Nice face, shame about the legs

Idea for Sunday was the same as Saturday, 2x20km laps. I'm fast approaching 3 months to go and I still don't know if I cycle the 90km distance let alone complete it in the middle of a 2km swim and a half marathon. I'm getting a little concerned.

I know the mountain bike is far from ideal but I'm thinking its better to do hard training and it should help me make the transition to racing bike and hopefully the extra distance that bit easier. I left it a bit later today so as to avoid the worst of the cold and to allow me to pick up the papers and croissants. When I left it was about 0 degrees but still nice with only a few snow flakes and importantly not any real wind to talk of.

I lifted my saddle another 3 cm as my legs are still not getting the full extension I think will help me up the hills. I'm only about 2k down the road and my left knee is starting to ache....I keep going but its not going away. At the 5k mark I'm on the steepest hill and my knee is complaining louder than my lungs. Just keep going. Just keep going.

Eventually I'm up and all too soon down the far side then again set to go up the long hill through Ohain. Cars and mini motos passing me and forcing me into the gutter, I'm weaving and wheezing my way up. I eventually get there and onto the flatter sections and the knee is still sore but happily not getting any worse. Its the first time I had real issues on the bike, well apart from the usual respiratory and nether regions collapse .

The next 2km or so are a slight incline but in comparison to the hills its very easy and I'm soon in gear 23 and flying. The km's click off and I'm more than halfway and disaster I get caught at the lights and then at a pedestrian crossing in quick succession...seconds ticking away. Although deep down I'm happy for the 20 or 30 seconds respite.

I'm on the main N5 now and checking the time I see its not too bad with nearly a minute faster than yesterday with about 5km to go. I decide between the knee and the lungs that its only a single circuit today. If I did 2 it would probably kill me and I'm conscious that I could sicken myself with training. So I put the hammer down and go for a better time than yesterday.

On the bike I manage to keep the pressure on myself better than I do when I'm running as my mind definately wanders less. It could be as I don't use music on the bike as its just too dangerous. I find it rare on the bike that I'm not pushing as hard as I can and I'm up and down the gears quite a lot trying to keep my cadence(pedalling RPM) high. It obviously just needs a higher level of concentration than running so I'm less likely to drift.

I'm coming down the last hill and then up the last hill, 50 minutes tick by and I'm gutted as I now know a sub 50 minute time isn't happening today but as I'm only about 1km short I should in the future be able to reel that in with a little more effort and luck on the road..

I finish in 51:56 and am pleased but if I'm being honest I'm still more than a little worried about making the distance. These 20km runs seem long to me. The thought of doing 90km is still totally unimaginable right now. This new bike if it ever comes had better be something else as I'm going to need all the help I can get.

Just for the technophobes out there, the parts of the story highlighted in BLUE have links to the internet related to the story...I mean I know this isn't very entertaining so I do my best to brighten it up for you.

In case the Team Kennedy manager reads this, yes it was me who secretly ate the rest of the Hagen Daas when I came in from my training run. As we say, if you're not fast you're last. ;o)

Comfortably Numb

Up early Sat morning, some shopping to do today and a few other odd jobs. No training on Friday after a hectic day at work..I'm travelling most of next week to the UK and so today needs to have a good session fitted in. Bike still not here although I did get an email from dealer offering sincere apologies and says he'll send me some extra stuff although he still doesn't know where my bike is....a lot of good accessories will do me without a bike.
Idea was 2 x 20km circuits and see how comfortable it was. Naturally still on my mountain bike so more difficult than it should be once the new super bike is on the scene .

I set off and its bucking freezing cold...really really cold. Fingers and ears are numb in first 5 minutes. I had 2 expressos, 2 weetabix and a powerbar before I went out. Apart from the cold its pretty easy going. I'm into my stride after 4km. Up the hedgehog hill no bother and then a little slower into Ohain but no real puffing or anything. Down big hill into Ransbeck and I can no longer feel my feet at the front....its like they have been chopped off. Round by Waterloo, attacked by what looks like a gerbil on a lead with old lady attached(scabby fur coat on, probably made of her former dogs). I just hope she doesn't understand Glaswegian swearing or I've ruined my countries reputation with the locals.

Down the big straight on the N5 road and the wind is right into my face and my feet are now no longer part of me. they are just lumps attached to the pedals with no feeling, it must be minus 3 or 4 plus the wind chill factor. I get back to the last hill on the first lap, up without any real issue , my heart rate hasn't really been above 160 the whole way round and I haven't felt any problem apart from the cold. I get level with the house and decide to throw the towel in as my feet cannot possibly take another round. I'll do it again this afternoon or tomorrow morning....

I get in and its agony..really unbelieveable as my feet thaw out....time was 54:31 , not bad given I was thinking and probably OK to do a second circuit.....I really really need my new bike. I'll post my HRM and altitude change stats from my watch later. You''ll be able to laugh as my heart rate shoots up with the climbs....

