Notes from the active sphere of life

2011-07-24T08:55:00.000-07:00

Triathletes from Redhill are preparing to see their chosen sport on the Olympic stage by competing in world class championships themselves.

The Redhill Cycling Club extended its reach to include a triathlon club last year and now three of its members have qualified to represent Great Britain at a national competition.

Neil Candler, Simon Baldwin and Dave Willsher will all be competing at the ITU Age Group World Championships in Beijing in September.

To do so, they had to place in the top five of qualifying races held across the country.

Candler and Willsher will also be on the start line representing Great Britain at the European
Championships held in Israel next year.

Candler, who is a 33-year-old with a strong swimming background said: “Triathlon seems to be the next big thing, it is exciting and cool. It’s something everyone can improve in, and you get to practice three different sports, there is more variety.”

The three athletes will all be sporting GBR triathlon suits and admit to planning on framing them once they’ve completed the race in Beijing.

Willsher, 40, who shares the same swimming background said: “It has always been my dream to race for my country, ever since I was little I wanted to compete in Great British colours.”

The honour doesn’t come easily and there are only 20 places available in each male and female age group.

“To compete at this level, the battle is 50-percent mental. You train for nine months of a year to race for three of them, and there are always going to be times you just don’t feel like it, but you just have to just do it,” said Candler.

He is a project manager and currently commutes to London for work, and said: “To fit the hours in, I basically just I get up really early and train in the evening, too, when my son is asleep.”

“It is a struggle, and there really is no such thing as guilt free training. You just have to make the hours you have got count.”

Until last year Redhill and Reigate had no specific triathlon club. Willsher said: “Locally, we’ve got a swimming club, a running club and a cycling club, we didn’t have a triathlon club before and having that now is a real bonus.”

He added: “Last year I just had a plain black tri suit. Racing for a club feels special,
you feel like you belong to something bigger, triathlon is a very solo sport and it adds a team aspect.”

As well as the camaraderie of a club, preparations for the Olympics have provided a spotlight on sport and given the men inspiration.

Candler said: “The Olympics will make provision and breed excitement for sport in general, and it will carry a legacy for children.”

Willsher added: “You can already feel the excitement bubbling and I just hope that it has a genuine impact upon future generations.”

They hoped that the appearance on TV would give triathlon even more or a boost in the public eye.

Candler said: “The Hyde Park course may not be the most challenging for the athletes but it will certainly give people a great view of London and its sights.”

All three have their sights set on the athletes competing. With some promising athletes in the British circuit, they hope to see the country shine.

Under the light of the inaugural torch, however, hidden cracks can show and Baldwin said:
“The Olympics often produces surprise winners where the favourite folds under the pressure.”
Candler added: “You never know who might choke, or what is going to happen. Whatever does happen though, it’s going to be exciting.”

The Age Group championships are held annually and last year, Redhill cycling club member Jill Parker also qualified and scooped the Gold medal in her 30-34 years age group.

She also raced professionally against elite athletes and said: “To race for your country is just so amazing. When racing as an elite though, everything becomes much more serious. I found with age group racing, there was more banter between athletes. To race at an elite that level it really has to be your life, you have to be completely devoted.”

Jill was competing when the Redhill club chose to delve into triathlon and she said: “I joined the club as a cycling club so I could get used to riding in a group. They supported me so much, and improved my cycling. Adrian Webb (chairman) later decided to create the triathlon side, at first I almost was the triathlon club, but Neil and Dave put a lot of work in to make it what it is.”

She now coaches part time and works as a lawyer and said: “I love coaching. At first I thought I might be jealous of my athletes, but I’m not at all – I feel so proud watching them, almost like a mother.”

Going Long

The Redhill athletes will all be competing at Sprint (750m/20k/5k) and Standard distance (1.5k/40k/10k), but these races have a longer, more arduous cousin in ‘Ironman’, or ‘full distance’.

Baldwin, who is 43 and began his adventures into triathlon in 2003 has raced around 50 triathlon events including two Ironman races, consisting of a 2.4mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26mile run.

He said: “I would say I completed rather than competed at that distance. I think the Ironman distance is the pinnacle of Triathlon in difficulty, not only do you have to complete very long training sessions to be ready, it is very mentally challenging before you even start the race, and then physically it takes a lot longer to recover.”

Of the coming games, he said: “I think Olympics is always inspiring particularly to young people, but I would like to see Ironman distance in the Olympics.

“I believe that is where some of the most incredible athletes are in Triathlon such and it would inspire and amaze many people.

“The likes of lady British Triathelete Chrissie Wellington, 3 times Ironman World Champion and World record holder are truly amazing.”

2011-02-10T01:22:00.001-08:00

After nearly a decade spent introducing mass participation racing to the developing world, Britain’s strongest marathoner of the 1990s Richard Nerurkar is whipping the Brighton Marathon into shape.

The father of two from Hangleton won the Hamburg Marathon and the IAAF World Cup Marathon in 1993 with a personal best of 2:10:57, as well as competing on the Olympic stage in the 1992 and 1996 Games.

Of his own career Richard said: “It was an honour and a thrill to compete for my country and it was wonderful to travel the world. As a high-level sports person, you get to pursue your passion as a job, but at the same time it is hard work staying at the top.”

When he retired from international competition in 2000 he, his wife, Gail, and four month old Almaz who is now 10, moved to Ethiopia. There he worked with the legend Haile Gebrselassie to introduce mass-participation running competitions to one of the poorest parts of the the developing world.

The endeavour was rewarded with an M.B.E for Services to International Athletics although Richard says that the pleasure of receiving the award was just a part of the greater satisfaction he found in seeing the project flourish on the ground.

Returning to the UK in summer 2010 was not easy, he says, and Richard still keeps in touch with the office in Ethiopia he helped to establish. Richard’s contribution to the work of the Brighton Marathon bodes well for the future of the event. He said: “Like so many running events in the UK, we’re riding a wave of popularity in these kind of events. Last year’s marathon was a great day and the people of Brighton gave lots of support. Both these things have given us a lot of confidence for future events in and around Brighton.”

Part of Richard’s work with the marathon is to attract more top British runners to run in Brighton. A recent training weekend attended by the likes of leading British marathoner Dan Robinson gave impetus to this plan, and drew positive coverage from national athletics media.

“Events like ours should also offer motivation to British runners, even if it’s now super-fast African athletes who make the headlines in the bigger international races.”

Reflecting on his life as a runner, Richard says that running has opened many doors for him, for which he feels very grateful. “Running is not just something I do, but it’s very much a part of me as a person. Yes, I still enjoy going for a run and feeling fit, but I also want to pass on what I’ve learnt and help others to enjoy the sport.”

As his competitive career came to an end, Richard wrote ‘Marathon Running: From Beginner to Elite,’ which he describes as “part memoir, part-manual”. “I wanted to put down on paper my own experiences as an elite performer while at the same time giving advice and encouragement to new runners as well as more experienced runners.”

Richard started out as a young schoolboy runner growing up in Bradford and recalls: “I was nine when I won my first race at school. I enjoyed running because I was good at it, and I was helped by having two ultra-keen schoolteachers who gave me lots of encouragement. Today young runners need that kind of encouragement – and more.”

“Joining a club isn’t a must for everybody but at a certain stage in a young athlete’s development it can play a vital role in offering good advice and guidance. For folks later in life clubs are primarily a good way to enjoy running socially and keep friendships.”

Wickers - for Sussex Sport Jan

2010-12-23T12:27:00.000-08:00

Wickers Gym Club is committed to training children in the art of gymnastics and supporting them into adulthood where they have the chance to gain qualifications and even coach.

Based in Lancing, the club now has over 300-members and will soon by moving to a larger venue to accommodate for them. Accredited both by Sport England and British Gymnastics they have been working to help young gymnasts flourish for the past 22-years.

Manager, Katy Hodgson, from Shoreham-by-Sea, opened the club when she was 16 years old. She said: “I started the club because I wanted put something back into the local community. I had been a gymnast since the age of three and there was not a local club in my area so along with a couple of friends who were also qualified coaches we decided to start the club.”

The venture was successful from the outset, as Hodgson explained: “Our first night we had three hour long sessions and 20 children attended!” Since then, expansion has been steady and Katy now employs nine qualified coaches.

The walls of the gym tell a story, with posters stating slogans such as ‘training is what we do while our opponent is sleeping’ and the buzz of enthusiasm and determination is unmistakable. However, the atmosphere remains one that promotes fun and enjoyment of physicality before pressure, and the slogans are accompanied by smiles and a cheerful team.

Lessons can begin as soon as children are able to walk. These preschool classes, which children attend with their parents, are designed to bring activity into their lives from an early age and help parents to bond with their little ones in an active environment.

“These sessions are an ideal opportunity to help children build strength, develop coordination, learn social skills and make new friends, learn valuable listening skills and follow verbal instruction, all whilst having great fun, and engaging with their parents and carers in a sporting activity.”

Giving children an opportunity to take part in classes such as these can give them a leg-up in development and a huge confidence boost. Katy said, “Gymnastics sessions will enhance co-operative play, and turn taking amongst young children who are still in their early years of social and physical development”

At around two years old children are encouraged to join independent classes. Sessions continue to push the children to develop their capabilities and the young athletes are given the chance to perform in competitions and take exams.

Fourteen year old Abigail said: “I love wickers because it is a fun place to be, I get to learn new skills, get British Gymnastics badges, and meet lots of new friends.”

Some children fall away from gymnastics as they grow and develop other interests. Others, however, stay, and these are then given the opportunity to take their learning to the next level and when they hit sixteen the Level 1 qualification allows them to become coaches, and turn their hobby into a livelihood.

The course involves three to four days practical training, and then the aspiring coaches have to complete a logbook which involves lots of practical tasks over a period of time. After a 3 month period they have a practical assessment.

With its new building and facilities, the Wickers team hope they will be able to upgrade the service they provide. With two coaches now trained in free style gymnastics, Katy is now hoping to reach a whole new audience.

Excited by the new discipline, she said: “We hope that by offering sessions in free style gymnastics the club will attract new members who are a little older and also it will encourage our older members to stay and try a new skill.”

Looking to the new year, Katy is planning to expand in 2011. Opening hours will be expanding and she plans to recruit another six members for the leadership programme and two new full-time coaches. All this, combined with the new venue means more classes, more variety and more opportunity.

“The last 22 years have been a pleasure” said Katy, “and I can only hope to continue to build the club and see more young athletes achieve their goals.”

'Busy Lizzy' - to appear in SussexSport Dec Edition

2010-11-09T04:48:00.001-08:00

Elisabeth Brama has the drive and determination of a professional athlete, though she fits her training in around the busy life of a PhD student.

In 2009 the27-year-old bulldozed through a 2.4mile swim, 112mile bike ride and 26.2mile run in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii alongside professional triathletes and came 8th in her age group despite being relatively new to the sport.

This year, she has spent her time concentrating on racing shorter distances and ranks 3rd nationally as an age-grouper and is now beginning a new off-season training plan with hopes of returning to Hawaii and becoming a professional.

Raised in Germany, she chose to study physics at Sussex University having fallen for the charm of Brighton. “I came to Brighton for two days and just thought ‘I want to live here’. I’m not sure I ever want to leave. I went out cycling on Sunday and did all the little country lanes– I know everywhere like the back of my hand, and I love it.”

Though her PhD means she can work flexible hours, and fit long runs into extended lunch breaks she said: “My work takes up a lot of my time, there are a lot of hours to fit in. I guess it comes down to making sessions count. I now train 12 hours a week and I’m racing people who could afford to manage 30. I just want to know what I can do if I train more. I want to find if I can do well enough to justify sacrificing a career in Physics to race professionally.”

With the help of coach, Bill Black, the last season has seen huge acceleration in her progress and she hopes this will continue. “I was self coached till August this year. And I took to it quite intuitively. I made mistakes but none of them drastic. Having a coach means I don’t have to think about it so much, I can just go on auto pilot – I get my plan, and do it. And I’m not alone anymore; I have someone who can help me when it’s just not working.”

It seems that the guidance of a coach is working. The season’s crowning glory took place at Hever Castle, where she raced in the elite wave and was beaten only by semi-elite athlete Jill Parker. She said: “It gave me a glimpse of what I can achieve under Bill's guidance, at that point I had been coached by him for two months and that short space of time was all it took to make things work much better already.”

Her competitive nature is a clear driving force. She said: “I wouldn’t be doing sport and racing if I wasn’t competitive. I want to win! Maybe if I was at the top of my game I might give up but at the moment there’s still so much room for improvement.”

Of Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington she said: “Chrissie is the best at what I’m doing, but I don’t really get star struck I don’t see the point in idols. Right now, Chrissie is a target!”

Lizzy began her sporting career in the swimming pool, where she trained five times a week from the age of seven. It wasn’t until she came to study at university that she chose to take up triathlon.

“When I started university the swimming club I joined had a go at a triathlon – so I did one. It was something different. I wasn’t swimming competitively and there was some frustration in that.”

In her first season it became clear she had quite a knack for the sport and managed to come first in the Steyning olympic distance triathlon, win her first prizes and see her face appear in a triathlon magazine. Her cycling and swimming were distinctive talents, but running has always been hard work and she hopes to improve over the winter.

It’s taken dedication and sacrifice for the self titled ‘busy Lizzy’ to get where she is today. It seems the work is paying off, and having got her national podium place Lizzy will be attending the British Triathlon Federation awards on 13th November.

Emma Pallant - Olympics 2012

2010-11-03T05:52:00.000-07:00

Having beaten a recurring injury Olympic hopeful Emma Pallant is back on track and setting her sights upon 2012.

The 21 year old from Hampshire trains with Aldershot Farnham and District Clubs, as well as Brunel University and has recently graduated with a degree in physiotherapy.

The past year has been difficult for Pallant. She had knee surgery in 2009 but the injury has continued to dog her progress throughout 2010. She said: “after the knee surgery I was tempted to give up. I was on pretty strong painkillers and couldn’t see myself getting back to where I was.”

She spent time in the pool, cross training to keep fit: “I love running, but when it hurt I struggled mentally. Being in a freezing cold pool at 6.30 am was hard sometimes. But that’s where Kelly (Dame Kelly Holmes) stepped in, she’s had a lot of injuries in her time and understands the frustration and that helped.”

Dame Kelly Holmes has done a lot for the young athlete, and has been mentoring her since 2005.

Giving up is hardly a genuine option. “I started running when I was so young, it would be weird if I wasn’t running. I’ve always been someone who needs to be active. There is something within me that needs to burn off energy. I do a lot of sports.”

Pallant enjoys football, swimming, badminton and hockey among a host of other sports. Running is her true love however, “Pushing your body to the max is just such an amazing feeling, I can’t describe it – that feeling you get after a really good session.”

Emma has competed consistently in cross country and track races, taking first place in two 1000m races in 2000 at the age of ten, and going on to achieve a host of first place positions in races in 2001, including the Hampshire Country Championships and the Inter County League in Kingston.

The transition to senior racing however has been hard. As a youngster taking part in under 13 and under 15 races Emma was “pretty much unbeaten.” She said: “I took racing and success for granted; when people started catching up I had a couple of years of mental struggle.”

Emma got through the rough patch however and at the age of eighteen won the World Junior Championships in the 1500m distance. Weathering the storm has made her stronger, she says: “It happens to everyone, if you ride out the rough times you get through.”

Now, leaving the under 20 age group, Emma is beginning another battle with patience to get to the top of her game. Emma said “You can be top of the top on the junior field junior but you move to senior and you’re no longer the best or the one everyone’s talking about and you have to learn to deal with it. You have to be patient which has never been my strong point.”

Dame Kelly Homles is helping her along the way with the transition. She provides her with massage and nutrition advice and a grant which keeps her a good physiotherapist, strength and conditioning coach and physiologist. Along with a sponsorship from Nike, she seems all set to blaze her way to the Olympics.

Pallants gaze is now well and truly set upon 2012. Feeling fit, she hopes to perform well, “You can’t expect to get a podium place in your first Olympics, but I want to do my best. Long term, I want to keep consistently getting into the GB squad.”

The 21 year olds determination is plain, she has a passion for her sport which is clearly helped her keep driving through her injuries. “When it comes down to it, though, I love running and I’ll do it because I love it.”

Goodwood, XC League Race1

2010-10-24T13:08:00.000-07:00

U13s-U17s

The Sussex Cross Country League began at Goodwood on Saturday and attracted a host of talented young athletes from around the county.

Whilst devoted parents shivered in the crisp October wind, their children revelled in the competition of a new season.

First off the gun were the under 13 girls. Leader, Grace Cook, 12, from Bodyworks has been keeping herself fit over summer training for triathlon. Coming back to cross country running, she said: “it was such a shock and harder than I remember.” She now has her sights set upon the Birmingham inter-county championships.

Following her was Martha Coyle, 13, from Carden Newman School who runs for Brighton and Hove. She said “I just want to do the best of my ability. Grace is really good, I’m not aiming to beat her but I’d like to try and close the gap a little bit.”

The boys were next off the mark, and Brighton and Hove dominated the podium. First, Stephen Ferroni, 12, and second Samura Kamara, also 12, were both sporting the club colours. Samura, who has only been training for five months said: “it was alright, it wasn’t super-mega-hard and there was no one next to me.”

Stephen kept in first position the whole way round, and said: “It wasn’t hard, or easy, it was somewhere in between.”

Grace Baker from Hastings Athletics club took the prize for Under 15 girls, despite saying she had been suffering with a cold all week. She was looking forward to the season ahead and pleased to be back out in the woods.

The under 15 boys were the only racers to be rained upon, with a sudden storm inhibiting them. They were led by Nick Rawbin, a triathlete from Bodyworks in his second year of cross country racing. This was his first win, a good omen he took to heart, saying: “it should be a good year.”

In second and third were Ben Collier, of Horsham Blue Star Harriers, 14, and Billy White, 13, of Phoenix. Both said the rain lost them some time, but were pleased with their places. Ben called the result: “a good start to the season.”

The under 17 girls race was won by Abigail Ashbee-Simmonds from Crawley AC powered through a hilly 5km alongside the senior and veteran women, followed by Josephine- Joy Sunderland and Lauren Bourne, both from Worthing and District Harriers.

Charlie Grice took the first prize in the under 17. He had a two week break before returning to training a month ago, and said it was his first race back so he “wasn’t expecting much.” He was followed by Ludo Goodliffe from Lewes AC and Ryan Driscoll from Tunbridge.

The first race of the league marked the beginning of the cross country season for a number of the athletes competing. Races will take place monthly in Plumpton, 27 November, Bexhill, 15th January, and Lancing 12 Febuary with familiar faces likely to be appearing across the league.

Seniors/Vets/U20

Sussex celebrated its cross country talent on Saturday as the regional Brooks Cross Country League began at Goodwood in Chichester.

Ben Warren from Hailsham took the first male prize despite an unexpected stumble on the finishing straight. He righted himself immediately and went on to a strong finish.

The race was a battle between Warren and Adam Clarke, Hastings AC. Warren said the youngster was like a “man possessed” after he led the race at the start.

Warren said he had recently taken up triathlon to keep his interest in sport fresh, and felt that the training helped him despite cutting down on his running miles to squeeze in his biking and swimming.

Clarke said: “My training has been solid and is going well. I haven’t tapered at all, but so far I’m going strong.

Holly Wheeler of Hastings AC took first female position. She re-joined the running world in 2008 after completing a degree which she did part-time alongside her work.
Wheeler said her running had been “on and off” and her father explained that she had maintained her fitness through travelling and being active in her life.

Gloriously down to earth she said: “It was painful but enjoyable. Some runs are just painful, but I enjoyed that.” She called the sharp downhill in the course an ‘ankle breaker.’

