Week 17 (Clowning about)

Monday was probably my most demanding and energetic training session to date. Two triathlon disciplines were tackled - these being a cycle followed by a 'brick' run. The cycle route I chose was the Isoman 2016 full bike route. My bike of choice for this adventure was my winter bike. I figured I would 'test' the route before tackling it on my Ironman bike. I made a few slight changes to the route - I wanted to start and finish close to home and other changes were made just because route finding was not perfect. Locating the actual, 'official start' proved to be most menace. I found Arrow Vale lake alright but could not pin point the start line. I essentially avoided some dual carriageway before I picked up the 'real' route in Webheath. Much of the roads in Redditch were of quite poor quality with many a pot hole or lump - was kinda pleased I wasn't using Kay-O with her lovely minimal spoked front wheel. As the ride continued the roads appeared to improve. The whole adventure covered just under 100k which was a long time to spend on a bike without a break. I did stop once for an emergency pee but that was my only stop. My buddy Chris likes to snack every 25k when he is on a long distance ride and I copied that tact. I ate 2 coco pops cereal bars and a harvest chewy bar whilst sat on the bike. (SJ and I had a sneaky McD's after our breakfast before this adventure too). The route was ok, it covered much of the Avenger route that I cycled previously (thankfully the headwind was not as severe this time around) but was nothing to shout about really.

Ice O'Man route, 97k

Once off the bike, back at my parents, I stripped off my cycling gear and donned my running gear. I clicked 'run' on my TomTom watch and off I plodded. The 'elephant leg' phenomena was in full force. My legs felt tired, achey and heavy. As I ran and ran my legs started to improve. My run took a cross country style and took me over the fields of Studley (retracing much of my Forest of England marathon) and up towards Henley. I never actually reached Henley and ran across fields and tracks that were new to me. My run took me into Mappleborough Green and past where SJ and I had our wedding reception. Legs were starting to feel tired at this point but they successfully took me back to Studley Village and then home via more on and off road running. Must have covered about 15k in all. Was quite pleased with my training session as a whole but had hoped to run for a slightly longer period of time (wanted to run for 2 hours, actually ran 1:38).

Tuesday was a run commute into work on tired legs. I didn't run particularly hard (no intervals), just hard enough to get me to work. Ran just over 10k in just over an hour.

Midweek menace! I had an urgent care meeting to attend which meant I had to take my car (and hence could not run or cycle to work). I figured the meeting venue was located near a swimming pool, so decided to swim and take advantage of this fact. My swim was slow but I made sure I swam 2,000m before getting out of the pool.

My dear wife SJ. Sure, she's a clown...

Thursday was another run commute into work. This was a harder run, interval style. 10k, in less than an hour! This day was also my 4th wedding anniversary. Had been happily married 4 years to the very day! Barbara (old bat on a bike) was also married this self same day too!

Friday was a bank holiday mostly spent with my wife and kids. We went to a park called 'All the Wild Things' (or something like that) in Honeybourne. Just like 'Where The Wild Things Are', this place was awesome! It was an animal park with all sorts of wild things - including dinosaurs, sharks and all manner of wild things. Lunar and I actually held a python and I tapped an armadillo too (don't think I'd ever seen one of those before).

Armadillo

Stroking Monty

Whoa, that was an awesome day. I concluded my evening by going for a short (about 4k) cross country run. It was dark and I got wet feet as I couldn't see the wet muddy puddles as I ran across the fields. D'oh!

Saturday was spent on 'Kay-O' (my ironman bike) where I cycled the Avenger route I cycled on 'Winter' last week. This time around was much faster (by a whole 2.5 kph) but was still windy, though mostly side winds this time around. Despite SJ downloading AccuWeather app on my phone (which assured no rain), it rained and I got quite wet. Hmm.

Sunday was a funny old day. I had wanted to use this day to extend my cycling and swimming activities. I hate swimming but managed to force myself to swim 2,000 metres. I love cycling but didn't find the 'whatever-it-is' to go for another ride or indoor spin. On the whole, I felt I had a good training week, just maybe down a little on the cycling front.

