Waiting

Am currently at the train station on my way to The Hell Run. I'm really nervous and I can't figure out why. I've ran this far before so that isn't new, I'm not bothered about how long it takes as long as I finish and it should be a shedload of fun. Tis a strange feeling.

2 years

Today, or rather, yesterday, was the 3rd year of the Ironman UK being held in Bolton. I now have 2 years to get ready.

Sunshine

I'm currently lying in the baking 32 degree heat on the lovely island on Menorca. Jealous?

I'm quite proud of myself, I've managed to actually get out and pound the tarmac a few times so far. It's ridiculously difficult to do, even a short 2 miles is a killer. Not managed to go for a swim in the ocean yet either but Oct still got a week left.

Before I came out here, I discovered there is an Ironman 70.3 in Majorca. I was tempted but after experiencing the heat here, it is definitely NOT a good idea. Think I'm gonna stick with the cold and miserable Blighty, may even hop across to Galway and do a 70.3 there, you never know.

Really gotta get my backside into gear when I get back ad it'll only be 6 weeks til my tri. But for now, I'm enjoying the sunshine break, I bloody earned it. :D

Prepartion

I couldn't find my gloves this morning. My trusted running gloves. I was rather disappointed as I have a rather long run planned for this afternoon.

6 miles with Lorna up the canal to Timperley and back and then a 6 mile set on my own. Should be fun, and by fun, I mean painful.

Had a reasonable cycling session in the gym last night and another good go on my shoulders. Felt good to get some work done after a lazy couple of days. I did manage to do some more exercise last week but I cant for the life of me remember what. I do recall going swimming in the morning before work three times but that's all that springs to mind.

Am concentrating on my cycling and upper body this week as once I go to Spain on Monday all I will be able to do is run and swim. I intend to cover about 70km whilst I'm there. Going to try running on the beach too and see how much that hurts my calves and the soles of my feet. This is also going to be my first proper foray into open water swimming. I hope to try and acclimatise on holiday so it's easier back here. Of course, the Quays and the lake I will be swimming in here don't quite match up to the lovely waters of the Mediterranean but beggars can't be choosers.

Apathy

It has been a strange few days. Had a very strange combination at the weekend.

Firstly, went to see Take That last Wednesday, they were awesome and accompanied by a lovely meal at TGI Fridays. Can't really remember anything about Thursday or Friday except that I did no exercise, couple of nice lazy days.

Come Saturday and I had a great combined morning of a sub 59 min 10k and spectating at a triathlon at one of my local water parks. It was brilliant to watch and I really can't wait to participate in my own. It did, however, reinforce that I am going to need a wet suit for my swim as there was a lot of shivering going on.

Brick session on Wednesday afternoon then swimming in the evening. Nice rest day on Monday, not a planned one but still lacking energy from the weekends exertions. Back into it today with a 1200m swim early this morning before work and then an absolutely glorious run after work, 6.7km in 37 mins. That is my race pace. It was smooth, comfortable and very satisfying. Feel like I've got my mojo back!

The feeling of apathy comes from the rather hefty amount of motivation I had to give myself to actually get out there. Afterwards, especially after my run this evening, I feel better, but that feeling can be very hard to keep hold of.Gonna go for a swim again in the morning then go for a brick session after work. Let's see how that goes.

Meh

I know I've said there is no such thing as a bad run but yesterday was a bad run. I actually meant to talk about this yesterday but was distracted by other thoughts. The plan was a quality tempo 5K. As soon as I set off it didn't feel right. I just couldn't settle at a tempo pace. I felt agitated. I tried to stay focussed and positive but to no end. Then, 1 mile in, my tracker crapped out on me so I couldn't even focus on my pace that way. I was frustrated and wanted to stop. But I didn't. I kept going, kept running, finished at approximately 33 mins. I felt better for finishing but I still wasn't happy. I know everyone has bad days but this felt like more than that. The past few weeks, pretty much all my speed work has been done on a treadmill in the gym, leaving my long runs for outside. I think I've become acclimitised to running inside, have lost the touch to push my pace against inertia. Combine that with some loneliness running on my own and a severe boredom of my route and it is a perfect recipe for a miserable rin. Am gonna need to mix it up as I can't keep going on ones like that and I can't stay on the treadmill. uesterdays

The Three Goals

I got a telling off from Lorna yesterday. We were discussing Conwy and what my goal was.

