I have a certificate, badge and most importantly a lanyard that says I am a Level 2 Mountain Bike leader.
I'm walking a bit funny today as the old calf muscle is feeling a bit brick like otherwise I'm good. The person who one the Brooklands half did it in 1:10... that is bonkers. A chap I was talking to afterwards (who finished in 1:39) told me that it isn't about having a runner's physique it is about having a runner's heart. I presume he is talking about blood flow and oxygen but the physique probably helps.
It's also official that I have been asked to do a makeup selfy thing. I heard on the news that polar bears have been doing well out of this as lots of people have been sending donation texts to a number with 'bare' but phones or poor spellers have been donating to 'bear'. loll.
You can tell from the perfunctory nature of yesterday's post that I wasn't happy with things. I forgot to thank the Nelsons for coming out to cheer me on too. As I was at the half way point I realised that I needed to up the effort levels and ignore the pain a bit more. I was so close to the hour point at half way so I wanted to give myself a better chance of making it. Favouring other leg distracting myself and creating some banter with other runners helped a bit. As I got to the 10 mile mark I weighed up pain versus pace needed to make the grade and did some maths courtesy of what my watch was telling me. I then tried to keep my watch telling me I was running at 6.5mph but failed to do so. The inevitable finish line adrenaline kicked in for a bit of a sprint then I stopped dead the other side of the finish line as there was a large queue for the goody bags and drinks! I cramped up and hopped around, stretched and got cold till I received my medal, Tshirt and odd selection of freeby snacks etc.
Monday 31 March 2014
Sunday 30 March 2014
Brooklands Half.
I may have run the Brooklands Half in Jan's name. Keen not to let him down I trained hard this week and even bought new trainers. The new trainers thing is interesting, apparently my big shoes are probably the cause of the knee dramas I have been having. These ones are much more about running on toes rather than full on cushioning and heel striking.
I woke and walk jog stretched my way to brooklands, paraded up and down a bit then took my place in the line up to start at 0800. Jan had set me the challenge of under two hours and I was quietly confident that Id not only find that easy but cruise in close to the 1:50 mark.
My warm up hadn't felt great but I assumed that was due to still waking up and any residual nerves. i don't know what happened but my legs weren't up for it and I had to struggle through. A crampy calf and tired everything was not my friend and I finished in 2:01.
Grrr. I'll run the course next week and prove that I can do it.
I woke and walk jog stretched my way to brooklands, paraded up and down a bit then took my place in the line up to start at 0800. Jan had set me the challenge of under two hours and I was quietly confident that Id not only find that easy but cruise in close to the 1:50 mark.
My warm up hadn't felt great but I assumed that was due to still waking up and any residual nerves. i don't know what happened but my legs weren't up for it and I had to struggle through. A crampy calf and tired everything was not my friend and I finished in 2:01.
Grrr. I'll run the course next week and prove that I can do it.
Thursday 27 March 2014
Double whammy
At lunch today I almost took up an offer to go out for lunch rather than using the time to sweat.
My legs which yesterday felt like pistons of power today felt like burning bricks. I got changed. I jogged to long walk, I started running.
Felt rubbish. Got to three miles and decided to run faster. Carried on running faster till the end. Almost fell down stairs after sitting at desk for ages afterwards. Good beasting considering i monged it but still was faster than same run when feeling fresh earlier in the year.
Two in one day. HAPPY?
My legs which yesterday felt like pistons of power today felt like burning bricks. I got changed. I jogged to long walk, I started running.
Felt rubbish. Got to three miles and decided to run faster. Carried on running faster till the end. Almost fell down stairs after sitting at desk for ages afterwards. Good beasting considering i monged it but still was faster than same run when feeling fresh earlier in the year.
Two in one day. HAPPY?
Dark
sorry for going dark on you over the last week. I could tell you what i've been up to but then I'd have to kill you. Actually wait. No. Read this or I kill you. Seeing as I have about 4 readers and that the world population is quite large im going to be busy.
the most interesting part of my beasting week was going on a MIAS assessment course. The passing of this to level two means that I now have a ticket that alllows me to take mountain bikers out and hopefully bring them all back in one piece.
Being less practiced on MTB of late and certainly never having been of a disposition to throw myself down muddy hills of too hair raising an aspect I decided to rock up early on day 1 and have some fun. I picked the first red route i could find and spent some time slogging up hills and getting used to the bike. The morning of the course was around the remit of the qualification and some work on checking how serviceable bikes are. That was useful. The afternoon was then a series of lessons on mountain biking and leadership of said activiy over increasiny challenging obstacles. This cul.inated in me being fully confident in the newly acquired bike and hurtling down some slick chalk hills whilst still feeling in control. Day two was more of a longer ride during which each of the candidates took turns of acting as ride leader. The chap running the course Phil, would occasionally interject to give feedback or put us over some obstacle or another but nothing compared to day one. He had a great coaching style.
Being much more out of the saddle and balancing all over the place compared to road bikesI founddespite the very slow overall pace that i had some odd aches and bruises after. The next day I went out solo on the MTB to consolidate and beast and had a wild time. My 7 mike run that evening was somewhat more painful than experienced though. I got to a point where I was needing to push through joint and back pain rather than physical exertion limits. I decided to slow down and then strolled wanting to live and beast another day. That day is Sunday actually I am running Brooklands half marathon. I've been told to do it in less than 2 hours.
