As I approach my holiday I realise I have done no exercise in the last week. It's been hectic, not an excuse but a fact. There have not been enough hours in the day as business and family pressures have taken priority over my fitness - as they should.
However I have had the pleasure today of watching 2 friends (online) complete their first Ironman - such a special moment for them. Congratulations Gavin & Lorna Gall on a fantastic achievement. What it made me realise was just how much hard work and dedication goes into achieving your goals. And right now my focus is on family and business, but I need to get back to fitness. So when I go on holiday I will make a real start but at the same time enjoy some chillax time.
Over the next few months more friends will be taking part in Ironman competitions and it's so good to see people attain their goals through dedication and hard work. There are no short cuts in life so it's time to restart my fitness campaign but first I'll need to set some goals to create the required focus.
Sunday 30 June 2013
Monday 24 June 2013
My role as a "domestique"
As you know on Thursday I was cycling 84 miles with my friend Stuart Kerr who is completing Lands End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) and on Sunday I was back with him doing another 84 miles. Cycling gives you time to reflect on lifes journey as you try and deflect your thought from your sore arse! You see before these 2 spins on the bike I had only another 4 trips on the bike and they were all in the last month and none over 40 miles. So my arse was out of practise!
As "domestique" my job was to do everything to get Stuart to the finish line in the best possible condition. This meant sitting in front of him taking the wind. Normally I'd be hanging onto the back of a bunch of cyclists getting the benefit of the pelaton but not this time. The interesting thing is what it did to my mindset. I had to be the leader and protect the "star cyclist" - after all I was only doing 2 days, he is doing 11. So I gritted my teeth as we headed into the 20mph wind and rain swept Glencoe and just got on with it. And all because I had a worthwhile purpose. It also occured to me that without this to look forward to, my bike would still be gathering dust in the garage.
So as I type this latest activity, Stuart will have finished day 9 and getting into a cold bath before grabbing some grub. He's finishing the rest of the route on his own (as he has done most of it by himself) and it is an INCREDIBLE achievement for someone who only took up cycling 18 months ago. But then he has a worthwhile purpose (raising money for Yorkhill Childrens Hospital) and he determination hasn't wavered.
Perhaps that's something we should all reflect on.
As "domestique" my job was to do everything to get Stuart to the finish line in the best possible condition. This meant sitting in front of him taking the wind. Normally I'd be hanging onto the back of a bunch of cyclists getting the benefit of the pelaton but not this time. The interesting thing is what it did to my mindset. I had to be the leader and protect the "star cyclist" - after all I was only doing 2 days, he is doing 11. So I gritted my teeth as we headed into the 20mph wind and rain swept Glencoe and just got on with it. And all because I had a worthwhile purpose. It also occured to me that without this to look forward to, my bike would still be gathering dust in the garage.
So as I type this latest activity, Stuart will have finished day 9 and getting into a cold bath before grabbing some grub. He's finishing the rest of the route on his own (as he has done most of it by himself) and it is an INCREDIBLE achievement for someone who only took up cycling 18 months ago. But then he has a worthwhile purpose (raising money for Yorkhill Childrens Hospital) and he determination hasn't wavered.
Perhaps that's something we should all reflect on.
Sunday 16 June 2013
Preparation for LEJOG
A pal of mine, Stuart Kerr, is taking on the challenge of Lands End to John O'Groats starting today. I will join him on the Preston to Carlisle leg and then on the Strathaven to Fort William leg. So when I went out in light rain (which just got heavier) yesterday with the wind howling I set my mind for a tough struggle.
In a group of 5 cyclists we went out for 3 hours and we had all worn the wrong gloves. My hands lost all sensation meaning I couldn't feel the handlebars (not to be recommended) and laterly couldn't change into the big ring. That's challenging when you are climbing big hills.
But all I could think of was my pal Stuart who is new to cycling and would be starting off today - sadly in pouring rain! When the puddles are forming in your shoes, as they were yesterday, you have to take your mind somewhere positive otherwise you'd just give up. My place is the reason I am on my bike and what I am trying to achieve. Stuart's will be on the money he is raising and his family who are supporting him on his journey.
When I finished on the bike I spend 30 minutes in the shower followed by an hour in bed and some hot chocolate. After that I stuffed my face and life was good again. The cold and wet conditions a thing of the past.
So the legs are feeling good but the gear changing problem wasn't just my frozen hands and my bike if off to the hospital (Willie Bain - the best bike mechanic ever!) this afternoon. In the meantime, good luck Stuart Kerr.
Almost forgot, on Friday I had a Swim Smooth lesson with coach Alan Cardwell. It was my first time in the pool in a year so the video is a bit "ugly". Swimming in an "endless pool" with a mirror so you can see yourself swim was amazing. Alan picked out a couple of key points (from an endless list!) which I will now go and work on - thanks Alan. It was good to be back in the pool so now I feel ready to return to proper triathlon training!
In a group of 5 cyclists we went out for 3 hours and we had all worn the wrong gloves. My hands lost all sensation meaning I couldn't feel the handlebars (not to be recommended) and laterly couldn't change into the big ring. That's challenging when you are climbing big hills.
But all I could think of was my pal Stuart who is new to cycling and would be starting off today - sadly in pouring rain! When the puddles are forming in your shoes, as they were yesterday, you have to take your mind somewhere positive otherwise you'd just give up. My place is the reason I am on my bike and what I am trying to achieve. Stuart's will be on the money he is raising and his family who are supporting him on his journey.