Back on the Chain Gang

So as ever life intervenes and the training schedule got dropped....anyway back in the groove tonight with a short and swift 8K run round the same course as last week but in reverse...39:19 was the time. It felt pretty easy which it obviously as I was 1:20 quicker than a week ago.

No sign of the bloody bike yet. The email hotline between here and Germany is getting a little heated. I know Philippe has his new bike as he was kind enough to send me 20 or 30 photos of it and he said he was out on it at the weekend. I ordered mine first and am still waiting, I should have bought in Belgium.....

The guys in the office have been taking the piss due to the lack of bike as you can see from the attached photo...as you can see there isn't much between Philippe's bike and my 'bike'...

Rest and be Thankful

Phone call on Friday night from school saying Wallis has been injured while ski-ing. It would appear to be ligament damage to the knee. She arrived home Saturday morning sporting a large cast on her leg. She was in a lot of pain. As advised we took her to hospital on Saturday and to get a Belgian review of x-rays/diagnosis that was given from French emergency treatment. They sad it was still too inflamed to see but we've to go back on Tuesday to see the specialist. None of this waiting around, that must be where my 55% tax goes, obviously not on the roads though.

So training wise its been a bit of a non event, not much sleep Friday or Saturday and then today I just felt totally washed out. However after some encouragement I got the bike out...still the old mountain bike though as my bike seems to be lost between Germany and Belgium.

I did the 20k route in 52:16 which was a huge surprise given how I felt. It was 1 minute 55 quicker than previous trip out. I didn't feel as though i was going as fast and certainly I wasn't as knocked out on the hills. I did scoff a handful of coffee beans on the way out and eat a whole Frangipane cake 5 minutes before I left...I've become a Frangipane/Coffee doper.

I love the smell of Chlorine in the evening

Went swimming after work. Did 120 x 17m lengths so 2040m for the accountants or just over 2KM for the youngsters or 1.27miles for the rest of us. Time was 48:56 but I got a bit mixed up in the middle so I did 2 laps too many or 2 too less. It all gets a bit ground hog day after a while and at my age memory is hardly a major asset. I received a reasonable amount of bombing and splashing from the usual young team playing water polo and diving in...its not that deep a pool so its not the safest pool to dive into.

Interesting factoid for those in the know, the Largs-Milport ferry route is 1.94km .....so next time I'll be saving the fare and taking my trunks and swimming cap. If I get another invite ;o)

Run short, Stand Tall

I was a bit stiff today so I thought I'd try to loosen up a bit with a quick 8k run(5 miles in old money) before dinner. Out into the night and it took me 40:39 over a pretty hilly route. I was surprised how long it took and was really looking for sub 35mins for 8k but I really got surprised by the hills. They killed any chance of a quick time plus I fell on my arse half way round after tripping on a kerb. I also think that as I've been running longer distances up to this point that I need to train myself to run faster. Its not that I physically find it hard to run faster, its just that I fall back to a more natural rhythm that is slower than its possible for me to actually endure. Then I remember to speed up again and go quicker...I just need to train to get my natural rhythm to be quicker.

Its probably a good thing doing some hills practice as I'd had a tip off today from Chico(whilst he should have been doing his MBA homework) that the Alloa Half Marathon route is uphill for the last 3km.

Toes are a bit sore and blistered so no more running till Sunday at the earliest. I'll try to get some swimming in and if my bike ever appears I might get out on it if I manage to put it together.

I got a gold star from Team Kennedy manager for volunteering for a run before being told.

Nightshift

I came in from work and Team Kennedy Manager said you did nothing on Monday so no chance of a night off tonight, so take your pick. You can Swim and Gym or Run.

I decide to run as I've just finished Ultramarathon man by Dean Karnazes and its was a great inspiration(thanks to Brian for the book recommendation). Its already dark and its snowing so it will be my first full run in the dark and certainly first in the snow......I decide on a quick 10k then easy run in for the last 6.5k.

I finish the 10k in 47.48 which is the best I've done till now and better than last weeks 49:23(I'll let Brownie work out the percentage improvement) :o). It felt really great and I know I can still do it faster. My MP3 player battery ran out halfway round in the middle of She Sells Sanctuary by the Cult and so that would have slowed me down a little......

My HRM/Pedometer was saying I was running faster than 4minute KM's but even though I knew I was faster than normal I knew that wasn't right as at the 10K mark the distance was reading over 11k, which was clearly rubbish as I've previously measured it with the car and on the map.

Anyway just under 17k finished in 1:27:39, which was slower than overall time last time out but 10K time was better and that was the main goal....so I'm pretty happy. The running part I'm starting to feel very well prepared for mentally and physically and its only Feburary. Post run weigh in was 73.1kg and 20.7% body fat. My weight has stayed pretty steady over the last few weeks after a few weeks of kg's dropping off.

No sign of my bike yet, I'm like a kid waiting on Santa. Philippe from the office tells me today that he ticked off 2x25km bike rides at the weekend, again just more than me at my 2x20km...I obviously need to work harder so I don't fall behind.

