After a few weeks of being laid low by illness with severe lack of energy I'm now happy to report I'm back on the running trail again. Not without casualty though, I wasn't able to participate in the Nike Human Race in Wembley which is a shame. I decided it just wouldn't have been fair though given how weak I felt in case something happened.
I did however manage the Gyro SportAid 10k around Chiswick and Hammersmith bridges last weekend in a record slow time but given the distinct lack of running I've squeezed in over the last few weeks, who cares eh.
All that said, I did a calf pain rendering 20 minutes run this evening and I'm now convinced I no longer have calf muscles. Instead I've got bricks. Going to be a bitch to put on my boots tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Running but not as we know it
I'm continuing with my running and cycling at the moment. With two 2 x 10's and 2 x half marathons coming up in the next 2 months I had to switch my attentions and pronto.
The good news is I'm getting out and doing stuff. The bad news is I'm exhausted. Proper exhausted. Trying not to think about it too much though. I'm doing nowhere near what I'd done in the past but it's still taking so much more out of me than it should be.
The good news is I'm getting out and doing stuff. The bad news is I'm exhausted. Proper exhausted. Trying not to think about it too much though. I'm doing nowhere near what I'd done in the past but it's still taking so much more out of me than it should be.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sprinting in London through the rain
It's a few days since I did the London Triathlon and while by and large my back held up to the challenge, my neck absolutely has not. It started to kick up on Sunday and by today it has progressed to quite the world of pain so I found myself speed dialing my chiropractor to make things better.
It's now a few hours later and I'm £37 poorer. The pain is still there but hopefully a good nights sleep will see to it improving. I also went for a short run 'cos when my neck gets sore I've found a run often helps to loosen it out. As above, the pain is still there but hopefully it'll get better soon i.e. by tomorrow morning.
On the triathlon front, London was this weekend. It was my third in a row and anyone who has followed my journey since April 2006 knows that was not a sentence I ever expect to write. The whole thing has become bizarre. Anyway, I digress.
This year I was doing the Sprint distance again. We had a start time of 4.30 in the afternoon which is quite late. I wasn't quite sure how to spend the day but eventually the clock ticked on towards 1 o'clock and I could edge my way towards the door and tube that would take me eastwards. What I hadn't factored in though was a West Ham home game. With each station stop the carriage got fuller and fuller to the point where I fully expected to not make it out of the train until reaching Upton Park. I felt I had enough time to get back to West Ham and certainly didn't need the stress. As it turned out I was on the right side of the carriage to access the track so fell out of the tube with a sigh of relief - to be fair I think the Hammers I left behind were relieved to see the back of the bike too.
Heading into ExCel this year there were a few changes. The most obvious being a new sponsor - no longer Michelob it's now Mazda. Timing chips had to be collected before racking but from a different part of the building. It was totally fine though and not at all time consuming, we went through easily.
Another difference was how far back our racking location was - row M. As the years go by I seem to be heading backwards, I think initially I started in row C or something like that. Anyway, dumped the stuff then headed out to get acquainted with other changes and watch Julian finish.
Fast forward to the start, another nice new feature was proper wave hats by Speedo instead of the minging rubber things we've had in previous years We were red and I may actually keep this one. Anyway, there seemed an awful lot of people in the wave assembly area, including men, which surprised me. Little did I know it was just the beginning.
Once in the water I got myself adjusted, thankfully I didn't have a repeat of last years last minute goggles panic - thanks mainly to Alex minding me. I splashed about and found a perch in the middle half, half way back which I figured would be ok to start from. We oggied, the claxon went and we were off. For the next 20 minutes I splashed, cursed and generally stressed my way around the course. Suffice to say it was horrible and by the time I emerged from the water I was absolutely livid.
Reason why there were simply too many people in our wave. I discovered afterwards that 715 Ladies completed the Sprint. I saw at least 10 guys so you're looking at least 350 people. We were told afterwards there had been a problem with the Dartford Tunnel so lots of people missed their earlier waves and because we were one of the last waves of the day the organisers let the extras in.
Note to organisers for next year - open up a new straggler / anti traffic nightmare wave.
