The last few days have been a bit depressing. After a 40 minute spin on Wednesday the sinusitis took hold and I've been feeling pretty dire since. This has left me frustrated as I've not been ill for ages. I'm not really ill as I can work bit I feel tired and the whole of my face is sore.
Rest is important in any training plan but when it's enforced and unplanned it is unwelcome. I have in the past been guilty of overtraining and in doing this have learned how to build my training slowly and without injury.
So no swimming, biking or running to report. I could blog what I've been working on for the last few days but that would be incredibly dull so instead maybe I should blog about swimming. It is without doubt my least favorite of the disciplines!
When I got my place for Ironman Austria in Christmas 2006 I had one minor problem. I couldn't swim. Well that's a small lie, I could swim but could only manage a breadth of breast stroke and that was a struggle. When on a family holiday in the summer of 2006 my kids would laugh at me as they flew past me in the pool I absolutely knew I wasn't a swimmer.
Suddenly having said yes to a pal in London who had offered to transfer his place for the Ironman I suddenly realised I had to swim 2.4 miles - I tried to work out how many lengths of the pool that was and gave up when the number soared over 150. I couldn't swim one!
So I made a few enquiries. How many people swim an ironman breast stroke I put out on a triathlon website..... The response was a tad negative and I wasn't given any chance of completing the race. But I don't give up anything so asked about to find a swim teacher. I was recommended to speak to an experienced Edinburgh Triathlete called Scott Balfour. Scott is an amazing man, a gifted athlete and a triathlon giant. I emailed Scott and he kindly took me on. Lessons started in January 2007.
Scott took me back to basics initially learning how to push off from the wall before moving on through different exercises. I was the worst of the various students by some distance and struggled with form and stroke.
The months began to pass and I still hadn't actually managed to swim. I had many 25 metre lengths single arm but never put it into a single swim stroke. By Easter I still couldn't manage a length, I was the ultimate slow learner but I practiced hard all of the drills that Scott taught me. I didn't have the courage to tell Scott I was doing an Ironman in the summer as I was convinced he would just laugh at me.
The day I managed a full length I was so excited I almost choked! I was bizarrely emotional even though I could only breathe on one side and only had 12 weeks left to race day. I think the drills had built a lot of arm strength and when I started being able to swim one length at a time I was dead chuffed. Next challenge was being able to swim 2 lengths. It didn't take long and once I managed two lengths I began to build up the number of 50 metre swims I could do. I had made a decision that if I couldn 't swim 1900 metres non stop by the start of June I would give up.
So one day in May I decided to continue on and just swim beyond my 50 metre 2 length routine. I jumped into the commonwealth pool and got started. After one 50 metre length I usually stopped, this time there was no stopping and I carried on. I managed 1km - I danced out of the pool excited by my achievement. Maybe I could do this.......
The next few weeks were spent building distance. I didn't do any drills just banged out length after length in the pool desperately trying to build distance. The problem that I had was every time I got to 2,500 metres I would start cramping up. I had another problem which sounds weird but I was a bit scared of the water. As a kid I hadn't been able to swim and hated going out of my depth. The only reason I learned to swim when I was 18 was because of a certain girl who stayed in the same accommodation and she liked to swim so I secretly learned so I could go with her! It worked!
I have always been scared of water particularly when I can't see the bottom. I had completely put out of my head the fact a lake is a deep bit of water and I definetly wouldn't be able to see the bottom. A friend of mine suggested the we go out open water swimming. It was June, felt like winter and I set off for my first open water swim. I was terrified.
Before my first open water experience I had to buy a wetsuit. The Tri Shop in Edinburgh is excellent and the advice is excellent. They gave me a wetsuit and 2 plastic bags to go and try on the wetsuit. You put the bags over your feet to protect the suits when trying them on. Now the wetsuit needs to be snug and I wrestled with the first one they gave me. I reckon they give they give you a size too small to start with just to keep the spirits of the staff up as you waddle out of the changing area with an undersized suit looking like a complete pratt. I was passed the larger size and set about squeezing into it. I still couldn't zip it up but a kind and very strong member of staff pushed and pulled and eventually I was wet suited up. Not pretty but wetsuit selected I was ready for the open water.
Open water sounds exciting and almost romantic. I imagined me gliding through the lapping clear water of a beautiful loch. I met my pal at the Mussleburgh Lagoons. Not quite what I had imagined but an important lesson was about to be learned. I looked acrosss the lagoon and panicked - could I swim that far? Would I make it? My friend helped me on with my suit and we set off. Head down I swam directly across the water. When I say directly, I was directly heading n the wrong direction. Ah this is what they mean by sighting. You are supposed to check every 6 or so strokes that you are still aiming at the same point that you have selected as your target. I had picked a tree on a hill behind my turning point. I forgot to sight and by the time I checked I was 30 metres off to my right and miles out. Why wasn't there a white line at the bottom of the lagoon.