All the biking over hills at the weekend and previously feels like it is paying off. A hill on one of my commuting routes which usually sees me at least with hands over breaks yesterday saw me glide down in the wet with little thought to stopping. Up hills I was pleased that my legs just seemed to eat up, solid cores of muscle that didn't feel pain but just pumped my otherwise sluggish self ever upwards. I say sluggish, heavy bag plus it has been a manic week between work, life, beasting and daughter deciding she wants to keep waking up at night crying. Also my tyres were flattish so I think I might get a track pump for the office.
I've also done some swimming and biking sessions since we last spoke. Oh and I met Darcy Bussell at St James' Palace. She is amazing.
the most interesting part of my beasting week was going on a MIAS assessment course. The passing of this to level two means that I now have a ticket that alllows me to take mountain bikers out and hopefully bring them all back in one piece.
Being less practiced on MTB of late and certainly never having been of a disposition to throw myself down muddy hills of too hair raising an aspect I decided to rock up early on day 1 and have some fun. I picked the first red route i could find and spent some time slogging up hills and getting used to the bike. The morning of the course was around the remit of the qualification and some work on checking how serviceable bikes are. That was useful. The afternoon was then a series of lessons on mountain biking and leadership of said activiy over increasiny challenging obstacles. This cul.inated in me being fully confident in the newly acquired bike and hurtling down some slick chalk hills whilst still feeling in control. Day two was more of a longer ride during which each of the candidates took turns of acting as ride leader. The chap running the course Phil, would occasionally interject to give feedback or put us over some obstacle or another but nothing compared to day one. He had a great coaching style.
Being much more out of the saddle and balancing all over the place compared to road bikesI founddespite the very slow overall pace that i had some odd aches and bruises after. The next day I went out solo on the MTB to consolidate and beast and had a wild time. My 7 mike run that evening was somewhat more painful than experienced though. I got to a point where I was needing to push through joint and back pain rather than physical exertion limits. I decided to slow down and then strolled wanting to live and beast another day. That day is Sunday actually I am running Brooklands half marathon. I've been told to do it in less than 2 hours.
All the biking over hills at the weekend and previously feels like it is paying off. A hill on one of my commuting routes which usually sees me at least with hands over breaks yesterday saw me glide down in the wet with little thought to stopping. Up hills I was pleased that my legs just seemed to eat up, solid cores of muscle that didn't feel pain but just pumped my otherwise sluggish self ever upwards. I say sluggish, heavy bag plus it has been a manic week between work, life, beasting and daughter deciding she wants to keep waking up at night crying. Also my tyres were flattish so I think I might get a track pump for the office.
I've also done some swimming and biking sessions since we last spoke. Oh and I met Darcy Bussell at St James' Palace. She is amazing.
Wednesday 19 March 2014
Budget
This is how I would do things if I were chancellor.
First I find it a bit crass that this has become such a media farce with details leaked, revealed and speculated about in advance. Today is budget day. Tell us then. If you want to give us a warning order on it then at least use the correct format.
Now whilst I dislike the increased trend towards it being a photo opportunity I would keep the front doorstep with red briefcase. THE briefcase would be weighted. I'd warm up by running to the step then jumping up and down it a few times. Whilst my legs are warm I'd perform some dynamic stretches and increase financial incentives for businesses to recruit. Some calf raises and squat jumps would complete the leg routine. The weighted briefcase I'd then use as a kettle bell weight to exhaustion in shoulder shrugs and press. Bicep curls would be alternated with press ups and dips from the step with the briefcase in lap. The typical holding up of the briefcase would then follow. Keeping core muscles engaged it would be raised directly to the front to shoulder height, rotated 90 degrees away from the body then lowered under control. This would be repeated to exhaustion on both arms. To complement this i would then hold it across the body by the hips and draw it up diagonally to shoulder height. Lowered vertically this would then be repeated in the same way. I'd probably finish by doing some sit ups then holding the briefcase directly above my head whilst lying on my back. It would then be brought up over my head and as it goes past the nose I' follow it up to sitting position with case held in front.
Id then enlist the help of the PM to symbolically present it by sitting up, throwing it to him, go down, back up in time to catch it as he throws it to me as I rise up. 20 of these.
Budget done.
First I find it a bit crass that this has become such a media farce with details leaked, revealed and speculated about in advance. Today is budget day. Tell us then. If you want to give us a warning order on it then at least use the correct format.
Now whilst I dislike the increased trend towards it being a photo opportunity I would keep the front doorstep with red briefcase. THE briefcase would be weighted. I'd warm up by running to the step then jumping up and down it a few times. Whilst my legs are warm I'd perform some dynamic stretches and increase financial incentives for businesses to recruit. Some calf raises and squat jumps would complete the leg routine. The weighted briefcase I'd then use as a kettle bell weight to exhaustion in shoulder shrugs and press. Bicep curls would be alternated with press ups and dips from the step with the briefcase in lap. The typical holding up of the briefcase would then follow. Keeping core muscles engaged it would be raised directly to the front to shoulder height, rotated 90 degrees away from the body then lowered under control. This would be repeated to exhaustion on both arms. To complement this i would then hold it across the body by the hips and draw it up diagonally to shoulder height. Lowered vertically this would then be repeated in the same way. I'd probably finish by doing some sit ups then holding the briefcase directly above my head whilst lying on my back. It would then be brought up over my head and as it goes past the nose I' follow it up to sitting position with case held in front.
