That's the sound of foam rollering.
I'm LOVING it.
Today was a rest day, so I had a little early morning walk in the woods for the fun of it, did the 20 min core section of Turbo Fire, and the stretching and rollering section of P90X, and some hip exercises that I hope will work. Doing less running and more stretching doesn't seem to make much of a difference, my hips like to hurt, so strengthening them seems the next logical step.
I've also been looking at the Cleveland Double Steelman.They are saying it's a one off, but if it's popular, maybe there would be another one in 2014.
£85 is such good value for a full iron distance triathlon.
I'd do it simply because it is a bargain.
I have the dentist first thing tomorrow. If he doesn't hurt me, I'll go running then swimming.
If he hurts me, I'll go home and curl up in a little ball and cry.
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
Bastard Hills! Bastard Wind!
It is so windy out there today, I swear, my lip was cut by a leaf, blown into my face with mammoth force.
I had intended to do my long run at the weekend, but everything getting so booked up I went today, although there are gusts of up to 55mph. I also thought I'd include some nasty hills.
The nastiest of which I ran up, against the wind, and was at times, almost stationary.
It was the hardest I have worked myself cardiovascularly, ever, in my life. I was desperate to stop, but kept going. When I reached the top of the hill, every opening on my face that is capable of leaking fluid, was. Luckily I was wearing the arm warmers Anneke gave me for Christmas, and so wiped my eyes and nose all over them, and folded them down (nice).
I averaged 10.54 for 10 miles, which is 2 seconds slower than the weekend, but bearing in mind the wind and hills, I'll take that.
At about 8 miles, with the wind behind me, I felt quite good, like I could keep going much longer, but then turned into the wind again and was very glad when the 10 was up.
I have also been foam rollering. Taff sent me a DVD of the P90X rollering and recovery, and it is brutal. The man states not to roll yourself like dough, that you should find the sore spot and leave it there.
And I did.
And I screamed, shouted, and at one point, it sounded like there was a goat in the room.
I had intended to do my long run at the weekend, but everything getting so booked up I went today, although there are gusts of up to 55mph. I also thought I'd include some nasty hills.
The nastiest of which I ran up, against the wind, and was at times, almost stationary.
It was the hardest I have worked myself cardiovascularly, ever, in my life. I was desperate to stop, but kept going. When I reached the top of the hill, every opening on my face that is capable of leaking fluid, was. Luckily I was wearing the arm warmers Anneke gave me for Christmas, and so wiped my eyes and nose all over them, and folded them down (nice).
I averaged 10.54 for 10 miles, which is 2 seconds slower than the weekend, but bearing in mind the wind and hills, I'll take that.
At about 8 miles, with the wind behind me, I felt quite good, like I could keep going much longer, but then turned into the wind again and was very glad when the 10 was up.
I have also been foam rollering. Taff sent me a DVD of the P90X rollering and recovery, and it is brutal. The man states not to roll yourself like dough, that you should find the sore spot and leave it there.
And I did.
And I screamed, shouted, and at one point, it sounded like there was a goat in the room.
Tuesday, 29 January 2013
Gah! I Can't Swim.
I did half a mile 40 seconds slower than last time.
I haven't been swimming for a week, and I'd been three times in the week I did it speedier, but this week, nope.
Crapola.
Slowy Slowerson.
It's still faster than the first time I timed myself, it would be 52 minutes for the mile, but I had hoped for at least a few seconds faster.
I did a mile in total, and didn't feel as tired as I usually do, so maybe my endurance is better. And so I felt like I have achieved something, I did an extra 50m after the mile, making it the furthest I've swum in years.
And I need to get a box for transition. My first thought was to get a pink one, but that would clash with my bike, so now I'm hoping to find a purple or a red one. And I might paint things on it. Happy faces and ladybirds, and such.
Pretty pink sky this morning. Can't wait for the lighter mornings, lots of early training ahead.
I haven't been swimming for a week, and I'd been three times in the week I did it speedier, but this week, nope.