So after much zig zagging I made the turn and my pal suggested that I try and stay behind them - that was difficult too but it was easier to follow feet than sight so I decided that would be my race tactic. Having done the open water once I decided that was it. I could do it what was the issue and I set off back to the pool to finish my swim training.
I was as ready as I was gong to be and I set off to Austria having never swum the 3,800 metres that made up the Ironman swim. Foolish, stupid and uncertain of open water with no idea if I would finish my fear built by the day. More of the race day later but suffice to say don't let not being able to swim put you off triathlon!
Friday, 11 January 2013
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Climb every mountain.....
Danielle was watching a documentary about the Von Trapp family on Sky+ at the weekend and inspired by their Alpine skipping through the flower filled fields I decided today was the day to start hill training.
I'm still trying to keep my heart rate under 140 in training to focus on fat burning. It's an odd term fat burning. It's not like we put a flame to the flab but it must be because of the heat created whilst training but to be honest I have no idea. So if you know the technical fizz (physiology) stuff then please post a response to inform this uneducated soul.
I started the day feeling a bit clearer so headed down to the gym, aka the front room, and completed 30 minutes of light weights. I suppose when people think of Ironman they think of muscle clad giants in tight fitting lycra not podgy 50 year old blokes who could scare an alien invasion if clad in lycra. I spend most of the time doing upper body stuff using my big exercise ball as a bench for sit ups and bench presses. It's good because it works the core whilst working off the moobs!!
That left me feeling pretty fresh, so as it was a run day I decided to introduce the Von Trapps to my work out. Outside the village is a superb hill for training and having climbed it on the bike on a good number of occasions re-named it the grand sounding Col Du Carnock. So today, I set from the house and ran up to Oakley, down onto the bike track and back up to the Carnock turn off. Once you turn back over the bike path you follow the road to the 40mph posts that mark the start of the hill climb training. I started with a short session which I plan to build week by week increasing the effort by 10% every week. So today I ran as fast as I could from the speed limit posts to the first tree, approximately 25% of the way up the hill jogging back down to the post to recover.
The second effort saw me sprint (massive exaggeration) to the third tree on the right which was approximately 50% of the way up the hill followed by a jog to the bottom. By this time the effort was beginning to take its toll but once you start something you can't give up so the third effort took me 75% of the way up the hill. The pace had dropped from the first effort and the breathing was heavy but it was done so I recovered on the jog down to the post for the final push.
The last of the climbs was less sprinting and more Spotty Dog. Those of a certain vintage may remember the Woodentops and the stiff legged Spotty Dog character, if cardboard cut out cartoon dogs can be called characters! The legs were wooden, the spring was out of the step but with a final Von Trapp like skip I'd completed the set. I felt vaguely satisfied until I considered how easy the set had been in the past even on the second run.
A few of the Dunfermline CC guys are biking tomorrow which makes me very envious as the weather is set cold and fair I believe but I have a conference call and a number of meetings. My training will have to wait until the evening.
I re-joined Carnegie Harriers again today having let my mebership slip. It's good to support the local clubs and although I'm not a regular attender I still like the contact with local runners and cyclists.
I may even risk a swim tomorrow having not been swimming since Lake Placid so that could be an interesting session. Can an Ironman have a secret fear of water - sure not!!
I'm still trying to keep my heart rate under 140 in training to focus on fat burning. It's an odd term fat burning. It's not like we put a flame to the flab but it must be because of the heat created whilst training but to be honest I have no idea. So if you know the technical fizz (physiology) stuff then please post a response to inform this uneducated soul.
I started the day feeling a bit clearer so headed down to the gym, aka the front room, and completed 30 minutes of light weights. I suppose when people think of Ironman they think of muscle clad giants in tight fitting lycra not podgy 50 year old blokes who could scare an alien invasion if clad in lycra. I spend most of the time doing upper body stuff using my big exercise ball as a bench for sit ups and bench presses. It's good because it works the core whilst working off the moobs!!
That left me feeling pretty fresh, so as it was a run day I decided to introduce the Von Trapps to my work out. Outside the village is a superb hill for training and having climbed it on the bike on a good number of occasions re-named it the grand sounding Col Du Carnock. So today, I set from the house and ran up to Oakley, down onto the bike track and back up to the Carnock turn off. Once you turn back over the bike path you follow the road to the 40mph posts that mark the start of the hill climb training. I started with a short session which I plan to build week by week increasing the effort by 10% every week. So today I ran as fast as I could from the speed limit posts to the first tree, approximately 25% of the way up the hill jogging back down to the post to recover.