Always time for a little bit more

Team Kennedy Manager had a class at the Sports Centre at 16:30 for an hour and a half. Given Wallis is away ski-ing in France with the school this week I thought that despite having had a 20k cycle this morning that I'd take the chance to get a swim in as well... The alternative is lying on the couch watching the History Channel. We get there but disaster; its an open weekend at the Sports Centre so its very busy. Pool wasn't too bad so I get in and get tucked in. I managed the first 50 laps in 20 minutes dead which isn't particulary quick, the most positive thing is that my nether regions are under no pressure in the pool.....aahhhh thats nice.

The pool started to get busier and soon I was dodging through the crowds and floating swimming aids. I managed to knock off 90 laps which is 1.5km but it was getting way too crowded. I called it day in the pool and went to the gym.

The gym was busy with people on the try before you buy plan. I like to do sit-ups on a sloping bench thing. I've been doing them for a while now and I can do a solid 50 non stop on the most extreme setting. Strong stomach muscles and back are a pre requisite for being a good climber on the bike. So I've read.

It suddenly gets 'dark'. 3 big lads appear round the bench next to mine. It looks like its been a while since they were in a gym and the largest is obviously no stranger at the food fridge They stand about, taking up space. I'm looking to knock off another 50 sit ups but I can't do the second lot without stopping, so it takes me a little while. I finish at 100 as its obvious "the lads" , who still haven't actually done anything yet, want to train together.

I head downstairs for a quick 10 minute weights session and I finish. I need a drink and the drinks machine is out of order. I get my gear and head up to the bar. A muddy puddle(orange juice and cola mixed). I'm waiting on the Team Manager finishing her class.

"The lads" appear about 5 minutes after I've sat down. They head over to the bar. I'm thinking you're not long in, you've done nothing and you're at the bar for a drink already.

However I'm wrong. They walk away with a Snickers bar each....the big lad is eating one and has one in reserve in the other hand.....

What a difference a day makes

So I was out last night with friends at a local restaurant. Great company, great food, great wine and a good night had by all. The fact that I've not been drinking makes occasions like this much more enjoyable as it feels like a real treat when I'm out. I manage to ease my way through 3 beers and more than my fair share of two bottles of vin rouge....aaahhh I'm alive again.

I'm up at 9am and it’s sunny but still very cold and frosty with a few overcast clouds on the horizon. I've been lying in bed re-living yesterday's bike ride from hell over and over in my mind. There is only one thing to do, get out and do it again and see if it's any easier....There is definitely a part of me that allows my mind to block out bad experiences, so why not use it to fool myself.

I get my cycling gear on, this time adding a second pair of cycling shorts for added cushioning. I raise the saddle about 5cm as I felt yesterday that my legs were not fully extended on the down stroke of the crank and I need all the help with power I can get.

It’s the same route, same hills, same distance and same legs. I'm feeling positive before I start, how bad can it be, right !!! As the song goes, what a difference a day makes.

First thing I notice is that its really really freezing cold and its much windier than the day before....that lasts about 5 seconds until the pain in my nether regions overwhelms all other sensations...It feels like I've been attacked in the night with a hammer. In order to ease the pain I assume a floating position about 1mm above the saddle; I can see it won't be getting too much use today.

The first 4km is straight into the wind but it feels OK as I've just started. I hit the big hedgehog hill and scramble my way over even keeping the gears at 22, so with 2 still to spare....small victories keep my legs turning.

The next big hill isn't as steep but it’s about 5 times as long and feels about 10 times as long. I'm into gear 24 almost right away, legs spinning and I'm hardly moving. I don't look further than my front wheel..pedal pedal pedal. Hammer hammer hammer. Heart pounding in my ears.

I get near the top and it levels out a bit. Yes Done it. I know it’s the last really big hill and I knew I could do it as I'd done it yesterday. Yes....I'm smiling as I start to dial up the gears into the flat before the downhill section. The flat feels like no effort at all in comparison. I'm flying along in no time. Big smile on my face.

I'm heading down the big hill now; I'm going so fast that I can't pedal. I'm tucked over the front of the bike to reduce my drag. A car passes me and I take the chance to tuck in behind it and try to let the car take the wind for me. I just hope she doesn't suddenly brake . The car sucks me right down to the bottom of the hill and I'm really flying and I scoot round the roundabout, the driver staring incredulously in her rear view mirror.....

I've got the wind diagonally at my back and it feels great. Even the saddle isn't giving me any problems now. I'm about 14k in and I've got 39 minutes on the watch. I'm thinking last 6k in 11 minutes......well why not try to push it a bit. Hammer hammer hammer....I turn for home with 3k to go and its clear there is no way to beat 50 minutes, especially as I'm now heading into the wind and I still have a hill to go. My legs feel heavier at the realisation. Its obviously all in the mind.

I reach the house 54 minutes 11 seconds.....its nearly 3 minutes faster than yesterday and I'm not as windy at the end. ..I'm happy again...it’s not going to be easy to get fit enough to do this triathlon but each tiny bit of progress makes it’s seem less impossible....One thing I now know is that cycling gear does make you look gay.