Behind her were Amelia Jobling, a pentathelete also from Hastings AC, and Fiona Powell from Brighton and Hove.

Brighton and Hove produced the best veterans with Sarah Coope taking first female and David Benton, a former elite GB duathlete from Brighton and Hove coming eighth overall and first male veteran. He’s been keeping his legs strong competing in duathlons and a few triathlons over summer, and enjoyed the climbs of the course though he said it was “a bit twisty” at parts.

Supporters and runners a like filled Goodwood field this weekend, and it was a promising start for the cross country season.

Rugby boys do some training, for once ;-)

2010-10-16T01:56:00.000-07:00

The Sussex University men’s rugby team embarked on a 24 hour row that ran overnight from midday Thursday to raise money for Cancer Research.

The sporting effort was organised by John Behan and Guy Turok. They hope to raise money through an internet sponsorship page and a raffle.

The team chose the charity because they decided that a national organisation would be most appropriate for a student effort. John said: “People at university come from all over the country, but everybody knows Cancer Research and the work they do.”

As well as collecting some impressively tempting raffle prizes, the boys also set up a marquee and had laptops available so that passers-by could give money at the tap of a button. They also gave out free drinks having gained support from drinks retailer Red Bull.

The star raffle prize is a ticket for ten people to see London Saracens Rugby club at Wembley. Other locally funded prizes include two bikes donated by Belushi’s of Brighton, a one month free membership at LA Fitness and a variety of meals at local restaurants.

The raffle will run throughout the week, and tickets will be on sale for £1 in the students' union bar, at Falmer House.

John, who took on the first of many rowing shifts, said: “Support has just snowballed, local companies have given us some great prizes.”

Each team member took on several sessions of twenty minutes to fill the 24 hours. Asked if he was nervous about his performance, John said: “Yes, but I’ve been more nervous about the organisation of the event. I’ve been losing sleep over it.”

One rower, Harry Munro said: “It will be hard work; we’re rowing on the highest level of resistance.” His team mate, Tom Nadin added that it was like “rowing through concrete.”

With the event taking place in Library Square, at the centre of the university, the boys received plenty of student encouragement. No doubt, after 24 hours of rowing shifts, the lads needed some cheer.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the team can do so at www.justgiving.com/SussexRugbycharityrow

Tenacity and determination..

2010-10-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

A Sussex Paratriathlete who has defeated opposition and won the right to take part in cross country races has now set his sights upon the Olympics.

Paul Thomas, a 49 year old lecturer at Plumpton College has gained two bronzes and a gold medal for Great Britain this year.

Paul suffers from Clauda Equina Syndrome. The condition affects his spinal cord and weakens the strength in his muscles, making some movements painful. In order to overcome his disability Paul uses poles to aid his running.

Paul has come across opposition when trying to take part in cross country races as organisers have claimed that his poles may become a health and safety risk.

Last year he was banned from three races and disqualified from another for using ‘technical aids.’ This year Paul has faced further issues but has continued to fight for the recognition of disabled athletes.

Paul said "It is health and safety gone mad, organisers should be looking at ability not disability.”

Nigel Herron, one of Paul’s coaches from Phoenix Athletics and Triathlon Club, Brighton, added: "Paul poses no more risk to himself or others than I, or any other athlete."

Paul has fought fiercely for the right to race in and has already completed two races which he was initially banned from this year.
Organisers of the Goodwood Relays and Haywards Heath Open Cross Country races told Paul he could not take part in their events upon his first request but his tenacity won them over.

Paul said: "Telling me that I may be a danger is against the Disability Discrimination Act. Organisers have to prove that I am more of a danger than anyone else to prevent me from running."

Paul has been in contact with England Athletics who are now working to improve their inclusion policy. Elspeth Turner, Club and Coach Support Officer at England Athletics said: “We have developed an Inclusion Policy and a Guidance document for Race Organisers which clearly state that England Athletics are focused on inclusion.”

England Athletics will now “seek to ensure that we comply with the Equality Act 2010 and that we encourage our affiliated members to do so.”

The documents are currently being drafted but the overall aim is to ensure that “athletes with disabilities can participate as fully as possible within athletics events.”

Having made huge progress for disabled athletes across the country Paul is also hoping to see progress for Paratriathlon as a nationally recognised sport.
Paratriathlon is being considered for inclusion in the 2016 Parolympics which will be held in Rio. The International Parolympic Committee (IPC) are due to announce their decision in December this year.

The IPC’s decision, if it is made in favour of Paratriathlon, will give Paul a huge incentive and provide him with much more funding.

It took Paul eight years to recover from the initial trauma of his diagnosis. His motto, ‘disabled, but able to do triathlon’ is an inspiration to many and he hopes that more recognition will help to motivate more people.

Paul’s achievements were recognised by England Athletics when he was awarded the South East Region Services to Disability Athletics Award. He is now due to be considered for the national award within the category for his commitment and ongoing dedication. Paul’s website can be found at www.disabledathlete.co.uk.

Diary of a sober student

2010-10-11T01:08:00.000-07:00

A little deviation from the theme- but this shall be my first published feature in the Argus - page 8, Oct 12th - watch this space :-)

As a student town Brighton has seen its fair share of binge drinking crises and residents are no doubt used to scenes of excess in their streets.

With another freshers week, fuelled by £1.50 drinks and 80p shots just passed, there is no doubt that halls and student houses will be filled with bleary eyed youngsters soothing sore heads and recuperating.

Binge drinking in universities gets enough media coverage to fill the inches of magazines and newspapers nationwide, but there is another breed hiding amongst the crowds: the sober student.

As a recent graduate, I hope to have left behind the glitzy world of neon-blue liquid and drunken barefoot walks home. This is not because I didn’t enjoy the freedom of flexible ‘working’ hours and lack of responsibility, but because existing as a student in a binge drinking culture is difficult when alcohol is not on your list of essential tools for a good night out.

I began my university career as might any other, drinking because suddenly I could. I was surrounded by a host of strangers I wanted to get to know and my inhibitions were too great to do so without a bit of liquid courage. The pattern of drinking, recovering and drinking again was considered the norm.

The idea that this behaviour was entirely expected was probably helped by the masses of flyers and promotions which were deposited through the letterbox daily, advertising the best, most inexpensive clubs and the cheapest drinks.

Getting a bit sloshed on a night out was a laugh, but as the time ticked by, and my third and final year approached, my relationship with the bottle turned sour.

I can’t pinpoint the exact moment alcohol and I decided to call it a day. Perhaps it happened as I watched others incapable of putting one foot in front of the other, or maybe it was the cringe worthy conversations with taxi drivers as I tried to convince them none of my entourage would leave their dinner on his back seat.

A few sober nights out revealed to me the extent to which drinking has become an innate part of socialising. After learning to decline a drink, I became aware how alienating it is to be the token tee-total.

The typical student night begins with ‘pre-drinks,’ a few cheap bottles of vodka poured 50/50 with some supermarket own brand cola. Drinks here are hard to dodge, because the purpose the gathering is to get as much volatile liquid down your throat as possible to avoid buying drinks elsewhere.

The tightrope walk of the sober student is made even more difficult by the unavoidable inclusion of drinking games. Sticking to the lemonade here is seen as the ultimate betrayal of trust, and this is where most sober students are forced to give in.

Once the bottles are drained and the off-licence has closed, the procession of taxis is called and groups stumble into cars, or, failing a willing cash donor, the group will make their way to the bus stop.

Arriving at a club was always the time at which my night turned round. I get my kicks from dancing, singing and letting caution fly to the wind. The entire pre-drinking fiasco would blur to insignificance, and with half the group dancing and half running relays between dance floor and the bar, it was easy for people to forget that I wasn’t drunk.

As 2am approached, my sober legs would begin to slow and my bed always seemed like a sensible destination. Not so, it would seem, for the clobbered contingent, who would rather stay out until the sun began to peak. Staying out seems almost an impossible task as 3am and 4am pass the sober student by, yet leaving early brings the dilemma of further alienation.

There will always be, within any society, those who live to excess and drink beyond reason. The problem in student land is that for those who would rather refrain, socialising is a minefield of embarrassment and isolation.

It is likely that within the groups of excitable freshers, and seasoned third years, there are those who would truly rather enjoy life a little more sober. Individual students aren’t to blame for the displays of drunkenness we see every night, it is the culture they meet when they first unpack their bags.

The media portrays the image of the sloshed students, and clubs advertise themselves as venues for drunken hedonism. A club can be enjoyed without a drink in hand, and those in charge of running them seem to have lost sight of that.

With free shots on the door, it is almost impossible to see past the hazy drunken stupor, and until that changes, the sober student will likely find themselves looking on with confusion, and thinking how lovely it would be just to go to the beach and chill with a (singular) beer.

"Health and safety gone mad."

2010-10-05T05:15:00.001-07:00

A Sussex Paratriathlete who has represented Great Britain in world class events is furious after being banned from taking part in races accross Sussex amid health and safety concerns.

Paul Thomas, a 49 year old lecturer at Plumpton College, suffers from Clauda Equina Syndrome, a condition which affects the spinal cord. He uses poles to aid his running, which organisers claim make him an impediment to others. Thomas said "It is health and safety gone mad, organisers should be looking at ability not disability.”

Thomas has been told he will not be allowed to take part in the Haywards Heath Harriers Open Cross Country Races in Hickstead on Sunday 10 October. A representative of Haywards Heath Harriers, who did not want to give his name, said "We don't want to withdraw the opportunity for anyone who can race safely to do so, but the narrow paths and muddy tracks that the course incorporates are not suitable for someone with Paul's disability. We are also concerned that he may be a danger to other athletes if they try to overtake him."

He added that the England Athletics association say that the decision remains with the race director.

He believed that the organisers would find themselves under threat of legal action if Paul, or any athlete, were involved in an accident. Recent rainy weather has been a factor involved in the decision.

Paul has said: "They can only stop someone from racing only if they can justify it. They do not know my disability. Telling me that I may be a danger is against the Disability Discrimination Act. They have to prove that I am more of a danger than anyone else to prevent me from running."

Nigel Herron, a choach from Phoenix Athletics and Triathlon Club, Brighton, added: "The league's website advertises itself, 'to promote fun running for everyone, regardless of ability.' So really organisers dont have a leg to stand on. Paul poses no more risk to himself or others than I, or any other athlete."

Last year, Thomas was banned from three races for similar reasons. He appealed a ban which prevented him taking part in the Goodwood Relay races in Chichester in 2009, on the grounds that organisers were breaching the Disability Discrimination Act. On Saturday 2 October 2010 he competed in the race safely.

The races Paul enters, or has tried to enter, have been organised by different bodies within the Sussex Athletics Association, and the decision over whether or not he can race depends upon the committee in charge of each event.

He said: “Sussex AA are starting to get to grips with becoming inclusive, but they still have a long way to go.”

Despite the issues Thomas has faced, he has been awarded the South East Region Services to Disability Athletics Award by England Athletics. He is now due to be considered for the national award within the category for his commitment and ongoing dedication.

Celtic Tri-out some glamour modelling...

2010-09-29T13:08:00.001-07:00

An old idea has been given a new, triathlon flavoured twist by the ever growing ‘Celtic Tri’ club, in Swansea.

For its fifth anniversary, the club of around 130-members will be releasing a naughty but nice, nude calendar.

The 2011 calendar will be unveiled in September 2010, in time for the annual Neath Valley Triathlon race, which takes place on September 12th this year.

A post-event gathering saw the dawning of the idea. Welfare officer Karen Warren wondered if the Celtic Tri club symbol could be formed into a bikini shaped contraption, for the women of the club.

This idea gave rise to a further light bulb moment, and the calendar was born. Local rugby clubs have got their kit off to raise funds, as did the Women’s Institute in their famous undressed calendar - so why not triathletes?

Each month will have a different sponsor, whose products will be used to preserve the modesty of the nude swimmers, bikers and runners.

Triathete’s World is honoured to be the official sponsor for June. The picture features three women, just back from their run, and chilling out with a copy of TW as they relax on a canopy swing.

The birthday suit runners are Lisa Kethro, 41, Sarah Waite, 31, Julie Noble, 45. “I felt nervous before the shoot, and kept thinking of ways to get out of it”, Sarah told us, “but it was such a good laugh, and actually, we all felt really liberated afterwards.”

Local triathlon stores will also be given a stack of the yearly planners to sell. It doesn’t stop there though. Karen told us all about the plans for the calendar.

“We have a contact with a supplier for calendar stores over the country, so hopefully we can stock some nationally. We hope to sell around 500-calendars, at about £7.50 each”.

The calendar isn’t just about raising money, to keep up and improve the great service the club is already able to provide.

“We wanted to show that triathlon doesn’t have to be all hard work and competition. It is a fun sport, that anyone can have a go out, and we really wanted people to see that.”

The calendar features forty-five male and female members, ranging from their twenties to their sixties. Club support for the calendar was resounding. “Obviously, not everyone was comfortable to be photographed, but nearly half the club were happy to get their kit off to pose.”

“Like in the film ‘Calendar Girls’, we had a male photographer, but I was present for every shoot to make sure everyone was happy and the pictures were modest”. Sarah gave us the inside view, saying “the photographer and Karen were really professional and supportive. They really put us at ease.”

Some are competitive triathletes, whilst others are new to the sport, or even preparing for their first race. The Neath Valley 2010 race that the club put on annually will be a first for some of the models. “It’s a sprint distance. Some people really race it, but some use it as their first triathlon, to get them used to the whole idea of competing”.

Celtic Tri is a club known for giving back to the community. “There are a lot of impoverished areas locally to us, so we provide leisure and entertainment in the community.”

“When the club first started, most of the members were men. A lot of women are more body conscious, and don’t think they can take part in triathlon. This is changing, gradually, but we are still trying to encourage more women to join the club.”

“We want to encourage more novices to test the waters. Loads of people see triathlon as a really expensive hobby. Of course it can be, but it doesn’t have to be. It is an event that’s great for children, too. All they need is a pair of goggles, a bike, which most already have, and a pair of trainers.”

“Triathlon has often been seen as a sport for fit, skinny, or muscular people. Our calendar shows that it’s for all people, young and old, whatever their size or age”.

Celtic Tri are always keen to encourage people to embark on a triathlon adventure. With novice running sessions, and a beginner’s lane in their swim club, they do what they can to accommodate for everyone.

Hopefully, the money raised by the calendar will allow them to organise more for their members. “We put on the annual triathlon, as well as a winter duathlon series. We’d really like to add some aquathlons too.”

“The money we raise from the calendar will be ring-fenced, so we can make sure it doesn’t just dribble away. As we have sponsors for the production, all the profit will go straight back into the club, and as a result, back into the community.”

“We’d like to start proper open water swimming sessions for the juniors at a local lake. Open water swimming is something juniors don’t get much of an opportunity to take part in. Sessions will be properly monitored, with recovery boats, so that they can practice safely”.

Though, currently, the calendar promises to be a one-off production, the club aren’t stopping there. “The next idea in the pipeline is a fitness DVD. We want to show our members, giving information on stretches and nutrition, as well as workouts.”

With a calendar almost under their (tri) belt, and a DVD in the pipeline, it seems Celtic Tri are well on their way to success. An ever growing and evolving club, it has already done great things for its members, and the community. We don’t believe for a second this is the last we’ll hear of them.

Wetsuit Care..

2010-09-29T02:42:00.000-07:00

Got this published here:
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/triathlete/triathlon-gear/wetsuit-care-101/5577.html

Didn't look at all like this when I sent it to the sub, but that's life!

Parolympic Dreams

2010-09-25T02:08:00.000-07:00

This is still in developing stage. But.. a new blog I do need...

Sussex has been hiding two world class paratriathletes who are now seeking ultimate recognition on the Olympic stage.

Faye McClelland, 30, and Paul Thomas, 49, both members of Brighton Phoenix Athletics and Triathlon Club, have consistently won medals for Great Britain since taking up the sport in 2008.

The energetic duo have jointly set competing in the Parolympics as their greatest goal. Their future will be decided in December, by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The sport is one of seven to be reviewed for inclusion in the 2016 games and only one will be chosen.

McClelland, from Lewes, races under the arm impairment category. After an inspiring season of racing, she was named the World Champion this year, annihilating competition on the international.

Faye took up triathlon seriously after she returned from a travelling expedition, having decided to end her career as a fitness instructor. She called herself “lucky”. Being born with one hand means she has not been forced to adapt to a disability, as she points out other team members have had to do.

Thomas is an ex-army man who lives in Seaford. He has two children, and lectures in Equine Studies at Plumpton College. The college have provided him with a huge amount of support in his sporting career. He suffers from a painful condition which affects the spinal cord, called Cauda Equina. He has gained two bronzes and a gold medal for GB this year.

The condition weakens the strength in his muscles, making some movements painful, and causing him frustration when messages from his brain to his limbs are sometimes ineffective.

The IPC’s decision, if it is made in favour of Paratriathlon, will give the athletes a huge incentive and provide them with much more funding.

“We’re all very passionate and driven in the GB squad anyway, but it would be nice to be recognised at the Olympics, and would mean a lot more funding,” explains Faye. As a student, studying Physiotherapy with Brighton University on the Eastbourne campus, she said she found it a “struggle” to afford to compete in the sport.

Faye said, “triathlon is developing very rapidly, but it is still in the early stages. We (the GB squad) are the guinea pigs for coming generations.”

Still a fairly unrepresented sport, triathlon struggles to bring in large crowds of viewers so funding can be hard. More recognition will bring with it competition which will help the sport build a stronger viewer base.

McClelland explained, “I’ve approached local companies but no one has been able to give me much funding.”

The talented hopefuls have received some help along the way. ‘Wave’ leisure allows them to use their facilities free of charge, and Paul has sponsorship from ‘Leki’ who provide his running poles. Since being selected for the GB squad, Faye now also gains coaching by elite trainer Glen Cook.

The year’s success has brought a surge of confidence for Thomas and McClelland.

It took Thomas eight years to recover from the initial trauma of his diagnosis, but his tenacity and determination now provide an inspiration for other disabled and able bodied athletes. When asked how it felt to race in Great British style, he said simply: “lovely.” Having ridden competitivly before his illness, Paul also plays table tennis nationally and has plans to learn to ski.

After her truly astonishing performance this year, McClelland says she has finally gained self belief.

“I still lack confidence, but the year has shown me I have real potential, which I have yet to reach.”

If the IPC decide in favour of paratriathlon, no doubt she will have every opportunity to achieve far beyond expectation

Finance..

2010-09-21T23:32:00.000-07:00

Phillips Idowu, the champion British triple jumper, will not be getting his champion legs into gear for the Commonwealth Games, after inspectiors deemed the althletes housing quarters 'uninhabitable'.

The games, which will be held in Delhi, in India, are due to start on 3rd October. Inspectors who viewed the housing blocks were said to have been 'shocked' by the condition in which the worlds leading athletics champions were expected to stay.

To add to the steadily increasing concern, news of a falling bridge within the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where events will take place, told of 23 injured construction workers.

Idowu, the eccentric show pony of the events (last seen with a bright red crop, but who know's what he's styling now?!) told his fans on Twitter: 'Sorry people, but I have children to think about. My safety is more important to them than a medal.'

The medal was important to him. His first Gold medal was won in the 2006 Commonwealth Games, so no doubt it is an event close to his heart.

The news comes not long after the defiant move made by Usain Bolt to refrain from all British events until the 2012 Olympics, due to tax laws which would make his competing a financial loss. (The only winner here, of course, is Tyson Gay, but I suppose he deserves it..)

It might be tempting to feel a pang of sympathy for poor Bolt, until we are informed he recently signed a multi-million sponsorship deal to wear a free pair of (Puma) shoes.

