Gone Mad!!!

I have gone a tad crazy with the old credit card and signed up for not one, not two but three races tonight!!

First off, the 1500m sea swim in Llandudno.  This is held on June 18th and is the same sea swim to the standard distance Sea Triathlon i also signed up for.  I am crazy.  At least that is the general consensus of opinion on facebook right now.  I'm inclined to agree.

Not entirely sure as to why i choose to do a sea swim Tri for my first standard distance, but the fact i get to practice the swim made it seem less crazy.  That and its not too far away and just the right time of year i guess.

But before then, i am doing the Pwllheli Sprint which is a 400m pool swim, 20k bike and 5k run. That's on March 27th.  Then on May 22nd I am doing the Cheshire Sprint.  Also a pool swim, but 500m then 20k bike and 5k run.  For this i have company, Katy is joining me and we may have a friend from London come up to support us, which would be superb.

So it really just seemed like the natural progression to do the next distance event.  What can i say. I need races to motivate me.  I now have races to do that.  My god do i have races planned.  I also have the Ellesmere half marathon in 4 weeks, and my knee is still bothering me a bit.  There is also a little 10k trail run on April 10th which i may do.

I haven't signed up for the Lichfield HM on May 1st.  I'm gonna wait to see how things go.  There are plenty of HMs i could do if i'm so desperate to do one.  I really want to get a sub 2hr, but my focus has just shifted. I'm sure you get why!

So right now, i am shitting bricks!! I know if i train hard, i can complete them all.  And hopefully even compete in them too, as opposed to just finishing.  Bring it on!

1 year Anniversary

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of me running.  I signed up for the Great North Run then on 23 Jan 2010 i started my training for a the Blarney Run 5K.  In March 2010 i ran it in 30:30 and i was hooked.  Over the last year sticking to exercise has been no trouble at all.  Yes there are the occasional days when i don't want to go. Sometimes i don't go, others i force myself.  The days i force myself always feel better, but i am learning that i shouldn't beat myself up about skipped workouts as long as i am happy.  I'm far from addicted to working out. I'm still not one who will go crazy if i didn't run in a week, but if i do leave it for a while, it feels fantastic to be out on the road again, or even on the dreadmill.

Adding swimming and cycling - with a purpose - to my workout routine has been a lot of fun and i have found i do enjoy having three focuses.  At first i missed the running all the time and would prefer to go on a run than on a ride.  But now i feel like i enjoy them equally.  The three disciplines are very different and i enjoy them for different reasons.  I look forward to summer time cycling again, but am enjoying the spin classes.

With regards to weight, i'm actually about the same, maybe 5lbs lighter (i have no scales right now) but i am infinitely fitter and my body shape has changed a bit.  My bum is a better shape and my thighs a little different, there is a bit of  gap that i have never had before.  But that isn't my focus. If i am never any lighter or thinner than i am right now, i'm okay with that - i suppose - but if i were to loose my fitness, then i'd be pissed.  I enjoy the fact i can climb stairs for ages without catching my breath. I love that if someone were to chase me, i may be able to out run them (don't really know who would be chasing me but i have thought of it a few times!) I love that running a 10K feels like nothing (well, not nothing, but i could do it any day of the week, in fact i could do it every day if i wanted to).

In fact, since Sunday and my PB i really want to train for a half marathon again. I want a sub 2 hour HM. So i plan to get some longer runs in over the next couple of months.  Gonna make them out doors runs on a weekend and look in to a HM that i may be able to join.  I'm happy where i'm getting with my swimming and cycling for my Triathlon so it won't take the focus away from that.

So all in all, with regards to exercise, this past year has been the best of my life. The only time in my life i have continuously exercised.  I have totally enjoyed it.  It has given me moments to be proud of. Gave me a better body.  Given me experiences i have shared with friends and family that i wouldn't have found in other places.

And it all started with a spontaneous act of signing up for a half marathon.

I'm signed up!

