Hmm...

...can't work out if it is easier training for IM when working or when Mummying. Have had a couple of days off this week as Mum is away so have been looking after Dora. In my mind, I thought that working f/t was adding to the strain of training but I reckon it actually makes it easier. If I was a SAHM (Stay at Home Mum), I reckon I'd be less likely to do the training. I was so worn out after looking after Dora yesterday that I had to drag myself onto the turbo last night. Did it though and, boy, was it tough. An hour in Zone 1 Heart Rate but doing 100rpm. Are they serious? The two aren't compatible in my world. Turning the pedals at that rate just makes my heart rate go through the roof. Seriously needed my powerbar shake after that.

Then had to get up early doors to do an hour's run as working and off to a dear Aunt's funeral this afternoon and seeing the family tonight as my lovely Daddy and brother are back. Did a mixture of road and treadmill which was quite a good combo.

Other sessions this week including a slightly changed brick on Wed as there was beautiful fresh snow that I had to get out in. So ran in the morning and a turbo session later on.

Chris back working now so the pressure's on...

I have a following!

4 people are now following my blog. How cool is that?!

Started writing it as the 3-d version of my training log but happy that people are interested and care. Thanks guys!

Like the Weebles, I will wobble but I won't fall down.

Even though I had a solid week in Week 5/30 and that 2010 is about making the glass half full, I was beset my those horrible little voices in my head yesterday telling me I wasn't up to it.

It was scheduled a rest day and boy, I am in need of sleep but Chris goes back to work this week so who knows if I'll get the chance for a decent swim session. With that, I headed out to the Kingfisher session starting at 9pm (usually not far off my bedtime!!). They'd changed the lanes around so the first half was a little frustrating as kept seeing feet in my face but no-one moving over (not the sort of swimmer or person to ask people to get behind me). Second half was better though as said swimmer finally got the hint and it was then it clicked how improved my fitness is. I was absolutely flying and felt great and more to give should I have needed to.

It was also great as the guy behind me announced at the end he is in training for IMUK which is his first triathlon, as well as working f/t, having a baby and another on the way and not having started a training programme yet.

So, all in all, feeling more positive and ready to take Week 6 on the chin. With Chris back working and Mum away, i know it will be harder but will just have to plan better.

Job done

Was all set for another hour on the treadmill but couldn't face it so decided to risk the ice instead. Chris and Dora dropped me off at Walton and I ran along the towpath to Hampton Court. It was fine - lush in fact - and not too slippy at all. The shin niggle that had bothered me a bit in the last week also didn't seem to pose too much of a problem so hopefully I've managed that away (running without compression socks and in slightly old shoes will just never happen again).

Chris managed to get a coffee at Hampton Court while he waited and Dora got her nap in so all worked out beautifully.

Was one swim adrift last week so 7 hours total. Considered going last night but was so fatigued that it wouldn't have been a quality session. Way ahead of 'Just Finish' and just shy of 'Intermediate' and considering everything else going on, gotta be happy with that. Also feel good that it's all being worked around Dora's sleep. Know that won't always be possible but it is important to me that our precious time together isn't messed around too much.

The 80-20 rule

pretty much applies to everything in life, I reckon. And I reckon I've decided that Ironman is 80% mental and 20% physical. My friend and training buddy, Jona, warned me about the need to overcome the mental wall. Think I've started to experience it this week. On Friday, I needed to run for an hour and the ice was so chronic, I had to do it on the treadmill. Amazingly, it wasn't that bad. Broke it down into bitesize mental chunks and varied the entertainment sources (including a half hour Sky special on the Consumer Electronics Fayre in Vegas - hmm, interesting. Not.).

Then yesterday was a 1hr 45 min turbo - again due to ice. As we were visiting friends and their new baby, it meant a 6am start which was a really toughie. I pretty soon realised I hadn't recovered or fuelled enough from the treadmill session so I sacked it at 1hr 15 and decided to do the other half an hour after the visit (and scoff). We got back home at 9pm so had to summon the resolve from the depths. Did it though and had much more energy so it worth breaking it in two to get some quality out of my planned session.

Sun morning now and another hour to run today. Feeling really tired so far as Madame Dora decided it would be fun to wake up at 6.30. Typical when yesterday it was 8 after my early start!

However, Chris is constantly on hand with hot chocolate and Powerbar recovery shakes so being well looked after.

Training through bizarre-ity

Life got bizarre last night. Mum has been trying to fly out to stay with brother now for the last couple of days but the airport is seriously disrupted due to snow. Finally her flight was cancelled so she returned to ours. However, Mother being Mother, not only did she turn up but she brought a German lady she'd befriended at the airport with her for the night!

Notwithstanding, I needed to train so did a 45-min turbo and went back indoors to find Susie, the German lady and Chris, deep in conversation about anything and everything while Mum was in the shower. Then we all sat down to dinner together.

Curioser and curioser, said Alice (well, Sophie).

All for the cause

According to the Media, we are in the midst of the 'Big Freeze' but there's a job to do so did my brick as I should have done. Soon warmed up on the turbo in the garage and then headed out into the powder. It was lovely running in it - bit like running down the beach (with some obvious exceptions...). So, with yesterday's run and 150 lengths in the bag, on track so far this week which is cool.

6 months today...

Jan 4th means only one thing. 6 months till D Day. Just as well then that I have woken up with legs of steel!! Am slowly beginning to realise that the 'Intermediate' training programme might have been slightly ambitious so currently somewhere between 'Intermediate' and 'Just Finish'. But, hey, that's OK.

Yesterday had a bit of deficit to make up so managed 2 garage turbo sessions and a run with Dora in the jogger. Slept like a log and this morning, my quads feel like rocks. I could also eat my own bodyweight in basically anything but currently craving a cheese and onion pasty (hmm - perhaps nutrition needs some work). Luckily, I will be saved from myself as the kiosk at work is undergoing a refurb. So, Ginsters will have to wait a while!!