Crapola.
Slowy Slowerson.
It's still faster than the first time I timed myself, it would be 52 minutes for the mile, but I had hoped for at least a few seconds faster.
I did a mile in total, and didn't feel as tired as I usually do, so maybe my endurance is better. And so I felt like I have achieved something, I did an extra 50m after the mile, making it the furthest I've swum in years.
And I need to get a box for transition. My first thought was to get a pink one, but that would clash with my bike, so now I'm hoping to find a purple or a red one. And I might paint things on it. Happy faces and ladybirds, and such.
Pretty pink sky this morning. Can't wait for the lighter mornings, lots of early training ahead.
Monday, 28 January 2013
Cold, Wet, Bum.
Today's plan was to just do a little bit more. To try running off the bike again, but as the road was icy and the wind was freezing (and howling) I decided to just do 10 miles, but without looking at the speed. It wasn't that much slower, and my legs felt better for it. After not being on the bike for a while I had a little ache on my inner knees yesterday, which always happens, and that's gone today.
Then I did 5k, and was quite pleased it was only 24 seconds slower than my best 5k time, meaning I averaged 9:47 min miles, which I was reasonably happy with. If I could do maintain that for the duathlon I'd be super chuffed.
It was a slowish transition again as after trying this yesterday, I had got a very wet bum. I was just wearing my running capris as I didnt think I'd be on the bike long enough to warrant any padding, and so when I went through icy puddles my butt was soaked in freezing water, and when I got in the shower after my run I noticed I looked like a baboon. So this time I put some bike shorts on to provide just a little protection against the wet.
Tomorrow is a swim day, I will do what I had planned last week before the swimming pool people selfishly ruined my plans. I will warm up, time myself for half a mile, then do drills/intervals for the other half.
Wednesday I will do roughly the same with my running. My legs would have had a rest, so I shall push them hard and do some intervals and hill repeats.
If the weather isn't horrific I might get a cycle commute to work in this week, and I also have a long run of 10 miles to get in.
Looking at my list of races, I am very excited by it all.
I need to see some real improvements this year, and to feel more comfortable (and less like an impostor) in race situations. I'm sure getting rid of the rest of this weight will help. And also finishing in the middle of races, and not just the huge ones where there's thousands of people so it's easy to not be last, but even the smaller ones with proper sporty people. And that's not going to happen unless I do lots of events (and gets lots of medals, which is really what it's all about, anyway.)
*Update* Just seen that Chevy has entered the Ythan Challange. Unlike last time when he massively beat me at the Moray half, I will be ready for him. Oh yeah. Motivation. Bags of it.
Then I did 5k, and was quite pleased it was only 24 seconds slower than my best 5k time, meaning I averaged 9:47 min miles, which I was reasonably happy with. If I could do maintain that for the duathlon I'd be super chuffed.
It was a slowish transition again as after trying this yesterday, I had got a very wet bum. I was just wearing my running capris as I didnt think I'd be on the bike long enough to warrant any padding, and so when I went through icy puddles my butt was soaked in freezing water, and when I got in the shower after my run I noticed I looked like a baboon. So this time I put some bike shorts on to provide just a little protection against the wet.
Tomorrow is a swim day, I will do what I had planned last week before the swimming pool people selfishly ruined my plans. I will warm up, time myself for half a mile, then do drills/intervals for the other half.
Wednesday I will do roughly the same with my running. My legs would have had a rest, so I shall push them hard and do some intervals and hill repeats.
If the weather isn't horrific I might get a cycle commute to work in this week, and I also have a long run of 10 miles to get in.
Looking at my list of races, I am very excited by it all.
I need to see some real improvements this year, and to feel more comfortable (and less like an impostor) in race situations. I'm sure getting rid of the rest of this weight will help. And also finishing in the middle of races, and not just the huge ones where there's thousands of people so it's easy to not be last, but even the smaller ones with proper sporty people. And that's not going to happen unless I do lots of events (and gets lots of medals, which is really what it's all about, anyway.)