Yes, that's right, i found a triathlon in late march and signed up.   I'm SO EXCITED!!!! I got my appointment letter for my hip MRI and its not till Jan 12th so i'm quite sure that i won't be having surgery before March 27th.  I am so stoked that i get to race this season. Its not ideal.  I wanted to have a little more time, especially to get out on my bike on the roads, but i will just have to make sure that i go every weekend that i can.

It is held in Pwllheli, Wales - as if that needed stating with the spelling of it - which is a two hour drive.  Its a pool based tri, which i'm grateful for given the time of the year, and also as its my first triathlon.  The website is a bit sparse of information but its a 400m swim, a 12mile cycle and a 3 mile run.  I have no clue if its a closed road or what the run route is, but quite frankly, i don't care.  I'm just thrilled i'm doing one.  Its so soon!!!

So my training starts now!

Fourteen weeks and counting...

Tri training at last

Its finally happening, i have started swimming and it feels great.  I have been twice properly and once with Amanda at her fancy gym.  Didn't really do much swimming there, but it got my desire all souped up.  I swam 1000m on Tuesday and 1300m today.  I go to the leisure centre, the pool is standard 25m and fine, but the changing rooms are hellish. I bought a 10 swim ticket for £25 but after that i'm going to see if the fancy hotel up the road from work have a swim membership.  They have a lovely gym and pool open to outsiders so fingers crossed.

Our belongings have set off from America and are due to arrive nov/dec so i will then get my bike trainer out and start ramping up my endurance on that.  There are plenty of fabulous rides around here, but until its lighter, i think i'll stick to inside.  We have a conservatory so i am designating it to be a gym.

My plan is to go running this evening, but i haven't really had lunch yet bar 2 bananas and 3 rice crackers so that may be a bad move.  I did swim a ton, so that may have to do.  We'll see.

Hope to have Internet at home soon.  I'll be back.

Done. Now lets move on to Tri'ing

So it occur ed to me last night, when i realised that i had missed the cut off date for the cheaper entry fee for the Birmingham HM that i have achieved that goal.  On my run today, i convinced myself that it was okay to not enter said HM as i have done what i set out to do.  And you see above, where it says 'My journey to becoming a Triathlete' well that is my actual goal.  The reasons that i chose to do the HM were the relatively high cost of tri training- not having a job and being skint and pool fees being steep, and that it was the thing that inspired me to maintain exercise in the first place. 

Well on September 12th i achieved that goal.  And i did so with a better time than i had thought i could.  When i entered the Great North Run i predicted my finish time to be 2:20 - 2:40 so my 2:10:44 kicks that. 

From the looks of my training log the past few weeks i fell of the wagon a touch.  I know i have been super busy, renovating, catching up with friends and trying to find somewhere to live and buying a car and stuff, but i didn't run for a whole week.  It make me realise that i am not one of those people that just can't stand it when they don't exercise.  I am one of those that feels it is very important. That gets that buzz after a hard work out. Feels good for the rest of the day if i get 5 miles in before noon.  But i am no exercise fiend.  Its easy to slip.

So with that in mind, and my goal actually wanting to be a triathlete, i have no shame in not entering the Birmingham HM. I've done it. I can move on to tri training. I just don't have the gusto to train for two things and I want to TRI.

Until i get settled i am not having a training schedule. I will aspire to go to the pool twice a week, keep up running and get on my bike every week.  Build up that base.  I have a few short running races i will be entering but my main goal is to get in to the swing of three sport training.

I'm back, and I've been busy!

Ok, so it been a while.....

But in that time i have:

Lost 10lbs
Moved to England
Bought a road bike
Kept up on my Tri /running blogs reading
Bought a swimming suit - yet to swim, still haven't got a bike lock and cant get to pool without bike.
Decided on my Triathlon - but can't afford to sign up yet.