The second effort saw me sprint (massive exaggeration) to the third tree on the right which was approximately 50% of the way up the hill followed by a jog to the bottom. By this time the effort was beginning to take its toll but once you start something you can't give up so the third effort took me 75% of the way up the hill. The pace had dropped from the first effort and the breathing was heavy but it was done so I recovered on the jog down to the post for the final push.
The last of the climbs was less sprinting and more Spotty Dog. Those of a certain vintage may remember the Woodentops and the stiff legged Spotty Dog character, if cardboard cut out cartoon dogs can be called characters! The legs were wooden, the spring was out of the step but with a final Von Trapp like skip I'd completed the set. I felt vaguely satisfied until I considered how easy the set had been in the past even on the second run.
A few of the Dunfermline CC guys are biking tomorrow which makes me very envious as the weather is set cold and fair I believe but I have a conference call and a number of meetings. My training will have to wait until the evening.
I re-joined Carnegie Harriers again today having let my mebership slip. It's good to support the local clubs and although I'm not a regular attender I still like the contact with local runners and cyclists.
I may even risk a swim tomorrow having not been swimming since Lake Placid so that could be an interesting session. Can an Ironman have a secret fear of water - sure not!!
Monday, 7 January 2013
In a spin......
Monday so it must be a spinning day. As I think I mentioned I'm fortunate to have a proper gym spin bike and treadmill. These were bought a few years ago at great expense on the basis we could dump our gym membership. It turned out to be a fantastic investment and both machines have more than paid themselves back.
The plan was to get up early to start the day with a circuit session and return to the gym this evening for a spin set. I'm not sure whether spinning at home or heading into Dunfermline to do the New Row repetitive climb set with the bike club is better for me but given I'm not completely at the back of the pack on my spin bike I'll work on that for now.
I awoke with a thumping headache and felt miserable. As I said yesterday, I have been suffering from sinusitis which is entirely self inflicted. I have been prone to sinusitis in the winter and hay fever in the summer. The reason that it's self inflicted is that I have the medicine to sort it out if i would just remember to take the stuff. Anyway after a nasal spray and a couple of paracetemol I felt a bit better. I walked the dog but decided against the circuit session which can wait until tomorrow and set off to start work after the Christmas recess.
Work is situated in a log cabin in the garden and to be fair the work life balance that I have is the envy of many. Not that it doesn't get stressful from time to time but having the flexibility to bike or run at lunchtime is of massive value to me. I stuck my triathlon wall chart up in the office and started filling it out with the races I've entered. That took all of 2 minutes as I've only entered a couple to date. I'll keep a record of my training plan on the wall along with my weight to remind me of what I have done later in the year when I will convince myself that I haven't done enough!
So after work tonight I headed into the gym and spent an hour on my spin bike. As I'm focussed on weight loss at the moment the key was keeping my heart rate down and in the appropriate zone. I'm never very sure about this method but I'm giving it a shot and as I lost 4lb last week something is working. The spin session was slightly disturbed by Sky Sports announcing that Terry Butcher, the manager of my team Inverness Caledonian Thistle, is being hunted by the Barnsley Board for their vacant Managers position. Terry has done an awesome job and I only hope the bigman stays to finish off what has been a fine season so far.
Anyway, I quite enjoy spinning. During the period I was training for IM New Zealand which was held in March 2009 the winter here was pretty severe - lots of frozen roads and snow. This meant getting outside to run or bike was tricky. At the time I was a member of Bannatynes in Dunfermline and they were kind enough to let me use the spin studio to train when there wasn't classes on. If you every want to be mind numbingly board spend 4 hours in a spin studio. I worked out how to connect my iPod into the sound system and I got a few strange looks from the local gym bunnies when they ventured into the studio to hear New Country music blasting out. It's not everyone's taste but it worked for me!!
I have attempted to post a video of me finishing IM New Zealand when the commentator says that he met me at the Carbo Dinner the night before the race and that I hadn't been able to train due to ice and snow in Scotland. It was absolutely bang on except for the fact I never met him!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpazerfLFg8
I'll come back to the full story about IM New Zealand later in the Blog because it was an adventure in itself!
The plan was to get up early to start the day with a circuit session and return to the gym this evening for a spin set. I'm not sure whether spinning at home or heading into Dunfermline to do the New Row repetitive climb set with the bike club is better for me but given I'm not completely at the back of the pack on my spin bike I'll work on that for now.
I awoke with a thumping headache and felt miserable. As I said yesterday, I have been suffering from sinusitis which is entirely self inflicted. I have been prone to sinusitis in the winter and hay fever in the summer. The reason that it's self inflicted is that I have the medicine to sort it out if i would just remember to take the stuff. Anyway after a nasal spray and a couple of paracetemol I felt a bit better. I walked the dog but decided against the circuit session which can wait until tomorrow and set off to start work after the Christmas recess.