At no point during the swim did I manage to get more than a few strokes in before I had to battle with someones arms, legs, feet etc. Thing is I've no problem with the crowds generally, you find a groove, find a bit of space and away you go. This time though, there was nowhere to go. Lots of people weren't sighting so you'd be cut up from the criss crossing of blind but energetic swimmers. One of the guys I ended up being behind at one point developed a homing beacon type relationship with my nose - or at least his foot did - how my nose is not broken I will never know.
I looked at my watch when I got out and I was slow. The timing mat was moved further back this year so your wet suit had to be off before you crossed and my official time is 21.55. Words fail me how horrible that is. The bad experience combined with the slow time really left a sour taste in my mouth so as I headed towards T1 I could feel my thoughts drift off into grumbleland. It was going to be a long way before I could cross the line - the rain wasn't going to help either.
Pumping along on the bike I decided to take my swim frustration out on the pedals. It seemed the only way to respond. Head down, chugging along I was cursing under my breath until I heard my name being called out over the wind and rain. Turning left I caught two friends of mine hiding under an umbrella waving furiously. It was simply the best tonic to catapult me out of my doldrums. Total kudos to Anna & Jeremy!
I ended up on the bike for a fabulous 50 minutes before steaming into T2 and quickly dumping and running before heading out back into the daylight for the run piece. I'd had a liquid incident coming out of T1 (managed a single gulp out of my drink as I left transition, then when I reached down to have more discovered it was no longer on my bike so I was a drink free zone in amongst all that rain).
I plodded off for the run knowing that my overall time was looking good, I was in the same range as last year which both amazed and spurred me on. I walked a little bit of the run, made sure to get liquids on board and as I was heading back towards transition o the first lap again my name wafted over the air and it turned out to be another friend. It was great again and spurred me on.
I continued and as I was reaching the end I had reached my very own end. Coming into transition I was almost hyperventilating. Everything hurt. I also managed to build up quite the groaning stakes for those last few meters culminating in my very own Roger Bannister moment collapsing over the finish line into the arms of one of the marshals. It was 1.52 since the claxon and I was done. Done in more ways than one.
Looking back over it all now, I can't say I massively enjoyed the experience. While the swim wasn't great and certainly isn't something I want to repeat, I think familiarity is setting in and even a new PB isn't enough to make me think I had fun. Not sure how I feel about that.
For another year though we all excelled in ExCel. Money is in the process of being raised, muscles are the process of recovering and I'll worry about it all tomorrow instead.
It's now a few hours later and I'm £37 poorer. The pain is still there but hopefully a good nights sleep will see to it improving. I also went for a short run 'cos when my neck gets sore I've found a run often helps to loosen it out. As above, the pain is still there but hopefully it'll get better soon i.e. by tomorrow morning.
On the triathlon front, London was this weekend. It was my third in a row and anyone who has followed my journey since April 2006 knows that was not a sentence I ever expect to write. The whole thing has become bizarre. Anyway, I digress.
This year I was doing the Sprint distance again. We had a start time of 4.30 in the afternoon which is quite late. I wasn't quite sure how to spend the day but eventually the clock ticked on towards 1 o'clock and I could edge my way towards the door and tube that would take me eastwards. What I hadn't factored in though was a West Ham home game. With each station stop the carriage got fuller and fuller to the point where I fully expected to not make it out of the train until reaching Upton Park. I felt I had enough time to get back to West Ham and certainly didn't need the stress. As it turned out I was on the right side of the carriage to access the track so fell out of the tube with a sigh of relief - to be fair I think the Hammers I left behind were relieved to see the back of the bike too.
Heading into ExCel this year there were a few changes. The most obvious being a new sponsor - no longer Michelob it's now Mazda. Timing chips had to be collected before racking but from a different part of the building. It was totally fine though and not at all time consuming, we went through easily.
Another difference was how far back our racking location was - row M. As the years go by I seem to be heading backwards, I think initially I started in row C or something like that. Anyway, dumped the stuff then headed out to get acquainted with other changes and watch Julian finish.
Fast forward to the start, another nice new feature was proper wave hats by Speedo instead of the minging rubber things we've had in previous years We were red and I may actually keep this one. Anyway, there seemed an awful lot of people in the wave assembly area, including men, which surprised me. Little did I know it was just the beginning.