Id then enlist the help of the PM to symbolically present it by sitting up, throwing it to him, go down, back up in time to catch it as he throws it to me as I rise up. 20 of these.
Budget done.
Tuesday 18 March 2014
MTB
I've just spent the evening fixing up and testing a mountain bike for my course this weekend. I'm a good leader in the field, am fit for cyclist and have spent some time reading up on how to get into mountain biking. This cannot go wrong. If i die then boy gets my watch cufflinks and hip flasks and c gets my books and decanters. Nicky gets the rest other than the giant portrait of me naked wrestling a lion which goes to Jan.
I tested my bunny hops up some curbs, hit some mud and survived a couple of ramps but an offroad route to and from work will hopefully consolidate all that google has taught me. On a serious note a weekend not too far from home but on some hills will be good for both fitness and bike confidence.
Since last post I went swimming and pushed out 3km in an hour. I was tired from it to be honest, didn't really ache as i thought I would though. Insufficient food beforehand didn't help and i did need to push... Hang on this isn't dramatic enough.
Triceps burning, I dug my arms into the water trying to escape. I had been followed for some time by a relentless and rested figure who mechanically progressed through the water, gaining ground on each pass. The faceless, red capped stalker held a speed similar to my own but through tumble turning was more efficent on every length. I had to reach 2km before he overtook me. As my arms and lungs protested in equal measure my form slipped. The slight rotation I had been trying to maintain after picking up a tip from the tri show was lost. The extra reach and hydrodynamics diminished as my arms failed to extend. The back end of each stroke failed to push the water back up and my catch in the water varied wildly. The extra effort it thus took to maintain the speed caused panic to creep in. My breathing lost rhythm. I took in water. My head began to pound and lungs strained. The end of the pool drew near but exhaustion threatened to come first.
I pushed through a final turn and 25m then on my turn held on to the edge, awaited overtaking and secummed to the ignominy of the situation. A thirty second breather and i completed my swim.
We could safely say i could do the 3.8km swim without real problem in less than 1:20 at the moment.
on this phone and whilst blogging during rugby I don't proof read etc for which N told me off. Sorry all.
I tested my bunny hops up some curbs, hit some mud and survived a couple of ramps but an offroad route to and from work will hopefully consolidate all that google has taught me. On a serious note a weekend not too far from home but on some hills will be good for both fitness and bike confidence.
Since last post I went swimming and pushed out 3km in an hour. I was tired from it to be honest, didn't really ache as i thought I would though. Insufficient food beforehand didn't help and i did need to push... Hang on this isn't dramatic enough.
Triceps burning, I dug my arms into the water trying to escape. I had been followed for some time by a relentless and rested figure who mechanically progressed through the water, gaining ground on each pass. The faceless, red capped stalker held a speed similar to my own but through tumble turning was more efficent on every length. I had to reach 2km before he overtook me. As my arms and lungs protested in equal measure my form slipped. The slight rotation I had been trying to maintain after picking up a tip from the tri show was lost. The extra reach and hydrodynamics diminished as my arms failed to extend. The back end of each stroke failed to push the water back up and my catch in the water varied wildly. The extra effort it thus took to maintain the speed caused panic to creep in. My breathing lost rhythm. I took in water. My head began to pound and lungs strained. The end of the pool drew near but exhaustion threatened to come first.
I pushed through a final turn and 25m then on my turn held on to the edge, awaited overtaking and secummed to the ignominy of the situation. A thirty second breather and i completed my swim.
We could safely say i could do the 3.8km swim without real problem in less than 1:20 at the moment.
on this phone and whilst blogging during rugby I don't proof read etc for which N told me off. Sorry all.
Saturday 15 March 2014
Hills
I'm now belatedly watching the England Italy 6 nations match now, drinking prosecco which I hope isn't unpatriotic. Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious though so maybe that's OK.
I could have watched the game whilst C napped but instead I took advantage to head out on bike on such a blustery but beautiful day. 35 miles of North Downs hills awaited my legs, a couple of loops. I felt good though and whilst I wish I had eaten more before going out (my Maison Blanc, not healthy breakfast quickly seemed a long time ago) there was much joy in and impulsion.
6-10 Italy England, lots of England mistakes and fumbles.
The uphills will take care of themselves but as I have mentioned before its the downhill I need to practise. To that end I went first to Newlands corner, down the far side of that is an absolute joy with only one corner which I would consider a worry. A broken down vehicle on the opposite side causing car in front to slow, and one impatient driver my only consideration other than enjoying the down. Overall the cars were very courteous. Drivers of Surrey Hills (other than mr impatient) I salute you. Its a nice sweeping hill and in my comfort zone. I then slogged up another hill. I overtook three guys which was good. I don't usually count it as an overtake if they are on inferior bikes, are much older, are fat or subsequently overtake me again however these guys all appeared to be lycra clad tri club members so lets hope they are my competitors in Wales. On the way down the mix of bright sun and shade, patches of loose gravel and tighter than ideal road was a perfect example of where I need to improve. The one guy who kept distance ahead of me up the hill was peddling hard down the hill other than some of the hairier points. I did a lot of coasting and would just zip up inexorably behind him. I need to make use of that momentum, especially as I must put in a stupid amount of chemical energy gaining gravitational potential energy. Also I do consider that maybe my caution is not over . Let's hope that confidence increases and fatty body weight (110kgs) decreases at its current pace as we move closer to D Day.