I should first mention 'The Three Goals' that I learnt about from Ben. So much do I understand this I will let him explain it. Or at least I will once I can find the post he explains it in.

The main point is I told Lorna my comfortable goal for Conwy was sub 2:20. She told me to be realistic and should be aiming for sub 2:05, possibly sub 2:00.

So thats what I'm aiming for. Oh, and depending how this does will determine my goal for Brighton. Currently it is sub 4:30 but we shall see....

Good Intentions

My friend Lorna got me into running. She is quite experienced, a few half marathons under her belt, and now, she has ran the Brighton Marathon twice. I used to think she was bonkers, especially running 7 miles home from work. Off her trolley. She did, however, manage to convince me to come with her on some of her short runs and see what I thought. I still remember the first one vividly. I enjoyed the runs we did, and Lorna warned me that I would catch 'the bug'. I laughed at her suggestion.

She was right.

When I first started my running back in October the intention was to lose weight. I signed up for the Great Manchester 10k to give myself a goal so I wouldn't quit. I honestly didn't think it was something I would keep up with. Lorna was right and I started to love it more and more. So much so I was looking for more races, but interesting ones as I thought I would easily get bored running road races all the time. Then I heard about the Hell Run and thought 'I'm having some of that!'.

Just a couple of weeks before I signed up for Brighton, me and my friend Cat were out on a 9 miler, just chatting away, both agreeing how the prospect of running for 5+ hours, i.e. a marathon, was bonkers and how we would never do it. Cue a week later, Cat posts on Facebook that she has signed up for Brighton after a really bad day at work. I needled her about this, he reply being 'It's ok, since you're doing it with me the training will be alot easier'.

Yes, that's precisely what she said. After a few discussions and some to and fro ing, I signed up aswell. Glutton for punishment I was told.

Then I started reading Ben Does Life after seeing his 120lb journey on le YouTube. He inspired me to think 'If he can do an Ironman, why cant I?'.

So here I am now. All these things planned ahead of me and always looking for more. I'm constantly assessing what I want to do next. Ironman 70.3 2012 is looking like a very tempting prospect at the moment.

The Importance of Rest

Such aspirations I had for yesterday. The plan was to finish work at 1830 and go for a 5K tempo run as planned.

This was shelved after realising I was absolutely knackered. So much so I almost fell asleep in work. I discussed this with my lovely friend Lorna and we agreed that rest is just as important as exercise so I postponed my run until this morning.

Told the Mrs should would have the pleaseure of my company for the evening, of course she was *thrilled*. We have a nice dinner together, I went to the chippy, it was exceedingly satisfying. About an hour after tea I had perked up and didnt feel tired. Then it dawned on me.

The reason I was so tired is that I hadnt eaten enough. Yesterday was a small bowl of cereal for breakfast then a plain sandwich and carrott sticks for lunch. In itself not a wrong amount of food but far too little to cope with the training I've been doing. This was an alien concept to me.

Everytime I've tried to lose weight in the past it has always been through a combination of moderate exercise and diet change. However, the amount of exercise I am doing now should probably be described as more vigourous than moderate. As such I need to make sure I'm consuming enough calories to fuel my workouts without eating too much. There is a fine balance which I sometimes hit but it is still quite elusive.

More to write but going to split it into another post as its easier to digest that way.

Bricks

Today I learned that dual aspect training sessions are called bricks. Did 20k on the bike, 34:29, and 800m swim. Did it in some new small swimming shorts, not quite budgie smugglers but you get what I mean. Have got a 5K tempo planned for tomorrow, let's see if I can sub 26:59.

Also, sausage and chili omelette is a very satisfying post workout meal but shouldn't be eaten too late as it can give you terrible heartburn :(

Flexibile Progress

My good friend told me there is no such thing as a bad run, the only bad runs are the ones you don't do. Super dude Ben says if you aren't in the mood for a run, if it's the last thing you want to do, then this is the time you need to do it.

