This week's key swim session was 3.4km. It's the last long distance swim shown in my training plan before The Event, so I was prepared to put in a decent effort. I've always hoped to break the 60 minute barrier for my open water swim time, which I believe would equate to a 20m pool time of under 70 minutes, but despite all the training I've been doing and numerous technique improvements, I've never actually made significant gains on my time. What I have achieved is to leave the pool feeling fresh after swimming for over hour, albeit more than a little hungry.
I break down long pool swims into 50 lengths to try and remove some of the intense monotony. The first 50 lengths were completed in 19 minutes and 33 seconds. Not too bad, and I felt pretty good at this point. The clock showed 39 minutes and 3 seconds at the end of the next 50 lengths. If you hold on a moment, I'll do the maths .... 3 seconds quicker than the first 50! I laughed out loud in disbelief that I could complete two sets of 50 lengths and finish them to within 3 seconds of each other. I was not the only one displaying disbelief; the old lady who happened to be parked at the end of the pool whilst I was checking my times looked extremely perplexed, wondering why my watch was so amusing.
The third set of 50 lengths took 19 minutes and 38 seconds, and the remaining 20 lengths a further 7 minutes and 53 seconds.
To summarise mathematically, which I'm sure you weren't hoping for, my actual swim time for 170 lengths was 66 minutes and 34 seconds and if you pro-rata my first 50 lengths, it gives a projected swim time of 66 minutes and 28 seconds.
To summarise generally, my swimming stroke is very, very consistent.
And just to cool down after the swim, a quick 120 minute cycle up a consistently steep hill. The things I now consider normal ...
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Monday, 1 June 2009
Normal behaviour ...
I went Kayaking last Saturday. Perfectly normal behaviour.
But the kayaking took place near Glencoe, and I decided it would be a perfect time to get in a long cycle. So I cycled the 110 miles back home, using the premise that I couldn't cheat and stop early without having an unexpected hotel bill. Not unreasonable behaviour, albeit slightly eccentric.
Then I went for a quick 30 minute jog. The transition was not from bike to run. It was from sane to insane. I crossed the line of what can realistically be classified as normal behaviour. I didn't actually realise that I had crossed this line until this morning, when I woke up without any aches or pains and carried on with life as normal.
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg). It goes up and down a little, but it's still about the same.
But the kayaking took place near Glencoe, and I decided it would be a perfect time to get in a long cycle. So I cycled the 110 miles back home, using the premise that I couldn't cheat and stop early without having an unexpected hotel bill. Not unreasonable behaviour, albeit slightly eccentric.
Then I went for a quick 30 minute jog. The transition was not from bike to run. It was from sane to insane. I crossed the line of what can realistically be classified as normal behaviour. I didn't actually realise that I had crossed this line until this morning, when I woke up without any aches or pains and carried on with life as normal.
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg). It goes up and down a little, but it's still about the same.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Ryanair training
A quick flight down to Marseille to do some running and swimming along the Côte d'Azur; £70.
A nice hotel to relax by the pool; € many.
Finding out that running in 30 degree heat is going to be very, very painful; € %£$&*$€
I would normally drink a few sips of water very 25 to 30 minutes when running about in Scotland. I was drinking a good few gulps every 5 to 8 minutes in France. I ended up consuming 500ml every 30 minutes and that was with enforced rationing, as I simply couldn't carry enough with me, nor could I have guessed that I'd go through so much. I could easily have drunk at least double that amount. The hot air dries your throat and leaves you breathless almost immediately. My only wish now is that the Ironman France run is at least partly in shade. Or that it's pishing it down with rain the whole cycle and run, which will be very reminiscent of training at home.
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
A nice hotel to relax by the pool; € many.
Finding out that running in 30 degree heat is going to be very, very painful; € %£$&*$€
I would normally drink a few sips of water very 25 to 30 minutes when running about in Scotland. I was drinking a good few gulps every 5 to 8 minutes in France. I ended up consuming 500ml every 30 minutes and that was with enforced rationing, as I simply couldn't carry enough with me, nor could I have guessed that I'd go through so much. I could easily have drunk at least double that amount. The hot air dries your throat and leaves you breathless almost immediately. My only wish now is that the Ironman France run is at least partly in shade. Or that it's pishing it down with rain the whole cycle and run, which will be very reminiscent of training at home.
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Cycle training
My cycle training has been severely lacking. Considering this is the longest part of Ironman, I'm thinking I should have concentrated harder on this discipline.
Or should I?
The Editor called tonight with a request for me to photograph the rather large hole in the ground that caused him to take another tumble from his bike. "Tonight would be best, since the council might fill it in first thing." The verdict of injury severity is not yet in.
This comes right on the heels of another cycling injury that caused a dramatic separation of the collar bone.
I'm wondering if my lack of miles is actually saving me from injury, or if The Editor should just avoid Auchterarder entirely.
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
Or should I?