Another loop of the hills and similar issues other than one point on which I completely bottled it rather than just playing safe and jammed on the breaks at a steeper part as there was a tight blind corner at the bottom. Will have to ride the route a few times and conquer it break-less.
My back was almost painful, certainly aching on the ride even though energy levels are fine and I must say that it makes it much harder to keep focused on keeping the legs pumping even when they are perfectly capable and lungs aren't trying. I blame it on being silly whilst doing housework but as I type it's feeling better so just need to not drop off stretching etc and get back into consistent core work.
Bit disappointed that average speed was only 15mph. I hope it was a mix of the steeper hills and traffic lights\road junctions as when I'm on the flat, slightly up or down I seem to be keeping it about 20mph. Bring on closed road bike on ride!
I could have watched the game whilst C napped but instead I took advantage to head out on bike on such a blustery but beautiful day. 35 miles of North Downs hills awaited my legs, a couple of loops. I felt good though and whilst I wish I had eaten more before going out (my Maison Blanc, not healthy breakfast quickly seemed a long time ago) there was much joy in and impulsion.
6-10 Italy England, lots of England mistakes and fumbles.
The uphills will take care of themselves but as I have mentioned before its the downhill I need to practise. To that end I went first to Newlands corner, down the far side of that is an absolute joy with only one corner which I would consider a worry. A broken down vehicle on the opposite side causing car in front to slow, and one impatient driver my only consideration other than enjoying the down. Overall the cars were very courteous. Drivers of Surrey Hills (other than mr impatient) I salute you. Its a nice sweeping hill and in my comfort zone. I then slogged up another hill. I overtook three guys which was good. I don't usually count it as an overtake if they are on inferior bikes, are much older, are fat or subsequently overtake me again however these guys all appeared to be lycra clad tri club members so lets hope they are my competitors in Wales. On the way down the mix of bright sun and shade, patches of loose gravel and tighter than ideal road was a perfect example of where I need to improve. The one guy who kept distance ahead of me up the hill was peddling hard down the hill other than some of the hairier points. I did a lot of coasting and would just zip up inexorably behind him. I need to make use of that momentum, especially as I must put in a stupid amount of chemical energy gaining gravitational potential energy. Also I do consider that maybe my caution is not over . Let's hope that confidence increases and fatty body weight (110kgs) decreases at its current pace as we move closer to D Day.
Another loop of the hills and similar issues other than one point on which I completely bottled it rather than just playing safe and jammed on the breaks at a steeper part as there was a tight blind corner at the bottom. Will have to ride the route a few times and conquer it break-less.
My back was almost painful, certainly aching on the ride even though energy levels are fine and I must say that it makes it much harder to keep focused on keeping the legs pumping even when they are perfectly capable and lungs aren't trying. I blame it on being silly whilst doing housework but as I type it's feeling better so just need to not drop off stretching etc and get back into consistent core work.
Bit disappointed that average speed was only 15mph. I hope it was a mix of the steeper hills and traffic lights\road junctions as when I'm on the flat, slightly up or down I seem to be keeping it about 20mph. Bring on closed road bike on ride!
Thursday 13 March 2014
Old notebook
Whilst doing some sorting I found an old notepad. Amongst the ammo states, timings for swimming, notes from Bowman lessons and reasons for needing battle procedures I found a poem. An excerpt:
..."Door monkey in "Head Count!" shouted "I've got one!" they all retorted. Driving hard lest they be late to the first place at which they'll wait for the next leg of transport and to be pinged with tasks like baggage escort. Two more chaps were added to the number at that rendezvous where they were told to remember, a great long list of prohibited items, reiterated hourly to prevent RAF sad-ons. Assembled now except one slacker they were set for war and in fine fetter. Rallied by their leader with beret green (kick-proof dog no where to be seen) they looked to him with fondness and trust despite the fact he was soon pissing off. The next in line would often cry, because he was the only qualified PTI, asked to beast with scarce any notice..." here the writing becomes indecipherable and pages are missing. The next page is a note about an estate agents. It was all crammed in with no space, more jammed in than enjambment.
..."Door monkey in "Head Count!" shouted "I've got one!" they all retorted. Driving hard lest they be late to the first place at which they'll wait for the next leg of transport and to be pinged with tasks like baggage escort. Two more chaps were added to the number at that rendezvous where they were told to remember, a great long list of prohibited items, reiterated hourly to prevent RAF sad-ons. Assembled now except one slacker they were set for war and in fine fetter. Rallied by their leader with beret green (kick-proof dog no where to be seen) they looked to him with fondness and trust despite the fact he was soon pissing off. The next in line would often cry, because he was the only qualified PTI, asked to beast with scarce any notice..." here the writing becomes indecipherable and pages are missing. The next page is a note about an estate agents. It was all crammed in with no space, more jammed in than enjambment.