*Update* Just seen that Chevy has entered the Ythan Challange. Unlike last time when he massively beat me at the Moray half, I will be ready for him. Oh yeah. Motivation. Bags of it.
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Got My Bike Out!!
Been a while, I'd almost forgotten how to do it.
I had a practise at this duathlon business. I did the 14k bike then came home and ran 4k. However, it was a slow transition as I couldn't walk in my bike shoes on the ice, so I had to wear boots to the end of the lane, and then change my shoes. The floods were mad. My feet were drenched through, so when I got back I took the time to put them on the boiler and put dry socks on, before heading out for the run.
The times I did weren't appalling, but they weren't good, either. I will definitely be right down the bottom, but depending on who else is there, I may not be dead last. The duathlon has another 4k run before the bike, so I'll try adding that in next.
So last night I put my new pedals on, and took the MTB cleats that someone had put on my road shoes off, and put the cleats on that came with the pedals.
Unlike last time, when I injured both myself and the bike trying to get the pedals off, I had greased these well when I put them on, so they came off easily. I also remembered to dip the new ones in first. No swearing, no fuss. And I changed an inner tube. It was all kind of fun and got distracted and burned some jacket potatoes, but nevermind. My bike is more important.
I had a practise at this duathlon business. I did the 14k bike then came home and ran 4k. However, it was a slow transition as I couldn't walk in my bike shoes on the ice, so I had to wear boots to the end of the lane, and then change my shoes. The floods were mad. My feet were drenched through, so when I got back I took the time to put them on the boiler and put dry socks on, before heading out for the run.
The times I did weren't appalling, but they weren't good, either. I will definitely be right down the bottom, but depending on who else is there, I may not be dead last. The duathlon has another 4k run before the bike, so I'll try adding that in next.
So last night I put my new pedals on, and took the MTB cleats that someone had put on my road shoes off, and put the cleats on that came with the pedals.
Unlike last time, when I injured both myself and the bike trying to get the pedals off, I had greased these well when I put them on, so they came off easily. I also remembered to dip the new ones in first. No swearing, no fuss. And I changed an inner tube. It was all kind of fun and got distracted and burned some jacket potatoes, but nevermind. My bike is more important.
Saturday, 26 January 2013
Slippy
I did 9.3 miles (because it's equals 15k), and it was more ice skating than anything else.
The purpose of the run was to get some miles in, even if they were slow, and to practise the little things, which can turn into big things. I usually find after an hour my stomach can feel a little dodgy, so do not need that happening on a marathon. It seems that rice and bananas and me get on, as I had rice pasta for dinner last night, and a banana cut up on a couple of oatcakes before I went out, and was running for over an hour and half, with no discomfort. I shall be travelling to Edinburgh with a very select and exact bag of food for my dinner.
However, it was slow going. The road was very icy.
Very.
I started out scared and steady, at 10.30 min miles, and my quads ached from constantly pulling myself back when I slid. I averaged 10.44 by the time I finished. It wasn't freezing, the sun shone, and although I only had two thin tops on, I was boiling. I only took half a bottle of drink as it's less to carry, but as it was, I ran out of water and was gasping.
I think I'll need vest tops in the spring. I don't usually wear that kind of thing as my arms aren't as toned as I'd like. Although, maybe with all the swimming, they soon will be.
I hope if it continues to thaw a bit to get out on my road bike tomorrow, as well as a recovery run.
There is a duathlon looming that I DO NOT WANT TO DO!
I will not be ready in two weeks, and I can't afford it, and my car is in the garage, so I wheeled out these excuses (it's the Guinness burper that is pressuring me to do it) and he said he'd pay and drive (and I can 'pay for the next one'. Next one???)
There will be no plodders and people 'having a go'. I will know people there, and no offence to them, but I'd rather not have a familiar audience for my coming last humiliation. I originally agreed to do one in six weeks time, but it seems I shall have to man up and just get this done.