So I ask, are we mistreating our athlete's, or do our athlete's ask too much? Everybody on the media-reaching planet knows about the insane financial gluttony of football players and their many mistresses. But what about the big guys, the statues of athletic performance?

Chrissie Wellington recently published an article in 220Tri, in respectful protest of the new World Triathlon Corporation rules. Among other concerns, she listed race fees as an issue. With athletes paying a $750 year licensing fee, or a $500 race-day fee, alongside huge, and ever increasing, race fees, the concern seems inderstandable.

When it comes down to it, athletic endevours are very rarely about money. Swanky cars, amazing accomodation, shiny shoes are not what athletes should be seeking.

Safety, of course, is paramount. As is an acceptable, livable upon wage. Athlete's need to be paid a fair amount, enough to cover the physical and emotional stress that dedication to sport demands. They also need to be provided with a decent place to lay their championship body the night before an event. But with the safety box ticked, competing needs to be about passion, not fashion.

(Own training..
Sat - Rest =D
Sun - To Ditchling, Beacon Hill x 4, back, 5 sprint laps at Preston Park + spin
Mon - AM: 60min run, PM: gym
Tues - AM: 1x1.5k swim, 8x100m, PM: Turbo: 8x1min hard, 4x2min, 1x4min (1min rec))

Down the Downs..

2010-09-17T00:45:00.000-07:00

Mon - 70min run
Tues - Gym 'induction', 2.5k swim (1x1.5k, 10x100m)
Wed - 30min jog, + 12x400m track session
Thur - AM 80min turbo (5+10min intervals), PM: Club Run (6.7miles, hilly)
Fri - AM Gym, PM Club Swim

This week began rather begrudgingly, I felt a little tired and not so willing. However, I took it easy, and by Tuesday all felt well again.

Gym induction taught me that I should not be squatting with weight, because at the moment I need to work on 'firing my glutes' effectively. That's a bit of a giggle to say. Anyway, long and short of it is that I shall be doing lots of one legged actions that make me look like a baby giraffe taking it's first steps.

Club run last night was really enjoyable. Except for one beast of a hill, which I certainly didn't take much pleasure in! Still, it was good to get chatting to a few other members. The group was generally much faster than me, so their 'conversational' pace was my 'huffing and puffing' pace for a couple of sections, but I figure there's no harm in pushing myself a little harder until I catch up (I say this like it's simple... haha).

The run took us ac cross the Sussex Downs, from Falmer. I was really struck by what a beautiful area we live in. I often take it for granted, stick to the same 'safe' paths that I know, and have learnt to love. It felt great to be in the middle of these endlessly stretching fields, but secure in the knowledge that the leader of the pack knew where we were going!

Really knowing the countryside around you, where all the paths lead to, and where all the hills are, is a real asset. Hopefully, i'll have the chance to stay in Sussex for a good few years, and one day be able to map the downs on the palm of my hand. Until then, a Phoenix vest seems like a good guide to follow!

Consistency vs Monotony

2010-09-10T16:37:00.001-07:00

This morning, I pottered to the gym for a very short weights session. Following Thursdays long ride, and with Friday evening swim to look forward to, I wanted to retain my energy. According to the 'new schedule', Friday AM is designed to be very, very easy - more an opportunity to share a painful date with the foam roller than anything else.

Imagine the indecision I was faced with when I discovered that 'The Gym' were holding a 'Super Sprint Indoor Triathlon.'

Considering I was still wearing a tri-themed t-shirt (one of thise large cotton, generally useless ones that I thought would be ok for a bit of gentle strength work..), I couldn't really wimp out and decline to enter. With the closing date looming on Sunday, and the knowledge that I was to be away for the weekend, i'm afraid I just had to have a go.

The challenge was really very short, but over this short distance, I managed to sweat a good few buckets. On tired legs, I got a nice time, and had a good chat with some of the people who work there.

And, I still got through swimming tonight. Arguably, maybe a little more slowly than I might have if I had saved a little more energy, but that's hardly the end of the world.

My thinking is, a schedule is good. Certain aspects should never be ignored, eg. running hard two days in a row. This leads to injury. Other aspects can be chopped and changed around.

Consistency is one of the keys to success. But consistency is most likely to be broken when monotomy takes over and intrest is lost. Once again, it seems, it's all about a little bit of comprimise. That and knowing what's sensible.

Nibblets..

2010-09-09T23:28:00.000-07:00

On a different note: Nutrition. A topic I rarely approach, because i'm generally fairly content with mine.

However, it has come to my attention that I can quite merrily chomp through at least three or four apples, two or three bananas, and maybe an orange in a day. Add to that that in the last 2 days i've eaten a good 1500 calories of dried fruit... that's a fair amount of fruit.

When I go home to stay with my parents, I actually get a little self conscious about the amount I go through. (To be fair, that does not only apply to fruit. Also, cereal, yoghurt, tuna... )

Generally, I like to ignore calorie counting, and pay little attention to the myriad of studies that showed blah had blah effect on a small handfull of individuals from Zanzibar. My mother always said 'all things in moderation', and I agree. But it is undeniable that fruit has high sugar content. The problem is, I tend to eat fruit to fill the gaps between meals, and generally only when I am genuinly hungry. So either...
1) I will need to find a new gap-filler,
2) I need to eat larger meals.
3) That is a perfectly acceptable amount of fruit to eat and I should just get on with it.

Answers on a postcard.

Losing my Ditchling Beacon 'V' Plates (the right way round..)

2010-09-09T14:13:00.000-07:00

Went for a great ride today. Reversed last weeks route so that I went from Brighton to Ditchling, up Beacon Hill (then down. then up. then down. and up again), along the (beautiful, and wonderfully fast) road to Hollingbury, back to Brighton, to Rottingdean, up to Woodingdean and then down Bear road and home again (to anyone who does not know Brighton: a hillyish, very pretty 55km with plenty of flat stretches and downhill bits chucked in too.)

I did have my first 'clipped in wobble' at a set of traffic lights. I pulled up next to a car, which had a trailer attached to it. The lights were orange, so I assumed I could balance a few seconds, and then set off without stopping. Overconfidence is a horrible thing. Obviously, I had not considered that when the car moved, the trailer would swing my way, and I would have to make a very quick exit. I did a great little tumble, and looked extra manic cycling up and down the Beacon with a nice trail of blood down my left leg.. Bike is ok though, as am I, so lesson learnt.

I love being out on the bike. Quite possibly, it's fast overtaking running as my favourite discipline. There is something liberating about taking a bike out, going far away from the city, and all that that entails, and absolutely escaping.

Overall, pretty happy with the day. I had planned a 20/30min recovery jog this evening, but the headphone-lending housemate offered the pub as an alternative. Two g+t's later and I think I made the right choice :-)

HappyHappy

2010-09-08T09:05:00.000-07:00

Tues - 3k swim (500m drills, 1x750 (this was initially the 1500, but I really had to get out to pee..!), 1x1500, 100s and 50s)
Wed - 5k Track (400s and 600s), 30min run

Feeling pretty damn good today.
My swim yesterday felt pretty great too. I've been toying with adding to the distance for a while. Swim sessions always used to be 2k, but lately I found myself feeling like i'd done hardly anything by the end. I dabbled with 2.5k a few times, and have finally decdied that Tuesday swim might as well be a 3k. The last 100s and 50s got a bit broken up as the pool space became a little more restricted (ahem. Restraining myself from bitchy comments about annoying people. See previous rant..) but it was really all about getting in some good longer distance swims.

The track session i've been going to is made up of male vets, all of whom are faster than me. However, unlike my last (poor fated..) attempt at track sessions, I genuinely look forward to this one. I've been three weeks in a row now, and so hopefully I will actually keep it up.

I think it has a lot to to with the people at the session. I don't feel intimidated because I already know they're faster than me, so to be honest, as long as I keep up my pace, i'm happy. Absolutely destroying myself keeping pace with people who are just a little bit faster than me might have given me a short term speed boost, but it certainly didn't pay out in the long run! (literally..) Working to your absolute limit is certainly a way to improve, and as I get more confident, i'll maybe start to push it more. Right now, I just want to make sure I stay out the way of the physio..

After all, we're all just here to enjoy a hobby.. (yea, right..)

2010-09-07T02:29:00.000-07:00

Michelle Arthurs
00:10:05 (400m)
00:01:56
00:36:38 (18.5k)
00:01:09
00:18:07 (3.8k)

Overall:
01:07:57

Poor swim time, obviously, but not so poor for a first mass start. Overall, pretty happy :-)

Negativity?

2010-09-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

Mon: 8k run, 2k elliptical, squats/lunges/arms/planks (For ages. Back in Farnham = gym tourism)
Tues: 2.5k swim. Back to Brighton!
Wed: 5k track session (6x800, 90 sec recovery. I jogged rep 4, in the intrest if finishing the session. :-( ), 20min PP bike - New Pedals!!
Thurs: 40k ride (along the beacon, to ditchling, back to Bton. Needs to be done in reverse next time), 30min sea swim, 20min run
Fri: AM: gym weights, 10min row, PM: Club swim session (Went well, but ate too much before again - felt very close to vomit on a couple of sprint laps..!)
Sat: Resstt
Sun: Southwater Race (500/18.5/3.8)
Mon: 80min run (meant to be 60. Very bad.. but went up to Beacon, to Stanmer, and it was pretty.), pm: 10min row, 30min weights

It was 'long run' day today. Due to my not having any sort of music playing device at the moment (I need new headphones, and i'm far too stingy/lazy to get them),long run and 'long thinking session' are quite synonymous.

All was going fairly well (except for a minor confrontation with an old lady walking three dogs, none of which she was capable of controlling), until the thoughts began tipping from good, to so-so, to pretty negative.

It occur ed to me that there are an awful lot of really good athletes around, and most have them have been training for a very long time, and are, quite simply, very very fast. My running became more of a slightly depressed plod, and I began to wonder why I really bothered training anyway.

I have devoted a lot of time to training these last few months: to thinking about it, writing about it, recovering from it, and sometimes actually doing it. Only a year ago I was running about twenty minutes a day, and patting myself on the back for it (oh.. the innocence..) I wondered if all this training has actually done me any good. I wondered if there was any point in it at all.

Negative thoughts like this can put a real suffocating blanket over progress. Yes, of course there are a lot of amazing triathletes, and it usually takes a lifetime to get that good. That doesn't stop the rest of us having a little go, and bettering ourselves in the process.

Taking up a sport isn't about being the best, it's about being the best you can be, and having a good time doing it.

Two years ago, I went for a run and I couldn't get 500 metres without having to stop, and I never thought I would be able to run a race.

One year ago, I did my first 5k. And loved it.

Christmas 2009, I couldn't swim with my head under the water, and I couldn't do more than a few laps. My 400m swim time now stands at about 7.30.

When I started training for Mid Sussex, I wasn't sure I could get through 400/23/5. This season I did it three times, with a few more on the side.

So no, these aren't amazing achievements, but each one has seen me smash a new glass ceiling.

Basically, constantly comparing myself to others is only ever going to lead to a total lack of motivation. Comparing myself with myself is probably a good place to start.

Negativity is a hugely self limiting emotion, that we're probably all a bit better off without.

(ps. new housemate has lent me headphones... so expect less thought and more jiving!)

Southwater Relay

2010-09-06T06:20:00.000-07:00

Still waiting on times for this race, but what I can say is that it felt pretty damn good and I had a fantastic time.

Southwater Country Park bristled with friendly competition, as members from different clubs assembled and racked their bikes. By friendly competition, I mean something similar to that sibling rivalry, the type which surges with undercurrents of: "I know we've got a lot in common, but right now I really want to kick your ass". Good times =D

This was my first open water swim. I would have felt nervous, but I was too busy giggling away with the blokes in front of me and to my left:
"I'd like everyone to be aware that i'm peeing right now"
"Damn, you beat me, I was just about to"
Silence
"Did it. Oooh, that's better."
A great start..

I felt a few waves of panic as the thrashing arms sped off, and I pictured the mass starts i'd seen on TV. I had a few moments of bewildered, slightly frantic water treading, and i'm sure that this was far from my best 400m swim time, but the sense of achievement I felt as I charged to transition was enough for me.

This was also another first: first race with clipped in shoes on the bike. Thankfully, the practice I had manage to get in (4 days, mainly commuting, and only one long ride..) seemed to have done the trick and I didn't have any problems.

The run was two laps, starting with an uphill section. Unlike my previous races, I didn't feel too tired from the bike leg, and I actually really enjoyed the run. Maybe because it was short, maybe because I was in a good mood, or maybe (as Harry likes to believe..) because I had been taken out for dinner the night before, and so woke up fueled and ready to go. Regardless, I handed my chip to my team mate, stumbled out of the final area, and joined the crowds to watch the next leg begin..

Ringmer Community Tri

2010-08-27T01:12:00.000-07:00

Michelle Arthurs 1:30:16 (11:27/48:26/30:23)
12th female out of about 50. First female did 1hr19. Seemed like a pretty competitive crowd, so pleased with my place.

The night before race day, I poked my head out the window, and couldn't help but notice it was raining, a lot. "Bugger" I thought to myself.

Woke up about 5/6 am and the torrential pee from the sky was still pouring down on us. With my kit bag sitting expectantly next to the door, and my shiny-just-cleaned-bike waiting next to it, I decided there was a first time for everything - and this would be my first 'race in the rain'.

Racking the bike was a bit strange, as the positions weren't numbered, so placed mine next to an easy to spot yellow and blue vehicle, in the hope it's owner might not have collected it before my T1.

I was a bit concerned pre-swim becuase i'd not been in a pool for a couple of weeks (oops!). After jumping in too early, and being asked to get out again.. , when I did start the swim felt fine. I let one woman overtake me, and swam at a pace I was happy with, then got irritated when I wanted to speed up at the end and the lane was full of people who seemed to have slowed down. Decided not to let frustration get the better of me, jumped out the pool and ran to find my bike.

The bike route was pretty nice, the odd hillock but nothing to strike any fear, and not so flat I could relax. It was my first time using my shiny new bike computor. Maybe if i'd used it at least once before, i'd know what to aim for.. but as this wasn't the case, I just tried to make sure I kept the speed pretty consistent, which I think I did. I saw the cool black 'Lawless' suit speed past me at one point, as well as Nigel's pointy helmet!

Once again, i'm pretty disappointed with my run. I think brick sessions have been lacking, so that's next seassons goal. Also, maybe run training has suffered a lot with the introduction of swimming and biking this summer. Regardless, as winter approaches (i'm sorry to say it, but it's true!), focus will be switching to running, so hopefully I can sort myself out.

Overall, a good race. It was my longest yet (no sniggering!) and I felt pretty wiped out afterwards, which I was pleased about becuase it meant i'd put all the energy I had into the race.

This was my second G.P. event this year, both of which have had a lovely community vibe, with lots of repeat offenders and faces I hope to see again next year!

Ready, Steady... Time.

2010-08-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Mon- 2k swim, gym - run, squats, deadlifts, arm free weights
Tues- 60km bike
Wed- Track session, 4x300,400,500 + 30min steady
Thur- 6x1k reps + 3k jog, lunges, arm free weights, 40min Ditchling Hill Loop

I am working on making notable improvements.
"Has that not always been the intention, Michelle?" I hear you ask.
Well, yes, it has - but amongst 40min runs and 40 min rides and 2k swims, I have very little I can actually record and improve upon.
Yes, I am aware of my average, good and bad 200m swim times, and I keep an eye on my splits while I swim, and the same with running and biking. However, I rarely expect myself to actually improve. As long as my times remain on the 'good' side of average, I tend to accept this and continue in the same way.

The best way I can think to move forward is by doing regular checks, and having goals. Friday swim training has a monthly time trial, but as I dont show my face every week, I don't always get to see my time drop. Thus far, running and biking have been barely recorded.

So : Goal time.

Firstly, if I don't make the club time trials, I will make sure I record my own time once a month. Obviously, without competition and the pressure of a coach with a stopwatch, this will be hard, and I expect to be a little slower- but it's a start.

I have picked up the pieces from my last track session attempt, and started attending the midday Weds grass track sessions. Here, I can record my times and look for improvment. Actually having a time to beat might give me a push in the right direction. I will also try to make the 1k reps session a regular, and work on beating that time. I should also work on actually doing Park Run a little more often!

Bike-Wise, I would like to do a weekly 10mile Time Trial. I find it hard to get to the local organised ones, so these will probably be a turbo-training affair.

All in all, well.. lets just hope I stick with this!

I could make this more rational, and call it a blog. It would still be a rant though..

2010-08-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

Swimming is often seen as a stress busting exercise. This might be the case, if it were not for the etiquette-breakers. Swimming pools come with their own personal set of rules, which are as follows:

1) Thou Shalt Allow Swimming

This rule is often ignored between the hours of 9am an 11am. If anyone under the age of 60, under 60 stone, or not in a pregnant state attepts to inhabit the pool between these hours, and heaven forbid, actually swim, attempts are usually shortlived. The 9-11 brigade do not like outsiders.

The 9-11ers insist on wading through the pool, in groups of five or six, and continuing their morning coffee-chats.

The Reasonable Swimmer respects the rights of the 9-11 brigade, but politely requests permission to swim between these hours.

2) Thou Shalt Not Be The 'GA'

At the other end of the scale of irritation, is the 'Grumpy-Arse'. GA commonly inhabits the fast lane, and is capable of inhuman speed. Fantastic for GA. But GA is not polite about his/her amazing capabilities. These characters are frequently seen huffing and puffing, having stopped dead behind a slow-coach. GA's are always having a bad day, and do not feel kindly towards end-of-lane-conversation.

3) Thou Shalt Not Swim in the Wrong Lane

Breastroker in the fast lane. Sin. I do not deny the merits of breastroke, but I do not wish to be stuck behind you.

4) Thou Shalt Not Refuse to Be Overtaken

This action can lead to a normally Reasonable Swimmer adopting the characterisitcs of a GA. Once, is simply an error. A toe-tap later, is bordering upon rude, but continuously beginning a new lap, whilst remaining entirely immune to repeated toe-tapping action is an offecnce worthy of a good dunking.

5) Thou Shalt Not Use the End of The Lane for Chatting Space

Conversations at the pool are rather nice, sometimes used as an excuse to extend recovery, and often a normal and sociable activity. This is accpetable. What s unacceptable is when the talkers spread out accross the end of the lane, leaving no room for those actually swimming to turn around.

6) Thou Shalt Accept The Odd Knock is Unavoidable

There are good hand slaps, and bad hand slaps. An example of a good hand slap occurs when two swimmers converge, accidently allowing their hands to make contact above the water. This happens, especially when training hard. It may be polite to apologise at the end of a lane, but is not 100% compulosry. What is unacceptable is when one swimmer moves into the path of another swimmers stream, bashes their hand, all be it accidently, and then refuses to acknowledge the mistake when both those involved find themselves knocked off balance. Common sense should be applied here: If you think you offended, apologise, of not: get on with it. If you fail to apologise when you expect offence was given, expect to be toe tickled for the next few lenghts as the offended swimmer vents frustration.

7) Thou Shalt Not Barge In

It may be benificial for you to take exactly 10secs recovery, and not over or under extend this time. However, it is not crucual. If someone else is clearly just about to begin their set, or a new length, it is not essential that you barge in and destroy their pace. Wait a few seconds and relax.

8) Thou Shalt Not Hesitate

Despite the above, those found hesitantly standing at the end of a lane, clearly considering beginning a new set, but not actually starting, thus holding up those attempting to actually start, will also be persecuted.

9) Thou Shalt Cover Up Appropriatly

If you do not feel the need to alter God's plan for creation by shaving your neather regions, that is fine by me, just don't expose the hairy area by wearing a tiny tiny costume.