Work is situated in a log cabin in the garden and to be fair the work life balance that I have is the envy of many. Not that it doesn't get stressful from time to time but having the flexibility to bike or run at lunchtime is of massive value to me. I stuck my triathlon wall chart up in the office and started filling it out with the races I've entered. That took all of 2 minutes as I've only entered a couple to date. I'll keep a record of my training plan on the wall along with my weight to remind me of what I have done later in the year when I will convince myself that I haven't done enough!
So after work tonight I headed into the gym and spent an hour on my spin bike. As I'm focussed on weight loss at the moment the key was keeping my heart rate down and in the appropriate zone. I'm never very sure about this method but I'm giving it a shot and as I lost 4lb last week something is working. The spin session was slightly disturbed by Sky Sports announcing that Terry Butcher, the manager of my team Inverness Caledonian Thistle, is being hunted by the Barnsley Board for their vacant Managers position. Terry has done an awesome job and I only hope the bigman stays to finish off what has been a fine season so far.
Anyway, I quite enjoy spinning. During the period I was training for IM New Zealand which was held in March 2009 the winter here was pretty severe - lots of frozen roads and snow. This meant getting outside to run or bike was tricky. At the time I was a member of Bannatynes in Dunfermline and they were kind enough to let me use the spin studio to train when there wasn't classes on. If you every want to be mind numbingly board spend 4 hours in a spin studio. I worked out how to connect my iPod into the sound system and I got a few strange looks from the local gym bunnies when they ventured into the studio to hear New Country music blasting out. It's not everyone's taste but it worked for me!!
I have attempted to post a video of me finishing IM New Zealand when the commentator says that he met me at the Carbo Dinner the night before the race and that I hadn't been able to train due to ice and snow in Scotland. It was absolutely bang on except for the fact I never met him!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpazerfLFg8
I'll come back to the full story about IM New Zealand later in the Blog because it was an adventure in itself!
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Run Fat Boy Run
I like to run on Sunday mornings. There is a certain pre-church peace with few folk out on the roads and stress free drivers going about their business without the weekday morning hassles.
It was warm again this morning which meant that I could venture out in shorts! I suppose since I came back to running first in 2004 it has always been my favorite of the 3 disciplines of triathlon (although I have grown to love cycling). Running clears the head and I've used it to sort out business and other issues that I'm wrestling with. Whenever I'm uncertain about things a run will help me rationalise the problem and invariably come back with a solution.
When I started training for the Edinburgh Marathon I was clueless. I didn't run with a club just went out and did the same routine as the day before. It was therefore with a sense of interest I opened my Christmas present from Danielle to find a book about marathon running by Sam Murphy. I gobbled, no Christmas pun intended, it up and soon started following one of the marathon training plans. This was exactly what I needed. I'm good with plans and especially good at following them. If it says do a hill session on a Tuesday, I do a hill session on a Tuesday.
Now I had a plan I started to make progress and weight started to drop off. Soon my 17.5 inch shirts were too big and baggy training trousers too big. Not only did I ned to buy work clothes I needed new training kit. The washing machine couldn't keep up with my new addiction and as part of my Christmas present I was to go and buy some new training shoes. I knew nothing of pronation or cushioning and presented with an amazing array of options I started looking at colour, an obviously important issue. It seemed that the assistant in the sports shop shared my interest in colour, expensive shoes but knew little about why the various shoes were different.
This concerned me because I decided that there must be a reason brands like Mizuno and Nike produced so many different types of shoes. So after lurking about outside the running shop in Edinburgh called Run and Become I eventually plucked up the courage to go in. In my head I thought they would think that here was another middle aged fat bloke dealing with his New Year resolution to start running and would therefore be not taken seriously. How wrong was I!
The people in the shop knew exactly what they were looking for and after watching me walking up and down the shop recommended a pair of ACICS 2010s. The price made me choke as I had been expecting an investment of £35 and to pay more than twice that seemed a tad over the top but Danielle insisted and I walked out of the shop with my shoes boxed up and looking splendid. A slight disappointment was that they were yellow and not the striking red ones in the window.
As we left the shop Danielle suggested in a positive reinforcement sort of way that I'd better use them!! I've stuck with the brand and still run in the latest version of the same shoe.
As I said I stuck to the plan and run every step with the aim to run a sub-four marathon. I had no basis for this but felt I had it in me. My training went well and I followed the plan with only the odd day missed due to illness.
So when it came to race day I felt fit and ready. The weight had come down to just under 15 stone and I felt fantastic as I set off for the start line. The start of any marathon is full of nervous energy. Pale faces contrasted by black bin bags worn in a vain attempt to keep warm. At least it was dry which was soon to become a blessing in disguise. Three trips to the portaloo's didn't sort out my grumbly stomach and as the starting gun approached I felt that at some point it would catch up with me! I bumped into a pal at the start which was remarkable given the number of starters. Mark Brough was starting his second marathon and his presence calmed my nerves as we caught up on the news since we had last spoken many years before.
