Balancing

I'm trying to work out the balance between getting the training done, and not making my sinuses any worse.
So today I went out to see how far I could go without feeling rough, and at about 8 miles I felt a little odd, and so did 10 by the time I got home, still feeling ok-ish.

As much as finishing a marathon is about being able and used to running long distances, being generally fit is also hugely important, and so I think my cross-training is going to help me. As well as regular running, getting my legs into the running 'zone', and leaving less days between runs, even if it is just short ones.

This week is ALL about the running. I will do 8 miles tomorrow before work, and then 5 each morning the next two days, rest on Saturday and a long run on Sunday. It WILL be 20 miles at least. I will run along the railway for ten miles then turn back, so even if I have to walk a bit at the end, 20 miles will be covered by my legs. Or else.

Yay, And What??

The yay is a surprise package!
My truly lovely friend Anneke is just back from Sea Otter (a big bike festival type thing in California) and she sent me this!!!

Firstly, Tough Chik, yes! Secondly, Loki brand sticker, yes indeedy!! Thirdly, awesome t-shirt, and the bike is made out of phrases like 'I'm faster than your daddy.'

I'm going to put the stickers on my transition box, I already have a Timmy monkey from ThinkGeek and my Batman sticker. Mine will be the coolest box in transition.

The 'what?' is that when I got up I had no intention of entering the ballot for the London marathon next year, but found myself getting caught up with the excitement of all my friends entering, and so I did too. Now I really hope I get in!

Still feeling a bit weird, did half a mile in the pool with the pull buoy in, and then some sets of 50m trying to keep up that same pace. The a school came in, and I've been pushed for time all day so got out then.
I'm hoping to feel a lot better tomorrow and get a long run in. 

Bootcamp - Day 7

Urgh.

Bollocks.

I'm ill.

My sinuses are being evil, this week's has been stupid, I've not had enough sleep, and I'm so ready for a day off!

I had hoped to be home in time for a long run today, but the hire car the council gives us broke down, taking up 3 hours of my afternoon, waiting to be rescued. I went out and did 5k when I got home, but my face was throbbing and I felt awful.

So I came home, and swallowed vit Bs and C, echinacea and garlic capsules.

I doubt if I've lost much weight this week, but I'm sure I've put on more muscle, I feel stronger, and can hold positions like plank for longer than I could a week ago.

Next week will be about keeping up with the bootcamp exercises, but will clean my eating up.

Bootcamp - Day 6

I KNOW MY FEET ARE ATTACHED TO THE PEDALS.

And yet, when I got home, and the camber sloped to the left, I still took my right foot out, like I usually do,  but there was no point in it as gravity was too strong. I realised as I was falling it was my left foot I should take out if I'm leaning to the left. It was a tad late by then.

My knee is hurty and sore. However, I'm going to get a decent run in tomorrow after work, so didn't do my hard brick session today, just the bike.

My food intake today has been good, I've been blending fruit into protein shakes and will be having soup tonight.

Tomorrow is the last day of bootcamp. Although, a lot of the things I've been doing, like extra planking and press-ups, I'm going to continue doing, as well as getting back to being able to do the splits.
I saw this, and while I know it will take me more than a fortnight, I will get my splits back!

Bootcamp - Day 5

I didn't intend to have any rest days this week, but today has been stupidly busy, and my core is in less agony, so tonight I will do 100 press ups and a ton of core work, but no proper outdoor training.

Tomorrow will be a big day. I finish work at 1pm, then I will do a long brick session of a 20 mile bike and a 6 mile run. I have ordered some new smelly teas, and have been drinking lots of sparking water with lemon juice. Both teas are orange-based. There has to be a fruit influence for me to enjoy herbal/non-normal teas, otherwise they just taste like envelopes to me.

In other news, I was being an idiot and broke my toilet seat, someone in Russia is using my email account to spam people, and I was forced to interrupt a conversation between two people at work regarding the difference between ducks and seagulls, ie, there are some.
Nit-wits.

Bootcamp - Day 4

Today was all about getting stuff done. Getting miles done. Getting work loose ends sorted. Getting 100 press-ups done, which I did in 10 sets of 10, and as I was working in an office alone, many were done there. Other people get cigarette breaks. Press-up brakes are just if not more valid.

My wrist band came :) The next one I order will say 'Prepare for glory!' on the back.

I didn't start work until lunchtime, and so ran 9 miles beforehand. I have felt out of the running grove this week, but with 8 miles a couple of days ago and 3 the day after the tri, it's building up again nicely.
I'm beginning to feel some marathon fear. It's a long way. Eek.
 

Bootcamp - Day 3

Oh my arms!!

Today's project was to swim a mile with a pull buoy. Really make my arms suffer, as it makes them turn over much quicker, as they have to do all the work.
I felt fast, and was very chuffed at 41 mins, which is about 12 minutes faster than without a buoy. I actually doubted my watch for a few moments.

 I then did some lengths without it, trying to keep up the same cadence, and body position in the water. It was hard work, but I felt fast. I need to be able to do that all the time!

I had been thinking about doing my long run today, but my legs are shot, and although I'm working all weekend, I am off Monday, so shall do my 18 then, and the 20 on the following Sunday, before the taper begins.

I then when into Peterhead Morrisons (where everyone smells bad) and bought so much stuff, including four 2 litre bottles of sparking water, and then walked back to the car in full on 'farmers walk' mode, with the same pained expression as the men in the gym.

In other news, I have ordered myself a bespoke motivational wristband and according to the email I got today it has been dispatched! It says something awesome. Hope to be able to photograph it tomorrow.