These are two unbelievably true statements.

Had a tempo session planned for yesterday, finished work at work to be accosted by the wife and forced to have a barbeque and spend some time with her. This was done and enjoyed so yesterday was taken as this weeks rest day.

Today was a long, slow, easy paced trail. 10 miles in 1 hour 54 minutes dead. 11:24 a mile pace. Was very happy with this. I could of kept going but have been warned by numerous people about over doing it distance wise. I also wasn't tired, especially seen as this is the quickest I've ever covered this distance, even though it was a slow, relaxed pace. Feet were hurting a little bit but I think that is down to my running shoes (they haver a plastic medial support post rather than foam due to my severe overpronating). Might have to look at investing in some different ones come September.

Tomorrow is cross training day, walk to the gym, 15km bike, 1 mile swim. Should be fun.

Edit: I should add this about today's 10 miler as I'm quite proud of it.

I started from a different point than normal, i.e. not at my house. 5 mins after starting it started to rain. A small part of me said 'Give up, go home, its miserable running in the rain'. The rest of me literally told that bit to Jog On.

It pissed it down. Twice. Further more, the long circuit I do has some redundancy built in. There are two points along the route I can cut it short, literally by at least half, still do a smaller loop and return home. I was soaked as I passed both and kept going. I thought that if it starts raining during a race, particularly the Conwy half (it is North Wales in November after all) or Brighton next year, I cant just think 'Nevermind, try again later'. It is very much now or never. If I can have that mindset during a race, I can use it during training too. It made me feel good, good and strong.

Towpath

More cross training tonight. 4.5 mile run, at just less than 10min/mile pace followed immediately by a fast 600m swim. Now I'm on the 2 mile stroll home down the canal. It's quiet and peaceful and pleasantly warm.

Had many triathlon based thoughts today, mainly considering my bike. I currently have a full suspension mountain bike. To my horror, today I discovered it is completely unsuitable for Cockerham. Been looking into the many possibilities re: purchasing a more appropriate bicycle, probably a hybrid. This is an expensive concept. Found one on ebay that may, just may, sell in my price range but I'm not hopeful.

I knew I was going to have to invest in a new bike eventually buy I hadn't banked, literally, on it being so soon. Thankfully, we have a cycle scheme at work so that is an option, just one I have to think about very carefully.

Definitely not looking forward to the time when I have to purchase a proper tri bike, they come with four figure price tags. Eeek.

Matchsticks

Tired doesnt begin to describe how I am feeling now. Physically I dont feel too bad, still able to run, cycle swim etc competently. I mean tired upstairs. I am on my 10th of 13 early shifts in a row.

I love early shifts, you get the work over and done with and have the rest of the day to do what you want which benefits me massively for training.

The downside is getting up at 0430 every morning for almost 3 weeks is soul destroying, demotivating and leaving me liable to fall asleep at the drop of a hat.

However, two benefits of this fatigue are such:

1.) I am still going out and training, my 11 mile run on Sunday was after a 0600-1600 shift, same again for my mile swim last night. This shows my determination isnt waivering with my sleepiness.

2.) Training whilst mentally tired is getting my body adjusted to functioning whilst lacking in energy, its good impromptu endurance training.

Gym tonight, its been a week since my spinning class and I missed it on Monday thanks to the bank holiday so its the bike and treadmill tonight. Will have some company though as my friend is going through her induction to inflict more of the same on herself.

Ouch

Legs jellified. Feet very sore. 18km today after 10 hour early shift. 2:14:20. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

Edit: Feel better now I've had some dinner. For the first time I actually felt sick whilst eating but thankfully it passed quickly. According to my Jog Tracker app I burned 1600 calories on that run. Win. Also weighed myself today, I'm now 17st 12lbs (250lbs), first time I've been below 18st in a very long time. I feel quite emotional now :D

Mythical Focus

Procrastination is an absolute killer. So is lack of focus.