*Some of the pictures in this blog above were from b'day cards that nice folk sent out to me the previous week. Thanks, as ever, for all those who have supported me in any way.

Week 18 (Birthday Week)

Determined to make sure this week was better than the last. Started off with a run commute into work. Usual 10k run. Interval style. Felt I had worked quite hard as my calf muscles were feeling sore after my activity.

Tuesday turned out to be quite a dramatic day. Decided to cycle to work and took a slightly different route to my usual. Bombed down a descent heading towards an island in Kings Norton and whoosh! My bike went right and I went left and down. Ouch! It felt like I had hit some ice or diesel but I'm not sure. My rear light smashed to bits, pedal scratched, bar plug went AWOL, saddle scuffed and otherwise okay. I landed on my arm and bum - surprisingly my clothes did not rip and no blood. The cars behind and at the island just ignored my bike and body on the road and just drove past me. Except one woman, who stopped her car and got out to make sure I was okay. She asked if I wanted her to phone anybody. How kind. Apart from some road rash on my bum and a little bruising to my shin I was all good. Continued my trip into work without any further menace. My day at work was ok but strangely my arm felt heavier than it normally did - must have been from my fall. Cycle home was all fine. Once home, I took off my cycling shoes and replaced them for my Lunarglide 6's and went for a short run. That's right, I completed a brick! My wee 2.5k completed my training for that day.

Woke up with a sore arm on Wednesday but otherwise felt fine. Decided to go for a cross country run which I hadn't done in a long time. My run took me over the fields of Studley where I headed for the castle. Had been so long since I had ran here that there was new public paths and signs in place.

These public footpaths passed the entrance to the secret garden, though I thought it best I did not enter. Who knew what horrors may be waiting there. Maybe another time?

I think I veered off the public right of way path and ended up at a fishing pond. This pond (a carp pond I think) had its own island and the remains of some building (like an old haunted house) could be seen on it. Spooky!

I turned around here and ran back following the Forest of England marathon route that I ran last year. My run took me past Purity brewery and a nearby hidden camping ground. This camping ground had gypsy like caravans for rent - that might be fun with the wife and kids one time?! Ran on and on and came out in Coughton where I turned around and ran back home following different off road tracks back into my village. Such a lovely run covering about 15k in all. I just might run more off road treks as the scenery and adventure beats that of the road. Later on Wednesday, I took to the water and swam 1,400 metres. My swim was at Kingsley pool, just a short 20m pool but this was the self same pool where I met Phil. Phil was the guy who introduced me to Redditch Triathlon club. So, Phil was instrumental, you could say, in getting me to where I am now. Where am I now?! - about 18 weeks away from an epic adventure known as Ironman!

Thursday was a great day. This was a cycle commute to work and back day with me leaving work early in the afternoon - bonus! A nice sun shining day, just had to go out for a 'brick' run once I got home. I ran just over 5k repeating the start of the cross country run I ran earlier in the week. Studley castle looked even better in the bright sunshine.

Studley castle

 Short swim was Friday's activity. Back in a 25m pool. Swam just 1,500m in all.

Saturday was my birthday. My wife, as usual, got me an awesome gift. This year she gave me a PBP print '90 hours' which was just awesome and is pictured at the top of this blog post. The PBP I completed was back in 2011. SJ and I were 'courting' and she was my support whilst we were in the city of love. Talking of love, my work chums sent the lovely picture below. I was genuinely touched.

The 'nice folk' from work. (Thank you Flair, Waseem, H, Dashi and Jen)

SJ also got me a tortoise but I think he had rigor mortis...

My birthday didn't stop me from training - I decided to cycle the Avenger route I competed in last year (only this time around I started and finished in my village as opposed to Ragley Hall). Lovely fast route out with tail wind and crippling return with the menace head wind. Cycled 67k in all. Once home, a lovely birthday cake was waiting for me. Yummers!

