Month: February 2013

Week 5, already…

Really bad week for me, been a little poorly.

Went running on Monday, then was in Bristol on Tues so didn’t do anything, then swam on Weds morning and went for a quick cycle Weds night, just around Redwick. Went for a run on Thurs, but felt a little ill in the evening. Then missed out on Friday, Sat and Sunday – so poor show.

It was Kate’s birthday this weekend, so took 8 children out to Cardiff Bay, for bowling and Nando’s. Then walked over to the barrage  which didn’t go down brilliantly, but also spent time in the park. It was freezing with a little snow, and I didn’t have a coat. It was quite chilly.

Sunday was Kate’s birthday proper, but I spent some of it wrapped up in bed – until Pizza time ;o)

Swim – 2 x over 50 lengths in 30 mins

Run -2 x 3 miles, 27 min pace

Cycle – 1 x 7 mile ~15 mph pace.

Beer: 7 Stella, 1 Fosters.

Here we are again, in the fourth week of the training – slightly odd week this time with being in Cardiff one day, and picking up the bike on Thurs. Still managed to get 3 runs (I think) in and 3 swims – one of the swims was with my sister in H/west 25 meter pool.

The H/west swim was at the end of the week, and we were down there at doors opening – they have a great set up there for changing rooms, its all in together with little cubicles for everyone, and two shower blocks – its a great way of doing it I think, although my sister said the cops are up there quite often due to “pervs”!!.

Got in the slow lane to start with, but by the time we had done two lengths it started getting busy – so we moved to another lane, which had a b0d already in and we started the anti-clockwise swim session. I think we did 40 lengths in the end, I had some problems with my nose, and did a fast length for one which really knackered me out, all in about 30 mins. Also saw GD getting his practice in, had a quick chat but had my ear-plugs in so couldn’t hear anything – did suggest we could meet up after but had to get back once dry so missed him.

Picked up the bike on Thurs as it had been down for the new wheels to be put on – I bought some Shimano RS80’s, so cycled back from Chepstow at around 16:30 on Thurs. Not sure how good the wheels are yet – seemed okay, maybe better – will really need to get out and give it a real good go over the next few days.

When I was out in Pembs I deliberately tracked the cycle route to see what it looks like – its bloody hilly! I hope to get around it over Easter when we get down there, because I think the route is quite challenging.

Swimming – 3 x 1000 meters in 30 mins each time (ish)

Running – 3 x 3 miles

Cycle – 1 x 15 miles

Beers – 10 stella

Wanted to create a specific entry for the swimming because I cannot believe the difference three weeks make.

In total I have been around 10 times to the pool, and every time it is a scary experience, but once in the water it is amazing the improvement one can make. First time I could barely do two lengths – I was huffing and puffing way too much. It also helped a lot when I got a nose clip, the feeling of water  up the nose was not pleasant.

After the first week things didn’t seem to improve too much, it was very difficult to keep a breath whilst swimming, I think it must be all about gaining a rhythm. I seem to be lucky in that I started to swim from scratch and have made myself do “bilateral” breathing, which for me means I breath on every third stoke – either side, which seems to be doing me fine.

The real improvement was noticeable when I went to Ipswich, in the big pool the stoke started coming together and although I was only really do one length at a time due to traffic, it did seem easier. The the last two times have really taking it up a gear. Sets of six, with 40 second breathing breaks are very do-able now, and last time 16 lengths with no stop and this time 20. So I was up to nearly 1000 meters in the pool today, in around 30 mins.

Really pleased with how this is going, I feel a lot more confident in the swim now, although I do realise just how difficult putting them together will be.

Been away this week, off across to the East, in Martlesham – which is where I used to work at the beginning of my BT career some 16 years ago – now that is a scary thought… Was up there for a workshop, but the hotel I picked had a David Lloyd next door, so on MOnday evening, after I arrived I headed straight over there. I had to bring a towel from the hotel, and worked out from the girl at the counter how to get in, and was told it was “quiet” – it must get very bust then, then I was given a lock and key and away I went.

Massive changing rooms with a variety of people in various states of undress – some people are real exhibitionists, unfortunately  found my self a locker, and got into my swimmers. Remembered to take my glasses off, but then felt a little deaf and dumb with my ear plugs in and my glasses off. I stumbled around trying to find the exist it the pool, found it, then remembered I needed to get a shower first,m so stumbled back out again. Then to the pool proper. There were a number of lanes, one said “slow”, one said “fast” and two large lanes were full of children and parents. I felt a little lost.

Anyway, decided I should probably get into the “slow” lane, along with four other people – luckily with the pool being a full 25 meter, it was quite easy to get into a slot. Also after I was swimming for a bit I scared two of the people away. Had a reasonable session, no idea how many lengths  but was doing two at a time – partly down to my uselessness, but also because the lane had a bottleneck and I had to pause occasionally. So spent around 25-30 mins in the pool, then stumbled back into the changing rooms. It was now then I realized  after I took my key from my pocket, that there was no number on it. The woman had just given me a lock, and I had just picked a locker at random – how I had thought there might be a magical number on it I don’t know, but I didn’t really know which locker was mine. And there were people around, looking at me, as I tried a lock or two. Not being able to see very well doesn’t help this enterprise I can tell you. Anyway I found it (thankfully, otherwise I would still be there) and after a quick shower and a shuffling change of clothes I was back in the hotel.

