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.

Day 47 & 48 - The longest runs

I have combined these two days into one blog as I ran the same course but one day it was anti-clockwise and the next clockwise. This is the furthest I have run for many many months and to complete it on two consecutive nights is fantastic. However, it does mean that I do have to a 2hr 30min session on the bike tomorrow to finish my training for the week.

But the downside of these sessions are my legs are very tight and aching like mad, especially my left IT band. Going to have to roll it out tonight to try and get rid of nasty lactic before tomorrow.

It could be worse because as I am writing this Sophie is on the turbo half way through her 2hr 30 min session. Now that is tough. Having said that I pray for ok weather tomorrow so I can get out on the road, for the first time this year, and not the turbo.

The only thing that happened on the run on both nights was my nipples started getting rubbed and bled - big ouch as the salty sweet gets rubbed into the fresh raw nipple. Nice image for you all there before bed - goodnight!

Day 46 - Back on it and buzzing

Instead of doing the the usual turbo with a DVD on I decided to put on the old iPod and listen to music. Who's the best band for a turbo session - Faithless. I turned the music up put on the headphones, the ear drums were buzzing and the bass line was booming. It was fantastic I was buzzing and the time flew by. I must admit I was thinking of the time I saw them in Brixton Academy with Susan and our good friends Sophie and Chris, absolutely mental.

I kept the iPod on and went for a run after I can honestly say my heart beat was no way anywhere near zone 2 but more like zone 5! with a manic grin on my face as I felt like I was flying over the road. I loved it and that extra day off certainly worked I felt fantastic.

Day 45 - Unofficial Day Off

Work was so manic with my day out of class not really happening and being on break duty and lunch duty and then the afternoon to sort out and deliver the twilight staff meeting. On top of all this I also was feeling not too good and my nose was all blocked up. So all in all, listen to your body and all that I took the day off. Tomorrow I will do tonight's session and miss the hour of spinning at 100+ rpm.

Day 44 - A run on the old routes

I decided to go for a run from school tonight since I was already changed for football club in school. I ran further than I do in Danbury but for the same amount of time. What a difference flat land makes. It was a really lovely run that looped all the way down to Sanford Mill and back up past the old house, through the industrial estate and back to school.

The weather has got cold again and I was glad I took my gillet as a just in case moment in my bag as I needed it on the run. Some people are due more snow again but i think it is stopping just below us. The industrial areas of South Essex will dissolve the snow clouds before they get to us. I am looking forward to getting out of the garage and get on the roads. I certainly feel fitter on turbo but need to get on the roads proper to really build up strength.

Day 43 - Day off number ?

And I really enjoyed it. Marvelous.

Day 42 - A hard slog

Well the last hour run of the week and 'bois bach' it was a slog. My legs were so heavy and my pace was slow, I just couldn't get going. I know why it was because I had my supper only 30 mins before and it was just sitting in my stomach the whole way around. Ah well it will be good training as I know that the run at the end of the IM I will have tired legs and most probably stomach pains. Make mental note need to get salt sticks ready.
Apart from the speed and the dead legs it was a beautiful night that was crystal clear. There must have been delays over Stansted tonight as loads of planes were circling around that area. The only other thing to report is as I got closer to the ford there was a police car with its blue lights flashing. I was stopped and told it was ok to go over the footpath but to take care. This ford is usually 12" - 18" deep but tonight it was just under 5" deep and a car had driven in to it and was stuck there. The water was over the bonnet and up the side of the windows. It made me smile as I thought I may be struggling on a run but at least I haven't just written off my car. Happy days rest day tomorrow - bloody need it.

Day 41 - A long Turbo

The weather was terrible today. At least the snow has gone but following that came the driving rain so I opted for the 2hour turbo in the garage rather than venturing out into the elements. The session was a 'top' one - Bourne Identity on DVD had me powering along nicely with an average speed the positive side of 19mph, average cadence of 86rpm and an average heart beat of 127bpm. So all in all I 'm really pleased with this.

The only down side about doing a turbo session is I keep forgetting to wear gloves this time of year. My hands were numb at the end and were so cold they were almost painful to close and open them when I came into the warm house. I suppose they just hold the tribars and occasionally the water bottle and apart from that do nothing. Mind you the rest of the body gave off some serious amount of heat and the sweat was just pouring off me.