I decided to see if I could stick with Mark, a massive mistake as he was running a faster schedule and aiming for 3.30 with my plan to run 4 hour pace. So with an almighty bang the 2005 Edinburgh Marathon started. I started well and felt strong. The elation of taking part in such a big race took over and the miles passed quickly. The route took us down to Cramond at which point my grumbly stomach began to play tunes. There were queues at the portaloos but I knew there was a set of permanent toilets at the Cramond turn and this became my target. Almost 13 miles in and I was still hanging on to Mark but I knew a quick visit to loos was required so I bade my farewell, wished him luck and headed off. The toilets were deserted and I felt great after a quick pit stop.
I quickly picked up the pace and got moving again. I had carried my phone with an earpiece in and when it rang I felt so well I answered. It was Danielle, I told here I was at 14 miles and feeling good. This took her by surprise as I wasn't supposed to be at 14 miles. Anyway buoyed by the call I ploughed on with the target of seeing my kids in 3 or 4 miles time. Sadly I was going too fast and they didn't make the rendezvous point until after I had passed. The disappointment was massive but it wasn't their fault as I was ahead of schedule.
At 18 miles I heard a shout from the crowd and immediately recognised Andrew and Pauline cheering me on. I stopped briefly, said hello and carried on in tears at the joy of seeing them. (I'm not the weepy sort so tiredness was obviously a factor) The route took us around Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre and as soon as I turned the corner to head towards Mussleburgh I knew I had a problem. I had completed 19 miles in 2.25 and only had 7 miles to go.
I had hit the wall, a bit early but the fast pace finally caught up with me and my legs started to cramp up. The drink they were giving out was lucozade which I gulped down but it was all I could do to walk. I hobbled along making very slow progress and stopping every few steps to stretch out my cramping limbs. I had to finish. I couldn't let down the people that had supported me to make the start line or myself. Every step was painful. I was encouraged by all of the runners passing me but I could not get going and felt terrible. It took me over 2 hours to reach the finishing straight but I did finish in 4.32. This was only 32 minutes more than my original target but felt like a lifetime.
I had learned a painful lesson that you only race yourself and you can only run your own race. I had mistakenly started way too fast and paid a huge price.
I was hugely proud of my first marathon medal and held onto it tightly as I met Danielle just outside the finish zone. I was exhausted and elated and headed home to share the news with family and friends.
Today's run was a mere 8 miles in comparison completed in 1 hour and 6 minutes. I felt better running today although I'm still fighting off sinusitis. After saying I wouldn't weigh myself for a month I lasted until today and celebrated losing 4lbs on reading the gauge.
So I feel I'm off to a good start both with my training and food intake. Long may it continue!
It was warm again this morning which meant that I could venture out in shorts! I suppose since I came back to running first in 2004 it has always been my favorite of the 3 disciplines of triathlon (although I have grown to love cycling). Running clears the head and I've used it to sort out business and other issues that I'm wrestling with. Whenever I'm uncertain about things a run will help me rationalise the problem and invariably come back with a solution.
When I started training for the Edinburgh Marathon I was clueless. I didn't run with a club just went out and did the same routine as the day before. It was therefore with a sense of interest I opened my Christmas present from Danielle to find a book about marathon running by Sam Murphy. I gobbled, no Christmas pun intended, it up and soon started following one of the marathon training plans. This was exactly what I needed. I'm good with plans and especially good at following them. If it says do a hill session on a Tuesday, I do a hill session on a Tuesday.
Now I had a plan I started to make progress and weight started to drop off. Soon my 17.5 inch shirts were too big and baggy training trousers too big. Not only did I ned to buy work clothes I needed new training kit. The washing machine couldn't keep up with my new addiction and as part of my Christmas present I was to go and buy some new training shoes. I knew nothing of pronation or cushioning and presented with an amazing array of options I started looking at colour, an obviously important issue. It seemed that the assistant in the sports shop shared my interest in colour, expensive shoes but knew little about why the various shoes were different.
This concerned me because I decided that there must be a reason brands like Mizuno and Nike produced so many different types of shoes. So after lurking about outside the running shop in Edinburgh called Run and Become I eventually plucked up the courage to go in. In my head I thought they would think that here was another middle aged fat bloke dealing with his New Year resolution to start running and would therefore be not taken seriously. How wrong was I!
The people in the shop knew exactly what they were looking for and after watching me walking up and down the shop recommended a pair of ACICS 2010s. The price made me choke as I had been expecting an investment of £35 and to pay more than twice that seemed a tad over the top but Danielle insisted and I walked out of the shop with my shoes boxed up and looking splendid. A slight disappointment was that they were yellow and not the striking red ones in the window.
