2012 Brief Review

At the start of 2012 I was really excited as the Olympics were coming to London. But I was extremely frustrated as I still had a big full leg brace on as a result of dislocating my right knee cap at work.  However, after encouraging Mark and Roy, two blokes from work, to take part in the 2012 challenge there was a light at the end of the tunnel and this caused me to do some training and get my arse in to gear.

This blog update was meant to be short, so for once I will keep it that way. The Olympics came and it was special. Then they went. Then the para-lympics came and this too was special then they also went. I suddenly realised that I had a marathon coming up and started training hard. Too hard. Being the wrong side of 40 meant when injury struck, hip flexor, I  couldn't recover quickly enough and the marathon was out of the window.

Since then I grew a tash for Movember as support for my mate Chris. He came to stay for a week in December and got me back running again. These last few weeks I have had some lovely runs and found my mojo again and the joy of getting muddy, very muddy and wet and yet having a great time running on the trails and roads near home.

So next year is looming very quickly and I have a few goals in mind but not too sure just yet. But I will keep you all informed of what they are when I finalised them.

Garmin Review of Last Year - (all activities)

Total number of activities - 124

Total distance traveled - 808.19 miles

Total time spent training - 83.59.40 (hrs.min.sec)

Elevation Gained - 7870 m

Average Speed - 9.6 mph

Average Pedal Cadence - 82 rpm

Total Calories burned - 71,702

The Truth Is ..........

This was a little mantra that I started when I went out for run today and it is all about accepting some truths and then getting down to hard work to do something about it.

The truth is I went for a run today and I was in pain.
The truth is I used to run with fluidity and style.
The truth is I now run in pain and no grace.
The truth is I'm unfit.
The truth is I'm overweight.
The truth is my thighs rub when I run.
The truth is my upper body wobbles on impact of each stride.
The truth is my lungs were burning and gasping for air.
The truth is today I ran 3.96 miles and felt worse than finishing my Ironmans.
The truth is I wanted to walk.
The truth is I didn't walk and am so pleased with myself for not doing that.
The truth is I have a marathon in 12 weeks.
The truth is I haven't done enough training but I'm stupid enough to still do it.
The truth is I love biscuits, cakes, chocolate and crisps.
The truth is my trousers and shorts are tight.
The truth is I refuse to go up a waist size.
The truth is I prefer to be in pain for a few weeks and loose the weight.
The truth is I'm 42 now and not as fit as when I was 22.
The truth is with hard work I can be fitter / slimmer than I was at 22.
The truth is I will complete the marathon.
The truth is it is going to be painful and hard to get fit again.
The truth is in a sadistic way I am looking forward to my fitness 'journey' I'm about to embark on.
The truth is I am never going to let myself 'go' again.
The truth is I'm saying goodbye to unfit, un-energetic me.
The truth is after only one run I feel my mojo coming back.
The truth is that I will loose my mojo, enthusiasm again.
The truth is I will get it back again.
The truth is I've typed it and published it so now I need to act on it.

That's it. That's the truth.

Wow - now that takes determination.

I've tried many times to upload this video of Tim Don from YouTube to the blog but it just doesn't seem to want to load. So sorry if you want to see it use the link below. It is a 7 minute film about training with Tim Don for 48 hours. He is a fantastic athlete considering he has been up in 'the sharp end' of triathlon for numerous years and after watching this you certainly see why and what dedication he has.

CLICK HERE

It's been a while

Well hello again. I know it's been ages - too long. I can not believe that my last post was seven months ago.

A brief history as to what has been going on in that time, training wise = nothing. Told you it was brief!

But in all honesty I've had many good intentions. I entered my favourite Olympic distance triathlon, Windsor, and have subsequently dropped out and moved my entry money to the Ball Buster. I dropped out because the days were ticking by and it got passed the point of time before the race and getting fit enough for my goal time. Before long time had run out and I wouldn't get fit enough to finish the swim let alone anything else.

There are no excuses for letting my fitness slip so much apart from I discovered I can eat a lot of crap. By putting rubbish in my body meant I felt rubbish and tired etc and it snowballed to the point of being my heaviest since 1993. But back then, I did have an excuse, my left leg was in full length plaster cast for 9 weeks after dislocating my knee.

Looking forward to the future and I am already feeling more positive and have been looking at rejoining a triathlon club. I'm seriously tempted by 'Born2Tri' as they seem so organised. The closest club is Blackwater Tri Club but their website hasn't been updated for ages. I am sure they have fantastic athletes who will inspire me but I like looking online to see what everyone is up to etc.

In order to loose weight I have gone for shock tactics and measured my waist, weigh myself daily and, never tried this before, write down everything that I eat in the day and their calorific content. I am also going to start my 21 day challenge again. This is where I must swim, run or bike for 21 days consecutively. The distance is not an issue it's the physical fact that I get out there and do it - no excuses.

So I hope you are all ready and be prepared to get really bored by my entries on twitter and blog about how the challenge is going and how, hopefully, the weight drops off; as after all I 'mustgetfitter'.

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.