All in all a really good turbo that once it was finished was really pleasing but whilst on it was hard work.

Day 40 - Running with the horses

Decided to do the same route as I did on Tuesday night but this time clockwise. As I was running along Riffhams lane there was this rummble like thunder of horses hooves running along in the field next to me. I tried to spot them with my headtorch but could not see them. By doing the route this way around gave me the problem of running up North Hill. However, I managed to complete the route a minute quicker than anti-clockwise. I don't know why as it is a very long up hill section that is almost a mile long. The only thing that I can think is that on Tuesday it was quite slippy underfoot and that this caused me to be slower.
I have decided to run North Hill at the end of every month as a time trial to gauge my fitness. I will also do this on my bike to see if I am getting fitter, stronger and hopefully faster.

Day 39 - I'm spinning around...........

I really hate that session. I know why I have to do it but it doesn't mean I have to like it. Spin the pedals at 100+ rpm for one hour. Sure I'm meant to develop a smooth style so my arse doesn't bounce and create 'gaps' in the pedal stroke but to maintain that concentration for an hour is almost impossible. Especially when I was watching 'The Incredibles' on iplayer. I wish I could have some of Dash's speed when it comes to this July.

Anyway back to the running tomorrow hope the weather improves from the constant rain that was coming down today.

Day 38 - Brick by brick you build

My legs were feeling a lot better tonight maybe it was because I exercised last night but I think it is because of the bike session first and then the run. Felt really comfortable on the bike tonight, down in the bars and spinning the peddles at a steady 83 rpm. Breathing was steady and i really enjoyed the feeling. The start of the run was ok a bit wobbly but soon got into a good rhythm.

There was still little crystals flying around in the air but nothing major. The problem was all the snow that has been melting has started to freeze again and made certain areas of the road slippier than polished glass. A few little wobbles but didn't go down but certainly slowed me down on the descents and a few wheel spins on the assents.

Day 37 - Back to the grind

I can not believe that i went out for my hours run tonight feeling really tired and really didn't want to go but went. Guess what it started to snow again, little tiny small flakes like sugar snow but it was lovely to run in it. I decided to take a new route and finished five mins early but went the downhill route. If i was to go the other way it will easily be five mins over the hour.

Mind was blank as I pounded around but it did start to feel good towards the end until a little prick in his souped up 106 decided to slow down and shout abuse out of his window at me. Why? and what was the point? I do not know but what a tosser. Ah well jealous I think that my legs look lush in running tights and his jeans are down around his scrawny shapeless arse.

Day 36 - Day off - AHHHHHHH

Another day off, it is hard to believe that it has come around so quickly but I'm not complaining.

Day 35 - And still it snows

Well that's it that is the end of another week of training. All land based sessions completed happy days but boy do my legs feel it now. They are crying for the day off but that is the way that they should be after a hard weeks of training.
The run tonight was ok, I really felt hungry about half way around and then I realised it was because I hadn't really eaten all day and my body was most probably burning more energy to keep warm as well as keep ticking my legs over.

The big plus was that it snowed the whole way around the course constant battering in the eyes. It was cool but after a time it started to get on my nervous with constant blinking. The conditions were good underfoot and a lot of the ice had melted. I could have worn my new Asics but wore the Salamon just in case but there was really no need.

To celebrate another week of training finishing I celebrated with a beer and four Roses. Can not wait for the chocolate to be out of the house to stop picking at it.

Day 34 - Thank GOD for Jason Bourne

One hour and 45 minutes on the turbo and the time can really drag so what's the cure? Whack on a film and get through the time. So obviously the perfect remedy Bourne Supremacy as it last for exactly 1:44. This film is class and with non stop action the time seamed to fly by. I couldn't watch them in order as the first one is two hours long so that one will have to wait.

Due to the action of the film I managed to have a cadence average of 87 and an average speed of over 18mph - really really happy with that.

Wonder if I could attach a DVD player to my bike for the race in Austria and watch the trilogy on my way round?

Day 33 - Stars, Snow, Ice and North Hill

It was another cold clear night with the stars out and the snow was crunching under feet. The lanes were really quiet only mad people running were out and about. The lanes were not that bad I ran in the middle of the road where the tyres had not compacted the snow to ice. The Salomon's were fantastic once again, not once did I loose my grip and felt I could trust them what ever I was running on.