As we left the shop Danielle suggested in a positive reinforcement sort of way that I'd better use them!! I've stuck with the brand and still run in the latest version of the same shoe.
As I said I stuck to the plan and run every step with the aim to run a sub-four marathon. I had no basis for this but felt I had it in me. My training went well and I followed the plan with only the odd day missed due to illness.
So when it came to race day I felt fit and ready. The weight had come down to just under 15 stone and I felt fantastic as I set off for the start line. The start of any marathon is full of nervous energy. Pale faces contrasted by black bin bags worn in a vain attempt to keep warm. At least it was dry which was soon to become a blessing in disguise. Three trips to the portaloo's didn't sort out my grumbly stomach and as the starting gun approached I felt that at some point it would catch up with me! I bumped into a pal at the start which was remarkable given the number of starters. Mark Brough was starting his second marathon and his presence calmed my nerves as we caught up on the news since we had last spoken many years before.
I decided to see if I could stick with Mark, a massive mistake as he was running a faster schedule and aiming for 3.30 with my plan to run 4 hour pace. So with an almighty bang the 2005 Edinburgh Marathon started. I started well and felt strong. The elation of taking part in such a big race took over and the miles passed quickly. The route took us down to Cramond at which point my grumbly stomach began to play tunes. There were queues at the portaloos but I knew there was a set of permanent toilets at the Cramond turn and this became my target. Almost 13 miles in and I was still hanging on to Mark but I knew a quick visit to loos was required so I bade my farewell, wished him luck and headed off. The toilets were deserted and I felt great after a quick pit stop.
I quickly picked up the pace and got moving again. I had carried my phone with an earpiece in and when it rang I felt so well I answered. It was Danielle, I told here I was at 14 miles and feeling good. This took her by surprise as I wasn't supposed to be at 14 miles. Anyway buoyed by the call I ploughed on with the target of seeing my kids in 3 or 4 miles time. Sadly I was going too fast and they didn't make the rendezvous point until after I had passed. The disappointment was massive but it wasn't their fault as I was ahead of schedule.
At 18 miles I heard a shout from the crowd and immediately recognised Andrew and Pauline cheering me on. I stopped briefly, said hello and carried on in tears at the joy of seeing them. (I'm not the weepy sort so tiredness was obviously a factor) The route took us around Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre and as soon as I turned the corner to head towards Mussleburgh I knew I had a problem. I had completed 19 miles in 2.25 and only had 7 miles to go.
I had hit the wall, a bit early but the fast pace finally caught up with me and my legs started to cramp up. The drink they were giving out was lucozade which I gulped down but it was all I could do to walk. I hobbled along making very slow progress and stopping every few steps to stretch out my cramping limbs. I had to finish. I couldn't let down the people that had supported me to make the start line or myself. Every step was painful. I was encouraged by all of the runners passing me but I could not get going and felt terrible. It took me over 2 hours to reach the finishing straight but I did finish in 4.32. This was only 32 minutes more than my original target but felt like a lifetime.
I had learned a painful lesson that you only race yourself and you can only run your own race. I had mistakenly started way too fast and paid a huge price.
I was hugely proud of my first marathon medal and held onto it tightly as I met Danielle just outside the finish zone. I was exhausted and elated and headed home to share the news with family and friends.
Today's run was a mere 8 miles in comparison completed in 1 hour and 6 minutes. I felt better running today although I'm still fighting off sinusitis. After saying I wouldn't weigh myself for a month I lasted until today and celebrated losing 4lbs on reading the gauge.
So I feel I'm off to a good start both with my training and food intake. Long may it continue!
Saturday, 5 January 2013
Is it summer or winter - I'm confused!
It was a strange old day weather wise. The temperature was sitting somewhere about 9 degrees and I'm pretty convinced the only difference between summer and winter in Scotland is the length of the days and about 7 degrees. It was a perfect day today. We've had much colder starts in May and June!!
I really enjoyed biking today with Derek, the Bigman who should be re-named The Power! Man he was strong today and decided to push me pretty hard, I think to see how much work needs done to get ready for Ireman in August. Lots going by today's effort.
We planned to meet at 9.15am on the A823 and head over Knockhill. As usual I was slightly late. After Thursday's puncture fest I had to search out my spare tubes and after much raking in the shed a couple of spare tubes were found and I set off. Derek set off up Knockhill at a cracking rate. The forest harvesting has made it bleaker than normal and I think my heavy breathing was disturbing the Bigman as he was gliding up effortlessly. He led the way, pushing his way up the hill and was kind enough to let me sit on his back wheel. We turned at Yetts O Muckhart and set off at pace down through Dollar and into Sterling Mills for a coffee.
I realised as we were climbing up Knockhill I had far too many clothes on. I tend to overdress. I once set off on what I considered to be a cold day wearing Ski Pants over my longs - massive mistake and I had to take them off at the top of Knockhill. Johnny Two Trews!