I have been running regularly.  I ran a 10K the other week and i was really pleased with the time.  It was actually 10.48K and i ran it in 1:02:20 (9.37 pace) It was a bit hilly, in the Castle Howard grounds. They are hosting a triathlon for the first time this year. It looks like a nice course, I'm considering it for next year.

Been wasting my time making posters.

I have been on three bike rides, the first being quite eventful as i was hit by an SUV. Not knocked off thankfully but i do have a friction burn on my knuckle from the car.  Still my ass huts, but i suppose that will be an issue for a few more weeks.

I think that's it.  Gonna keep this updated again, i have been slack as i was unsure if anyone really read this. But i like the idea of returning to it at a later date, so having no readers is less of a concern. Though of course, some is always nice. But whatever....

My Tri HM plan

I am so excited, I have finally decided on my triathlon and my half marathon. Some will probably say I'm a fool for training for both at the same time but I have a very good reason for it. First off, I want to do a half marathon before I commit my complete self to triathlons, which I think I probably will.

As I started this whole new attitude about exercise because of signing up for a half marathon (though I was unlucky in the ballot draw and didn't get a place) I really still want to achieve that goal. I plan to run the Bradford half on October 17th. Also I am hoping that I will be getting pregnant next year so
not sure that I will be able to train excessively like I would need to. I would hope to get another season in but can't be sure. This all depends on getting a job of course but I really want to start a
family. So this means that I am training simultaniously for both. The triathalon is on September 26th, just three weeks before the half.

I have put a plan together. It was using a swim focused tri plan i found online and I just upped the mileage and added an extra run per week. It's a tough schedule, it's 16 weeks long for the tri and 19 for the HM. 8 sessions a week one day off. I decided on a swim focused opposed to a run focused as you are supposed to train more in your weakest sport and as I can barely swim a length right now swimming is definitely my inferior talent I'm hoping my enthusiasm will get me through the tough schedule. And perhaps being unemployed will help but i really need a job to pay for the pool fees.

The next day, finishing this post....
On my run yesterday, which seemed really tough (which was because I was running faster than I thought but I felt slow) I was debating whether I could really pull off training for both in my first ever season of training for anything - ever! I decided that if I had to drop one goal it would be the HM. This surprised me given the reason mentioned above.  But i feel that perhaps training for a HM would be easier than a tri when I have a new baby to look after too. So it's gun-hoe all effort forward to do both but if I'm just not cut out for 8 sessions a week plus weight training twice a week then I will back off and concentrate on the tri. Eeeeeee. I really am excited.

I fly home tomorrow. I can't wait to see my parents, friends and family. I have this interview looming over me that happens on Friday. I feel prepared so I'm quite calm -surprisingly.
Laterzzz

Three Things Thursday

1. The value of a strong balanced core

I was reading up on how important having a strong core is for running, if your core is weak you tire much easier.  And to the extreme, one article telling of tight hip flexors and hunched backs, from too many crunches and too few back exercises, respectively.  I'm not aiming for the wicked witch look, no thanks.

Wednesdays run was a great opportunity for me to learn more about this - personally.  I started out too fast, but then wanted to see how long i could keep the 8:4? I saw on Sally. I wanted to see if i could actually run a 8 minute something mile. And I did happily: 8.50 and then obviously a slower second mile at 9.53.  I don't remember folks aspiring to positive splits! But this is a great showcase of what folks mean about starting out too fast, as i did feel good for at least 3/4 mile. I knew i couldn't sustain it for the three miles I had planned, so i decided to try for at least one more mile and then do strength stuff at home.

So about 1/4 mile from home, i noticed my pelvis was tipped forward and i was slumping almost.  I corrected my posture and noticed how much easier it was to run.  Because i was so tired it was my middle that gave up, not my legs, no, it was my god damn weak ass core that pooped out..  So I came home and did a good core workout and a bit on my arms. I was pressed for time, i had a lunch date. but friday i'm going all out with the core stuff.