The Editor called tonight with a request for me to photograph the rather large hole in the ground that caused him to take another tumble from his bike. "Tonight would be best, since the council might fill it in first thing." The verdict of injury severity is not yet in.
This comes right on the heels of another cycling injury that caused a dramatic separation of the collar bone.
I'm wondering if my lack of miles is actually saving me from injury, or if The Editor should just avoid Auchterarder entirely.
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
Half Marathon warm up
Cycling around The Path of Condie from Kinross is not a "normal" person's idea of a suitable warm up to a half marathon. But it fairly gets the legs going. About 1 hour and 10 minutes of uphill, with 10 minutes of all to brisk downhill thrown in. For those who do not cycle, that means it's hilly, and the hills are steep!
8 minutes after the cycling stopped, the starting buzzer buzzed loudly to begin the half marathon. I finished in 1 hour and 37 mins, which is a new personal best; my only previous half attempts being the Heaven and Hell event, completed just over a month ago in 1 hour and 41 mins and the Buchlivie half completed last November in 1 hour and 44 mins.
I wonder if I could have beaten E.H.'s time of 1 hour 31 had I started with fresh legs? Actually, I wonder if E.H. had been cycling herself before the running? I'll never know, since communication is all but non-existent unless she is gloating when running or cycling past me.
The official Ironman France liquid fuel arrived just in time to experiment with during the day's activities. If goal was to make a salty drink taste bland, then the manufacturers have skillfully succeeded. But I'm pleased to say that it seems to stave off hunger and supply the body with energy. Just as well, because it cost me nearly £50 for the privilege.
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
8 minutes after the cycling stopped, the starting buzzer buzzed loudly to begin the half marathon. I finished in 1 hour and 37 mins, which is a new personal best; my only previous half attempts being the Heaven and Hell event, completed just over a month ago in 1 hour and 41 mins and the Buchlivie half completed last November in 1 hour and 44 mins.
I wonder if I could have beaten E.H.'s time of 1 hour 31 had I started with fresh legs? Actually, I wonder if E.H. had been cycling herself before the running? I'll never know, since communication is all but non-existent unless she is gloating when running or cycling past me.
The official Ironman France liquid fuel arrived just in time to experiment with during the day's activities. If goal was to make a salty drink taste bland, then the manufacturers have skillfully succeeded. But I'm pleased to say that it seems to stave off hunger and supply the body with energy. Just as well, because it cost me nearly £50 for the privilege.
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Medical attention required on Bute
It turned out to be pretty warm and sunny on Bute after the morning's cold rain showers had thankfully moved on to annoy someone else.
The pre-race discussion revolved, as usual, around The Editor's theory of Natural Weakness and how he is predisposed to losing the forthcoming race. Actually, it's quite surprising that we even have time to discuss anything going by the number of trips we alternately make to the bathroom during the free time between registration and start.
The swim was pretty good. I managed to practice drafting for the first 20 lengths.
The cycle went well, having a nice pink Lycra clad lady to chase. It turns out she was the fastest female, so I was delighted to have overtaken her.
The run was utterly hellish. My mind was only taken off the excruciating pain in my lower back because my ankles were causing a greater amount of pain almost immediately. But there was no time to stop and check what was happening in case The Editor went past, laughing manically.
After crossing the finish line in a very respectable time of 1 hr 13 mins and 36 seconds, I wish I had taken the 8 seconds per foot time penalty of putting on socks in T1. I kicked off my bloodied shoes to reveal broken, bleeding blisters on the outside of my both ankles. By no means did they resemble any kind of severe war wound, but the obligatory event first aiders made a beeline straight for me as they were obviously extremely bored not dealing with the other 100 fittest people on Bute that day. After spending around 5 minutes discussing the state of my blisters, I agreed to take 2 sticking plasters to apply to the wounds after my shower; I was getting a little bored of the technicalities of blister treatments by this point.
The shower itself was extremely interesting, conducted as it was in full view of the spectator's gallery, with a massed crowed enjoying the post race buffet. It's certainly unusual to be holding a rational converstaion with a similarly Lycra clad female stranger under the immediately adjacent showerhead whilst cleaning your bits inside your shorts. Although the experience was not unpleasant.
The best bit? It was without doubt the post race treats consisting of ample Scotch pie and the World's Best angel cakes made with the most yummy jam.
Current weight is 13 stones 6 pounds (188 pounds / 85.3 kg), but I've been eating out for the past 4 days and nights.
The pre-race discussion revolved, as usual, around The Editor's theory of Natural Weakness and how he is predisposed to losing the forthcoming race. Actually, it's quite surprising that we even have time to discuss anything going by the number of trips we alternately make to the bathroom during the free time between registration and start.
The swim was pretty good. I managed to practice drafting for the first 20 lengths.
The cycle went well, having a nice pink Lycra clad lady to chase. It turns out she was the fastest female, so I was delighted to have overtaken her.