Derek and I go back just over 5 years and yet I feel I've known him for a lifetime. We've had so many adventures including the Cape Epic and cycling from Lands End to John O Groats together so chatting over coffee is easy and the conversation always flows.
After our stop we sprinted up to Fishcross, powered by a muffin and turned back to Saline and home. We bumped into the Dunfermline CC guys heading back from their weekly Saturday ride and climbed up through Saline together.
We had biked just under 40 miles in 2 hours 17 minutes.
So quite pleased with the efforts of today and planning a ride in the morning before heading to the gym in the afternoon. I might even swim...........
I really enjoyed biking today with Derek, the Bigman who should be re-named The Power! Man he was strong today and decided to push me pretty hard, I think to see how much work needs done to get ready for Ireman in August. Lots going by today's effort.
We planned to meet at 9.15am on the A823 and head over Knockhill. As usual I was slightly late. After Thursday's puncture fest I had to search out my spare tubes and after much raking in the shed a couple of spare tubes were found and I set off. Derek set off up Knockhill at a cracking rate. The forest harvesting has made it bleaker than normal and I think my heavy breathing was disturbing the Bigman as he was gliding up effortlessly. He led the way, pushing his way up the hill and was kind enough to let me sit on his back wheel. We turned at Yetts O Muckhart and set off at pace down through Dollar and into Sterling Mills for a coffee.
I realised as we were climbing up Knockhill I had far too many clothes on. I tend to overdress. I once set off on what I considered to be a cold day wearing Ski Pants over my longs - massive mistake and I had to take them off at the top of Knockhill. Johnny Two Trews!
Derek and I go back just over 5 years and yet I feel I've known him for a lifetime. We've had so many adventures including the Cape Epic and cycling from Lands End to John O Groats together so chatting over coffee is easy and the conversation always flows.
After our stop we sprinted up to Fishcross, powered by a muffin and turned back to Saline and home. We bumped into the Dunfermline CC guys heading back from their weekly Saturday ride and climbed up through Saline together.
We had biked just under 40 miles in 2 hours 17 minutes.
So quite pleased with the efforts of today and planning a ride in the morning before heading to the gym in the afternoon. I might even swim...........
Thursday, 3 January 2013
The day of many punctures......
Hopefully there is a picture below but until I get to grips with Blogger I don't know for sure!
The picture is from our Hogmanay gig, I play in a band called Father Jack and one of the people at the venue kindly took a few pictures. Well what a tubster I've become!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
So having seen the picture last night I ventured out with my mate Derek and the guys from the Dunfermline Cycle Club at 10am this morning. We hadn't even started when one of the guys suffered the first puncture of the day. Anyway slightly delayed we set off. I was at the back blethering with Derek when just after Crossford he hit a bump and his water bottle took a jump out of the cage -just as well we were at the back otherwise carnage could have ensued!
The next catastrophe struck in Culross when another of the guys punctured - we all pulled in while he changed the tube. After wrestling the tyre off the first tube was inserted, sadly a pinch puncture damaged the tube and the tyre deflated with a depressing hiss! With no more tubes, I reached into my bag and handed over my spare tube, bizarrely the same thing happened and the tyre was eventually changed with the third tube. We had lost a bit of time and Derek felt that he would prefer to get back sooner so we waved goodbye to a fellow riders and set of through Kincardine. Less than 500 metres after we had left the peleton I hit a huge hole and jokingly made a hissing sound, initially I thought it was a weird echo but I soon realised I had punctured. Tricky given I had given away my one spare tube. Derek stepped up to the plate and gave me his spare tube and we set about making good the damage.
We were soon off but cut short our route as we were out of tubes and didn't want to take the risk. Derek led us out on the way home at an incredible pace - his gym sessions and recent warm weather training made light of the mince pies and he flew up the hills taking us back to Carnock in double quick time with no more punctures.
The picture really had an impact so I headed into the home gym tonight for a weights and spin session. I'm just doing light weights, kettle bells and using my massive body weight to work out.
Managed to control the food intake and with January being a dry month alcohol is not an issue.
I would add my weight but safe to say I'm still well over 15 stone and decided that I will weigh myself again in a month. It's not so much about weight loss and more about how I feel about being me so weight is not the main thing as long as I feel I look ok.
Tomorrow I'm off to a funeral of an old friend. A sad day as he was still a young man in many ways, always had a smile on his face and couldn't do enough to help. We were robbed of his friendship by a heart attack just before Christmas. So in the midst of the madness that life throws at us all be grateful for each day and celebrate the relationships that we hold close!