Once in the water I got myself adjusted, thankfully I didn't have a repeat of last years last minute goggles panic - thanks mainly to Alex minding me. I splashed about and found a perch in the middle half, half way back which I figured would be ok to start from. We oggied, the claxon went and we were off. For the next 20 minutes I splashed, cursed and generally stressed my way around the course. Suffice to say it was horrible and by the time I emerged from the water I was absolutely livid.
Reason why there were simply too many people in our wave. I discovered afterwards that 715 Ladies completed the Sprint. I saw at least 10 guys so you're looking at least 350 people. We were told afterwards there had been a problem with the Dartford Tunnel so lots of people missed their earlier waves and because we were one of the last waves of the day the organisers let the extras in.
Note to organisers for next year - open up a new straggler / anti traffic nightmare wave.
At no point during the swim did I manage to get more than a few strokes in before I had to battle with someones arms, legs, feet etc. Thing is I've no problem with the crowds generally, you find a groove, find a bit of space and away you go. This time though, there was nowhere to go. Lots of people weren't sighting so you'd be cut up from the criss crossing of blind but energetic swimmers. One of the guys I ended up being behind at one point developed a homing beacon type relationship with my nose - or at least his foot did - how my nose is not broken I will never know.
I looked at my watch when I got out and I was slow. The timing mat was moved further back this year so your wet suit had to be off before you crossed and my official time is 21.55. Words fail me how horrible that is. The bad experience combined with the slow time really left a sour taste in my mouth so as I headed towards T1 I could feel my thoughts drift off into grumbleland. It was going to be a long way before I could cross the line - the rain wasn't going to help either.
Pumping along on the bike I decided to take my swim frustration out on the pedals. It seemed the only way to respond. Head down, chugging along I was cursing under my breath until I heard my name being called out over the wind and rain. Turning left I caught two friends of mine hiding under an umbrella waving furiously. It was simply the best tonic to catapult me out of my doldrums. Total kudos to Anna & Jeremy!
I ended up on the bike for a fabulous 50 minutes before steaming into T2 and quickly dumping and running before heading out back into the daylight for the run piece. I'd had a liquid incident coming out of T1 (managed a single gulp out of my drink as I left transition, then when I reached down to have more discovered it was no longer on my bike so I was a drink free zone in amongst all that rain).
I plodded off for the run knowing that my overall time was looking good, I was in the same range as last year which both amazed and spurred me on. I walked a little bit of the run, made sure to get liquids on board and as I was heading back towards transition o the first lap again my name wafted over the air and it turned out to be another friend. It was great again and spurred me on.
I continued and as I was reaching the end I had reached my very own end. Coming into transition I was almost hyperventilating. Everything hurt. I also managed to build up quite the groaning stakes for those last few meters culminating in my very own Roger Bannister moment collapsing over the finish line into the arms of one of the marshals. It was 1.52 since the claxon and I was done. Done in more ways than one.
Looking back over it all now, I can't say I massively enjoyed the experience. While the swim wasn't great and certainly isn't something I want to repeat, I think familiarity is setting in and even a new PB isn't enough to make me think I had fun. Not sure how I feel about that.
For another year though we all excelled in ExCel. Money is in the process of being raised, muscles are the process of recovering and I'll worry about it all tomorrow instead.
Monday, August 11, 2008
London in the bag, sleep needed
I'll add a longer account later in the week but for now I just wanted to mention that I survived the London Triathlon and the bestworst it had to offer. I'm cautiously counting the injury cost which so far only translates as a locked neck, aches and muscle strains and an inability to eat or sleep.
They may not all be connected.
I completed the course in a time of 1.52 which is a minute faster than I managed last year. Given that last year I felt I'd trained well and put in the hours this year feels like a cheat in comparison. But that's the way it turned out none the less and God knows I'll take it.
I can't honestly say I enjoyed it though and perhaps above anything else that's the thing that has surprised me. Even with a new personal best I'm not doing my whooping or I am Spartacus routine. Maybe it's a sign that I've lost the newbie feeling and view it somehow as being more familiar.
Or maybe I just need some sleep.
They may not all be connected.
I completed the course in a time of 1.52 which is a minute faster than I managed last year. Given that last year I felt I'd trained well and put in the hours this year feels like a cheat in comparison. But that's the way it turned out none the less and God knows I'll take it.