10) Thou Shalt Not Practice Slow Drills in the Fast Lane

You ARE a good swimmer, you're just practicing swimming slowly. I get it. Do it in the slow lane.

The amusing thing is, when placed among the stress-busting wrinkly waders, it is not uncommon for the normally Reasonable Swimmer to adopt GA characteristics. Swimming, for 99.9% of swimmers is a peaceful activity. Let's keep it that way. In any area where human beings occupy one space, it is only fair that the space is shared with consideration.

It's quite simple: if you can't BE NICE, GET OUT MY POOL!

Moving swiftly on...

Swim, Bike, Run Part 2!

2010-08-21T09:53:00.001-07:00

The Pyrenees week, obviously, was primarily orientated around biking. After a long plane trip (the actual journey was very short, the delays less so..), I arrived home, and was whisked off to stay in my uncle's flat at Caswell Bay, in Wales.

The week was an action packed, runing and swimming adventure, with a sprinkling of biking. I had at least one sea swim everyday, and saw myself becoming more and more confident every day. My first swim lasted about twenty minutes, partly because the day had begun with a hilly 70min run, but also because the waves were filing my nose and mouth with icky salt water which I was still fairly unused to. By the end of the week, I found myself swimming between the bays, as though the waves weren't even there.

Running on the beach began with 5x1k reps - and a combination of the sand, and the lack of trainer-cushioning luxury i'm used to, the session was tough on my legs, and saw me limping for about two days! It was well worth it though, and if I had the chance, i'd love to get myself wading through the sand once a week.

After two weeks of serious training, I took a rest day, then had:
Tues - 3hr ride, 10min run
Wed - 3k swim, 30min run
Thur - 30min ride, 30min run, 30min ride, 15min run
Fri - 40min easy run
Sat - rest
Sun - race!

Hopefully, i'm sucessfully rested, well trained and ready to go...!

Swim, Bike, Run - On Holiday

2010-08-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

I have been avoiding making the post, because I knew it would have to be one hell of a long post. Today, being the day before my next race, is rest day - and I have ben abandoned in LB's new house, while he goes to the gym. So, really, I have no excuse not to use the time.

Early this month, LB and I set off on an intrepid adventure. We travelled to the Pyrenees mountains, to stay with the people at Pyrenees Multisport.

The trip began with a last minute, sudden realiseation that my bike needed to travel in a box. At 5mins-to-closing-time, LB drove (sped through a red light..) to collect a box from Halfords, so my beautiful Dolce had a handy carry case, even if it did carry the name 'Carerra' (what an insult to her..).

On arriving, we got our bikes fixed up, unpacked and took a look around the beautiful french villa, and a week or riding began. With a thunderstorm, and a broken pedal (his hire bike - Dolce was fine!). We got all that fixed, I went for a run to vent some frustration (a day on a plane and a very short ride did not bode well with rested, ready to go legs), and we chilled out for the rest of the evening. The first nights stay revealed to us the treats that would be served up over the next week - a huge dinner that more than filled us up, with chocolate brownies for pudding!

Day two was much more successful on the two-wheeled, locomotion front. The day started with a long, undulating stretch, whch became a beautiful ride over Col des Ares. Arriving home, we rested, ate a load of nuts, and set off to the lake for a dip in the lake. We managed about 100k in the day, so dinner wes well deserved, and sleep welcome!

Day three saw us climb over a col from Luscan (about 30k from out hotel), over to Spain. The climb was pretty tough, but we kept each other going, and the Spanish tapas at the other end went down a treat!

Day four was a non-bike day, and the day I completed an Olymic-Tri-In-A-Day - in the hope next season i'll be able to string it all together! The day began with a fast 5k to the fortress town of St Betrand, where we wondered around the castle grounds, before running back. After some lunch, we went back to the lake, where I got in a good 1.8k swim, and we squeezed in a spot of sunbathing on the rocks right in the middle of the lake. LB chose to scare me by jumping from the rocks into the sometimes-shallow (non) depths, but thankfully he managed not to die... Which was good because there was lots more actvty to come, that required one to be alive..

Day five brought with it our biggest climb. A good, but shorter ride took us to the bottom of the mountain, where we sipped at some coffee, and prepared for the 20k climb. The col began on a pleasent slant, and the first 10k was fairly kind on the legs. The following 10k was harsher, but not nearly as steep as day three's col, so it was more a constant slog than a short, sharp effort. We were cheered on by the car-riders, and encouraged by the 'Go Lance'/'Go Team Sky'/'Allez, Allez' chalk left over from the Tour De France. On reaching the top, we were a little disappointed by the number of cars ruining the view, but pleased to see the snow we'd managed to get ourselves adjacent to! The downward spiral to the bottom was long, and we arrived at the bottom at about 3pm - desperate for lunch! After having chowed down a huge baguette, and LB having had 2 crepes, we were on our way home. I promised myself a run, so after the 96k ride, off I went. Mainly, so having completed the swim and bike on my next race, I could remind myself what I was capable of.

Day six The trip came to an end, sadly :-( I started the day with a 10k to St Betrand and back. A day spent in the city of Tolouse was saw beautiful shops, beautiful food, and fantastic coffee.

I think we enjoyed almost every minute of this holiday, the hard bits, the easy bits, and the bits spend eating wonderful food. Highly recommended.

Lost : Mojo.

2010-07-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

I've been a bit worried about myself lately. What, with training around working, and working around training, it was all becoming a tightrope walk of time management. Suddenly, when the commuting rigmarole came to it's end, and I had all day to do as I wished - I wasn't so sure I actually wanted to get on my bike, go for a run, or swim. Quite frankly, I was a little bit bored.

So, I said to myself: "myself", I did say - "how can we rectify this?" - one cannot continue to get better if one cannot be arsed to get off ones arse.

I pottered my way down to the gym, did my normal workout anyway, and enjoyed it to a certain degree- but not to an absolute degree. The next day I did the same (actually - I worked really hard, learnt some new things in the form of one legged squats. And yes, my bum does still hurt.) That evening, in order to celebrate the wonder that is graduation, LB and I headed down to the sea - sushi, a little tipple on the beach, followed by Irish Coffee in Terraces. I had a wonderful evening, and woke up today with a smile on my face, becuase Sunday was to be my well timed, once a week rest day.

Having taken a day off, in which I ate my body weight in granola cereal and yogurt, swung on the swings in the local park, watched about 2/3rds of three films, gorped at the talent at the London Tri Championships, and soaked myself in the bath with a book, I am pleased to say I can't wait to get training tomorrow. The mojo, it would seem, has returned.

Training, I suppose, had become a case of 'what can I fit in where?', so with the opportunity to fit it in anywhere, I guess I simply felt the urgency to snatch moments of self-exhausting torture was less inviting. With all this newly discovered time on my hands, I suppose I wanted to do something else with it, too.

A night out, and a day off, was exactly what I needed. Lovely. I'm now well and truly excited about getting my bum down to the pool tomorrow. Then after, will I run, bike, or gym? Regardless, i'll spend my afternoon chilling on the beach with an iced coffee and a lovely friend of mine. Balance, my bloggy friend, is the key.

results..

2010-07-21T07:03:00.000-07:00

The importance of learning to open water swim has been revealed to me! Newhaven results:

1st female
Teresa Tamplin 00:13:13 00:34:10 00:20:23 01:07:46

2nd female
Lara Wetherill 00:13:22 00:34:33 00:21:12 01:09:07

3rd female
Sarah Huntley 00:11:26 00:37:34 00:21:47 01:10:47

4th female
Michelle Arthurs 00:18:38 00:36:03 00:21:13 01:15:54

With a 400m time of 7.26... 600 should take me... somewhere around 12mins. 18minutes?! Where exactly did I think I was going?? Next race (last of season) is a pool based. So i've got a year to practice!

Last few days: Sat - gym - running and weights
Sun - Rest
Mon - AM: 3x10min bike, 10min run,
PM: 30min run and 3x3running drills
Tues - AM: 600m, 5x100m, 400m, 5x100m.
PM:
Good swim this morning, 100m's seem to be hitting around 1min50, as opposed to 1min58/2min - good signs

Sorry for the boring posts - fun ones shall be on their way in a few days!

Update..

2010-07-13T02:15:00.000-07:00

Mon -
AM - 2k swim - 1x1k, 10x100m (20sec rec),
PM - 10min row, 3x3min bike, 3x20min bike, 3x1min bike, 5min row, 3x20 lung (10k), 3x18 arms (8k), 3x20 med. ball

Tues -
AM - 2k swim (400, 100,200,300,400,300,200,100),
PM - 10min row, 10min bike, 10min elliptical, 3x15 lunges (12kg), 5x10 squats (14kg), 3x20 cable arms, 3x10 arms (10kg) (the eight was gone so lower reps..)

Wed -
AM - 40min run, 10min bike, 10min run
PM - 1hr ride (good Rottingdean-Woodingdean-Falmer hill)

Thur -
AM - 2k swim (4x100, 2x200, 1x400, 2x200, 4x100, 200m drills)
PM - 45min run (with 3-5min tempo runs, and 2x1min sprints)

Fri -
AM - 2k swim (5x100, 5x200, 5x100 - 20sec recoveries)
PM - 3x10min tempo pace run, 1 set of 10min run in sporadic 2min sprints becuase I got lost. So - 40min of tempo running split up into managable chunks.. some more managable than others due to unforseen inability to remember the direction I started in ;-)

I'm taking it easy today. The last two weeks of training have been squeezed around commuting - so it's basically a case of 6am - wake, commute, swim, work, commute, bike/gym, sleep at 10pm - repeat. I woke up today, feeling tired, and decided that LB has been very patient with me, so I should take an evening off training for us to have a nice dinner - so that is the plan.

My swim today was really pleasent, as was it on Mon and Tues. I've been using a pool in London - it's got four lanes, which, from 8.30am and 9.30am become really quite empty (the bonus of working 10-6 is that everyone else works at 9!). I felt wonderfully relaxed swishing up and down the lanes, and I suddenly find myself capable of swimming 1k without any recovery breaks totally comfortably. I think it's mainly mental - until recently I thought my swimming wasn't going anywehre, but with a newP PB under my belt, I suddenly feel inspired to really work at it.

Overall, everything is looking well and good!

Newhaven Tri!

2010-07-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

4th female- times to be announced when I know them!

The swim was surprisingly simple. About half way round I began to regret the HUGE bowl of porridge I had for breakfast, and I also found myself going quite far round the outside the group. I'm pretty sure I swam quite a bit more than 600m, in a very wobbly line... but i'm just happy I got through it with no real hitches! From experiences so far, I prefer open water - becuase I rather like the feeling that i'm actually GOING SOMEWHERE! (even if I then find myself back where I started!)

Bike - Thankfully for me, roads were still quite empty, and I am not very fast - but I see what Nigel means about it being a bit dangerous. Curly county lanes, fast bikers and impatient drivers are a risky mix. I played a good game of 'you-overtake-me, and-i'll-overtake-you' with another woman for ages - but she eventually overtook me on a downhill. I kept her in my sights for quite a while, but eventually decided to accept she was just faster than me! I also started to get strange shooting pains/cramp in my calf at around the half way point..

Run - The route was almost too nice! Lovely for a 'sunday run' but i'd much rather there was less to enjoy on a race- found myself losing all focus! I was very thankful for the grass I was running on, though, becuse i'm not sure my calfs would have been able to handle any more pavement pounding action. Having accepted defeat from the women biking in front of me, I discovered that running was not her talent, and passed her. She just about managed a 'well done' and I wished her luck back. I think at this point I was happy that all had gone ok, was a little worried about the pain in my calf, so I slowed down a bit. I decided to tell myself a slow run was quite acceptable following a swim and a bike, and considering it was my first full sprint, I was quite happy to chugg along at a comfortable pace. However, I did mis-judge the end, which crept up on me much sooner than I expected - meaning my 'last 500m semi-sprint' became about 5m long and I didn't use the energy reserve i'd saved up! Hopefully, with time, my run will become a normal race pace effort and I can make up for my newbie-swimming-technique!

All in all, quite enjoyed myself - and looking forward to kicking my own ass next race. For now, my dodgy calf has received a post-race massage, and has been resting on a bag of peas all afternoon (after lunch at the famous Bills, of couse. )

Dolce and Me

2010-07-09T23:45:00.000-07:00

A real weekend.. a real post.

It is early on a Saturday morning. I am not swimming, running, biking, or on a train to work. I am sitting in my pyjamas, relaxing, having woken at 6am and cleaned the house, ready for me to enjoy its wonderful cleanliness for two weeks. (My housemates have vacated for a vacation and for once the washing up I washed may well stay washed!)

Having sat at a desk all day (work experience, Runners World/Triathletes World - I LOVE it!), wrestled my way through London, stood in a sweaty huddle on a tube, before sprinting to platform 19 to sit still for over an hour everyday - it's not surprising i've got off the train wanting to get some fresh air.

Dolce (unoriginal name, but it suits my two wheeled friend)and I have been out riding every night this week. Last night we soared over the seaside cliffs to Newhaven, before taking a sharp left to explore the country lanes to Lewes, and returned home as the sun began to fall in the sky. (which reminds me - I NEED biking sunglasses... genuinly, for my own safety..)

Leaving London, I feel like the girl in the iron mask - unwilling to smile, unable to feel affection or sympathy for anyone else. Everyone else is trying to get the next train too, but I usually find they are blocking my way, walking too slowly, or being generally annoying. Then there is the fact the 6.45pm train is full of day trippers - grannies with kiddies that scream and giggle all the way home. I am usually not in a good mood.

As I peddled my way through Peacehaven last night, I smiled to myself because I felt totally at peace, ready to live and capable of anything. The salty air back in my lungs, fresh, open space all around me - the bubbling irritation and anxiety had dwindled.

Maybe I could manage to live in a city, but I could never commute long term. Quite franky, it's bad for my blood pressure.

Ahhh...

2010-07-07T02:25:00.000-07:00

At some point I will be posting a blog about training, commuting, and working.
Right now - I left the house at 6.30am yesterday, and returned at 9.30. And woke up at 5.45am today. And I still dont have half a minute to blog a real blog. Maybe that says it all?

Anyways - here's the last few days:
Fri - AM: 10min jog, 5x1k @ 4min30/4min pace, 10min jog
PM: Coached swim. Got my 400m time down to 7.15!

Sat - 30min OW swim

Sun - Gym Sprint - 2k row/20k bike/4k run. Weights etc.

Mon - AM - 1hr run, 10min bike, 3min run
PM - 1hr bike

Tues - AM - Swim : 1k, (6x100m)x2 (10 sec rec)
PM - 10min bike,3x1k run (90 sec rec), weighted lunges/squats/arm
weights(15-20rep)

Wed - AM - 9lap bike/3run, 9/3, 9/4, 7/1 (=34/9 - lap=568m) + 2x200m sprint
PM - 90min bike

Thurs - AM - sea swim
Lunch - 1hr run

Fri - AM - 1.5k swim
pm - 1hr bike - race route

Over-Excitment

2010-07-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

Tues - 1hr bike commute, 20min gentle run, 30min gentle sea swim

Wed - AM - 30min row/30min bike/5min row - PM - 6x15 squat (14kg), 2x15,1x20 hamstring curl, medicine ball core etc, 3x20 arms + 3x30 swim arms (cable machine), 1hr bike commute

I've been being a bit careful as of late. Well, i've been careful since yesterday, because on Tuesday I was stupid. Noticing slight twinges in my ankle, I decided a 20min gentle jog would be fine. And it was. On Wednesday it was less fine. So, having conserved energy especially for Wednesday's group run/bike/run session - instead I had to do a row/bike/row session in my own.

So - no running today. Few days off..

Time Wasting,..

2010-06-29T01:18:00.000-07:00

MOn - 40min swim (2x600m, 1x400m, 2x100m, 2x50m, 2x25m), 10mile time trial (spin bike..) - 31min20sec, 10min run with increasing incline, 3x15 lunge (per leg), 2x15 + 1x20 leg curl and hamstring (all low weight, high rep), +1hr bike commute (I usually ignore this but actually it does count doesn't it??)

Note: this post contains no answers or glimmers or hope or sudden realisations.. only meandering wondering...

This morning (Tues) I decided to skip morning training, have a nice lie in and preserve energy for afternoon training. Result? I woke up at 6.30am.. decided to ignore the urge to get up, went back to sleep. On waking, I checked the time, waiting for a triumphant 8am 'you've had a great sleep, well done' moment - nono, it was 7.15am. Totally incapable of more sleep, and not actually feeling like I wanted it, as well as being starving, up I got, pottered downstairs for breakfast, which I made and ate leisurely. Then I made my lunch.. planned the days outfit etc... still only about 8oclock (bear in mind, work starts 9.30, and if I take the long route, it still only takes 40mins at most to bike there).

Two me sages could be taken from this: 1) maybe some people are just designed to train in the morning. However, I find that if I leave it till later, and do one great big session, rather than two small ones, I nearly always have a great session. Also, Triathlon being one long slog, it makes sense to do a few long slogs a week. Potential message number 2) sometimes its best just to relllaaxxx... read a book, chill (or, 3) some people need to learn to stay in bed!).

If I had the time, and it was socially acceptable, i'm pretty sure I could happily train all day. However, I found myself wondering this morning if there is much point to that? Maybe a short, hard session, from time to time, might be more beneficial than hours and hours of training.

Regardless, i'm at work now - twenty minutes early, feeling a little like i've wasted a morning, but feeling decidedly relaxed. That, and i'm overly excited about training this afternoon..
...
oohhh... planning =D

Good Training Makes for Happy Days

2010-06-27T10:54:00.001-07:00

Friday - deadlift ladder, squats, calf raises, arms etc, 3x (5min row, 10min bike, 10min run)
Sat - Rest - 20min open water swim
Sun - 90min run (prob 20min or so spent being lost/lazy.. so at least 1hr run!), 30min open water swim

Training the last few days has been feeling truly excellent. I feel really alive and full of energy - and I got back on the scary metaphorical horse of sea swimming- and it seems to be going well! If it continues to improve, I should be donning my wetsuit on 11th July to begin my first open water tri!

Friday's training was great, I think due to a combination of a proper nights sleep, and knowing I had no time constraints. I've been training before and after work til now, but I had the day off so I could spend as long as I wanted - so I did. Also, the short intervals meant I really pushed it on every one, rather than relaxing into a longer bike or run.

Today's run was very hot and sweaty, but I soon found a trail through the woods of Stanmer Park, which had me dwelling on some of the stories from 'Born To Run' (I finished it by the way - an excellent read). The mixed terrain kept my mind engaged, and though I had to take a detour over a barbed wire fence, and negotiate with a bed of stinging nettles, I couldn't have been happier.

Not much else to say on the deep and meaningful procrationation level, only that good training makes Michelle a happy girl.

Team Spirit

2010-06-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about team dynamics. Blame the world cup maybe.. but team sports do somewhat highlight the singular nature of triathlon. I did my one-woman-indoor-sprint race this week. My times for this 'race' are usually pretty awful -mainly becuase it's just me - no competition.

Having joined Phoenix Tri club recently, i'm enjoying the feeling of being part of a greater unit. Coached biking yesterday was pretty slow, my legs were heavy and clunky from the run the day before, but knowing there was a coach standing there with a stopwatch, timing every lap meant I still pushed it.

I've been training with people a lot lately, and learning that a little bit of competition goes a long way, as does a little bit of comradely and shared pain.

What I like about Triathlon, and individual sports like running, is that you don't have the (for me, crippling) fear of letting down a team, only the motivating pressure of not letting down yourself. Within that, however, being part of a club means you still get a hint of that 'we're all behind you' spirit that team players get. I've been wearing my Phoenix vest with pride, and I hope to be racing in it soon.