I know a lot of you might be eager to rush out and buy me belated birthday presents but please don't. Instead, please sponsor my latest charity - that being Papyrus. Papyrus help promote the fact that with appropriate support and education, young suicide can be prevented. Suicide is the biggest killer of young people - male and female -under 35 in the UK. Please sponsor my by following this link: support Papyrus. A big, big thanks to all those that have supported and/or sponsored me thus far. I'd like to thank everyone in person, however, with so many 'anonymous' donations that ain't going to be possible.

Finished my week with a 2,000m swim and a 9k cross country run to Studley Castle and back. Real pleased I had a good training week after so many naff one's. One word to describe how I feel - 'whacked'!

Week 19

This week started just like the last one ended. That's right, this week kicked off with a cycle commute into work and back. Certainly had my monies worth out of Jenny, my Genesis single-speed cyclo-cross bike.

Is it too early for the Easter bunny?

Tuesday was great mentally but pants physically. Physically no training took place. Today was a long work based trip to York and back via train. Mentally it was great because it reminded me of my Audax Arrow adventure. On said adventure, my mates Chris, Ron, Jamie Andy and I cycled about 420k in 24 hours to reach this wonderful destination of York. Travelling along the same roads we cycled just flooded my heads with thoughts of cycling, adventure and friendship.

Andrew, Jamie, Doo, Ron and Chris chilling out on Easter Arrow 2014

We really should do an adventure like that again. Yeah, it's hard, mad and tough. But for the fun, camaraderie and memories it's definitely worth it. 

Wednesday was a non-training day. I was at work 9-9 and couldn't even run there because my day started with an urgent care meeting that required me taking my car. Too late after work to do anything but sleep.

Thursday was a wee bit menace. I was denied my day off as I had to attend a meeting at work focusing on solution finding. Prior to work though, I managed to squeeze in a little swim of 1,875m. To get to work I took my 'ironman bike' which was great. Super speedy commute when compared to my slow cyclocross bike. On return commute, I popped in to see Russ and Alex and Kay-O was fitted with a new black saddle (otherwise identical to the demo one). A change of tubes and tyres and a new bottle cage (to fit new saddle) and I think bike is race ready. How exciting?! 

Friday was a non-training day. My morning was busy with taking the rug rats to nursery and then heading over to Coventry with Flair, H and G to attend a suicide prevention conference. With all the presentations my head hurt when it finished and my body refused to go out and run later that night.

I asked my daughter Lunar "what's daddy good at - running, swimming, cycling?" She replied "eating". Hmm.

Saturday was a full day at work. The day began with a quick run first though which was nice. I ran along the canal up to Smethwick before turning around and running back like an urban rat through the streets of Birmingham. It was nice to run through Summerfield Park - I had thoughts of walking my dog (Surfer Rosa) there when I used to work with Ladywood Home Treatment Team and visit a local respite unit. Those were the days... Ran just short of 12k in all. 

My week finished with a double-whammy! Nothing to shout about really. I started with a swim but only managed 60 (25m) lengths. The pool was crowded and as well as swallowing much water, I also suffered with cramps. After swimming, my legs were happy to run around the Studley TRIangle (see what I did there?) on a beautiful sunny day.

All in all, this was a rubbish week. Quite frustrated with how difficult it is to find time and energy to dedicate to my training. I did not swim long or far and found swimming itself a struggle. I did not cycle as far or as frequently as I would have liked. I have not ran long or far for nearly a month now and this really has to change as I have a Milton Keynes Marathon approaching real soon (let alone this crazy idea of an IronMan). Am sure you could all make me feel much better by simply sponsoring one of my chosen charities...

To support Macmillan, follow this link: Macmillan cancer support
To support Christadelphian Meal A Day, follow this link: MAD
To support Scope, follow this link: Scope

Thanks for all the support thus far. I will do my bit and try and increase my training times over the next week too. Oh man, only 18 weeks to go...

