person who was let out for the first time in years. About half way around I slowed down and really enjoyed looking at the countryside. Like Vernon Kay states on twitter about how he can not believe the amount of rubbish everywhere the same is in Essex. It is disgusting all the plastic and crap everywhere. Since the prisons are overcrowded bring back chain gangs to pick it all up!

I rode the Boardman and really enjoyed it big tyres, heavy frame but it did mean at one point I went off road and flew down this muddy farm lane slipping and sliding but loved it, really broke it up.

Day off tomorrow and then an easier week next week a recovery week - happy days.