I went a new route and ended up on North Hill - bloody hell that is a killer but I got up in one piece all be it with heavy legs and my lungs coming through my nose. I was shocked that the loop I had taken did not take an hour like predicted so I ended up having to weave around before getting home.

All in all a very good run and very very enjoyable. Starting to get fitter and really feeling it now as well - Lush.

Day 32 - A brick and a spin

Had to catch up with yesterdays unofficial day off so decided to do the brick session from yesterday and add a spin session on the end. The garage was cold but I soon worked up a lovely sweat and was a huffing and a puffing. Time was up soon enough and then it was outside to the -5 air temp and a run in the snow and to make it even a more memorable run it started to throw it down with fresh stuff as well. It was so peaceful and fantastic to be out in the lanes running on fresh crunchy, squeaking snow. The spin session went well afterwards to finish a lovely training session this evening.

Day 31 - Snowy day off

Well the snow came down and I didn't do the official training but did train sort of. Well I was chased around the school field by the school kids chucking snowballs at me for at least 20 minutes. Man alive it was a lot of fun and they got some good shots to my head but got some back as well.

Day 30 - Round and Round

Today was scheduled not to be a running day but a yoga day instead. I had a massage earlier to try and finally get rid of the achilles problem. It is a lot better but still in the morning it is as tight as a budgies chuff and so stiff until I have walked down the stairs and back and then it is fine for the rest of the day. But looking back at the problem I have moved on so much I still remember the panic when I went on mt first 20 min run thinking it was going to 'ping' at any moment and tear even more and now I can go for an hour easily and still feel like I can go for some more.

The only down side of tonight was I went on a new route and it was shorter than I thought so I ended up weaving and wondering all the why home and once I had done some roads three times I headed home to find myself finishing 7 minutes short of the 45. Ah well - every second counts.

Day 29 - Rest Day - Came around quick

I love these days off. I love it even more when new kit arrives. Check out these new babies. LUSH!

Day 28 - Part 2

Well I caught up and managed to complete my hour run. I tried to download all the information for these two sessions to Garmin Connect but there seems to be a problem as both sessions have been transferred but have disappeared in the cyber world somewhere.

Hope they land where they are meant to go soon. As I would hate to loose all that data.

Day 28 - Midnight Express

Unlike the film this entry does not involve drugs! I got woken up by Millie crying for her feed and then as soon as my head hit the pillow Freya started crying as she had wet the bed, again. So after sorting her out I was wide awake and decided to get part 1 of today's double header out of the way. 10 minutes later I was in the garage pedalling away for the next 1hr 30 mins and boy was it cold. I realised too late that in order to do these 2am training session then it is even colder than normal and tights are in order.

Back in bed for 3.33 am but could I sleep? Could I heck. I was buzzing thinking of all sorts (no not liquorish!) and took ages before:
1 - my feet warmed up
2 - my body stopped buzzing following the vibrations off the bike
3- found a comfy position
4 - switched my brain off

So what have I learnt? It was a great idea at the time since I was so awake but bloody stupid in reality. Outcome = NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!

What is even more gutting just tried to download the data off the watch and it is not there. God knows what happened but now I don't even have the evidence and the data to look at - DOUBLE GUTTED!!!!!!

Day 27 - No time to bike

As the title says 'no time to bike'. I had all these good intentions of getting up early and getting the turbo out of the way before everyone woke up but I got woken up by Freya at 7.30. Couldn't believe how easily I fell into a deep deep sleep and stayed there from when I finished feeding Milllie at 1.30 am.

Ah well looks like a double session for me tomorrow.

Day 26 - Barking Mad with the Full Moon

Full moon tonight and in some parts of the run the moon was so strong it caused a shadow in my head torch beam - very strange.

The snow is back and melting and now the re-freezing which did result in some very interesting duck on ice moments but I used my natural ability and grace to stay on my feet!

Oh yeah and it was the first day of a new decade today and what a beautiful day it was. Clear blue skies and a dusting of snow over everything. A lovely walk in the morning in Lingwood Common with the Parkers before an afternoon of moving Millie into her own room. The first time in 6 months she is not by our side - feels very strange.

Lesson learnt today - when wearing a head torch don't breath out normally, blow down, as breathing normally means the steam from your breath blinds your vision with bright white mist and consequently blocks your vision.