Best laid plans of mice and (iron)men...

As the title suggests, things haven't exactly gone according to plan. What a forgettable experience Christmas 2009 will be.

Anyway, it meant training took a very back seat for a few days but got back on the horse tonight. Had to switch days around a bit and was supposed to do a 45 min brick. Decided I needed to blow some cobwebs away though so it ended up being 1 hour 17. Felt great although tough after not having been on the bike for a few days.

Focus is back and I am going to achieve my goals in 2010. Some way. Somehow.

No more false dawns

Illness over so back on the horse we go. Did a swim session down at Kingfisher last night. Took a while to get going and it's amazing how quickly swim fitness goes but got into it after about 20 mins. Late though - the session isn't till 9pm. Luckily, Chris had gone out and bought an electric blanket earlier in the day so getting into that with my post-swim hot chocolate made it all worthwhile.

Then did a 45 min treadmill session this morning as the slush has iced over so still quite treacherous out there. Wasn't as boring as I thought but I must remember to take Dora's nursery rhymes off my iPod playlist. Try as I might, I can't get that many endorphins out of the Grand Old Duke of York....

Turning into an ailment

So was back Thurs and Fri and did turbo and run sessions. All set to do my 1.5 hour bike session (indoors due to snow and ice) but woke up feeling terrible. It seems like this thing has turned into gastric flu. Have spent most of the day asleep or worse and feeling very very sorry for myself. Have done no Christmas shopping, missed out on a night away at friends', mince pies and the park with Dora and Chris and the 4 July date is just looming larger and larger.

Hope it's not the virus Harriet had as that lasted 3 weeks.

Finally

feel well enough to train. Still wasn't an easy ride as feel slightly battered after the week but good to get the heart pumping again. Turboed inside though - snowing outside and garage f-f-f-freezing. Also couldn't miss Gavin and Stacey!

Mother Nature can be a determined bird!

OK so pushing through may not be the best thing. Feel dreadful today. Just scared of missing any training. Going back to the book this week so today is due to be rest day anyway. Praying for some miracles before tomorrow.

SO UNFAIR.

Pushing through

Well, the programme started on Sunday and the first cold started on Tuesday. By Friday I was slain but yet to drop a session. Good job Tesco have got a 3 for 2 on effervescent echinacea and Vit C! I know it breaks all the rules but it's not the worse cold ever.

Went out on the bike for an hour this morning and felt good and certainly better than when I fell off on Wednesday!

In need of a rest

so it's good that it's my rest day today. Despite the programme due to start on Monday, I actually realise I have trained every day since last Friday. So, it's good that it's a rest day.

Hard swim at Kingfisher last night. Was feeling slightly under the weather and tired after lots of sessions but hung in there. Get so much more out of group swims than going solo. Did not like the breathing on 6th stroke lengths though - serious lung bust.

Working half day today so off Christmas shopping with Dora. Can't wait. First stop: Costa for an enormous creme brulee latte and a babycino!!

Underestimation

Day 3/4 - I think I may have underestimated the task in hand. I mean, I know it's a long way and isn't called Ironman for nothing but I realised last night on the turbo that this is going to be such hard work. On paper, 30 min turbo and 15 min run sounded buckshee but keeping the heart rate over 145 in a freezing cold garage with only Eminem on the iPod to help me was no mean feat. But, I survived and I guess things can only get better.

Brought bike into work and cycled at lunchtime. Got off to a bad start when I fell off coming out the car park. Some a-hole in a car was driving towards me, slowed down and then sped up again. Didn't unclip in time and went splat. But, session 4 of the week cracked so all good.

Day 1 of 208

Today is the official start of my IM training programme. However, such is the busyness of my life that I had to start it a day early as childcare issues would have made me miss a swim on week 1 which isn't a good start.

All good except Virgin gym only just thought to tell me that the pool I thought was 20m is actually only 18. Good job I checked but not till after the session. Grr.

Got up in the dark to run this morning before Dora got up. That went well although it's now 1.30pm and ready for sleep already. uh oh.

Positive Mental Attitude

Shockingly horrible week so decided to blow away the cobwebs with a Park Run. Bill was able to babysit Dora while Harriet, Gregor and I did it. Was good to be able to see where I am although the result a tad disappointing as a few minutes off PB. 25.48 but a lovely morning and an unknown quantity in terms of the course so not going to beat myself up too much (apart from the embarrassing warm-kit-tied-round-waist photo - eek!).

Also managed 3 hours of cycling yesterday (turbo and road) which took weekly exercise total to 5.5 hours so starting the week feeling positive.

Hello Again

Been a strange old time - went away to Florida and loads of other stuff going on - but have maintained some base fitness.

Trying to structure my week similar to the way it will be structured from 7 Dec onwards. Doesn't always go to plan e.g. last night was supposed to go to club swim but had meltdown toddler for 1.5 hours so without question she was the priority (poor little poppet). Made up the deficit this morning though and was one of the early birds at the pool at Virgin Active. Not even 11am and already ready for lunch and a siesta!

Mixed bag

Been a mixed bag this week. Dora and I did Bushy Park again on Saturday and did it in 26.46 which was quite an improvement.

This week's been a bit patchy as been away at party conference. Did manage a run which was great as got to see quite a bit of Manchester and a technique swim (although in flippers that were size 'L' doh) but way too many off-days than I'd like this week.

Still, I need to just keep things ticking over for the next couple of weeks anyway as off to Florida on Monday so will be on enforced aquathlon experience anyway.

Hawaii Ironman tomorrow. Thinking of Jenny Budgett who has finally qualified. Go, Jenny!