Just had two rest days that weren't in my schedule. Yes I will have to make it up later but it was nice to actually spend some time with the wife. Also went out for dinner today so I have an Oreo and ice cream sundae to run off tomorrow aswell :/

Got a nice long one planned for tomorrow. 10 miles minimum, need to start focusing on the running and just using the swimming to keep the rest days relatively active. Have got my second spinning class on Monday too, not looking forward to it as my backside is only now not sore from Wednesdays session.

All paid up for Cockerham Tri now too. Still trying to figure out how I'm going to get over my fear of open water but we shall have to see.

Bitesize

Short for now, more in the morning.

Planned a long easy run and then a swim, changed plans to a short, intensive cardio session in the gym and then swimming. Set myself a target, I ran 2 miles in 16:49. Not bad considering it used to take me +23 mins. Have done well with the eating today but this is the first time I've worked out after my evening meal and I'm really feeling it. Bed now as up at stupid o'clock, will say more when I'm more awake :|

Spinning : An Evil Concept

First thing, SatNav is out of hospital and back to his old self, so a YAYZ!! is in order for that.

Second, just had my first Spinning class. It was hell. Enjoyable after the fact, yes, but absolute hell during. It hurt me in places I didn't know it could hurt. I ran just under a mile there and just under two miles back so all round a good cardio day today.

The pain in the session has further reinforced how much cycle work I need to put in for Cockerham, especially as most of the cycle portion of the Tri is off road.

Payday on Friday so am off to Halfords to buy a cycle helmet and enquire about a cycle service as I want to make sure my bike is in good nick before I start abusing it over Turn Moss.

Off to town this afternoon to spend some vouchers, plus it gets me out walking for a few miles which is good.

Sprint Triathlon

There has been a slight change of plan.

I am no longer doing the Penrith Sprint Triathlon. After discussing the logistics and difficulties of getting to the race with my friend Pauline at work today, she offered me the use of her caravan in Cockerham near Lancaster. That was a very kind offer and would cut half the travel time off on the day. It also meant the Mrs could come with as originally the trip to Penrith involved me staying at a hostel on my own.

Then whilst searching for other sprint triathlons in the north west and I discovered that there are sprint triathlons on the same day of the Penrith one. One more local in Macclesfield, and one, you guessed it, in Cockerham.

That weekend now consists of a weekend away relaxing with my lovely wife, courtesy of my brilliant friend. The one hiccup, after agreeing this is all going to happen, I discovered the swim for this tri is an open water one, in a flooded quarry specifically. Crap. Need to get over my fear a lot quicker than was planned. Also need to lose as much weight as possible quickly so I can buy a tri suit that will fit me for a reasonable time. Need to see if I can rent a wetsuit too

A new way of looking

anaged to get some swimming in today. Not much, only 800m but I did most of it front crawl which is not normal for me. I've started swimming with goggles and it really helps. Going to research to see if I can get prescription ones now as I hate not being able to see properly.

Also, being able to see underwater helps me stay calm and maintain my breathing as I can see where I'm going. Only problem is when I come to do open water swimming, seeing under the water will freak me out. Really need to try and overcome that.

Lots of swimming in the sea whilst in Menorca I think.

Small Steps

SatNav is still in hospital but he should be ok. Complications with asthma and chicken pox, poor little fella.

Needed to get out of the house for a bit so I managed to get to the gym. Couldn't go swimming as for some daft reason the pool closed at 1530. Got there at about 1630 with the intention of 20k on the bike and 5k on the treadmill. Managed 10k on the bike in 18 mins and 5k in just less than 33 minutes. It was absolutely knackering. Getting off the bike with legs feeling like jelly and then running on the treadmill was unbelievably difficult. I was very aware afterwards that what I just did was, quite literally, a drop in the ocean on what I hope to achieve eventually, approx 1/10 of the distances for the Ironman.

All my training thinking recently has been focussing on triathlon training rather than just running. I am going to devise a training plan so I can keep some tri-training in there but focus on the running. I'm going to a spinning class on Wednesday with my friend Heather, never been to one before so should be interesting. If it goes well I will use the spinning classes to improve my cycling fitness and a couple of sessions in the gym to improve my endurance.