When I finished on the bike I spend 30 minutes in the shower followed by an hour in bed and some hot chocolate. After that I stuffed my face and life was good again. The cold and wet conditions a thing of the past.
So the legs are feeling good but the gear changing problem wasn't just my frozen hands and my bike if off to the hospital (Willie Bain - the best bike mechanic ever!) this afternoon. In the meantime, good luck Stuart Kerr.
Almost forgot, on Friday I had a Swim Smooth lesson with coach Alan Cardwell. It was my first time in the pool in a year so the video is a bit "ugly". Swimming in an "endless pool" with a mirror so you can see yourself swim was amazing. Alan picked out a couple of key points (from an endless list!) which I will now go and work on - thanks Alan. It was good to be back in the pool so now I feel ready to return to proper triathlon training!
Monday 10 June 2013
Peaking
As I slowly make my way back to fitness I am making a number of observations along the way. The first one is about "peaking" - no not that kind of peaking! When you go out cycling with a bunch of athletes, you very quickly spot who's peaking for their event. On Saturday a mixed (ability & experience) bunch of us went out for 2.5 hours plus. We set off at a fair pace and while it was flat, those of us that weren't peaking for a race were managing to hang on. However when we hit the first semi-serious hill, that's when you could tell. It's like someone has cut the string and all of a sudden a gap opens up and gets wider.
There were 3 guys reaching the peak of their ironman training and I remember how that felt a year ago. I was invisible and hills didn't seem so steep. The other athletes were further away from their "A" race therefore weren't in peak condition. But after such a punishing race as ironman it takes months to recover but you won't peak again that season - at least you won't if you're me at my age!
So note to self - don't beat yourself up too much as you are still recovering and patience will result in me being stronger when I get back to normal training. I'm taking it very easy with the running because my body is finding the neutral shoes without orthotics "different". On Friday I go for my "swim smooth" lesson which will be interesting as I haven't swam in nearly a year.
And finally having written about mind games and my golf last week, I had a very positive experience in the Pro Am which proves my theory that success is determined by your mindset. We have a choice - the control is in our heads.
There were 3 guys reaching the peak of their ironman training and I remember how that felt a year ago. I was invisible and hills didn't seem so steep. The other athletes were further away from their "A" race therefore weren't in peak condition. But after such a punishing race as ironman it takes months to recover but you won't peak again that season - at least you won't if you're me at my age!
So note to self - don't beat yourself up too much as you are still recovering and patience will result in me being stronger when I get back to normal training. I'm taking it very easy with the running because my body is finding the neutral shoes without orthotics "different". On Friday I go for my "swim smooth" lesson which will be interesting as I haven't swam in nearly a year.
And finally having written about mind games and my golf last week, I had a very positive experience in the Pro Am which proves my theory that success is determined by your mindset. We have a choice - the control is in our heads.
Tuesday 4 June 2013
Mind games (again)
Coming back to training is interesting. Having been so fit before MdS to starting all over again isn't easy. Before I left I was going out for 3 hour trail run with an 8 kg rucksack. Now going out for a 10k run without a rucksack requires me to push myself. I had to drag myself out of bed, continually telling myself that I need to make a start as I feel sluggish and am now the heaviest I've ever been. To put that in context I am now 11 and a half stone whereas my heaviest before that was 11 stone 2 pounds! This isn't an issue but would be if I got any heavier (slim boy fat!).
But I'm having to work on my mindset as not having a specific event to train for gives it (my mind) the perfect excuse to say "why bother?" On Saturday I managed 10k which compared to what I was running before is nothing. But I needed to "reset" my mind so that it didn't feel like a tough training session and as I am practicing my Chi running it did distract my mind from asking "why bother?". The solution could be to pick an event but I want to concentrate on my form for swimming, cycling & running for the rest of this year. 2015 will be the year for my next big challenge, whatever that is?
I will be starting my yoga and swimming in under two weeks time (letting stiches in my chest heal properly, and I know this will help get the enthusiasm back.
In the meantime my golf has been playing mind games at a higher level. What a frustrating game that is. On Sunday I played in a competition and had the worst score that I can ever remember! But here's the point. How can I expect to perform at a sport that requires precision and a positive mental attitude when I haven't been playing. Crazy. It's like turning up for a triathlon having not trained - it's only going to hurt and disappoint. So to summarise, I'm a "work in progress" at the moment and as the sun is shining, I'm off to the golf course to work on my mindset!
But I'm having to work on my mindset as not having a specific event to train for gives it (my mind) the perfect excuse to say "why bother?" On Saturday I managed 10k which compared to what I was running before is nothing. But I needed to "reset" my mind so that it didn't feel like a tough training session and as I am practicing my Chi running it did distract my mind from asking "why bother?". The solution could be to pick an event but I want to concentrate on my form for swimming, cycling & running for the rest of this year. 2015 will be the year for my next big challenge, whatever that is?
I will be starting my yoga and swimming in under two weeks time (letting stiches in my chest heal properly, and I know this will help get the enthusiasm back.
In the meantime my golf has been playing mind games at a higher level. What a frustrating game that is. On Sunday I played in a competition and had the worst score that I can ever remember! But here's the point. How can I expect to perform at a sport that requires precision and a positive mental attitude when I haven't been playing. Crazy. It's like turning up for a triathlon having not trained - it's only going to hurt and disappoint. So to summarise, I'm a "work in progress" at the moment and as the sun is shining, I'm off to the golf course to work on my mindset!
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