The run was utterly hellish. My mind was only taken off the excruciating pain in my lower back because my ankles were causing a greater amount of pain almost immediately. But there was no time to stop and check what was happening in case The Editor went past, laughing manically.
After crossing the finish line in a very respectable time of 1 hr 13 mins and 36 seconds, I wish I had taken the 8 seconds per foot time penalty of putting on socks in T1. I kicked off my bloodied shoes to reveal broken, bleeding blisters on the outside of my both ankles. By no means did they resemble any kind of severe war wound, but the obligatory event first aiders made a beeline straight for me as they were obviously extremely bored not dealing with the other 100 fittest people on Bute that day. After spending around 5 minutes discussing the state of my blisters, I agreed to take 2 sticking plasters to apply to the wounds after my shower; I was getting a little bored of the technicalities of blister treatments by this point.
The shower itself was extremely interesting, conducted as it was in full view of the spectator's gallery, with a massed crowed enjoying the post race buffet. It's certainly unusual to be holding a rational converstaion with a similarly Lycra clad female stranger under the immediately adjacent showerhead whilst cleaning your bits inside your shorts. Although the experience was not unpleasant.
The best bit? It was without doubt the post race treats consisting of ample Scotch pie and the World's Best angel cakes made with the most yummy jam.
Current weight is 13 stones 6 pounds (188 pounds / 85.3 kg), but I've been eating out for the past 4 days and nights.
Monday, 13 April 2009
Too close for comfort
It's become apparent that I should have spent less time scoffing "The Fink" and more time listening. The Editor's personal training manual is obviously more successful than my photocopied page from 220 magazine, entitled "24-week Ironman training plan". I'm wondering if I should throw mine in the bin, or simply treble the suggested workload.
So much free time and energy does he have during the cycle that he can divert his energies to devising new games to take his mind off the monotony of the task in hand. I am reduced to singing overplayed radio ballads at the top of my lungs for, would you believe, sanity purposes; the objective being to remain mentally intact, as opposed to being proficient in the toilet department. Our cycle time separation has been reduced to 2 seconds over 20km. That is no separation in my book; it's merely the avoidance of a pot hole, or the solitary sip of fluids en-route. And I can clearly see twinkle in The Editor's eye as he senses a victory is on the cards. I have already spent my armory of training enhancements, but he has only just begun, what with full blown video analysis of his swim stroke.
Since I'm not competitive, why would I be upset about the result? In fact, I achieved a fantastic personal best in each discipline, so why the long face? It's clear there's been a complete role reversal of enjoyment. I'm the one who now truly hates each segment of Triathlon, but The Editor is amusing himself with picking off carbonites. While I've been busy saturating myself with training, generating living proof of the "Law of Diminishing Returns", the Fink hasn't even made The Editor peak yet; the battle hasn't even commenced. If the deficit reduces any further, I may have to stop putting on my socks in T1.
Weatherwise, the day turned out to be beautifully sunny and perfect for racing. That was in stark contrast to the Arctic blast I received from E.H. whilst popping over to saying hello for the first time since our last communication in January. Obviously she holds a severe grudge against me for the time I was 20 minutes late for our training cycle. Perhaps those missing 20 minutes of cycling were responsible for me trouncing her time by over 2 minutes?
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
So much free time and energy does he have during the cycle that he can divert his energies to devising new games to take his mind off the monotony of the task in hand. I am reduced to singing overplayed radio ballads at the top of my lungs for, would you believe, sanity purposes; the objective being to remain mentally intact, as opposed to being proficient in the toilet department. Our cycle time separation has been reduced to 2 seconds over 20km. That is no separation in my book; it's merely the avoidance of a pot hole, or the solitary sip of fluids en-route. And I can clearly see twinkle in The Editor's eye as he senses a victory is on the cards. I have already spent my armory of training enhancements, but he has only just begun, what with full blown video analysis of his swim stroke.
Since I'm not competitive, why would I be upset about the result? In fact, I achieved a fantastic personal best in each discipline, so why the long face? It's clear there's been a complete role reversal of enjoyment. I'm the one who now truly hates each segment of Triathlon, but The Editor is amusing himself with picking off carbonites. While I've been busy saturating myself with training, generating living proof of the "Law of Diminishing Returns", the Fink hasn't even made The Editor peak yet; the battle hasn't even commenced. If the deficit reduces any further, I may have to stop putting on my socks in T1.
Weatherwise, the day turned out to be beautifully sunny and perfect for racing. That was in stark contrast to the Arctic blast I received from E.H. whilst popping over to saying hello for the first time since our last communication in January. Obviously she holds a severe grudge against me for the time I was 20 minutes late for our training cycle. Perhaps those missing 20 minutes of cycling were responsible for me trouncing her time by over 2 minutes?
Current weight is 13 stones 4 pounds (186 pounds / 84.4 kg).
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