Alot of my current limitations are mainly due to a general lack of fitness at that level rather than anything else in particular. As I continue training, my muscles will get stronger and my cardiovascular fitness will improve even more than it was already.

Like having a plate too full of food it can be overbearing. I have an intensely difficult run coming up in September and need to be as fit as possible for that, mainly to prevent injury through weak muscles or poor technique.

My major goal for the moment is the Brighton Marathon next year. That will be a major point on the Iron Path. I'm going to have to put a lot of hours in to train for it and it will give me a glimpse into the kind of commitment required. It was also tell me if I am actually capable of doing a proper endurance race.

I've managed to arrange some running training with Cat and Lorna next week so that should be fun, not been out with the pair of them for a few weeks and its always good running with them two. Last time we went out they were chatting away whilst I was struggling behind, will be interesting to see how it goes next time.*cue evil laugh*

I am also joining the Manchester Triathlon Club and debating on joining Sale Harriers running club too. Casual memberships are only £25 and I think it would be good to have the opportunity to go out with a proper club every couple of weeks or so.

Monday tomorrow so I'm going to set myself a goal. Next week I went to hit over 20 miles running. Most I've managed in a week so far is about 18 so should be doable. Just got to be careful I don't over do it.

Todays Cancelled

Dry run cancelled.

My nephew has been taken into hospital so that's more important than training.

Future Plans

My plans for the future so far revolve as such:

Penrith Sprint Triathlon 28th August
Brooks Hell Up North, Delamere Forest: 10th September
Half Marathon : Noveber
Half Marathon : February
Brighton Marathon : 14th April
Full Triathlon : Summer 2012

Background Progression

Today should be an interesting test. I'm going to the local sports centre this afternoon to try my own 'dry' run of a sprint triathlon. 400m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run. This should give me a good gauge on how much I need to improve for the Penrith Triathlon at the end of August.

Now, alittle on my progression so far.

Since I started running in October there has been a marked improvement in my performance, which was to be expected, even with 9 weeks off. I find it very motivating to keep track and see how I'm improving.

5km:
November 34:56
February 29:42
March 28:51
April 27:38
May 27:21 (Also had a 27:30 split on my GMR 10K)

10km:
November 76:00
March 63:00
May 54:59

Longest Distance:
November : 10km
March : 13km
May : 16km

Projected Targets by August:
5km <25:00
10km <55:00 (maintenance)
16km <90:00
22km <135:00

Weight Loss Progress

Forgot to add a bit.

When I started running in October I was 21 stone (294lbs). I got down to 20 stone (280lbs) just before I injured myself. Over my nine weeks recuperation I went back up to 21 stone, as miserable I was when I weighed myself I was quite content to eat loads of crap over them nine weeks.

I hadn't really noticed since I started running again, alot more swimming in there too, that I was slowly shrinking and wasn't expecting the results on the scales.

I weighed myself yesterday and it read 18s1lb (253lbs). Thats a 41lbs lost in 14 weeks. :D

The Recent Past

I'm overweight. Very overweight. I have been for a long time. I've hovered around the 21 stone mark for the last 3/4 years, with some incidental weight loss and regain every now and again. Ive always stuggled with inspiration to do something about it, except, of course, from the obvious, i.e. being so overweight will kill me early.

Then, as if by magic, the inspiration dropped in my lap.

I saw a video online which gave me the poke I needed to get going. I'm currently reading through Ben's tumblr blog. It's brilliant so far. I also had the awesome support of my marathon running friend Lorna who agreed to help me start my journey to fitness and my friend Cat, another recent running convert.

I started running in October 2010 at a very unhealthy 21 stone (294lbs). On my first time out with Lorna and another friend, we ran 2.4 miles, stop start with walking, and it took us 45 minutes. I jogged, sometimes at very low speed, the entire way. It felt good. A couple of days later I ran my first mile non stop at my own speed. It took me 12.5 minutes. A good starting point I thought for a lump like me.

I maintained regular running sessions for the first couple of months, really enjoying myself. I bought some proper running shoes and some lycra shorts to prevent chaffage. They REALLY helped. I didnt have a proper schedule at first, just trying to get out at least 3 times. It was difficult to find the motivation sometimes but I have a strong strength of will which helped. However I did miss a few sessions, and you really feel it.