Week 20 Redditch Reliability Ride and other adventures

Decided to listen to my body this week. Only problem was, my body said 'no'. No exercise took place on Monday as my body was feeling run down. On a brighter note, the results for the Go Tri aquathlon   event (that was completed last weekend) were published and (can you believe it?) I finished in 8th position. 50 athletes took part, 5 of which did not finish. I never expected that.

Tuesday was a push to get any exercise done. I fought against my lack of motivation and managed to jump on the turbo trainer for about an hour. As an aside, I spent my working day with an Assertive Outreach team which was nice. So great so see a team that continues to practice with a social model of care.

Had planned to cycle to Weston on Wednesday, however, the foul weather fairies put a stop to that! I still went to Weston but took the car (and kids and wife) instead. Started the morning with a 1,500m swim - the fairies couldn't prevent that!

Quick run around my village on Thursday. A bit of a push to get started but once I started running I really didn't want to stop. Ran about 7.5k in a leisurely style.

Friday was another run. A 10k commute into work. Interval style.

Saturday was a great day. Took Kay-O to see Russ and Alex who upgraded her that little bit more. That's right - Alex fitted a new brake cable and Russ replaced my old seat post and saddle with a new 'in-line' post and triathlon saddle. My position on the bike was much improved - i.e. my arms form more of an 'L' shape when I'm on my tri-bars.

More pIMp action

As for the saddle, well it just looked wrong! Apparently they are all the rage. Only one thing for it, and that was to test it...

Looks wrong doesn't it?!

My test ride was the Redditch Reliability Ride that I missed last weekend. A 102k ride that 'misses out the big hills to Broadway and back' to quote my mate Mark Edmunds. The route out was great and I was averaging 32kph. Nice descents and a tail wind, how great were the outdoors! The return was not so great - head wind and more of a climb. I saw my average speed get lower and lower (28.3k by the end). It was nice to cycle over 100k on my pIMped bike. The bars were fine. As for the saddle, well, it wasn't comfy (after all, it's not a Brook's) but it wasn't too bad. I was left a little sore but it wasn't really too much different to the saddle I removed. Once I was cycling, I kinda forgot what saddle I was on and just cycled. I think I will invest in this saddle as it does allow me to get into a better position, was only marginally less comfy than previous saddle and the saddle is able to fit 2 bottle cages behind it - bonus! Following this adventure, I cycled home and boy I suddenly felt very tired and had achey arms and neck.

To finish my training for the week, I cycled to work and back commute style on the Sunday. Was kinda nice cycling my cyclo-cross bike after neglecting her for a while. She was caked in mud and will probably stay in that state for a while. On my way into work it was actually snowing. On the return it was just cold. Brrr, winter ain't gone yet.

At the conclusion of the week, I was quite dis-pleased with my training. Am finding it hard to find the time to train as much as I would like. I only swam once and only ran twice which was quite pathetic. I was about 2 hours down on my planned training total. On a brighter note, I was pleased with my cycling efforts. Next week isn't looking too great with far too many days at work pencilled in. Funny thing was that the high-light of the week was spending time away from training and doing stuff with my wife, kids and parents in Weston.

To conclude this weeks blog post I'd like to inform of the Christadelphian Meal A Day fund or (MAD fund). This is a worthy charity I aim to support and hope readers of this blog will sponsor me by sending monies their way. As I'm sure you guessed, this charity helps feed desperate folk. To sponsor me, please follow this link: www.justgiving.com/2016doodoesironman. Thank you.

Week 21 MacMillan/IronMan/Kay-O pIMped/Aquathlon

Hi! This week's blog has started off with a lovely pic of Doo's running vest to remind you all that he is attempting to complete IronMan UK this year and is wanting to raise money for MacMillan (amongst other charities). At time of writing, only 141 days remain until the race begins! Horrors! Please dig deep my dear friends and sponsor me by following this link: www.justgiving.com/ttt2016im. Or, should you prefer, you could always donate a gold coin to Scope by following this link: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/im2016. Am also planning to raise money for the Christadelphian Meal A Day fund and a Suicide Prevention charity too (further details to follow).