I can't honestly say I enjoyed it though and perhaps above anything else that's the thing that has surprised me. Even with a new personal best I'm not doing my whooping or I am Spartacus routine. Maybe it's a sign that I've lost the newbie feeling and view it somehow as being more familiar.
Or maybe I just need some sleep.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Pre tri update
Two small updates:
The rain has set in - those blue skies and clouds from earlier this morning decided they didn't want to play anymore so legged it out of town. I've never "raced" in the rain before so this should be interesting. Running in the rain I love, swimming outdoors in the rain is a very special experience but the cycling bit I have to admit I'm wary of. The risk of injury has to be so much higher.
As I write that, I realise that's the wrong attitude to have. Have three hours to work on my positive mental attitude. Who knows maybe it'll be dry again by then ;)
The second update is the Jubilee Line is part closed which means the usual route from West Ham to Canning Town will be cycled this time instead. It's no biggie distance wise, it's just one stop. The fun piece will be that old 'to left or to right' upon leaving the station. You have to love it.
Anyway I'm all packed up, excitement levels rising, tweaked back being ignored and the rain bedamned.
Higher, faster, stronger!
The rain has set in - those blue skies and clouds from earlier this morning decided they didn't want to play anymore so legged it out of town. I've never "raced" in the rain before so this should be interesting. Running in the rain I love, swimming outdoors in the rain is a very special experience but the cycling bit I have to admit I'm wary of. The risk of injury has to be so much higher.
As I write that, I realise that's the wrong attitude to have. Have three hours to work on my positive mental attitude. Who knows maybe it'll be dry again by then ;)
The second update is the Jubilee Line is part closed which means the usual route from West Ham to Canning Town will be cycled this time instead. It's no biggie distance wise, it's just one stop. The fun piece will be that old 'to left or to right' upon leaving the station. You have to love it.
Anyway I'm all packed up, excitement levels rising, tweaked back being ignored and the rain bedamned.
Higher, faster, stronger!
The morning of noticable absences
I'm lying in bed with my lovely EEE listening to the wind outside and watching the clouds overlay the blue skies. There's about 7 hours to go before I have to don whatever wave coloured hat we're given this year and jump into Victoria Dock. From where I'm sitting right now it couldn't seem further away.
This will be my first time participating in a run or triathlon so late in the day and while I've trained late it's not really the same thing. In previous years this nervous energy could be directed at something specific early in the day like travel or the eating plan etc. This time it's all that little bit further out of reach so I guess all I can do is plan out my times (packing, eating, travel, registration etc) and then just put it out of my head entirely until that first milestone. I'm not complaining though, not having to set an alarm clock on Saturday mornings is always welcomed.
The other thing that's different about this year is I don't have my usual partner in crime, Clodagh, travelling over from Ireland to also participate. The silence and absence feel strange because this is an adventure we started together in 2006. Alex and Julian are still flying the flag though so we'll just have to drive on and do our missing triathlete proud!
This will be my first time participating in a run or triathlon so late in the day and while I've trained late it's not really the same thing. In previous years this nervous energy could be directed at something specific early in the day like travel or the eating plan etc. This time it's all that little bit further out of reach so I guess all I can do is plan out my times (packing, eating, travel, registration etc) and then just put it out of my head entirely until that first milestone. I'm not complaining though, not having to set an alarm clock on Saturday mornings is always welcomed.
The other thing that's different about this year is I don't have my usual partner in crime, Clodagh, travelling over from Ireland to also participate. The silence and absence feel strange because this is an adventure we started together in 2006. Alex and Julian are still flying the flag though so we'll just have to drive on and do our missing triathlete proud!
Friday, August 08, 2008
Pre London 2008
So as I lounge on the couch having gorged on pasta and the Beijing opening ceremony I find myself torn between nerves for tomorrow's London Triathlon and a massive excitement that me and my 90 year old body are heading out to take on our very own little sporting challenge.
For as long as I can remember I've run, jumped, swung, pushed and cajoled my way around various sporting venues. Watching something like the Olympics brings it back to me how many disciplines I've actually dabbled in over 30 years and it's a pretty cool feeling. Would have been nicer of course if I was better at them but hey.