Someone once told me there is no such thing as bad run, the only bad runs are the ones you don't do. This is more true than you can realise.

I then managed to injure myself at a brilliant time, it coincided with the bloody awful snow we had so a great excuse not to be out in -5 temperatures. I pulled the ligament in the top of my left foot whilst out walking, no obvious reason why, it just happened. Took a month before I could run again. A few days after getting back out again and Pop! I pulled the same ligament in my right foot. Oh joy.

The forced 9 weeks off running over snowy winter and Xmas was difficult. I got used to not running. I started to put weight back on again, it was Xmas after all, and, feeling miserable about not being out running, I thought what the hell, eat some crap. And I did. It was delicious.

It also gave me some time to properly think and consider what I was doing. What I was trying to do was not easy for someone of my size. I also had time to try and figure out why I was getting injured. My goal for my first race was in the middle of May and I couldnt afford to lose a month every time something faulted.

I went for a gait analysis at SweatShop in Manchester and discovered something interesting. I suffer from severe overpronation. When I run, my foot strikes the ground first on the outside back of my heel and then rolls onto the rest of my foot. It keeps rolling as I transfer my weight to that leg and at its apex, my ankle and lower leg are making an angle similar to 4pm on a clock face. I winced as I watched it. I was advised I needed some specialist running shoes with a medial stability support. The ones I had been running in so far were just basic neutral shoes and doing nothing to support my foot and ankle. This, I think, is the reason I got injured. As I ran I weakened my foot until it couldnt cope any longer.

Armed with this knowledge I went to Sports Direct and spoke to a very helpful chap who had an amazing knowledge on running and together we decided some New Balance 965's were the shoes for me. The difference was astounding.

So February begins and I get back on the tarmac/gravel/pavement. With only 3 months until my first race I start running with a decent routine. At least 3 runs a week, a tempo run (shorter distance as fast as I can), a training run (inbetween distance, inbetween speed) and a long run (greater distance, slower speed). Alot of these were with my friend Cat, she has been a training partner and teasing each other is a great incentive. The encouragment and praise I've had of her and Lorna have been brilliant.

Using this plan to improve my fitness and performance did show some progress. First time I ran 10km it took me approx 75 mins, the second time 4 weeks later it took me 63 mins. My 5km time slowly reduced from 35 minutes originally to maintaining just within 30 mins. I set a new personal best of 28:00 just to beat it with 27:21 5 days later.

My target time for the race in May was 54:XX. This was very optimistic. It dawned on me 3 weeks ago that I wouldnt be able to achieve this, in particular after a complete blowout on an attempt at 10km at a solid pace. I got to 1 1/2 miles and couldn't keep going. I originally thought I had just started too fast but when I checked the time I was actually running at race pace. This was devastating. After a long, hard think, I amended my target to sub 60 mins, which would still be a great time for me, given my size and how long I've been running.

Last Sunday I competed my first competitive race, the Great Manchester Run 10k, with a time of 54:59. I was chuffed beyond belief. I was so happy I could've cried. The day itself was immense. I've never experienced anything like it. I want more of this feeling.

I have already signed up for the Brooks Hell Up North in September as a solo effort and the Brighton Marathon next April with Cat (how this came about is rather amusing but will have to wait). I'm signing up for a couple of sprint triathlons in summer and a full distance one next year

A few more steps on my journey to be an Ironman.

The First Step

Hello and Welcome.

Today is the start of my journey to Ironman UK. I will document my progress on this blog on the long road to the ultimate feat of human endurance.

I am under no illusions of the enormity of the task ahead of me. I have developed an ambitious appetite for challenges and this is my ultimate goal. Currently my intention is to enter the Ironman UK competition in 2015. That will be completing it before my 30th birthday as I turn 29 the week of the race. If I can, I will enter the 2014 race instead, but that will depend on how my training goes.

I may fail. This is a distinct possiblity, this is after all the hardest challenge possible. But I can only fail by first attempting the challenge. To not even try is a worse failure for me.

Thanks for joining me and enjoy the ride!