Ok, back to the training report. Well, this week started off just fine with a run commute into work. 10k. Interval style.

Tuesday was great too. Managed a 3,000m swim (which still takes me ages to complete). Following my swim, I spent just over an hour on my turbo trainer. I do like doing multi-sport on the same day.

Wednesday was a busy day work wise, however, I managed to squeeze in a quick run. I ran the Studley Triangle. A nice simple 5k run around my village.

Thursday was great, mostly. My day started with a 1,750m swim. After the swim I picked up my newly built IronMan bike. This bike was really 3 of my 'old bikes' rolled into one. My mate Russ took bits and pieces of 'Tony's Theme' (the TT bike Lin had kindly gotten me), the shifters from 'Slinky' (my S-Works Specialized Roubaix) and added these parts to 'Kay-O' (my old road bike, that was being used as a rather neat single-speed built by my buddy Chris). The (semi) finished result was quite awesome. Kay-O had been pIMped, ready for IronMan!

Kay-O, after a tad of pIMping

So great to use Kay-O for my pending IronMan event because she's so lovely and has a wonderful history to boot to. Kay-O cycled LEJOG (twice), took me from London to Geneva and completed the PBP amongst other wonderful adventures. What a machine!

Anyways, I took this new machine to see Russ again (and quick ride into Redditch). Russ fitted her with some lovely new tri-bars and fitted me to my new machine. Further work is required - plan to get an inline seat-post and a tri saddle (so I can get my arms in a better position). This further pIMping looked great. Just check out the pic I took once back in Studley.

Further pIMping

New, super cheap, tri-bars

Once back in Studley, I though it only right that I go on a decent trek to test out my new bars. I took a trip out to Broadway Tower. Figured this would be a good trip because it's mostly flat with a beast of a hill at the turn around point.

A great route to test new bars

To be fair, it was a great ride to test out my bike full stop. She performed well. Gears moved across just fine. She felt relatively comfortable. She felt super fast. I had never really used tri-bars before and was surprised that I got on with them ok. I won't lie, they are not the comfiest invention in the world and my arms wanted to move away from the pads at times, but, they were ok and I was able to use them for the most part of my 70k adventure.

Is this a double, not a compact?!

My bike (or rather, me) only really struggled climbing up them big hills. I'm convinced this bike has a double chainset as opposed to a compact. This is an IronMan bike now and built for speed. I found climbing much harder than I am used to (and think it's down to gearing). I don't intend to use this bike for ultra-distance events and believe the IronMan will be the longest event it will enter. It can climb big hills (and fast) just not with the ease that I am used to. I think and hope this bike is purpose built. I certainly rode this bike a good 2k per hour faster than I think I would have otherwise done. Great test ride!

Friday was a rest day. Rest day of sort's. I was in London at a psychiatric liaison conference with Flair et al. No training but much fuelling!

Lunar is a dancer..

Saturday morning was spent watching my little Lunar exercise. She was super excited at her ballet class and looked wonderful too. In the afternoon, I took Winter for a 60k trek to Whitlenge and back. This was a section of the Snowdrop Audax that I cycled last week including the infamous Pig's (not Phil's) Hill. 

Finished the week with my first ever aquathlon event. Yes indeed, Go Tri had put on this mini event and as Rhona wasn't able to participate, I felt obliged to take her place. The day I was Rhona... this is starting to become a habit of mine (do you remember the day I was Jonny M?!)

The swim brief

The event saw 50 participants gather together at the poolside. We were give a brief (every 10 participants) and then entered the water. With 30 second intervals we were let loose to swim 400m. Apparently, the slowest swimmers went first, I was number '24'. These eight lengths seemed pretty tough but I managed to catch the guy in front of me (he had stopped at the pool side about 4 lengths in). A quick walk took me to the transition.