Thur - 2k swim, deadlifts, other weights
Fri - 20min row, 30min run, 10min eliptical and weighs/core
Sat - restttt
Sun - 50min-1hr hilly train like run
Mon - 2k swim, 30min coached interval bike (2xhard, 2xeasy)x3
Tues - 2k row, 20k bike, 4k run (bad row..good bike... bad run)

Silver Lining

2010-06-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

I'm counting bike commute's the last few weeks - becuase I'm now working in Hollingbury - which means going up Ditchling hill (not steep - longish), or Coldean hill (steep!) - Soooo I think it's only fair!

Thur - 20min run,30min bike,10min run, 10min bike, + bike commute
Fri - Bike/Row/Run (gym)
Sat - RESTTT
Sun - 20min run, 20min row, 10min run, arms and core weights
Mon - AM- 2k swim, 1-2hour bike (commute)
Tues - Gym - 3x10min row, 3x10min bike, core/arms - hour bike (commute)
Wed - AM Preston Park - 60min (6lap/25lap/3lap), PM 1(and a bit)k swim

Today's training was one hell of a struggle. Last night I managed about 5hours sleep, for various reasons. Frustratingly, I woke up an hour earlier than necessary, and couldn't get back to sleep - wasting what could have been a whole hour, and could have made all the difference.

Still - at 6.30 am my alarm told me it was the time I should have woken up, so up I did get, porrige I did make, and training I did do.

The session takes place in Preston Park, where I and two other crazies meet up, run around in circles (known as laps), get on our bikes and peddle in circles, and then run again. To the naked eye - crazy people who don't understand the concept of lie in - to the trained eye - eager athletes on the road to success.

Absolute exhaustion meant this wasn't the best session I ever had. However, completing a session when you're not 'at your best' is good for mentality, I think. When the going gets tough, the tough remember all the times they've suceeded before, and today shall be another mental video clip I can add to my video library of times i've managed to carry on, despite the changing variables of life making it tricky.

You know what they say about every cloud..

Park Running Revoloution

2010-06-10T02:45:00.000-07:00

The running world is a family of conflicting personalities, a community made up of a multitude of different, yet definable characters. There are the elite – head to toe in lycra compression, with an agonised twist at the lips and a glint of determination in the eye. There are the newbies, decked out in sweat pants and nervously giggling with new found newbie buddies. The veterans, still in the short shorts of the 70s jogging craze, usually seen jogging on the spot (whilst the Elite’s perform physio-advised stretches, and the newbies start copying the stretches the remember from Mr Motivator of GMTV..). The group I most admire are the elites in newbie clothing. Like wolves dressed as lambs, rippling muscles extend from simple cotton, and powerful legs hide just behind a pair of £4 sweats. Each of these types of the species can be found at your local weekly park run.

Park Run began in 2004, with a group of 13 runners who decided to see how fast they could run 5k. Since then, Park Run has grown and grown, now taking place in 41 locations, with runs comfortably attracting hundreds of hopeful time trailers a week. In 41 locations, groups of shivering, sweltering of comfortably warm runners huddle together for a 9am Saturday morning start, safe in the knowledge that all over the country, others are doing the same – some suffering the same nerves, others enjoying the same excitement, all there because this week, they want to see their 5k time get a little bit quicker.

My own local Park Run – I use the term local loosely, as a non-car owning cyclist, nothing is as local as it could be – takes place in Hove Park. The start line is always bustling, and most runs attract over 100. Before the run begins, a call is given to applaud new, first time runners, and tshirts are awarded to the dedicated, who have reached their 50th, 100th or (wow!) 150th Park Run. Finally, luck to all, a few warnings about now mowing down dog walkers and the elderly, and the call to run goes.

As the herd moves, there is always a fair amount of jostling and jiggling as people find their place in the crowd. Lap one begins, legs continue to move (always good), lap one ends, lap two begins. Each lap has a gentle incline, and it is this incline of lap three where, when I take on the Park Run, I start to think about looking who’s around me to gage how I’m doing. There are a couple of elites who ran a marathon last week enjoying a ‘gentle jog’, a wolf-in-lambs-clothing overtakes me – I start to figure out what time I might get If I keep up the pace – not bad.

That’s what I like about Park Run – the chance to run with such a diverse group, ranging in ability and agility, from fair to god-like. It is a chance to meet some other local runners, away from the pressure of track sessions and actual races, a chance to gently take on something mildly competitive, safe in the knowledge that if it’s just not ‘your day’, it can just be your day next week. Every week there is a new, fresh opportunity to have a go at self improvement.

Park Run brings together the elite, the newbies, and the somewhere-in-betweens, puts them together in the washing machine of the start line, and then pops them out, one by one, allowing the old hacks to inspire the fresh faced new members of the running community, and the fresh faced to remind the old hacks that running only ever started as a fun hobby, or a way to keep fit. Running has seen its fair share of revolutions, and Park Run is undoubtedly one of them.

Out in the Open Water Without a Paddle

2010-06-08T06:26:00.000-07:00

Tues - open water swim (ish!), practice transition, 2k pool swim (500m, 1k, 25s/50s)
Wed - AM - Preston Park group session - 15lap/30lap/4lap run PM (planned..) core, deadlifts, swim arms

So I just returned from first open water swim.. I have swum in the sea on holiday, and on sunny days in Brighton, but I have never really swum in the sea. Swimming has never been so hard! Later analysis (we all do it...) reminded me that whenever I have swum in the sea, I have always point blank refused to put my head in the water, in fact, other than when accompnied by a snorkle and mask, I have never seen the inside of the sea. Today I realised for the first time that sea water is decidedly - unclear. Swimming in a pool, you can see very clearly - though sometimes concentration/exhaustion/over zealous sprinting might still result in collision, swimming in the sea, everything is murky. Anyways, now I know what it feels like, all I have to do is get over the shock and try, try and try again. The fact that i'm itching to try is evidence either that I am stupid or determined. Time will tell which one.

One thing I will say - my post sea swim pool swim was the easiest swim I have ever swum. All lack of nose clip trauma has totally vanished, desire to be lazy and take numerous breaks seemed ridiculous, and I really felt I could stay all day. I didn't - I went home and had a massive lunch with tuna, kidney beans, cous cous and green things - but i'm sure I could have if i'd decided to be irrational.

While I was there, I bumped into this bloke: http://www.channelangus.co.uk/blog.html, he had a lane to himself with his own explanation - kind of like a bunny in a pet shop "This breed of rabbit requires...", except his sign explained he was swimming four hours a day, in preperation for swimming the channel to raise money for clean water supplies in Africa. I waited till he reached the end of the lap and gave him the thumbs up - leaving the pool wondering if some sort of crazy charity event might be a good idea. Good luck Angus!

Escape to Tarahumara Land

2010-06-07T14:41:00.000-07:00

Thur - AM 2k swim, PM 30min bike
Fri - upper body weights, core, deadlifts, squats, 8k row, 30min bike
Sat - rest
Sun - (2k row, 10k bike) x2, wobble board stability!
Mon -AM 1.5k swim, PM coached bike technique session, 30min row/bike/eliptical circuits

I have just begun to read 'Born To Run' - it was leant to me by LB, and like many books leant to me over the course of my degree, it has been gathering dust for quite a while. However - said degree is now over, and I am free to read and enjoy at my leisure.

I wanted a book not related to running, training, or anything - some silly romance or another of the warming 'Ladies Detective Agency' books which guarantee to bring a glow to the soul. Too busy/lazy to get to Waterstones, I thought i'd give it a go.

I've only read the first chapter, so perhaps i'm jumping the gun, but so far, I love it. I love it becuase it is a book written by someone who knows the pain and frustration of running injury, who can laugh at his own pig-headed stubbon nature (visitig every specialist in the hope of a different diagnosis), and yet who evidently loves running.

McDougall (affore mentioned owner of pig head), so far, has told me all about the Tarahumara runners - their ritual drinking, their ability to run and run for minutes, hours, days, miles, marathons - to just keep going and love every pain free minute. Such a life seems to inviting in its simplicity - drink with the tribe, sleep, run - eat, sleep, run, enjoy life - no stealing, no murder or other human related nastiness. It's a shame only certain clans within the human race seem capable of such a simple existance.

Human beigns really are meant to just 'be' - to use the land, to relate to one another, to relish the first moment of spring and dance with the stars. It's a shame we make everything so compliated.

Training really should be just as simple - practice what you need to do in the race, but don't stress over it, don't make it into an ordeal or a trial. If you're not enjoying it, something is wrong - using the body you have should be a pleasure and a joy.

Riding my bike lately has been a total joy - the feeling of flying accross the downs, the way the wheels hug the smooth contours of never-ending road.
It's just a shame about all the cars.

That is why i'd like to escpae to Tarahumara Land - no cars, no irritating elements of life to culminate into webs of stress and indecision. Simplicity. Calm.
For now i'll have to stick with England and imagine.

Run :-( Bike :-)

2010-06-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Sat - 40min row intervals, 20min bike, weights
Sun - 3k row interals, squats and deadlifts, 40min bike
Mon - AM 2k swim, PM 40min bike
Tues - AM hour track bike, intervals, PM 15min row interals, weights
Wed - AM 2k swim, hour commute bike, PM 30min track bike

One week is lost i'm afraid - there was some running in that, but sadly running is back down to irregular occurance due to reaccurance of the dreaded tendonitis- unbelievably annoying. I could dwell on it, but I have more exciting news so I wont..

I found a bike! I finally came to the conclusion that all bikes of a certain price will be of a certain spec, unless you happned to find an amazing second hand deal, which is hard if you want a bike that fits. So - I went for it, splashed out and got myself a beautiful Specialised Dolce Elite - nice tiagra gears, 9 speed (which i'm told I can upgrade for £30 in a few months when I get an itchy bank balance ;-) ), totally light weight and a joy to ride. I've been whizzing around on it excessively and constantly - and loving every second! Planning on starting out on time trials soon - exciting times!

New Experiences and FREEDOM

2010-05-25T04:52:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, at 12.30pm, I finished my degree - I am officially, a graduand! Apparently I do not receive graduate status until I don a silly robe and stumble up to the front of the hall in front of lots of people.

So - how did I celebrate? Well - I went for a swim in the sea. And today? I went for a swim in the pool, and a ride on the potential new bike. May I add that I have never properly swum in the sea before, am still leaning to swim without a nose clip (today went surprisingly well - I think i've learnt!) and I have never ridden on aero bars before. I have now done all three, and I can report that I am un-scathed, largely happy with myself, and looking forward to some more training!

Degree over, all I HAVE to do until June (work experience!) is work in a cafe. On top of that, i'd like to write as much as possible, and train as much as possible - both of which i'm very excited about.

So - prepare to be bombarded.

Lesson for today : try new things. First five minutes might be uncomfortable, but you will almost never regret it (unless your chosen new thing was throwing yourself in a pool of sharks - in which case - try a new new thing.)

So I Won =D

2010-05-22T00:11:00.000-07:00

Monday - 40min swim, 20min run
Tues - 3x20min bike, 10min elip, free weights and kettlebell
Wed - .. can't remember.. something..
Thur - am - 1hr bike (coached), pm - 6x500m row, learnt new swim specific weights
Fri - 30min bike (4x1 easy, 1med, 1 hard, plus various), coached swim -1.5kish

So I have not posted in forever - very bad Michelle.

First Tri was Sunday - and guess who won? Here types the Number One in the 'Novice Try a Tri', kicking last years ass by three minutes deffinately felt good. Still, it is now about to get serious as I await the Mid-Sussex Tri - 13th June. It's been my goal race for well over six months, i've done two in 'preperation', so the determination is well and truly alight. The nerves haven't begun as yet, but I can assure you it won't be long.

I'm having real issues over equiptment right now. 1) bike, 2) my dependence upon nose clip. Firstly, I need a bike. Finding a bike, however, is easier said than done. I've got my money, ready to spend it, and from every angle I am obtaining different advice on what to spend it on. I am, however, looking at a second hand giant today that may well be The One. If not, however, the search goes on.

2) The nose clip. Last night, I went to coached swim without my trusty nose clip, not on purpose, but because I had lost it. Wonderful. Anyways, I have never swum without one, and the 3 lengths I have tried to do so, resulted in spluttering guttering ew. However, I decided to refuse to let lack of my plastic life saver put me off, having missed training the last two sessions, and off I went. I can report that I swam terribly, slowly, took repeated breaks and was generally embaressed. I also obtained a horrible stitch, some odd belching habits (!) and spent the entire evening sneezing. I was ready to go buy a new one. That is, until someone mentioned how impossible open water swimming would be with the clip. Obviously, i'm sticking to pool based races now, so when I start open water, it will be hard enough, as it is. Learning to breath without a noseclip now will deffiantelty help in the future. Damn.

O well, perseverance.

Today is meant to be 'day off day' - i've done my six days, and i've trained hard. However, Monday is LAST EXAM and i'd rather have that off, to be honest - so - today should be 500m row reps. Woop.

2010-05-14T02:10:00.000-07:00

Mon - 5k run, 15k bike, 2.5k run (83 min, including transitions) finished with drills+sprints, 30min free weights
Tues - 2.5k swim, 40min free weights + KB
Wed - 2x20min bike, 10min run, 1x10min bike, 10min run - finished with drills and one sprint (died!), 40min free weights
Thur - 30min weight machines + free weights, 5k run, with 3x500m sprints, 15k bike, 20min cross train
Fri - 2k swim, 15k bike, 25min run (all pretty gently, easy pace pre sunday)
Sat - rest
Sun - Tri

Proper long post coming post Sunday!
All I can say is: along with 11 hours cafe work, revision, and handing in dissertations, it's been a loooong week.

New Thingss.

2010-05-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

Tues - 1hr bike/run, 30min free weights and KB? Plus 40min swim (i'm a bit hazy.. )
Wed- Birthdaayy
Thur - 40min bike, 20min run, 30 min free weights and KB
Fri - 2k-2.5k swim
Sat - Hove Park Run - 5k in 23.28 (now only 1min off pre-injury PB!), 1-2hrs biking
Sun - well earned rest!!

Yesterday was an eventful one in the grand scheme of training. Firstly, did another Hove Park Run - only my second and I managed to shave off a nice 22 seconds from a fortnight ago. Regular events seems like a good way to go, and, though Hove Park Run is very much a causal, non-event-y affair, it still seems like a good start.

Also - I picked up the road bike I will be using for the Tri.
Today I road it.
Wow.
Every movement is like a command to the wheels, it literally corners with every suggestion that you'd like it to (when ridden correctly), and wavers with every accidental movement (when ridden incorrectly!). Going down hill, at a decent speed, is like plummeting to what could either be uncertain doom, or uncertain joy.
Suffice to say: I am both excited, and scared, by the bike.

Trying new things always feels like a funny concoction of fear and fulfillment, it's like the cocktail you order on a whim, only to spend the entire drink attempting to gage your own reaction to it. Pleasure? Discomfort? Maybe the two are designed to mingle together in a strangely happy union.

Well, here's to new things.
I'll tell you how they taste come Sunday.

Race Report2

2010-05-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

Wed - 2kswim, 10min run (practice transition)
Thur - 2hr hilly bike, 40min preston park
Fri - weights, kettlebells etc - 1hr, 1hr coached swim
Sat - rest
Sun - racedayy
Mon - free weights/core, 20k bike, 20min run

Sunday's race results are out... finally! Came third female =D There were, however, only 8 of us - but it was also my first attempt at multisport, so, all in all, i'm rather proud! I got a time of 27.52 - i'm still waiting to find out how much was swim, how much was run and how much transition - but regardless, it was a really enjoyable morning so i'm not sure it matters too much!

Arrived at 'Pool in the Park' in my brand now Tri Suit feeling very nervous, and very nooby. The nerves continued through a thrashing first 4 laps, in which I was reminded myself I was tired, not ready to race, and nervous. Suddenly, as lap 5 began: total calm, concentration, and quite a bit of enjoyment took over.

As I heaved myself out of the pool, after being tapped on the head by a nice race marshall to tell me it was time (I knew it was time - for once I didnt lose count!), I got to transition, and proceeded to struggle quite severely with the concept of tying shoe laces. It's never been so tricky. Quite possibly a minute or two later, and I decided the shoe laces would simply have to hold, and off I ran.

I am still kicking myself for not running that little bit harder. I still remember shouting 'one more lap!' to my wonderful spectator Alley as I passed her for the third time, and waving cheerfully at LB as a saw him standing in the rain (didnt mention the rain did I? It was quite amazing..) each time I passed. These cheery shouts and merriments ensured I had a really great time, but they do imply I didnt have the rocket up my bum that I could.

Still, deffinately an enjoyable and successful introduction to multisport.
East Grinstead, 16th May - Here I come!

New Gear..

2010-04-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

Tues - 2x150 KB swings with squats/planks/ab wheel etc between, 45 min spin bike, 15min cross train

I have officially given in and decided to splash out and see my physio about the foot, which is once again feeling tender. Also investing in a new nose clip tomorrow, along with swimming... the costs of this sport don't half mount up!

Hoping the physio will just tell me to keep using the orthotics - that seems to be the general consensus. Pain seems to be back after I 'down graded' to the least supportive option, so i've boosted my weird little gel inserts back up to heavy support. Feeling very concerned about the lack of running training as of late, and Sunday's race - but I figure i've kept up my fitness, worked on maintaining some leg muscle, so as long as I don't 'forget' how to run (which isnt going to happen - just imagine a bear chasing me and i'll be fine!) then all should be well, really.

In exciting news, I am now going to look incredibly (excessively?!) pro in my brand new Tri Suit that LB gave me for my early birthday present! Its olive green, which wouldnt have been my first choice, but once in it fitted like a glove - and its by a very good brand.

Tri suit shopping began looking as though it wouldnt be hugely successful - every spots shop owner in Brighton shook their head, and said they could only order in. All hope was almost lost of a same day purchase, until one shop owner mentioned she'd recently seen four suits in... TKMAXX - of all places.

Of we trotted, and after some searching - sure enough - a proper, elite tri suit, sitting on the rails of TKMAXX, thrust among the 'tshirts' (of all places?).

New gear never fails to excite. Worryingly, I will now need to live up to my pro appearance on Sunday!

A little demotivated..

2010-04-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

Sun - 11/12k run - 6 laps of Preson Park - 4xsteady up, down, flat, 2xsteady flat, up fast, steady down, 250 kettle bell swings
Mon - 3km swim, 8min legs, 8min buns, 8min abs

Exhausted after today's swim, but pleased with the results. I have developed a bad habit of taking too many strokes per length, so one of the Phoenix coaches told me during a training session to work towards only taking 20-25 per lap. I decided to have a go at this during my session today. Seriosuly worked the arms, trying hard to make sure I actually did something with them, rather than just moving them fast and kicking hard! The work majourly took it out of my arms, but I was appaled when the best I could manage was usually about 25, often 27 or 30 strokes.
The it dawned on me (at about 2.9k) that I was swimming in a 25metre pool.
And that the session had been in a 25yard pool.
If 25 yards = 22.86 metres, 25 strokes per lap in yards is 27 strokes per lap in a 25 metre pool.
Having spent the whole session irritated by my less than adequate results, it turned out my 27 stroke laps were 'good' (for me) and my 25 stroke laps were 'very good' (for me.) What a silly moo. Still, the confusion did mean I had a very extended swim session which will hopefully be benificial!

Sunday's run was fun - if a little hindered by late night and a few cocktails the night before. The weekends running really opened my eyes to how lacking my outdoor running training has been. I'm quite worried for my race on Sunday - i've not done any speed work out doors since injury, and i'm scared to in case of irritating the strained foot which is still not 100%, and fees tired and achey the day after a run. I guess i'll just do my best, and hope I can improve as the year goes on...