That was the last I saw of David Lloyd – I had intended to go each morning – but, well, I didn’t. I did have two lots of burgers and six pints though – so not all bad eh?

Due to being away I had to run on Weds night when I got back – but I was tired after the long drive so just did two miles. Went down the Hilton pool on the Thurs morning – it was busy, I swam quite a few lengths – a few sixers. Went out for food with the in-laws on Thurs night down the Old Barn, but up in the morning to have a three miler in the morning.

Rained on Sat and Sun, so I shyed off the cycle or run on Sat, which was bad of me, but at least we went for a little walk down the wetlands. Then had a great session in the pool on Sunday. Got there about 7:30, and there were only a couple there, started sets of six. Tiring to start with, but I kept up, six lengths then about a 40 second break – each set taking around 3 mins. Did six of these after each other, then after the final pause I did a set of 14 lengths to take the total up to 50. So that was in about 30 mins – with pauses though but feeling a little more relaxed about the swim – even though that was only 900 meters and not in the sea, and not under pressure, and not competitive etc etc it still feels good.

So this week:

Run: 1 x 2 mile, 2 x 3 mile

Swim: 3 sessions – 6 lengths at a time, max 50 lengths in one session

Cycle: Nowt (although I have ordered £300 pound wheels

Beer: 17 Stella, 2 Fosters (thanks Ant)

Here we are at the end of the second week of the tri-training, and I cannot say I am any more confident! Been out running and swimming and cycling again this week and things are not currently getting much easier, but I suppose that is to be expected.

Went for a 9:30 swim on Tues, so started work at 6:30, got there and it was full of wrinklies again, luckily I kept to the edge and no one seemed bothered, quite a few of them seem to like to just stand in the pool chatting and then nip into the jaccuzzi on occasion  Only one shower working this week, so I waited whilst one bloke can out, then quickly ran in trying desperately not to glance at any white skin, I showered quickly, and it seemed like the guy from the shower was just waiting outside the cubicle, so I showered a little longer, still there, then longer again – in the end I just had to come out I couldn’t understand what he wanted, only to realise as I came out it was actually another codger shivering in his budgie smugglers waiting to get in the shower.

Couple of early runs this week, both normal three mile route passed Undy Football Club, both times dark, one time wet both times knackering. Seem to be running a 28 minute time for the three mile at the moment which is not great, but it is early in the training.

Had a 17 mile cycle again, bought a new seat this week, a charge something, not sure if its better than the stock seat, but it is red – and that matters. Really tiring again on the cycle, well at least the first few miles, I was stopping a truck overtaking in the first few miles so really had to work hard to gain 1`5 miles an hour up a hill, so was pooped from the start – but after five miles or so we get into a routine. Am currently looking at the possibility of getting new wheels, sometimes the interweb says it is the best thing you can do, other times it says you would be better off being fitter and getting new bar tape – who’d’ya trust these days, way too much information.

Bec’s birthday yesterday, so had a few extra beers, and the rugby was on – Wlaes lost to Ireland, so eat a load of crisps, also had a curry in the night, and we are off out to the Old Barn tonight so diet not brill, was 13:2 this morning, so amn actually getting fatter even with all this “training”.

Final session for the week, was not in the pool – as I am in Ipswich next week and may get some sessions in (and I couldn’t be arsed to get up and wet so early this morning) so did a “brick” session instead. This involved doing a cycle, then a run – sounds like a piece of cake – it wasn’t.

Only did a 7 mile cycle around Redwick, 22 mins (ish), which was hard going on the way thanks to the wind, but not too shabby on the way back. Got to the house and put my running shoes on and set off immediately. I had taken the precaution of wearing my TRISUIT today – once I managed to pour my big gut into it, so was ready for anything. Well, what I wasn’t ready for, was what they call in the tri trade “Jelly Legs” – I had read about it, but when it happens its a little odd – Its a bit like when your arm goes to sleep and you try to do something with it and it feels like it belongs to someone else, but with your legs, as you are trying to jog down your street, it full view, looking sozzled.

It took me a good half a mile before I felt anything like normal, I couldn’t breath and my legs were gone – but after that it got a little easier, although easier is a relative word. I also got sharp pains in the muscle in the front of my leg – hope that eases, or I might have to do some stretches in transition. 18 mins run so a 40 min session – it was quite tough.

Run: 2 x 3 miles: 27/28 minute pace

Swim: 2 x 35 mins – max 6 lengths in one go

Cycle: One 17 mile in sometime over an hour

Brick: 7 mile cycle, 2 mile run: 40 mins

Pints: 13 and counting ;o)