Transition

At the transition, I fumbled. I didn't bother towelling myself and didn't bother putting my socks on. My shoes were real hard to get on but I managed (had never ran without socks before). The marshal (Charlotte) told me not to bother with my top saying the run would warm me up. So without further ado I set off on the 2.5k run.

The run went ok and sure enough I did warm up. I passed at least 4 people, which gave me a buzz. About half-way around a marshall mis-directed me so I added a few extra seconds/metres to my run. Oh well, no real harm done. 1 guy I passed earlier, I passed again which was a bit weird. My un-officail time for the whole event was about 15 mins. I'll post official results when they are available. No medal for finishing but I did get my Triathlon Redditch hoodie at last - bonus!

All in all, a pretty fine week. Only about 30 mins down on my planned training time. With the family I have and the job I do, I did pretty well - wahoo!

Week 22 (and the Snowdrop Express 2016)

Not a great start to the week. Monday and Tuesday were 2 consecutive 10k run commutes into work. The first interval style and the second more of a slog. Nasty 9-9 shifts prevented me from doing much more.

Wednesday was spent on the turbo trainer. Only a 40 min spin though and then back to work until 9. Work always gets in the way of fun.

Nothing happened Thursday and Friday. Nothing except work and a work based jaunt to London. Oh, and the fact I felt run down. (In actual fact something wonderful did happen - I picked up my IronMan bike from my mate. Never had time to test this bike and still need to fit some aero-bars. Am sure to blog more about this in the passage of time).

Sounded like a gloomy, dull week, right?! Wrong! Saturday came and turned the tables around. No work and much cycling! In the early hours of the morning, I cycled across to Hartlebury ready to join lots of folks on the wonderful Snowdrop Express Audax. Have cycled this event more than any other.

Snowdrop Express Cycle-warriors

The audax set off from the super Whitlenge tea rooms. So great that so many of my friends had rocked up. A whole bunch of us started the event together. On the 'start line' above we have the Meekon, a bunch from Wythal (Andy, Jez, Phil and a guy whose name I can't recall), Aid, yours truly, the Cross brothers (one of which took the pic), Jamie and Trev. Wow, what a bunch. Jonny Mitchum joined us moments later. Chris and Ron were sorely missed...

Felt so good to cycle a 'proper' event at last and was awesome chatting with so many friends. So much history and adventure shared with these folks and a new adventure happening as we spoke. A nice easy trek took us to the first control in Upton, about 40k away. Mark Rigby was the control stamp guy - nice to see him after some time. Toast, flapjack and tea went down well before we layered up and started out to the next control. It had started to rain now but nothing heavy or major menace.

No.7, my weapon of choice for this adventure. It had disc brakes and everyone was so jealous etc ... ;)

Heading away from Upton, Aid and I passed Charlotte and Lou (tri club members) cycling in the opposite direction. We shouted 'hi', and 'hi' was shouted back. I don't think they had any idea it was me. Lovely route as I remembered it was. Just before Evesham control we were stopped at the lights - I jumped these because I knew my wife and kids would be waiting for us at the control. I wasn't wrong, inside the control was SJ, Melody, Ma and Aunty Christine. Lunar and my Pa were asleep in the car.

Trev, Jamie, Doo and Melody Moo

 Melody made me real proud. She was dressed in some rather funky cycling apparel. Didn't she look great?! SJ fed me well here and brought me a full English! Yummers! Before we set off for the final control (i.e. the finish) Lunar and my Pa rocked up which was great. Whilst at this control, a guy came over to me and said 'Hey, I remember you from about 5 years ago. You were taking a sleep on the side of the road during the Bryan Chapman'. Bizarre. I remembered him too but the details were sketchy.

Aid and I cycled most of the last leg together. I think Aid was wishing he had trained a little bit more for this event. This leg was quite hilly and Aid hadn't been on his bike for about a year. Even so, he reached the top of Pig Hill before I did...