Conclusion: current biking improvement: good, considering was total noob before, current swimming: as biking, current running: nil. Feeling a little demotivated, and stating to realise my last few months training could have been better if I had done this or that. Still, trying to reassure myself i've got all the time in the world to become a bit more pro. Newbie status will have to do for now!

Sociable Training

2010-04-23T06:18:00.001-07:00

Tues - 25k bike, 5k run
Wed - 1hr - 20min run = 7laps, 30min bike = 23laps, 10min run = 4laps (500m)
Thur - Rest
Fri - AM - 30x500m laps = 40min (bike), PM - Phoenix 1hr swim session (LOTS drills!)
Sat - 5k time trial, 6x5min laps bike

FIRSTLY - WELL DONE TO LB FOR HIS GREAT RACE RESULT!

Lately i've been taking great pleasure in doing more of my training with others, or at least making it in some way more communal. Wednesday's bike session will eventually be carried out with Phoenix, and will be aiming towards 75 min of 10 laps, 30 laps bike, 5 laps (7.5k run, 15k bike). Sadly, it isn't happening the next few weeks but i'm excited for when it does. Soon I might be starting a grass session on Thurs nights with Brighton and Hove, so with Friday being Phoenix Swim, and Sat being the Brighton and Hove Park Run time trial, I shouldn't exactly be stuck for training buddies!

Last nights swim was really enjoyable, actually, because I was swimming in a lane with one other swimmer, who was of a very similar ability. In fact, we did the last few sprints side by side and finished almost simultaneously every time. This meant it was more fun, but I pushed myself, too, without feeling like I was out of my depth or getting frustrated - perfect.

Park Run today was equally helpful. However, the relaxed, friendly atmosphere was actually more so than I was expecting, and I found myself relaxing a little too much.. I made a time of 23min30. My last PB was 22.30 (on a flat), pre-injury, and today I really wanted to find out what I could achieve. Though this was my first 'proper run' post the break, I feel i've got fitter, so I hoped I could do better. However, there is a lot to be said for the benefits of regular, but not pressured time trials - regular fun run races take some of the anxiety out of 'real races', leaving just enough adrenaline and excitement to fuel a new PB. Regardless of improvement potential, I really enjoyed the feeling of arriving at 8.40am, and finishing my run at 9.23, along with lots of other sweaty, but happy running folk. And when it comes down to it, it's all about enjoyment anyway .. sometimes ;-)

2010-04-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

Sun - 10min elip, 10k bike, 25min run (20min tempo), 10k bike (some 30-60sec intervals)
Mon - 3x100m, 2x200m, 2x300m, 2x500m, 200m cool down

I have become infected with a desire to sign up for races. This morning I signed up for Woking Aquathlon, 400m swim, 4k run - very much excited!

Training today went really well, I guess with swimming I find a lot of the battle is mental, but having done 1.5k race on Saturday, I found I needed so few recovery breaks than I have in the past, in fact today's session, I was in the pool for 55min according to my watch - not bad for 2.4k.

I think a lot of this uber positivity is coming from the sun, combined with a generally good day of productive morning revision, successful training, a relaxing and enjoyable trip to lewes with my housemate, followed by more productive revision. All in all, a good day so far =D

RaceReport1

2010-04-18T00:29:00.000-07:00

Thur- 10min elip, 10min 5min/k pace, 20min tempo with some 30-60sec sprints, 10min 5min/k pace (and some slower!!) :-0 ), 15min bike (5min 30 sec intervals), cool down
Fri - Ressstt
Sat - 1.5k race = 30min50sec (and 2x kettlebell sets to celebrate post race high - followed by a rum and coke ;-) )

So - Michelle's first swim race finally swung round! And how did it go?
I think fairly well. With the exclusion of some nose clip irritation and reajustion, no crazy dilemmas or lane swimming issues at all.

Never having race swum before, I wasn't really sure what to expect, and the Marie Curie swim was definitely a good introduction - it was very relaxed, some people just happy to swim the distance and get out for the odd mid swim water fountain trip etc! I pegged it, however, and kept a reasonable pace throughout. I have noticed an trend though - in that i've only swum 1.5k timed 3 times - no1 = 34min, no2 = 32min32, no3 = 30min50. Each of these was about a week apart (last min training!) - so evidently I had not improved by nearly two mins at each go - seems more likely i'm just learning the correct pace to employ for the distance. Practice makes perfect - and I would be lying if I said I didnt have my eyes firmly placed on a sub 30!

As promised in a previous post, i'm back on the short bursts training - throwing in some kettlebells and 30sec-1min intervals. First kettlebell session in a while was last week - I kid you not, it hurt the next day! However, did another 2 sets last night and feeling fine today so I guess thats sorted itself!!

Anyways, long and short of it - first training competition of the season down - next stop - triathlon!! May tri will be more a 'training tri' - but come June i'm racing it!

Planning..

2010-04-14T10:20:00.000-07:00

Wed - 2k swim
Thur - 6x10min bike/elip sets with 500m rows between
Fri - weights, 3x20min bike, 2x10min elip
Sat - restttt
Sun - 1k row, 2x500m row, 4x10min run, 2x10min KB sets
Mon - Swim - 2500m of intervals
Tues - 10min elip, 20min run (few intervals), 50min interval spin bike
Wed - 1500m swim - 32min32, plus 900m

I haven't blogged in... some time.. to the point that some of the above is estimation, from vague memory.

Today's swim was my final 'pre race' swim. Interestingly, i've only ever swum the full distance twice, once 2 weeks ago - 34min, and once today - 32min. Two minutes is quite a significant difference. I think it has a lot to do with confidence - knowing how fast to go in order not to 'burn out'. After today's swim, I did a few fast 100m sets - perfectly happily. Evidently, there was gas left in the tank. I'm a little annoyed I havent done more practice runs, as i'm sure I could improve. However A) its for charity B) it was more an incentive to make me train for tri swimming C) race day exhilaration has a lot to be said for it!

Training as of late has been squished in around revision and socialising. I sometimes find myself just a tiny bit impressed (scared?!) by my efficiency, typical days involve morning porridge-coffee-pyjamas routine, 2-3 hrs revision, 1-3 hours of some form of training, an afternoon with a friend, some more revision, and hopefully an evening with a friend or (as i'm at home) some time spent with family. It has come to my attention that I pretty much always have a 'plan' - a general idea of what I am going to do, when I am going to do it, and how I am going to get from each plan-component to the next. It's all a bit join the dots.

I'm not sure I like living life in a dot-to-dot puzzle, all be it a very organised one. Sometimes I wonder if this plannyness is a little excessive, if I would be better off just relaxing a bit and winging life. Pre training, pre uni actually mattering (so basically, we're talking first year uni), I was probably more relaxed, more prone to the wing it method. Having said this, I spent a lot of my time sitting on my arse doing absolutely nothing. Actually - no - I spent a lot more time lying on my back (sleeping!!). I'm not sure that's the way to be either. I've certainly got more exciting/proud making/happy memories from this year than first - memories from first year very much involve sleeping, and pesto, tomato and mozzarella sandwiches...

Life is meant to be savoured, to be enjoyed. Sometimes, in order to do so we have to throw care over our shoulder, and let the wind blow us to our next destination. Sometimes, however, from day to day, a little bit of structure is needed just to keep everything ticking over.

Like so many aspects of life, I guess it's all in the balance.
Balance, balance, balance... i'm rather like a broken record...

boring one..

2010-04-05T02:59:00.000-07:00

Mon - 2.5k swim - intervals
Tues - 30 min strength + (500m row, 10min bike, 10min eliptical) x 3

Comfortableness..

2010-04-04T04:07:00.000-07:00

Sat- pull ups/weights etc - 30 min, 2k row, 3x6mile bike, 10min elliptical

Had a little browse on 220 Tri this morning (after making revision notes on 'The Slave Trade' - joy), and discovered an interesting article about 20min upper body workouts for swimming. The writer suggested these exercises:

The exercises
Big swim gains can be made in just 15mins. Here’s how…

Exercise 1 Press-ups
Exercise 2 Burpees
Exercise 3 Tricep dips
Exercise 4 Pull-ups

It was generally suggested that you progressively work harder and harder for 15 minutes. My heart sunk at the mention of pull ups - I am quite simply just, well, not very strong.

The irritating thing is that I KNOW I need to improve here. I have been working on it, Friday night I did a routine of 10 squat, 50 of those ones where you lie flat, and pull your legs up to 90 degrees, and repeat (name anyone?), 20 squat, 40 table sit ups, 30 squat, 30 press up, 40 squat, 20 sit up, 50 squat, 10 alternating leg kick sit ups. I am getting there, and I do see the importance of strength training, but it's just so EASY to stick to my standard cardio workouts. I like sets of 20mins or 10 mins, where you work at about 70% intensity, for about 1-2 hours, anything that asks me to pull out 80-90% of my effort and i'd just rather avoid it. I guess this explains why my kettlebell has been gathering dust for a while.

I really, really must attack this problem soon or improvements are going to be very, very slow..

The One Thing I have in Common With Olly Freeman

2010-04-03T10:49:00.000-07:00

Sat - Restttt...

So, I have been stalking Olly Freeman on allyouneedtotri.com. He's got a great blog going on there, and it's really great to see an elite athlete keeping up a pretty regular bloggy habit.

Anyway, I noticed this and it made me chuckle:
" I’ve also hit a couple of PBs in the pool, for 25m and 50m, though both of them came about as a result of my fragile ego being threatened by a 14 year-old Harry Potter look alike (come on J.P. you know it’s true! “ACCIO GOGGLES!”) who was getting within sniffing distance of me on the respective swims. So much to Glenn’s (my coach) amusement and dismay, I suddenly found an extra 0.7secs per 25m. Pathetic isn’t it! I’m just saying it how it is!"

This is not true for the elite only - it is SO true for, well, all of us, is it not?Sometimes you just get that one person that you fix your eyes upon, and for some reason, you cannot help but feel an incessant need to prove yourself to them. Now, of course, i'm generally fixing my eyes ahead of me, and trying to keep up - whilst our friend Olly here was probably kicking ass the whole time. Regardless, it's good to feel less alone in the slightly vindictive, a teensy bit ego tinted world of unnecessary competition.

That is not to say that competitive, ego fuelling ass kicking is always the way forward in training. There are times in the pool, on the track, when I see someone who is quite clearly in a league far removed - far ahead - of my own. In these cases, I use the alien intruder who appears to be infringing upon my training space as inspiration. This happened last time I was on the cycle track, as I watched a muscle laden speed freak whizz past me and Connie the mountain bike (named that, literally two seconds ago, because I couldn't just leave her nameless - she's a Scott Contessa, Contessa being pretty priggish... Connie will do..). All I could do was watch, smile, and nod appreciation. We both stayed there for some time, and I lapped him a couple of times on what were evidently his 'recovery laps'. In this case, failing to meet the mark was inspiration, other times, knowing you've got the edge is enough to achieve a new PB.

When it comes down to it, it seems the answer is that training with others (even if they're not 100% aware you're using them as a training mate...) is a fantastic way to improve. Through inspirational pedestal-ing, through persperational self proving, through communal pain. Bring on the race.

Checking out the gym near my parents home tomorrow for the time i'm back... feeling quite excited to try somewhere new :-)

The Unbelievable High Incedence of Injury Among Athletes

2010-03-31T12:18:00.000-07:00

Weds - squats/ab wheel/weights/planks (30ish min), 2k elliptical, 10k bike, 2k elliptical, 10k bike, 5k elliptical
Thurs - 1hr hilly/flat biking, 1hr biking on the 400m track - 5xhard, 1xeasy - and repeat =D
Fri - 200m warm up, timed 1.5k swim (34min40), various 200m/100m/25m etc til 2250m

Well - the nasty throat virus has finally packed its bags and left me. I was very excited to wake up this morning. Yesterdays swim was a real struggle so it was amazing to feel my body actually working today.

Did, however, visit the doctor over the foot issue. So far, I have endured 1wk no running, she gave me 6wks max, so 5weeks remaining. My first tri is in 6weeks time. I would feel horribly disappointed/worried, but its my mini 'practice tri' - with only 2.5k run. Recovery from tendinitis taught me that as long as I do something to maintain my running muscles, keep up the fitness and stay light, although I don't improve, I don't seem to get too much slower either. So, the plan is to cross train like a maniac, and IF I feel up to it, still enter the Tri.

I also need to take a trip to a GOOD running shop. I have decided to pack in my, clearly unsuitable, £90 pair of Brookes, and return to something like my much battered £50 Asics, which I happily ran in, pain and injury free, for over a year..

Until recently, I was beginning to wonder if my body was simply not made to run, but listening to some of the other triathletes after swim training last week made me realise how much time the majority of them spend recovering from some injury or another. Ok, so it doesn't make it any more ideal or enjoyable, but makes me feel a little reassured that i'm not just a bit of a weakling. Professional athletes suffer too, of course, the difference is they have teams of super-knowledgable physios and sports scientists crowded around them at the first tweak or twinge. I think the challenge for the non-elite is knowing how to react - not to worry, not to return to whatever caused the injury too soon, basically, to be sensible: cross train, treat, and relax. It will get better, if you let it.

Untill then - RICE much?

Illneesss :( AchooCoughCough

2010-03-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

Thurs - 2k row, 25k bike, 5k elliptical (practice tri)
Fri - coached swim - 1.5-2k
Sat REST
Sun REST
Mon - 15k bike, 5k elliptical, 10k bike, 1k row, squats/ab wheel etc
Tues - 2k swim, 15k bike

Training has all been a little runnish as of late. I managed to bust my foot up on Mondays run, but Ibprofen, ice and bandage seem to have done the trick and its feeling much better. I do, however, have a mingy cold which has been plaguing me.

I decdied to take a full two days off over the weekend, in the hope of getting better, and I am feeling almost recovered. I've totally failed at taking any more than that off, but i've been training at a slightly easier pace.

The two ailments combined have culminated to make me feel a little lacking in energy. It's annoying to feel so motivated, so ready to train hard, but to be basically incapable. To counter the frustration, I found myself making a 'worship wall' of all my heroes - featuring mainly Alister Brownlee, Chrissie Wellington and some crazy 98 year old marathoner called Fauja Singh.

I guess when the body gets tired, it needs a rest, even if the mind finds it hard to cope.

In Which The Author Talks About Something Else/Proves She Has Other Interests

2010-03-25T00:55:00.000-07:00

So, technically the below is a working progress. However, I haven't posted in ages so i'm feeling a little guilty...
First off though, what have I been doing?
Tues - 2.2swim, mainly 250ms, as fast as could sustain, just under 4k run (19min - considering it was hilly, and I was just going for a 'decent jog', i'm quite happy with that)
Wed - 3x10k bike, 2x2k cross train

And here is my digression:

The Future for National Identity

The BNP have been forced to renounce their ‘no Black or Asian’ members rules. Despite this, joining members will still have to sign an agreement stating that they will oppose the promotion of any form of "integration or assimilation" that impacted on the "indigenous British". The BNP is not changing, it is merely adapting because it has to, for “legal reasons” as Nick Griffin told the BBC. This increased tightness on the laws of the organisation, as well as the potential banning of BNP members from professions that carry social responsibility, such as teaching; could maybe spell the beginning of the end for the party.

The BNP is set on maintaining the British identity – nationalism, pride, adoration of British culture. What though, is there to adore? Born a ‘White, British Female’, I fall into the ‘dominant majority’ that the BNP would have preserved. However, when I consider national identity, I see it more as a tangled web of prejudice and discrimination, a straight jacket of naturalising social conditioning that is tightened with each year of human existence than an institution to take pride in. I ask myself, why would any individual favour racial hatred over equality, violence over peace, to maintain such a gross and repressive ideal?

Prejudiced groups, like the BNP, and aeons of history and war, have allowed race to become more than a geographical marker, but a dividing force. This doesn’t have to be the case. A recent documentary showed a 21 year old British raised graduate returning to Afghanistan, in order to understand her native culture. She claimed she “felt cut off from her roots”, and asked “where the hell do I belong?!” Unsurprisingly, she was shocked, at times appalled by the sexism in the male dominated society. Nel was left frustrated by the “stupid men” who gripped the country. Returning, she said the felt Britain was “safe”, but that she was “proud” to say she was from Afghanistan.

Watching the programme, and seeing the journey of a young woman of a similar age to me led me to wonder if people like, even need, to have some feeling of belonging, some notion of where they come from and where they can place their roots. I, as a British woman, have until now renounced my relationship with the British identity, it’s stereotypical dogged dedication to politeness and apparent love of tea and crumpets. Watching Nel in her search for identity, however, made me wonder if I was missing something too.

I wonder if National Identity can be clawed back from the grasps of racist extremists, and returned to its position as a maker of identity. A marker of shared identity, of different identity: of equal identity. If ideas of racial dominance could only be expelled, national identity could become a motive for pride in ones nation, and for celebration of every other. In those who have roots which extend to multiple countries, it can mean gaining a richness of culture and history. Pride in one’s nation, and love of others, could be brought to mean the opening of borders to the beautiful array of cultures – sounds, tastes and arts that lie beyond Britain, as well as savoring our own. With open-mindedness and a new attitude, it could be the way to a more colorful future.

Catch Nel’s journey at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00rqfsv/Women_Weddings_War_and_Me/

In Which The Author Is Honest

2010-03-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

Thurs - 40min strength - leg press/arms/quads etc, plus ab wheel and planks, 10k with 5k fartlek.
Fri - 5k elliptical, 10k bike, 3k elliptical, stregth
Sat - Rest
Sun - 2.5k swim: 500m warm up, 1.5k continuous (practice for next month!), 8x1 25m sprints, 200m drills, 100m cool down
Mon - 10min skipping, birpies, high knees, bum flicks etc, 7mile run (outside)

I was asked today, what, if i'm being brutally honest, training is about for me. I've posted on this a million times, but that's primarily becuase I find it an increasingly interesting topic. Looking around any gym, in any county, at work places, in universities, at 6am, at 10pm, there are people blasting themselves, others gently pushing themselves - why is that?

Sometimes I feel I have a lot to prove. To others, to myself - to my best friends, and to that random kid cycling up the hill (the adolescent one who clocked me yesterday, promptly barged out accross the road in front of me, whizzed off and did a wheelie on the pavement - ye, I kicked his ass ;-) ). I have a tendency to live in quiet acceptance. I'm not the most aggressive, not the most assertive of people. Now, i'd like to think I know how to stand up for myself, but this hasn't always been the case. I think there are people in the past that I can feel myself chasing after. I'd like to show them what i'm made of. Training has opened my eyes to what i'm capable of, to quite how much ambition there is in my heart, which fuels my little legs to charge on and on.

Kicking ass is probably not something that is seen as 'positive', but sometimes I wonder if it is a desire that is overly opressed. In our society, we do out work, we make the tea, we clear away the table and do everything that is expected of us, with a polite smile. I've been thinking a lot lately about national identity, what makes British people British. I think it's unescapable to be British, if you are brough up in the polite, sometimes stifling land of tea and crumpets. It isn't really natural, though - it has become natural; we have become naturalised. Everybody needs an outlet for the animal, untamed spirit that pounces at the chance of competition, snarls in the face of confrontation. I've found mine.

Balance

2010-03-16T12:58:00.000-07:00

Mon - 3x500m swim, 2x200m, 300m drills
Tues - 4x100m, 3x400m, 4x100m - average strokes = 13, best efficiency = 42, 10x10 weighted squats with planks between
Wed - 2k elliptical, 2k row, 10k bike, 2k row, 10k bike, 1k elliptical

I had a truly enjoyable day today. Firstly, it was the first week day for some time I have spent a grad total of 0 (yes, zero) hours brown taping four sided cardboard objects into boxes, filling four sided cardboard objects with books, and piling the said heavy four sided cardboard demons on top of each other. In short - today I didn't do any box packing. Paid, it is. An excellent core workout, it is. Knackering, and at times, a little soul destroying: that also.