The first medal I ever remember winning was in Dundalk, Co. Louth at a cross country meet that was on across from my house. I don't remember the exact distance but I do remember chasing down a girl for 3rd place and how good it felt to pip her at the post. I think I may still have that medal at home still somewhere but it lite a spark in me that still hasn't gone out.
Anyway, this segway is my way of marking the wonderful opening of the Beijing Games, the US PGA and my third London in a row. A veritable sporting feast. All I need now is some sleep, get rid of my headache, find my race gear, remember to bring my passport and do the best I can. I don't have any massive time ambitions for London. Last year I finished in 1.53 which I was really delighted with. Blenheim I finished in something like 2.10 or 2.15. so if I can manage somewhere in between that I'll be happy.
Beyond all that though, the best form of success for me will be to finish injury free. I won't really know that result though until about Wednesday of next week. I'll sign off with the phrase of the day - faster, stronger, higher and who am I to argue with the gods.
For as long as I can remember I've run, jumped, swung, pushed and cajoled my way around various sporting venues. Watching something like the Olympics brings it back to me how many disciplines I've actually dabbled in over 30 years and it's a pretty cool feeling. Would have been nicer of course if I was better at them but hey.
The first medal I ever remember winning was in Dundalk, Co. Louth at a cross country meet that was on across from my house. I don't remember the exact distance but I do remember chasing down a girl for 3rd place and how good it felt to pip her at the post. I think I may still have that medal at home still somewhere but it lite a spark in me that still hasn't gone out.
Anyway, this segway is my way of marking the wonderful opening of the Beijing Games, the US PGA and my third London in a row. A veritable sporting feast. All I need now is some sleep, get rid of my headache, find my race gear, remember to bring my passport and do the best I can. I don't have any massive time ambitions for London. Last year I finished in 1.53 which I was really delighted with. Blenheim I finished in something like 2.10 or 2.15. so if I can manage somewhere in between that I'll be happy.
Beyond all that though, the best form of success for me will be to finish injury free. I won't really know that result though until about Wednesday of next week. I'll sign off with the phrase of the day - faster, stronger, higher and who am I to argue with the gods.
Friday, July 25, 2008
10k done, triathlon next
Quick update: I managed the Bupa Great Capital 10k run last weekend. It was a great run for me as I managed the full thing without having to walk at any point and broke the 70 minute barrier. I've also managed to maintain an injury free post race me though and above everything else, that's probably the most pleasing aspect.
What's next? London Triathlon in two weeks time. All I need to do now is get swimming and cycling. The running bit I'm hoping will be ok, given the run last weekend. Only time will tell though.
Fingers crossed.
What's next? London Triathlon in two weeks time. All I need to do now is get swimming and cycling. The running bit I'm hoping will be ok, given the run last weekend. Only time will tell though.
Fingers crossed.
Monday, July 14, 2008
35 minutes, and counting
Tonight I went for a run. I wasn't sure exactly how long I would manage and am delighted to report I did 35 minutes and could have done more if I needed to.
Which is just as well as I'm doing the Bupa Great Capital 10k Run on Sunday morning. My thinking is to manage one more run before Sunday, ideally up to 45 minutes, then hold on for dear life on Sunday itself.
Four weeks to London Triathlon too. Gulp.
Which is just as well as I'm doing the Bupa Great Capital 10k Run on Sunday morning. My thinking is to manage one more run before Sunday, ideally up to 45 minutes, then hold on for dear life on Sunday itself.
Four weeks to London Triathlon too. Gulp.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Trying something new
The good news is I had no adverse reaction to Wednesday evening's rainy run. It was truly wonderful just to be able to run. Loved it.
The bad news is I've not been running since. Or swimming. Managed a bit of cycling to and from work but that almost doesn't count.
Fear not though, I've not totally given up. Instead I acquired myself an old second half cross trainer. My logic is simple. Frustration leads to terrible decisions being made. Hopefully this one will turn out to be a positive experience though. Three days in so far and it's proving to be good.
Time will tell I suppose.
The bad news is I've not been running since. Or swimming. Managed a bit of cycling to and from work but that almost doesn't count.
Fear not though, I've not totally given up. Instead I acquired myself an old second half cross trainer. My logic is simple. Frustration leads to terrible decisions being made. Hopefully this one will turn out to be a positive experience though. Three days in so far and it's proving to be good.
Time will tell I suppose.
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