We used to name Pig Hill as 'Phil's Hill'. It was so called because it appeared to be Phil's nemesis and despite many tries he had never beaten it. Today he did! Well done Phil! Pig Hill was the last hill before we reached the finish. At the finish it was nice to see some folk had waited to say 'good bye' etc before shooting off. We celebrated our finish with hot drinks and jam and scones. And then, I cycled home. What a wonderful adventure! My 113th completed audax event to date.

In retrospect, my week started pretty naff. I didn't swim at all. No long run was completed. My training hours were looking short. In all, I completed about 11 hours of training which I guess isn't so bad. Had wanted to swim on the Sunday but head coach (wife SJ) instructed that I rest. Guess there's always next week...

Week 23 'Glory through suffering'

This week started really quite naff. My first training session was a pool based swim. The pool however was over crowded and I just wasn't 'feeling it'. I managed just 900m before I made myself get out. With the new pool prices, what a waste of 5 pounds twenty that was!

Tuesday started off pants too. I decided to run to work, interval style. After about running 3k my TomTom test watch crashed and no data was recorded. This was most annoying and the second time it's happened too. No major panic, I knew my run into work was a good 10k. The rest of the route was ran fartlek style using the bridges as indicators to speed up and/or slow down again.

My Rapha roundel

On a brighter note, my Rapha Festive 500 roundel was waiting for me at home. The 'Festive 500 has challenged cyclists to ride a total of 500km between Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve'. As a participant who completed the full 500, I was proudly presented with a woven patch, an official badge of honour for the journey I undertook. The Rapha folk also sent me a funky beer mat which will have pride of place on my office desk. This was the 3rd time I had completed this challenge now and look forward to entering again at the end of the year.

Feeling a bit more positive, I span my legs a while later that evening. 55 sweaty minutes on my turbo trainer. Am pleased it's getting some use now.

Broadway Tower

Midweek went pretty fine too. My urgent care meeting at work was cancelled so I was able to have a day off. Yay! Headed to the pool nice and early and swam 2,000m in about an hour. Had wanted to swim further but was suffering real bad with cramps. Once home, I readied my winter bike and cycled a lovely 116k adventure. It was a fine day, the sun shining, but man - it was chilly. Was nice to see the snowdrops in bloom. My wheels took me to Broadway Tower which is just so beautiful and my legs allowed me to push my bike up both Saintbury and Fish Hill. The return leg was a bit random - I essentially followed much of a Strava route cycled by another (cheers Lou). I cycled much further than planned and had to stop in Fladbury before I flagged. I stopped at the cafe that Roger introduced me too. Food this time round was pants and pricey. Felt good once home as I was starting to feel the cold. Not sure if I felt so whacked because I swam early on or just because this was the first time in a while that I cycled the great outdoors. God's creation is truly awesome. I thought about adding a run to my day but that thought was quickly dismissed!

The Great Outdoors! 116k cycle adventure

Thursday started off real cold and Jack Frost made an appearance. Had wanted to cycle to work but did not change my commute bike tyres over to the winter one's - I honestly thought that perhaps we were gonna skip the winter season this time around. Left the bike at home and took a train into work. All was not lost, however, as I ran back from work to the train station. Nice 10k run. Once home, I climbed onto my retro bike and cycled turbo trainer style for just over an hour.

Friday was a great day. This was my loooong day! First off, I swam 3,050m which is the furthest I have swam in my life. Following my swim, I took a long run, just short of 20k. Sweet!

Long run, 19.9k

Saturday was an easy day. Just jogged 5.5k before I started work. Was a push to get myself out exercising but I'm pleased I did.

Sunday was a rest day. Originally had plans to do stuff but it didn't materialise. Ah, my mother did book my accommodation ready for IronMan though ....

Week 24 (Wish I had time to do more)

Great start to my training week. First off, I swam 3,000m which I'm sure is my furthest distance to date. Following my swim, I ran a bunch of hill repeats covering a distance of 10k.