Wednesday 12 March 2014
Quick update
I promised to let you know my current pace for 1km in the pool. About 18 minutes. Being short sighted I couldn't see the second hand to be more accurate than that. Felt like an OK swim with increasingly bad headache so could probably knock a bit off that if best effort but I do need to do 4 of them then the other two events so wont be best effort on the day. I then did another block of over a km in 25 minutes without pushing myself but concentrating on my form so a good starting place I feel. Would love to get to comfortably doing 4km/h. Bring on lake swimming!
Tuesday 11 March 2014
Disgusting
Those of low mettle, weak of stomach or prone to swooning stop reading now.
I decided to do a disgusting post, I'm not sure why and as I write this I don't have a plan for what disgusting stuff I'll write about. Bound to be ungentlemanly though so anyone who wishes to maintain your image of me as a pillar of respectability (I was going to use the word Corinthian but people might think I'm calling myself an amateur sailer and I need to check my sources on its exact meaning) then please, seriously, stop reading.
I hate spitting but sometimes one just has to to keep the airway free for sucking in the O2. My problem is I rarely do it, don't particularly like doing it and so am rubbish at it. Many a cycle I have finished with various blobs of wobbly goo clinging to me or smears of sticky decorating my jersey or shorts. It's most likely to go wrong when running if I'm working particularly hard so spectators are due an eyeful of a panting beast with streaks cascading down his top.
Is saddle sore disgusting? Chafing? Swimming had until recently been giving me sore armpits but I'm pleased to say I now lube up beforehand with some stuff recommended to me by a chum (cheers Dan). If I wear my old running shorts though my massive thighs collide repeatedly and cause all sorts of dramas resulting in shares in Savlon soaring and me walking in my finest cowboy impression (lasso and all). Cycling on that narrow seat and coping comes with practice. There are some days when I mount up and have to spend the first couple of minutes stood up before I build up the courage to top up on pain. A handful of chamois cream or savlon can often be applied to the area in copious quantities.
My kit and I stink. Some people seem to be able to beast, splash their face, change clothes and squirt something smelly and they can exist a day with offending anyone. I tried it once and almost got banned from the office. My nickname at a rugby club which I got because in the first training session the coach didn't know me and referred to me as that was Sweaty C*nt. Quite how he pronounced that I have no idea but he was a bit of a cunt. It is true though. Perhaps the amount of sweat I generate just means that when it dries (or reduces to use cooking terminology) the smell is intensified or something.I now have a boiler room at work in which to air my kit without offending anyone but it is so noxious to the nose when putting on again in the afternoons.
OK dinners nearly ready I need to speed this up.
I have abandoned socks before when caught short on a beasting (not swimming actually) due to the lack of large leaves. My body seems to know it is about to beast and I have to jettison excess waist, sometimes a few times. If I ignore those signals then I am usually in trouble. The implication of this is that I now thoroughly recce the loo situation prior to triathlons and carry spare tissues with me. At bournmouth I ran up from the loo (a guiness poo after I began my custom of night before tri guinesses by getting too drunk on the stuff), down to the beach just in time as I joined the back of the crowd to the horn sounded and I ran into the water.
Dan didn't seem impressed that I often wee in my wetsuit. I thought everyone did it?
This all seems rather tame. I have to go now. I'll try harder next time. Give me feedback actually as it might be that I'm immune to disgust having been a certified parent for some time.
Oh, my ear once got really and increasingly swollen after it got a little torn in a scrum then the swelling exploded in pus when I was on exercise, covering my scrim scarf which I washed with a small amount of my drinking water and a wetwipe.
I decided to do a disgusting post, I'm not sure why and as I write this I don't have a plan for what disgusting stuff I'll write about. Bound to be ungentlemanly though so anyone who wishes to maintain your image of me as a pillar of respectability (I was going to use the word Corinthian but people might think I'm calling myself an amateur sailer and I need to check my sources on its exact meaning) then please, seriously, stop reading.
I hate spitting but sometimes one just has to to keep the airway free for sucking in the O2. My problem is I rarely do it, don't particularly like doing it and so am rubbish at it. Many a cycle I have finished with various blobs of wobbly goo clinging to me or smears of sticky decorating my jersey or shorts. It's most likely to go wrong when running if I'm working particularly hard so spectators are due an eyeful of a panting beast with streaks cascading down his top.
Is saddle sore disgusting? Chafing? Swimming had until recently been giving me sore armpits but I'm pleased to say I now lube up beforehand with some stuff recommended to me by a chum (cheers Dan). If I wear my old running shorts though my massive thighs collide repeatedly and cause all sorts of dramas resulting in shares in Savlon soaring and me walking in my finest cowboy impression (lasso and all). Cycling on that narrow seat and coping comes with practice. There are some days when I mount up and have to spend the first couple of minutes stood up before I build up the courage to top up on pain. A handful of chamois cream or savlon can often be applied to the area in copious quantities.