So - let us not dwell on it. Today, I leisurely woke up, ate a yummy 'I don't have to work today' bowl of porridge, which tasted oh so sweet, pottered to Starbucks with LB, sat with my yummy Americano and wrote another 1500 words of my dissertation, taking the total from 3000/6000 to 4500/6000. The end is in sight.

Having completed this, I headed over to Lewes to meet lovely Dave and Rose for a lovely swim (I understand I am over-using the word lovely, but it really was just all very pleasantly.. nice). Swim was followed by a soaking up of the metaphorical rays in the sauna, and a re tun to uni - for what was actually my last lecture - ever! Now to explain my meaning in the excessive lovelies and nices - there was nothing epic, amazing, awesome or awe inspiring about today - it was neither hideously yet wonderfully productive, not was it disgustingly but beatuifully lazy - today, the balance was there, resulting in a stress free, but active Michelle.

During my swim, I used my new Pool Mate watch to track my progress. Highly exciting. It advertises itself as pretty much the most useful training tool on the market for swimmers, and I am, for once, inclined to agree with a bit of marketing.

Firstly, it was helpful to see my times recorded exactly, to be able to tell what works and what doesn't - it's hard to judge without specifics. The best feature, though, is the strokes per lap tool. This counts your strokes, and then gives you a score for efficiency. For example, if you make twenty strokes per lap, you will be wasting large amounts of energy, not going very far! It would seem that my swim efficiency rating varies between 42 and 51, usually getting about 45 - the scale being:
30- = professional athlete
30-40 = very good
40-50 = above average
50-70 = average
70+ = below average

My Marie Curie 1.5k is some time mid April, so i'm working towards a PB of 35 (my current 42), and i'd like to be consistently hitting 40 by then. It's something that takes real thought - when I consciously *think* 'lengthen your stroke, pull on a rope' (advice the Phoenix coach gave me!!) I hit around 42, it's when I stop *thinking* that I lose it and over-stroke, so to speak.Failing the continual presence of a coach, the Pool Mate is going to be my new swimming-best-friend, my extra brain-calculator which will keep an eye on my progress while i'm busy.

That's the thing with sport, it's not all pushing yourself, working hard, it isn't all biological. There is a lot of focus, concentration and mental process that needs to go on to in order to achieve correct form. Balance is necessary in nearly all aspects of living.

Role Models

2010-03-13T11:53:00.000-08:00

Sat- resttt
Sun- 50miles home->Eastbourne->home (cycle)

It has been a long, long week. Thirteen hours of packing up boxes for moving lecturers, an day of data-base fixing, half a dissertation, and training. I have almost forgotten how to sleep. However, I finished it off with a good night out last night, and took today as 'rest day'.

Lately, i've noticed triathlete Chrissie Wellington popping up all over the place: in 220 Magazine, on-line, in the Sunday Times - the woman is doing the media laps. I have to admit, i'm enjoying seeing her smiling face singing from the newspaper stands. I've noticed that, particuarly: Chrissie is always, always smiling. It's really quite amazing she has the energy. Not only is she an amazing athlete, but she's an ambassador for a variety of charities, and took up competitive triathlon following a career with DEFRA, and a stint working in Nepal. And, to top it all of, she is quite possibly one of most modest athlete's i've ever had the pleasure of reading about.

Chrissie recently wrote an article in 220 Triathlon about how athletes should love their bodies, nurture them and respect them. She's not only an amazing athlete, but is also a thoughtful, eloquent writer. Effectively, what I am saying is that Ms Wellington is my official new role model.

My last gym session, I felt myself waning as I did my strength work (my least favourite), tempted to chuck it in and pop upstairs for a freeing run on the treadmill (not nearly as free-ing as a run outside, but warm and convenient...), or just to go home. Instead, I reminded myself how hard someone like Chrissie Wellington has to work to be Chrissie Wellington, and did what I had to do.

A role model is a useful tool in life. Morally, I take my guidence from my mother and my own, personal Jesus. It would seem that my aspirations are heading in the direction of the great 'CW'.

Made new muffins tonight:
oats, flour, water, egg, baking powder, (now the fun bit:) banana, cinnamon, peanut butter and seed mix. All ready for tomorrows planned bike ride!!

BusyBusy//

2010-03-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

Fri - Easy Day - 1.5k swim, 3mile(ish) run
Sat - Hard Day - 3x2k cross train, 2x10k bike, 1x5k bike
Sun - Rest
Mon - Hard Day - 2k cross train, 3x10k bike (put the resistnace up -been doing this session a while now, needed stepping up!), 2k row, 1k cross, some leg weights
Tues - Easy day - 250m warm up, 200m drills, 3x500m reps (First two = steady effort, last set done 4hard, 1 easy etc), 200m cool down
Wed - 10k run, 40min strength
Thur - swim - 40 - 60min
Fri - 2k row, 25k bike, 5k run (practice tri)

This week I have spent: 13 hrs packing boxes for monies, many hours dissertation, fair amound of time gyming and swimming - no time blogging. Sorry, but dissertaion is currently winnig on the importance front. Blog will be back to normal asap!
In the mean time - muffins i posted few days ago?
There are SO MANY POSSIBLE VARIETIES. It's AMAZING. Keep yourselves busy - cooking and eating :)

2010-03-04T01:07:00.000-08:00

Thurs - 10k run, 10k bike
Fri - Coached Swim, 1k-1.5k, 3mile run

Diary:

April 17th : 1.5k swim for Marie Curie
To Sponser:
http://my.artezglobal.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=305100&langPref=en-CA

May 16th: East Grinstead Tri - 250m swim, 11k bike, 2.5 k run

June 13th: Mid Sussex Tri - 400m swim, 25k bike, 5k run

It's all hotting up..

Muffinssss

2010-03-03T14:05:00.000-08:00

Ohhh also I stole this from.. someone or other on the internet. Made my first batch today, with one apple and one banana, and a good squirt of honey. They're pretty good, but for future I will try, and would recommend, 2/3 banana's, maybe some raisons - I think they could do with some sweetening up! Deffinatly a good recipe though, I plan on trying lots of variations. Just occured to me some chocolate flavoured protein powder would be the perfect addition - maybe substitute half a cup of flour: Flavour AND fuel!

1 cup porridge oats
1 cup wholemeal flour
1 egg
3/4 cup semi-skimmed milk
1/4 cup good oil (e.g hazelnut)
3 tsps baking powder

Variations
Few drops vanilla extract or almond extract
Add fruit – e.g. raisins, dried apricots, dried apple, blueberries (dried or fresh)
Add spices you like – e.g. nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice.

Mix all the ingredients up together and cook in muffin cases (makes 8-12 depending on how big you want them) in preheated oven gas mark 5/190 C for 20-25 mins. Cool on a rack once cooked.

These need a lot of fruit added otherwise they are a little too ‘wholesome’. Personally my favourite variation is with dried apricots (a good couple of handfuls, chopped) but last night I did them with a mixture of dried blueberries (soaked for 20 mins in hot water) and dried apricots and they’re pretty good.

If you need more sweetness, I reckon you could add 3 tbsps or so of honey to the mixture.

wistful appreciation..

2010-03-03T13:45:00.000-08:00

Tues - 2.5k swim - mainly 400s, lots of biking to get to physio and uni
Wed - 1.5k swim, running drills (in pool - lol) killer hill bike to get to work exp

I will admit, today was a largely unsuccessful swim. The problem is, I fall through the crack. How, you may ask?

People who swim at 8am, are generally dedicated- and thus good. Therefore, at this time (yesyes I was in the pool at 8am today..), I don't feel too confident in the fast lane. I can keep up, but not at a good continual pace. However, the medium lane is mediocre in every sense of the word, and I end up paddling along behind someone doing breastroke or GOODNESS FORBID backstroke, getting frustrated. What is one to do? Usually: persevere. Today: get fed up, jump in the learner pool and take my frustration out on drills.

The week so far has been fairly hectic. I'm aware my degree is drawing to it's close, so i'm working pretty hard. I'm trying to fit everything in, and still snatch moments of pleasure. Yesterday morning, I woke at 7am, cleaned the kitchen and bathroom, then took myself to starbucks (not my first choice - but open) to do my reading before my swim, which was followed by a painful but (yay!) fantastic physio trip - fantastic because I was proclaimed HEALED of tendinitis! This was then followed by some biking ac cross the hills of Sussex to uni, a library trip, a lecture, and finally sleep.

For the average student, this is a surplus of activity. For the average working adult, it's probably fairly normal.

Sometimes I wonder if I pile on unnecessary stress - for example, why not enjoy some extra hours in bed, and go to the gym in the evening - considering it's open till 10.30? Thing is, I like to be busy. For two reasons: i'm painfully aware that (with a little luck) i'll be working some time soon, and I want to limit the shock. Two: It makes me appreciate life, and the beautiful moments of simplicity found in a corner of starbucks. I may find many a reason to whinge about cycling in the harsh wind and driving rain, but I can tell you I loved the cold in the air as I zoomed over the downs yesterday (less so as I peddled up the evil 'Wednesday Hill of Doom' today...)

So - that's why I do it to myself. I like to be productive, and am not prepared to waste my days away. Wistful ambling appreciation for life over. By the way, did I mention the physio said i'm better?!

A little musing on swimming and apologies

2010-03-01T13:02:00.000-08:00

Thur - 10k (58min - couple of uphill walks in there - achilles strengthen!!), core work (medicine ball!)
Fri - 2.5k swim - practiced 600m and tumble turns
Sat - rest
Sun - 5mile run
Mon - 2k row, 9.40 - 25k bike, 49min - 5k run, non timed

Favourite achievment of the week was Friday's swim. As i've mentioned before, i've been really struggling with longer distances. So, this time, I decided to throw in a lap of breaststroke every 4 laps. At first, lap 4 and 8 and 16 were all breastroke. I then found out that the little 'breaks' meant I could just keep going, and after that, I didn't feel the need for the breaks anyway! Deffinate sense of achievment. Also, as I was at home, I had the benefit of a pretty empty pool, so I had the opportunity to practice tumble turns. After a bit of practice, I actually found they made it EASIER to keep going. Fingers crossed I can keep it up!

Sory about lack of interesting blogs... I spent 5 hours staring at a computor screen in the library today, writing and re-writing an essay - so sadly all creative energies have been sapped from me :( Come Easter - should have lots of spare time - be afraid!

A boring one...

2010-02-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

Wed -
2km cross train - warm up - 8.08min
2km row = 10.00min (exactly!)
5km bike = 9.12min

1km cross train - 5min (recovery)
2km row = 9.54min
5km bike = 9.50min

2km cross train - 9min (recovery)
10km bike = 20.10min (not so great... died at 5k..)

New Training!

2010-02-23T02:19:00.000-08:00

Sat - core work, 3x5 (assisted!) pull ups, 1k jog, 5k timed run, 2k jog
Sun - resttt
Mon - 8min row (1730m), 15mile bike - 49min, 5k cross train - 20.19min, 1hr yoga
Tues - 200m drill, 3x400m, 4x200m, 8mile bike, 40mins strength (5x10 on each machine, 5x10 ab wheel, stability and core exercises)

Ok, so - Triathlon is sixteen weeks away. Up till now training has been very much maintenance - looking at the last few weeks i've effectively done about the same amount each week. So, on the advice of a swimming coach, it's time to begin cycling my training. No - not doing it all on the bike. I mean doing 3 weeks hard, 1 week easy, then adding a little bit more intensity each week.

Yesterday began the new 'Monday Time Trial' routine. Monday I will do a timed attempt at the tri. As I have to do it in the gym, I exchanged swim for row, and this time did 8mins (average 400m time), but as of now i'll do the distance I covered in that time and work on making it... shorter. Last week was pretty easy (another sign it needs upping!) so this week im beginning the next 3 weeks.

The general concensus is never increasse your work load by more than 10%. So - previously I was swimming about 5k a week, this will become around 5.5. I also want to work on reducing rest breaks within my sessions to 1minute only.

Biking - taking the resistance on the spin bike from 6 to 9 (on general - the one that takes you over hills and on flat. 50mins of flat cycling in the gym would probably induce coma), and this weeks long bike ride will be to Eastboune and back - 40miles (if it happens - icky weather) - if not - 6x5mile intervals on spin bike - aiming to get FASTER each time - compete with self!

Running - tricky one - still have to be careful. Long run will go from 10k to 10k run, 5k cross train, short run (5k+8k jog) i'll be working at stopping this annoying habit of toning down the speed when it's not necessary, so NO BREAKS. Mainly because I know I can do it easily, it's entirely mental, like the 400m swim hurdle I just managed to overcome (see last post).

I've also noticed something else about me when training - when i'm on my own, I take breaks I don't need - like the running ones, and I generally don't use my potential. For example, on Saturday's run I noticed my 'jog' wasn't too different from my 'run', and yesterday, I finished the time trial, and I really didn't feel too tired. Sweaty, yes, but that's more to do with poor ventilation if you ask me. I need to get more competitive with myself! So - if I haven't got anyone to watch me all the time and log times, looks like I need to start logging them myself.

2010-02-19T12:23:00.000-08:00

Wed - 3x400m swim, 2x200m, 4x100m + 400m warm up/cool down/drills

Great swimming session. I've been struggling lately with my 400m sets - I keep splitting them up and doing 100m/50m etc 'fast' and failing to endure the longer ones. After a bit of self-searching, thinking through tecnique, nutrition, amount of sleep, etc etc, I finally realised what the problem was. Bacially, a bit of laziness. The race is 400 - I know I can swim 400m, so I just stopped bothering and started just covering the distance, breaks or no breaks.
Thing is, my 400m time is never going to improve if I never swim 400m.
So - today I told myself to stop being so lazy and just do it. And I did. And I could.
Moral of the story: bit of self discipline isn't a bad thing.

(sorry for the short blog. actually have a lot more to say - but LB has come over and is sitting on his own downstairs whilst I write so I better go keep him company whilst he eats his chinease. And no, i'm not having any. Tuna (protein), chickpeas (protein + carb), mushrooms and pepper with tomatoe sauce served me just right, thanks, and probably won't triple the levels of salt and other undesirables in my system)

where have all the women gone?

2010-02-19T12:21:00.000-08:00

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, here's another:

Sweaty Women

As the Olympics approach, it feels wonderful to watch the sporting gods and goddesses prepare to dominate. The elite of both genders capture the world’s imagination, and excite the senses. I wonder, though, where the women’s rugby was as the Six Nation’s men’s team ploughed down competition? And when the women’s cricket team won the World Cup, where was the coverage? Oh yes – focused on the men as they lost. And when summer swings around, and picnics and rounder’s start to replace winter TV evenings, who do you think will be leading the family team? Alienation is something women have seen a lot of throughout their turbulent history - and this is also true in the world of sport.

A recent study showed that whilst 40% of men regularly take part in organized sporting competition, the percentage of competing women stands only at fourteen. Clearly, within the general public, there is an undeniable gender divide. When asked, women I know gave a myriad of reasons, from the mental to the biological – fear of failure, lack of testosterone, the unavoidable ticking clock located in the womb. It seems that often, where men will think of the supreme glory of winning, women dwell upon the shame of failure. One woman told me ‘I wasn't competitive at all for the first couple of years of doing sport... but now that I've settled in and understand more and feel relatively comfortable in what I'm doing, I am becoming competitive,’ implying success was necessary to encourage and spur her on.

It is often perceived that competitiveness in females is in some way unnatural, or unattractive. Sports magazines are always located next to men’s magazines in the shops, whilst ‘healthy living’ and diet magazines cling to the space where women are meant to linger. Keeping fit is a great reason to train, but it is naive to believe it is the only goal. Usain Bolt doesn’t win races to keep skinny. In fact, skinniness is a hindrance for many sports – many believe its women’s higher body-fat ratio which makes them naturally better swimmers, and female team sports competitors won’t be aided by little limbs.

This nurturing of women who are ashamed of their competitive nature could be one of the key reasons behind women keeping their noses out of sport. I myself, now a keen runner, swimmer and cyclist, never discovered my aggressive side until I entered my first charity race. Chugging along the course, months of training under my belt, I still perceived that I was ‘only taking part for fun/for charity/to get fit’. It was only when I crossed the finish line, and discovered I was only the eighth person to do so, that I got my first taste of sweet success. Almost a year later, and i’m still chasing after the rewards that come from pushing my body, and succeeding. Succeeding against others is merely a confidence boost, or a push to be better, depending upon the results. Competing against the self is where the pleasure comes from – setting a goal and working, working, working, until I am capable of something I couldn’t do before- that’s a buzz better than any drug can provide.

Once I’d weaved my way into the world of sport and athletics, I found attitudes towards competition totally changed. Whilst friends and family stood bewildered, and wondered if I might be mentally unstable, sporting people totally understood. Within the world of athletics and competition, women athletes have a huge amount of respect, from both genders. Champions such as triathlete Chrissie Wellington compete amongst men, and win. When asked about her success, Chrissie explains “I've always been very focused, very driven. I love pushing my body to the limit. But I'd never have known if I hadn't done endurance sports.” This, I believe, is the key – without giving sport a go, women will never find their potential.

Women who train do so for the same reasons as any man. Some men and women meander along, at a gentle pace, and are happy, others want to storm the finish line with all they’ve got. Runner Allison O’Neill described her time spent away from her sport as a time of withdrawal, and reminisces sadly about the ‘dark times’ spent in her room when she thought she’d ‘never run again’. Following injury, she tells me ‘I spent ten years in pursuit of the holy grail – a buzz to match that of competitive running... I finally faced up to the truth. I simply couldn’t live without it.’ There is a huge rush that comes from competing, from winning, from freeing your body from the repulsive chains of everyday existence. Women can find that drive within themselves, if only they could forget the sexist messages that pulsate from nearly every form of media, that to be competitive is not to be sexy. Winning is sexy, and even if it wasn’t, who cares? I often catch sight of myself in a mirror at the gym. I can tell you, sweat patches, bright red face, hair slicked back – I might not look the picture of feminine beauty, but it feels great to know I’m on my way to a new PB.
The current attitude that is holding women back needs to be laid to rest, along with those that are now considered laughable, such as ‘a woman’s place is in the kitchen’. With the female sex rife with body image concerns and self consciousness, what women really need is to learn how to use their bodies as a tool for empowerment. Female ambition is lurking just beneath the surface, if they would only drop the fear of sweat and public perception, and race to the finish line of gender equality.

Invictus

2010-02-16T14:55:00.000-08:00

Mon - 2400m swim, some bike
Tues - 20mile bike, 30min run
Wed - 2500m swim, 30 min strength, 30min bike
Thur - 1mile cross train, 2k run, 5mile bike, 1.5k run, 5mile bike, 1mile cross train, 5mile bike

Last night, I bit the bullet of expensive entertainment and went to see 'Invictus' with LB (this year, LB actually signed my valentines card 'LB' - the blog has evidently begun to seep into all aspects of life!). The film tells the story of South African apartheid, and the role the Springbooke rugby team had to play in it's gradual disintegration under the careful handling of Nelson Mandela.

Anyone could criticise the film for exaggeration and idealism. With the country still rife with racism, corruption and crime, the closing scenes of races intertwined and brotherly love seemed somewhat unbelievable. However, the film struck a cord with me.

