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.