My kit and I stink. Some people seem to be able to beast, splash their face, change clothes and squirt something smelly and they can exist a day with offending anyone. I tried it once and almost got banned from the office. My nickname at a rugby club which I got because in the first training session the coach didn't know me and referred to me as that was Sweaty C*nt. Quite how he pronounced that I have no idea but he was a bit of a cunt. It is true though. Perhaps the amount of sweat I generate just means that when it dries (or reduces to use cooking terminology) the smell is intensified or something.I now have a boiler room at work in which to air my kit without offending anyone but it is so noxious to the nose when putting on again in the afternoons.
OK dinners nearly ready I need to speed this up.
I have abandoned socks before when caught short on a beasting (not swimming actually) due to the lack of large leaves. My body seems to know it is about to beast and I have to jettison excess waist, sometimes a few times. If I ignore those signals then I am usually in trouble. The implication of this is that I now thoroughly recce the loo situation prior to triathlons and carry spare tissues with me. At bournmouth I ran up from the loo (a guiness poo after I began my custom of night before tri guinesses by getting too drunk on the stuff), down to the beach just in time as I joined the back of the crowd to the horn sounded and I ran into the water.
Dan didn't seem impressed that I often wee in my wetsuit. I thought everyone did it?
This all seems rather tame. I have to go now. I'll try harder next time. Give me feedback actually as it might be that I'm immune to disgust having been a certified parent for some time.
Oh, my ear once got really and increasingly swollen after it got a little torn in a scrum then the swelling exploded in pus when I was on exercise, covering my scrim scarf which I washed with a small amount of my drinking water and a wetwipe.
Shameful
Whilst I have been active I must admit to 3 days of no what we in the beasting trade would consider proper beastings. Excuses and other things I was doing could pour forth but at the end of the day I could have always sat on the turbo trainer instead of sleeping.
I've noticed that not all beastings are transferring from my new watch to Garmin Connect which is a bit frustrating as I was hoping to show off a ride on which I deliberately pushed myself down some hills with a no breaks policy. Having broken bones a few times biking and being blessed with higher than average momentum when at speed I waste a lot of energy on downhills. Its something I HAVE to fix for Wales... Previously doing a bike workshop to build up confidence, losing weight and building up my core strength has helped along with practice but I need to go one step further now and actually make the most of these hills and not just survive them. I think often it is the threat of traffic pulling out on me, cutting me up or overtaking towards me and not judging my speed that worries me. Last year heading into henley I was going over 40mph when a lorry decided to try to overtake me. He panicked when he realised how fast I was going and that there was oncoming traffic so instead of dropping back (maybe he couldnt with that weight but that makes me wonder even more why he tried it) he pulled in towards me.
At that point I didnt own the bike and two thoughts crossed my mind. 1) Iaim Neesom is going to kill me if I trash his bike and 2) N is going to kill me if I get killed.
Luckily the beautiful defy responded well to my evasive and breaking maneuver and carried me safely on. I have a lot of trust in that bike! He then stopped at the bottom of the hill, presumably to see if I was alive or under him, which didnt help my patience for what could have been a gorgeous sweep into the town. You can have a link to that garmin ride instead if you like. http://connect.garmin.com/jsPlayer/181608048
That ride also taught me not to carry a backpack on a long ride and I should have learnt from it to stock ibpurofen!
Anyway, my bike to work today was extremely slow due to traffic and traffic lights. Extremely boring. Might go a longer but less stop starty way next time.
Promise I'll work harder.
I've noticed that not all beastings are transferring from my new watch to Garmin Connect which is a bit frustrating as I was hoping to show off a ride on which I deliberately pushed myself down some hills with a no breaks policy. Having broken bones a few times biking and being blessed with higher than average momentum when at speed I waste a lot of energy on downhills. Its something I HAVE to fix for Wales... Previously doing a bike workshop to build up confidence, losing weight and building up my core strength has helped along with practice but I need to go one step further now and actually make the most of these hills and not just survive them. I think often it is the threat of traffic pulling out on me, cutting me up or overtaking towards me and not judging my speed that worries me. Last year heading into henley I was going over 40mph when a lorry decided to try to overtake me. He panicked when he realised how fast I was going and that there was oncoming traffic so instead of dropping back (maybe he couldnt with that weight but that makes me wonder even more why he tried it) he pulled in towards me.
At that point I didnt own the bike and two thoughts crossed my mind. 1) Iaim Neesom is going to kill me if I trash his bike and 2) N is going to kill me if I get killed.
Luckily the beautiful defy responded well to my evasive and breaking maneuver and carried me safely on. I have a lot of trust in that bike! He then stopped at the bottom of the hill, presumably to see if I was alive or under him, which didnt help my patience for what could have been a gorgeous sweep into the town. You can have a link to that garmin ride instead if you like. http://connect.garmin.com/jsPlayer/181608048
That ride also taught me not to carry a backpack on a long ride and I should have learnt from it to stock ibpurofen!
Anyway, my bike to work today was extremely slow due to traffic and traffic lights. Extremely boring. Might go a longer but less stop starty way next time.
Promise I'll work harder.