Go well
The picture is from our Hogmanay gig, I play in a band called Father Jack and one of the people at the venue kindly took a few pictures. Well what a tubster I've become!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
So having seen the picture last night I ventured out with my mate Derek and the guys from the Dunfermline Cycle Club at 10am this morning. We hadn't even started when one of the guys suffered the first puncture of the day. Anyway slightly delayed we set off. I was at the back blethering with Derek when just after Crossford he hit a bump and his water bottle took a jump out of the cage -just as well we were at the back otherwise carnage could have ensued!
The next catastrophe struck in Culross when another of the guys punctured - we all pulled in while he changed the tube. After wrestling the tyre off the first tube was inserted, sadly a pinch puncture damaged the tube and the tyre deflated with a depressing hiss! With no more tubes, I reached into my bag and handed over my spare tube, bizarrely the same thing happened and the tyre was eventually changed with the third tube. We had lost a bit of time and Derek felt that he would prefer to get back sooner so we waved goodbye to a fellow riders and set of through Kincardine. Less than 500 metres after we had left the peleton I hit a huge hole and jokingly made a hissing sound, initially I thought it was a weird echo but I soon realised I had punctured. Tricky given I had given away my one spare tube. Derek stepped up to the plate and gave me his spare tube and we set about making good the damage.
We were soon off but cut short our route as we were out of tubes and didn't want to take the risk. Derek led us out on the way home at an incredible pace - his gym sessions and recent warm weather training made light of the mince pies and he flew up the hills taking us back to Carnock in double quick time with no more punctures.
The picture really had an impact so I headed into the home gym tonight for a weights and spin session. I'm just doing light weights, kettle bells and using my massive body weight to work out.
Managed to control the food intake and with January being a dry month alcohol is not an issue.
I would add my weight but safe to say I'm still well over 15 stone and decided that I will weigh myself again in a month. It's not so much about weight loss and more about how I feel about being me so weight is not the main thing as long as I feel I look ok.
Tomorrow I'm off to a funeral of an old friend. A sad day as he was still a young man in many ways, always had a smile on his face and couldn't do enough to help. We were robbed of his friendship by a heart attack just before Christmas. So in the midst of the madness that life throws at us all be grateful for each day and celebrate the relationships that we hold close!
Go well
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
So where to begin.......
I was broke, the business had just gone bust, I was jobless and the future looked bleak. Parnell, Kerr Foster, a firm of accountants, had advised a Trust Deed as I had no way of repaying the £130,000 that we owed following the collapse of elbowroom, my former business and fantasy. (a nightmare that I carried around with me for the next 7 years)
I sat in my car, lost and unsure of what to do but my guts told me to wait until the next day before signing the papers. I don't know why as I had no reason to believe that things were going to get better but I never signed those papers.
Life was about to change and change for good.
Danielle and I had been married for 3 months, we were both struggling with the loss of the business and we had done nothing but work as we established and failed in our first venture. Many long nights working and carry out dinners had piled on the pounds and I'd put on a pound or forty. So sitting jobless I considered my options. I had no idea. First thought was do I drown my sorrows in the pub or should I use my new found freedom to get fit. I decided to try and get fit.
Up until the age of thirty I'd always been reasonably fit. Cricket in the summer, five a side football and the odd bike ride had kept me fit. Sadly between thirty and forty one I did nothing. Well nothing other than taking clients out for lunch, taking clients out dinner, attending cocktail parties and growing increasingly large. My weight went from 12 and a half stone to 17 stone seemingly overnight. This might seem odd but I didn't feel big until I was huge and even then I kidded myself on that I carried it well!
The bravado wore off when I donned my tee shirt and baggy training trousers. Nowhere to hide, I was super-sized. In the back of the cupboard I found a pair of lurid blue and fluorescent green trainers made by Nike at some point in the previous decade. Up until now the baggy trousers had been retained for evening attire in the flat as my jeans where too tight to chill out in.
But there was still a problem, it was daytime and people might see me. So I waited.
Danielle arrived home from work and smiled when she heard my plan. The business failure had a massive impact on her and there hadn't been many smiles of late so it was good to see that my new 'get fit' idea entertained her. It entertained her so much that next thing she was changed into her gym stuff and ready to come out with me.
As the sun set over Leith we left our 5th floor flat and headed into the deepening gloom. The park was no distance so we walked over, through the gates and set out running. When I say running I should qualify the exaggeration, we were plodding along and lasted about a minute before slowing down to a walk.
In my head I was still a fit and active 25 year old but my body told an entirely different story. With the sound of my heartbeat banging a fast rhythmic melody in my ears, I accepted the depths to which my fitness had sunk and now needed something to keep me training.
We walked home, exhausted by our 15 minutes of effort, had a shower and I sloped online and started looking at races. There were a plethora of 5k, 10k and half marathon races but my eyes were drawn to the Edinburgh Marathon. It took me about 5 minutes to get the electronic entry in and that was it I was committed to running 26.2 miles. The journey had begun.......
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