2. Go Swim

I have been twice to the pool now, for cross training.  I recorded my swimming with my underwater camera and don't like what i see in my breast stroke at all. My legs are wildly different.   But I really want to master the front crawl anyway, for triathlons, so I'm not concentrating on correcting that right away.  I was directed to goswim.com  and found a video of how to breath correctly.  I have always been a 2 stroke breather never mastering the right side, but with that tip i feel as good on my right as i ever did on my left side, which its self is even better.  I think i could get in to swimming, and not hate every minute of that section of triathlons.  But it will require me to find a full length pool.  It has to at least be 25 meters.  The current one can't be more than 10 meters and it really hinders progression as i barely get a rhythm going and i'm at the other end.

3. Another Goodbye and a Ruben.

They are coming from all angles and I'm not liking it too much, its uncomfortable and sad. I popped over to Waukesha to have lunch with Dave, who i worked with in my first few months in the country until he moved to a different office, though i continued to see him frequently for work things. Dave is one of those guys everyone loves. I will definitely miss him.  

We went to Rochester Deli and we both had a Ruben, mine with no bread (totally forgot to take my ryeless rye bread), but it meant i got a lot more meat. It was delicious, i will miss Rubens, i don't recall ever seeing one in the UK.  I will have to make that change!

Who knew? Not me!

When i used to see runners running, i just imagined that they just ran. Ran a the same speed, what i assumed was comfortable but fast.  They always looked comfortable, compared to my face while trying to run.  I had absolutely no idea that there were so many types of runs.  And that most runners actually mix it up and do these runs.

  

Thank god for the Internet of i would have never known that just running moderate pace all the time is not really a good thing to do.  I do understand the need for interval training, but i thought that would come from hills.

Starting running is like starting to learn a new subject at school.  When i started my orthotics and prosthetics degree there was a whole new vocabulary i had to learn.  From every muscle and bone and tendon in the body to diseases, injuries and devices.  Even if i knew the words or muscles, i had to look at them a different way, and know a whole lot more about them.

Running is much the same.   Lots of words i am familiar with but no clue of their meaning in running terms.  From tempo, farklets and recovery runs, to pace, taper and brick.  

I am happy to report that i now feel pretty confident with running vocabulary and feel i know enough to bore some folks and to leave others baffled, like i was at first.  It was a pretty easy learning curve mind, nothing like 4 years of University.

Now I need to learn the biking and swimming lingo, as i don't think Brick is going to get me very far.  I'm looking forward to subscribing to Triathletes World once in the UK.  They don't have an equivalent US version and it cost a staggering $9.80 to buy the UK magazine over here. Yeah, i'll just wait!

Now i'm off to swim.  Want to try out a few things i have learnt from GoSwim.com  my new website addiction.

Ciao

Thinking of Tri-ing

Today is a good day.  Awake at 6.55  (not that that is a good thing necessarily) up at 7.20am.  Breakfast of a small bowl of yoghurt and oats by 7.30 and out the door by 7.45am.  I know i'm supposed to wait 30 minutes before leaving but i ate late last night and and i have a good stomach, its strong and doesn't normally give me any troubles. No matter how many drinks i mix!!

Today i RAN for 25 minutes and covered 2.38miles.  It took a little while to get in the groove of running faster but i managed a full 15 minutes of slogging before i stopped for a minute and headed back. I didn't time it properly but i think i ran a bit over a 10 minute mile.  So not SO fast but well, i'm happy.  I got up, and went straight out.  It was cold out, sunny and -11F but as i did what i said i would do, i felt GREAT!

As i really enjoy cycling and can't see myself giving it up, i have been looking in to triathlons.  I realize i haven't even raced a 5k yet but i like to look ahead.  I found one that will be a great starter one. Its a 500m swim in a pool, 14k bike ride and 5k run.  I can totally see myself being able to do that in a year from now.  Its in May 2010 so i guess it would be in May in 2011, and its in the right area and doesn't cost much.