Thursday 6 March 2014
Tri ceps
To the pool! For my swim today i geared up to do an interval session. I swam 250m at about 80% then stretched (must look up if im supposed to do that ornot). I then did 4x100m with every 4th length as fast as I could. 1 minute rest then same again but it was the penultimate length of each 100m on which i pushed myself. The plan was to go through the fourth set with the initial 25m at best effort. Unfortunately just as I started it I was returning and attempting to regain breath and I swam i to a rope with floats on it. Seems they were roping off the shallow end. I then changed tack and did tricep dips to exhaustion then swam a drill to the new floating barrier and back. I did this until it was time to leave and I really cant remember the last time my triceps felt so weak after. Its got to be good for me.
i also joined C today for a sponsored wiggle. She raised £37 for action for children. She had to dress up then at nursary they all lined up and went on a wiggle around the gardens throughout which elements of the Hungry Caterpillar story were to be discovered. At the end they had to leopard crawl through a tunnel\cocoon. "Gosh that was quick C" was yelled as my daughter raced through. Good girl. The carb loading must have helped.
i also joined C today for a sponsored wiggle. She raised £37 for action for children. She had to dress up then at nursary they all lined up and went on a wiggle around the gardens throughout which elements of the Hungry Caterpillar story were to be discovered. At the end they had to leopard crawl through a tunnel\cocoon. "Gosh that was quick C" was yelled as my daughter raced through. Good girl. The carb loading must have helped.
Tuesday 4 March 2014
Witty title
This fine morning I had fully intended to go for a jolly hard pool bashing session but realised as i was looking to leave that by the time i had got there and factored in getting back again then preparing for work i would have had about minus half an hour in the pool. Instead i went for a run then undertook some exercises in the comfort of my own living room. I didn't reach that decision to get out the front door easily though. I had resolved to just spend a bit of time reading then get stuck into a liesurely breakfast but i told myself that im not that guy. I'm the chap who people tell they're inspired by. I'm the one folks know pushes himself hard,. I'm the one that many call nuts. I'm the one who has an Ironman to complete this year and it is going to hurt. It's going to hurt anyway but I want it to hurt with me knowing that I worked hard for it, had a target and didn't just rock up in the vague hope of getting round and associated bragging rights. I'll probably brag still but at least there will be some justification.
I got out of the front door and headed for a canal loop which i haven't been able to run for a while due to the flooding. It was horrid. There are some days where it feels like the legs just pump themselves then days like today on which the brain has to do all the work in persuading the organs to man up and the legs that actually they aren't going to fall off. It was not a PB run at all but I'm very glad i went out as i was enjoying the sunshine and saying hello to other runners. As i type that i can almost hear my Slovak chum telling me that if i have the energy to say hello then I'm not training hard enough. Cant argue really, it was pretty poor. The funny thing was that when i got home and had stretched I undertook some balancing exercises and core stuff and felt really energised. Perhaps it was my legs that needed a morning off. Sit ups felt like i could conti ue forever till i realised it was rapidly approaching shower time. Just switched to new phone on which i cant find blog app yet so limited to laptop. Now on phone trying accessing blogspot through explorer and its working Ok but not as easy as it should be as it isn't designed for this i don't think. Not going to even proof read today.
many thanks to those who have started the ball rolling with fundraising. James B, anonymous, Vanessa and great uncle P you are all thoroughly decent people. Very much appreciate the comments on blog and verbal encouragement too. Using virgin giving rather than just giving as they take less of a cut from the charity. Need to push fundraising more so standby.
just noticed that I have someone reading in Ukraine. Hope you aren't too smothered in Russians. Unless you like that in which case i hope you are. More of the Russians surrounding the military bases should be Cossack dancing.
I got out of the front door and headed for a canal loop which i haven't been able to run for a while due to the flooding. It was horrid. There are some days where it feels like the legs just pump themselves then days like today on which the brain has to do all the work in persuading the organs to man up and the legs that actually they aren't going to fall off. It was not a PB run at all but I'm very glad i went out as i was enjoying the sunshine and saying hello to other runners. As i type that i can almost hear my Slovak chum telling me that if i have the energy to say hello then I'm not training hard enough. Cant argue really, it was pretty poor. The funny thing was that when i got home and had stretched I undertook some balancing exercises and core stuff and felt really energised. Perhaps it was my legs that needed a morning off. Sit ups felt like i could conti ue forever till i realised it was rapidly approaching shower time. Just switched to new phone on which i cant find blog app yet so limited to laptop. Now on phone trying accessing blogspot through explorer and its working Ok but not as easy as it should be as it isn't designed for this i don't think. Not going to even proof read today.
many thanks to those who have started the ball rolling with fundraising. James B, anonymous, Vanessa and great uncle P you are all thoroughly decent people. Very much appreciate the comments on blog and verbal encouragement too. Using virgin giving rather than just giving as they take less of a cut from the charity. Need to push fundraising more so standby.
just noticed that I have someone reading in Ukraine. Hope you aren't too smothered in Russians. Unless you like that in which case i hope you are. More of the Russians surrounding the military bases should be Cossack dancing.
Saturday 1 March 2014
Deceptive
As I rounded the corner, pounded the path and bounded down the hill, I knew that this was going to be a Good Run. The swoop included potholes and road crossings over which I flew like a subordinate meerkat and it felt as if I was only being held back by physics as my impulsion knew no limits. The basin of the small valley was barely noticed and my legs changed gears to propel me up to the top of the hill at Brooklands. A shudder in the knee engendered there. A shock of pain, a grinding sensation and the crotch in the trouser leg of time offered its irretractable (ot sure if that is a word) options. To push on or ignominiously stroll home, living to run another day?