And my foam roller arrived. Hurts so much. And yet, afterwards, feels so good!
The spiky ball is for sitting/laying on to do trouble spots in glue ts and lower back Not comfy, but effective.
The purpose of the run was to get some miles in, even if they were slow, and to practise the little things, which can turn into big things. I usually find after an hour my stomach can feel a little dodgy, so do not need that happening on a marathon. It seems that rice and bananas and me get on, as I had rice pasta for dinner last night, and a banana cut up on a couple of oatcakes before I went out, and was running for over an hour and half, with no discomfort. I shall be travelling to Edinburgh with a very select and exact bag of food for my dinner.
However, it was slow going. The road was very icy.
Very.
I started out scared and steady, at 10.30 min miles, and my quads ached from constantly pulling myself back when I slid. I averaged 10.44 by the time I finished. It wasn't freezing, the sun shone, and although I only had two thin tops on, I was boiling. I only took half a bottle of drink as it's less to carry, but as it was, I ran out of water and was gasping.
I think I'll need vest tops in the spring. I don't usually wear that kind of thing as my arms aren't as toned as I'd like. Although, maybe with all the swimming, they soon will be.
I hope if it continues to thaw a bit to get out on my road bike tomorrow, as well as a recovery run.
There is a duathlon looming that I DO NOT WANT TO DO!
I will not be ready in two weeks, and I can't afford it, and my car is in the garage, so I wheeled out these excuses (it's the Guinness burper that is pressuring me to do it) and he said he'd pay and drive (and I can 'pay for the next one'. Next one???)
There will be no plodders and people 'having a go'. I will know people there, and no offence to them, but I'd rather not have a familiar audience for my coming last humiliation. I originally agreed to do one in six weeks time, but it seems I shall have to man up and just get this done.
And my foam roller arrived. Hurts so much. And yet, afterwards, feels so good!
The spiky ball is for sitting/laying on to do trouble spots in glue ts and lower back Not comfy, but effective.
Friday, 25 January 2013
Ythan Challenge!
Entries for this 10k obstacle course, which is in June, opened at 12 noon today.
I was at work, and sat by the slow, annoying council computer that runs on some ancient version of Internet Explorer, with the entry page open. 12 noon struck, the 'Open soon' button did not change, so I refreshed the page, and there then followed 40 minutes of a page that timed out before it managed to load.
I then got a call and had to leave that office and go to another one.
STRESS!!!
My phone beeped as I was driving, someone I know had managed to get in.
I immediately fired up yet another slow, rubbish PC, and managed to get the page to load.
I then managed to enter my details and pay, hurrah!!! I will be muddy!!
And luckily I got a commission payment this morning which covered the entry fee, so no one needs to punch me for spending. It was meant to be.
Apparently it's going to rain all weekend, so there'll be floods, but hopefully the snow will bugger off. I went out and did 2 miles at 6 am in a dark snow shower this morning, as I didn't have much time, but tomorrow will be my long run, so I wanted to get my legs moving after my rest day.
I was at work, and sat by the slow, annoying council computer that runs on some ancient version of Internet Explorer, with the entry page open. 12 noon struck, the 'Open soon' button did not change, so I refreshed the page, and there then followed 40 minutes of a page that timed out before it managed to load.
I then got a call and had to leave that office and go to another one.
STRESS!!!
My phone beeped as I was driving, someone I know had managed to get in.
I immediately fired up yet another slow, rubbish PC, and managed to get the page to load.
I then managed to enter my details and pay, hurrah!!! I will be muddy!!
And luckily I got a commission payment this morning which covered the entry fee, so no one needs to punch me for spending. It was meant to be.
Apparently it's going to rain all weekend, so there'll be floods, but hopefully the snow will bugger off. I went out and did 2 miles at 6 am in a dark snow shower this morning, as I didn't have much time, but tomorrow will be my long run, so I wanted to get my legs moving after my rest day.
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