Following day was a run commute into work. 10K, interval style. Relatively fast run. Nice.

Mid-week was spent on my turbo trainer. Yes indeed, Wednesday was Tim Tom Taylor's Turbo Training Triathlon Time. I spent a hour cycling my retro bike without going anywhere. Still, as yet, have not moved onto the large chain ring.

Muck and Josephenus!

Thursday was pants. Bon Voyage to my bro and niece. :( No training today.

Friday was pretty awesome. SJ and I had a day off together. SJ accompanied me to the pool and timed some swim sprints for me. I swam 1,500m in all but timed a 400m and 200m swim respectively. My times were 11:29 and 4:29 respectively (I might have swam 50 extra metres on the first swim - is hard to concentrate on counting with so much stuff going on). SJ reckons I move my arms too slow. Jane later commented that I'm not lifting my elbows up. I know my head should be lower. Grr, swimming is so hard!

After my swim, we went for a McDonald's followed by a curry a short while later. This fuel helped me power my retro bike in the afternoon. I cycled for an hour and 15 mins on my turbo trainer. Nice spin, however, I am missing the great outdoors.

Rush to get to work on Saturday because I snook in a sneaky turbo session. Cycled for an hour with relatively low resistance. There was no way I was going to run today with the wild wet windy weather.

Finished the week with a 1,600m swim. The pool was a little crowded today and my swimming wasn't great. Pleased I went for a swim though. 

Total training time this week was about 8.5 hours which is still on the low side but at least it's creeping up. I think I need to start doing 2 activities a day where possible. Surely, when I start cycling the great outdoors my training times will increase too.

Week 25 Mash Up

This week started well but I knew it was not going to last. Despite trying to keep my life as fun as possible, I had to return to work and associated menace. Illness spread across my family and my poor wife, daughter's, ma and pa have all suffered. My brother and niece are leaving for Australia next week. So, training has been compromised and these are some of the reasons why. Terry Wogan has died today too (31/01/20166) and Lemmy and David Bowie left us this year too.

Let me go back to the start of the week and report better times. On Monday, my bike withdrawal symptoms came to an end. I jumped onto my winter bike and cycled across to Roger's. Once at Roger's, we both jumped onto his tandem and had a nice cycle jolly.

Tandem cycle jolly with Roger

As usual, we cycled to a cafe, ate a big breakfast and cycled back. Nice. Once back at Roger's, I swapped over to my winter bike and cycled home. Must have covered just short of 100k in all. My day didn't stop there, oh no, once home I went to the pool for a swim. Managed to swim 2,500m (100 lengths) in about 1 hour and 20 mins. Despite still being slow, I was pleased with my swim.

Short turbo training took session place on Tuesday. Easy spin for 45 mins. I hadn't used my trainer for ages. It's kinda cool, just needs more use.

No training Wednesday. Returned to work. Mash up.

Thursday was a run day. Run commute into work, interval style. Ran 10k and was quite pleased with my relatively fast time. After work had a night out (curry) with my brother Dave and some of our work mates of old. Oh, those were the days...

Some of the gang

No training Friday. I had hoped to go for a quick indoor spin again but my rug rats had 'lost' my Garmin. Can you believe, I went for a second curry night out with Dave again, plus some of our friends?! This curry was awesome, forgot the name of the place but it was the one in Alcester next door to Waitrose. Nice!  Jose my niece and my wife SJ came along too which was super.

No training Saturday. Worked 9-9 and started the day with a curry hangover. Mash up.

Sunday was menace. Poor SJ was still suffering and Melody was too. So bad was Melody, we had to take an emergency trip to A and E. Thankfully, nothing more serious than a bug. A mighty creature is the germ, though smaller than a pachyderm... 

Somewhere in this mash up week I had a another swim. Mash up. Oh to have a sick free family and more time to train. These be the woe's of a wannabe triathlete.