2 Days Earlier.
Before work I had an Osteopath appointment (I put that link in as I'd really recommend her, I'm not google adsing you.) which I had scheduled previously as part of my ongoing maintenance in preparation for the Ironman. At Galway my back caused a lot of trouble and I will not let that happen in Wales. I asked Suzanne about my ankle as it was still causing me some problems, particularly in the mornings, so she spent some time straightening that leg out. Its amazing how, at the end of the appointment, I lay on the bed and with no pain or tight feeling my body relaxed into a symmetrical, untwisted and feet splayed out position. Some advice and kit for ankle injury prevention was forthcoming.
1 Day Earlier
Visited the Triathlon Show with Dan. Straight after work to avoid the rush and I'm glad I avoided paying too (Dan had free tickets) as there wasn't much to it. Reminded me that I'm in the market for some calf compressors but that was about it. Catherine enjoyed herself and was given a flashing bouncy ball by the ladies at the Leeds Castle Triathlon stand which caused chaos. Not rel event to this story but being Tri related I thought it was worth mentioning. Seeing a live swim training session reminded me to use a catch up drill for swimming as apparently it is the thing to do.
1 Hour Earlier
I left the house and, still not being sure of the capability of the left ankle, took it steady. It was a little stiff but no pain. Rock on. I did the seven hills loop. I would have done the seven hills half marathon but I wanted to be able to say goodnight to C and Homeland isn't going to watch itself. A few days ago I was talking to a colleague about running playlists and he suggested Bewitched, the female Irish band, as some cheesey pop to listen to. Having a new phone (switched back to Nokia from Apple) I decided to stick Bewitched on. Unfortunately I had thought Bewitched was The Corrs so was a bit surprised to see the terrible denim clad girls prancing around on you tube. Even C wasn't interested. I put The Corrs on my phone. It isn't very good running music but my brain didnt melt. I need to spend some time rebuilding the playlist. A couple of times mid run I had to switch songs as they weren't keeping pace with me. The run was good actually but looking back I perceived my pace to be much faster than it turns out was my average pace. There was some stop starting for roads and there are a few hills but it if asked I would have told you that I was averaging 7mph+. Damn deceptive pace. I felt I had more to give afterwards though other than the knee which went ping. It was the same as had niggled before the ankle went so probably related. I hung left through the trouser leg of time which involved pushing through and by the time I was at the bottom of brooklands hill having taken it easy up and down, I had forgotten it. A faster run into the village (again other than dodging traffic) and I felt super afterwards. Have popped some ibuprofen just in case.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/453386638
2 Days Earlier.
Before work I had an Osteopath appointment (I put that link in as I'd really recommend her, I'm not google adsing you.) which I had scheduled previously as part of my ongoing maintenance in preparation for the Ironman. At Galway my back caused a lot of trouble and I will not let that happen in Wales. I asked Suzanne about my ankle as it was still causing me some problems, particularly in the mornings, so she spent some time straightening that leg out. Its amazing how, at the end of the appointment, I lay on the bed and with no pain or tight feeling my body relaxed into a symmetrical, untwisted and feet splayed out position. Some advice and kit for ankle injury prevention was forthcoming.
1 Day Earlier
Visited the Triathlon Show with Dan. Straight after work to avoid the rush and I'm glad I avoided paying too (Dan had free tickets) as there wasn't much to it. Reminded me that I'm in the market for some calf compressors but that was about it. Catherine enjoyed herself and was given a flashing bouncy ball by the ladies at the Leeds Castle Triathlon stand which caused chaos. Not rel event to this story but being Tri related I thought it was worth mentioning. Seeing a live swim training session reminded me to use a catch up drill for swimming as apparently it is the thing to do.
1 Hour Earlier
I left the house and, still not being sure of the capability of the left ankle, took it steady. It was a little stiff but no pain. Rock on. I did the seven hills loop. I would have done the seven hills half marathon but I wanted to be able to say goodnight to C and Homeland isn't going to watch itself. A few days ago I was talking to a colleague about running playlists and he suggested Bewitched, the female Irish band, as some cheesey pop to listen to. Having a new phone (switched back to Nokia from Apple) I decided to stick Bewitched on. Unfortunately I had thought Bewitched was The Corrs so was a bit surprised to see the terrible denim clad girls prancing around on you tube. Even C wasn't interested. I put The Corrs on my phone. It isn't very good running music but my brain didnt melt. I need to spend some time rebuilding the playlist. A couple of times mid run I had to switch songs as they weren't keeping pace with me. The run was good actually but looking back I perceived my pace to be much faster than it turns out was my average pace. There was some stop starting for roads and there are a few hills but it if asked I would have told you that I was averaging 7mph+. Damn deceptive pace. I felt I had more to give afterwards though other than the knee which went ping. It was the same as had niggled before the ankle went so probably related. I hung left through the trouser leg of time which involved pushing through and by the time I was at the bottom of brooklands hill having taken it easy up and down, I had forgotten it. A faster run into the village (again other than dodging traffic) and I felt super afterwards. Have popped some ibuprofen just in case.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/453386638
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