As the rugby players fought on through unsupportive fans, their motivation dwindled and they lost games. Even their coach could barely see the potential in his team, using the 'taste of defeat' to impress upon his players the need to work harder. As a result, they only floundered still further, sinking to the bottom of the heap of world rugby. When one man (Mandela) handed them the candle of self belief, and the chance to make their country proud - all was transformed.

Attitude goes a long way. It is true that the body can only perform what it is capable of, but the mind can capture whatever it so desires. Coincidentally, the mind controls the body. Self belief can transform a failing team into winners, and it can turn a mediocre athlete into a champion.

As William Ernest Henley wrote, so beautifully:
'I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.'

Lucozade Lightning?

2010-02-09T04:30:00.000-08:00

Sunday - long walkies :-)
Monday - 20min bike, 200m kick drill, 200m arm drills, 2000m swim
Tues - 20min strength, 10k bike, 1k run, 10k bike, 2k run, 10k bike, 2k run
Weds - 10k steady run (watching Jeremy Kyle - good way to stay steady!), 40min commute bike
Thurs - 2000m swim, 400m drills, bike commute
Fri - 1500m swim, 40min bike commute
Sat - 5mile run, deadlifts
Sun - Resstt

Yesterday I had the best swim i've had in a while. There may be several explanations for this: more conditioning = stronger arms, learning to breath every 5 instead of every 3 = better rhythm, being more aware of arm movement = wasting less energy... oOoOr... it could have been a result of the Lucozade High Energy Alert shot I downed just before the training. Before this, i'd already ploughed through a coffee and a cup of tea during the day. One wonders... how much caffeine is too much?

Are high caffeine energy drinks good for athletes, or not?
I can appreciate that for a race or event, a (pre tested!) energy boost is a bonus. However, it becomes incredibly tempting to start repeatedly turning to energy supplements following a bad nights sleep or a slightly sluggish attitude. I'm not sure this is too healthy, and wonder if repeated use could lead to a 'can't train without it' attitude.

Post-workout supplements might offer promising recovery benefits, but having said this, I have so far been quite happy with a banana and a latte (or protein shake, when I get round to ordering some powder, which i've been meaning to do for the last month or so).

Lucozade is absolutely everywhere lately, evidently they're having a marketing push, and it's absolutely inescapable in the sporting, gyming world. Features in magazines, new Lucozade-Only vending machines in every sporting facility. I can't help but wonder: are they a help or a hindrance? Healthy, useful supplements, or unnatural methods for short term gains?

I'm not sure. All I know is I went to sleep about 3am, and was woken by the recycling van and school-run at 8:30AM... failing taking it easy, and skipping training altogether... someone pass the caffeine?

Beautiful Sussex

2010-02-06T09:50:00.000-08:00

The LB and I went on a beautiful bike ride today along the sea cliffs of the Sussex coast. The sun was high in the sky, and my heart was singing. The ride made me realise what an amazing place Sussex is, how much there is to take in, enjoy, make the most of - how little I make the most of it.

Tomorrow, i'm going walking across the downs with some friends. With so much open space around us, it seems ridiculous to spend more time than necessary stuffed away in the house.

Also - swimming is looking up muchly. A lovely friend of mine (you, Dave!) came along and gave me some swim pointers that i've been working on. Main priorities: more drills, breath every 5 instead of every 3, arm brushing hat, perfect tumble-turns. Woopwoop.

Current goal: March 7th - Aquathlon, 400m swim, 5k run. Fingers crossed the Achilles holds up..

Wed - 8k run, 10ish mile hilly bike
Thurs - 1500-2000m swim
Fri - 6ish mile bike, 2000m swim, 30min strength
Sat - 32mile hilly bike!

Self Directed Kindness- SDK

2010-02-02T12:23:00.000-08:00

Tues - 2200m ish swim

Today I hit a wall. The thick, heavy wall of psychological failure.

What I didn't mention in the weeks schedule (last post) is that on Firday-Rest-Day I donated a pint of blood. Following this, I continued to train as normally as possible. Ah-ha-ha. Not so smart.

Consequently, I had a rubbish swim on Saturday. I did decide to take it easy as a result, but the initial shock of my body not doing as I ordered it to has been playing on my mind ever since. I got a few sets into todays swim, and kept being haunted by this horrible reminisence of breathlessness in the water. As a (until now...) closet claustraphobic, I find any feelings of breathlessness usually result in panic. My mind was asking my body if it was really capable, and telling my limbs they were heavy. I got half way through, and was so tempted to get out. So, I sat at the side, gave myself a good pep-talk (not out loud!), and plunged back in. It took a few lengths, but I kepy positive, and finished the set with relative ease.

Sometimes (often) I find that being a little harsh on myself is a pretty useful training tool. Telling myself not to be lazy and that I can do so much more usually works, but today, a little self-sympathy was needed. At this level, I discover new attitudes to training almost every day. Today, I decided a little self-directed kindness goes a long way.

Human Nature..

2010-01-25T09:44:00.000-08:00

Experiences as of late have led me to dwell upon the attitudes we have to other people around us. Sometimes, when the sun is shunning us, the wind is pummelling us and the everyday dross of daily life is getting us down, it's pretty easy to make our bad moods everybody else's problem.

On Monday, I took to the free weights room at the gym. The four walls of doom! Generally, this room is cluttered with copies of Men's Health, some new cocktail of doom concocted by Lucazade, and filled with iron pumping muscles belonging to hairy assed men. I had decided, however, that it was high time the squat rack and I spent some quality time together, so I held my head high and entered the doom-room. I was, in fact, greeted by a friendly one-time triathlete who was actually really helpful, and gave me some great advice for starting out on the road to Squat-Dom.

In great contrast, today, my mood lightened by the happy events of the previous day, I sauntered my way to the pool, hoping to see some friendly faces and maybe have a few between-set chats. Instead, I spent a fairly significant amount of time dodging flailing arms, legs, and other pain-inflicting limbs splashing around me. Granted: sometimes it simply happens that a limb comes into contact with another persons head, or general swimming vicinity. Today, however, I found myself playing chicken with a swimmer who simply refused to budge an inch. This ambitious pacer not only pushed me into the rope (which I positioned myself as close to as possible, in the expectation he would swim slightly further from it, and me, resulting in a very simple transaction of bodies) but caused me to stop, and fill my mouth and lungs with water. This might have been acceptable, had he later acknowledged the action, and made some form of half hearted apology. Instead, he proceeded to completely ignore the event.

The two experiences of human nature, one following so soon after the other, led me to consider the way we treat one another in the world. When the sun is shunning us, and the wind is pummelling us, maybe we would all do well to consider the fact that we are not the only ones.

Monday - 30k bike, 5k cross train/run, learnt to use the squat bar at the gym :-), 10km commute bike
Tues - 4x400m + 6x100m swim, 20min bike commute
Wed - 2k warm up jog, 5k run, 40 min commute bike and weights
Thurs - 30k bike, 4k cross train and weights
Friday - resttt
Sat - 1hr swim, 10mile bike
Sun - 5k run, 3k cross train, 20min strength, 10 mile bike
Mon - 40min strength, 2000m swim, 10ish mile bike

Discussion..

2010-01-23T12:47:00.000-08:00

Sunday - 40min leisure bike, 2200m swim

Saw this on the 220Triathlon forum:

"Women - don't really 'train' do they..?
by Conehead » Sun Jan 17, 2010 8:19 am

So - its that time of year and there's a lot of new names on the forum so I thought it was time to mix things up.

There's a couple of really good posts on tritalk so devoid of any original ideas of my own I've nicked one.

The observation is this - I see a lot of women out 'plodding' about when training, but when I see blokes they're generally trashing themselves. Now the casual observer could claim that women 'don't really train' and 'don't like sweating' and are happy to bimble along. Whereas fella's like to seemingly 'train hard'?

Discuss"

My first reaction to this post, it has to be said, was total mortification and anger that a person could be quite so ignorant. Many men plod, many women plod; many men train hard, many women train hard. I then established that the poster was looking for discussion, and not necessarily expressing his own view entirely. The replies that followed the post continued to provide me with a mingled emotional spectrum of amusement and anger - such as 'if I didn't work and had all day at home, I would train mid-day too - so maybe we men who work hard just don't see the training women cos we're busy earning money'. Such reasoning belongs in the 1950s, i'm sure.

It did however lead me to consider the question of sex and sport once again. I think women sometimes feel self conscious about really giving training everything they've got - i've caught myself in the gym mirror many times looking like i've just run through a jungle (probably being chased by some sort of large cat), and felt a little embaressed. However, when I know I have a goal - when I am aiming for a predetermined speed or distance, I don't care. Actually, I more than don't care - i'm proud.

Horses sweat, men perspire, ladies merely glow?
This might well be true, but this Lady glows enough to fill a good couple of buckets.

Interestingly Experimental

2010-01-20T08:32:00.000-08:00

Tues - 1hr leisure bike, 2300m swim (100s and 400s)
Wed - 3x400m swim, 5x100m + 1x10mile bike
Thurs - Rest
Fri - 10mile bike, 2000m swim
Sat - 20k bike, 5k run (practice Tri! Missed 5k of bike out of... well...get's boring in the gym and figured cross country will have downhill bits too!) + some weights

Today was interestingly experimental - not by design, but by accident. However, the accidental experiment has proved largely successful.

I arrived at the pool at 8:15, under the impression I had until 9:30. This was not the case - the pool actually closed at 9am. Here I was faced with a decision - give up on my morning swim, go to uni, and plan an evening swim? Or go for it, and swim as fast as I was humanly capable?

I was in the pool by 8:20.

This left me 40minutes to complete warm up, warm down, and my 2000m set, which usually takes 50minutes. Firstly, I must admit, I scrapped the warm up - naughty. Then, I decided that as the triathlon requires me to do 1x400m swim, it might be a good idea to actually try doing just sets of 400m's. So - that is what I did. Usually, I dilly dally, give myself some time between sets, mooch around a bit - but as the minutes until closing time crept forwards, I ploughed my way through the water as quickly as I could. Result? A good three sets of 'race pace' 400s, and some 100s to finish off. I felt suitably energised, and to be honest, like i'd actually achieved something new - by (unwillingly) forcing myself to get my head down, and get on with it.

The next what-should-be-irritating occurrence occur ed on campus. I was meant to spend the majority of my day (post lecture...) packing boxes for £6.89 an hour. However, it seemed that my temporary boss had been called away to a meeting, and I now had.. ohh.. six hours to kill on campus. Now, a lit student can read straight for a long time, but six hours required a break. So - two hours of good reading completed, an extended coffee break with a friend exhausted, I took the opportunity to do a timed 10mile on the bike in the gym before returning to the books (with a brief diversion onto.. well.. this blog). Got to gym, peddled away ferociously for 10miles, got off, and left.

So - I practiced my 400m's, and the 10mile bike (which I will extend to 15miles when I can keep pace without getting tired in... a fortnight or so?), in small, manageable chunks, at convenient little slots within my day. I went in, with a purpose, completed the pre-determined set, and left. Self congratulatory lines over, I very much advocate this form of training for the busy busy individual (ie. anyone who is not a student of English, or other humanity, and thus is actually required to employ the hours of their days doing something actually useful).

Right. Back to Laurence Sterne and his remarkably boring Sentimental Journey.

Exciting!

2010-01-16T12:02:00.001-08:00

13th June - 2010
Sussex Triathlon

400m swim
25k cycle
5k run

Dare I?!?!
If the ankle is better in one month - I am so up for signing up!

This week:
Sat - swim - 2200m
Sun - 25mile cycle
Mon - 15mile bike, 3k run, 2k eliptcal run

I'll post something interesting soon, or try to, uni calls...

Oops..?

2010-01-15T05:59:00.000-08:00

Mon - 45min run - 20min fast, and bike
Thus - Swim - 2500m, 15min row and bike (making use of the gym...!)
Wed - 5K fast, 3k jog (bad idea...), 8x8 goblet squats and bike
Thurs - 2500m swim
Fri - RESTTT

Ooops. The curse of self competition struck me on Wednesday. The seemingly friendly little screen on the treadmill that records time and distance seemed to let its smile fade, and in its place the mocking seconds built to minutes. So - well - I kicked its ass. My body responded by telling me off, and now i'm feeling a little delicate and sore. I think a tiny bit of me has been upping my running each time, to see how far I could push it. Looks like i've found the point.

My attitude towards this injury has altered as time has gone on. At first, I saw it as a fault, something broken, that needed fixing - plain and simple. I expected Rest to wave its wand and allow me to return to training as normal. I realise maybe its a little more complicated. I need to return gradually, and learn to think about training differently. Getting stronger, faster, better is a gradual process - you push it, and you push your body over the edge. The body can only adapt at its own pace, it cannot be forced.

I guess I understand that this pain might return a few times, and when it does, I need to stop whatever it was I did, take a few days rest, and take it down a notch until my body is comfortable. Kicking the ass of the treadmill is not worth it if it involves pummelling my own poor bottom too. This, I should bare in mind!

Giving In!

2010-01-11T00:44:00.000-08:00

Thurs - 60 min run
Fri - Rest
Sat - 2500m swim (sets of 100/200/400)
Sun - 2500m swim (sets of 100/200/400)

I have finally given into the elements, and decided to relent on my anti-gym philosophy. A little mathematics lead me to this conclusion. Last term, in order to run in the cold, I bought: thermal layer (£11 - reduced - go thrifty!), jacket (£15 - likewise!), and LB purchased me a KB (£30ish) to replace free weights - this, you'll notice, adds to £56. The uni gym is £75 per term, and includes use of gym (warm), gym lockers (convenient), gym showers (less smelly), classes (awesome! spinning!!), squash (woop). So - I am afraid I have been defeated. I still maintain, however, that it is not 100% necessary, just more convenient.

I am going to struggle today, though. In the gym, there will be a treadmill. Running on treadmills is a joy to me - it's like flying. Furthermore, I am hideously competitive. Once I am on the treadmill, I will want to be on it fast and long. However, with the ankle slowly healing, this could be detrimental. Wish me luck.

The good thing, I have to admit, about the gym is the variety. I have a tendency to select a discipline - running, swimming, biking, decide it is the bees knees, cats pyjamas, dingbats wellies - and refuse to budge from it. I remember for my gyming days considerably fewer aches and pains - mainly as a result of mixing up rowing, cycling, running, and when I dared enter the grunting mass of testosterone downstairs, free weights. This mix it up method has it's benefits, and hopefully I will be reaping them soon!

***POST GYM EDIT***
Managed 45minutes of running - 10min jog, 20min tempo, 15min jog - calfs a little tight but no ankle pain! Woop! Recovery in sight - should try to keep it that way - NO RUNNING TOMORROW! lol!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...(and snow and snow...)

2010-01-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

Wed - 5x10min Kettlebell - 900 swings with squats/runs etc to recover + 1x10 min weighted sit ups etc, and SNOW WADE (details below)

It's official - the snow outside reaches my knees! The morning passed blissfully and lazily (except the early bird kettlebelling detailed above... carried out before anyone else left the comfort of bed, to minimise anti-social behaviour...), breakfast, TV, tea, reading and the such. However, with the arrival of the afternoon came the activity itch - the need to do something, and to get out of the house. With snow still falling like a toddlers tears after being denied a fancy treat, I decided it would be best to make the most of what the world had decided to offer the people of England.

So, to scratch the itch Mutti and I donned waterproof trousers (me), fur lined coats (she), and set off on an adventure ac cross the park. On our way, I discovered a new form of cross training:

Snow Wading

'Much like struggling through angry waves in the sea, snow wading is possible only when snow reaches at least half way up the calves, and is best carried out at varying inclines, for maximum results. It can be intensified by ceasing to pick up the feet, but sliding them in a skiing like action.' (Quote: Authors Own)

Neither Mutti or I posses a particular good sense of direction, and thus the snow wading session lasted at least two hours. It also included a trouser ripping clamber over barbed wire and up the edge of a roadside woodland ditch - but that is neither here nor there, and best not repeated. I would definitely advertise the activity to friends. Maybe its not an activity for the everyday, but for today, exchanging the gym for a winter wilderness, my mp3 for a nice conversation with my mum, and sweaty, goal driven working out for a casual ramble, definitely won hands down.

Female Ambition

2010-01-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Thurs - 2200m swim
Fri - REST (NEW YEARS DAY!!)
Sat - 2300m swim
Sun - 40min horse ride, 40min run
Mon - swim - 2300m
Tues - 50min run

Like many young women, I used to be quite capable of spending a good 45minutes-1hour getting ready to go out - curling hair, straightening it, applying make up - the list is endless. As a woman, there are so many little, individually unnoticeable things that you are expected to do. Take your body - head to toe - and perfect every bit of it; the media seems to scream. Hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, cheeks... I hope you understand how long this list could get. There is an unbelievable amount of pressure for women to get every bit of themselves just perfect. Why? Men traditionally carry out so few of these unnecessary preening tasks, yet the continuence of the human race implies that heterosexual women still find them attractive. So why must women strive to mimic the dolls of TV commercials?

My answer has a lot to do with confidence; and the modern woman's lack of it. Slightly longer eyelashes might make a woman a tiny bit more attractive, polished nails might make her seem a little more feminine, but the truth is, though, we are born with the face that god graced us with, and without plastic surgery (don't get me started!) that isn't going to change. Confidence should not come from a packet or a pot, it needs to come from within. It should come from achievement.

Dame Kelly Holmes recently told a guardian reporter: 'I did a project called Girls Active for three years, trying to engage disengaged girls into sport, and I found a lack of self-esteem', also saying 'the cricketer Claire Taylor or Victoria Pendleton, the cyclist, should be the ones written up in magazines for girls to look up to, so girls realise that there are other ways to getting recognition than just being really skinny'. It has to be said, I'd much rather have Jessica Ennis as my role model, than Cheryl Cole. (www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/dec/17/kelly-holmes-hated-cross-country).

I'm not claiming that a bit of sport could be the key to changing the world for women, merely that it might give them a bit more perspective, and help them to see their bodies as powerful machines, not as sex machines. It's time women shed the make up, and faced the road, track, pool, or whatever else, and found another use for that 45mins-1hour a day spent preening.

Pure, Unadulterated Running

2009-12-30T05:31:00.000-08:00

Fri - Christmas day! Sleepeatsleepeatminiwalksleepeat
Sat - 20ish mile cycle - felt wonderful - crisp, fresh boxing day - path dotted with walkers trying to recover from Christmas indulgence. Loved it.
Sun - 2500m swim - 5x500m
Mon - 45min horseyride (on the pony I ride when i'm home - who has not been ridden since last time I was home - about 3 months... :-0 ) + 1hr pool run
Tues - 30 MINUTE RUN
Wed - 45min swim - lost count of lenghts

Yes - your eyes do not deceive you - yesterday, I went for a proper run - my first one in what could well be about two months now! I tested the ankle out in the shallow end of the pool on Monday - and felt no pain at all, saw Mr Ankle Fixing Doctor on Tuesday, who confirmed it was ok to run - and off I went!

Yesterday's run was what I call a 'Pleasant Run'. Obviously, I wasn't pushing for speed, or for length - because I need to take it slowly to avoid aggravating the injury. As a result, I got to potter along at a comfortable pace: no goal, no time limit, no pre-determined length. I have to admit, it was really... what's that word you're never allowed to use at school? yes- nice. It was nice. Not exhilarating, but enjoyable. It reminded me of the kind of runs I did when I first started running, those stress busting short bursts of energy that give you a chance to ponder on the day's occurrences. Every so often, I'd notch it up a gear and run a little faster, to get a taste of the rush that comes from flying through the air. I actually had to force myself to make sure I didn't keep that up for too long - that rush is also very good at masking pain!

Still, it was nice to take a trip down the road, just me, my running shoes, and my thoughts. Sometimes, running is just an excuse to get outside, into the wide open expanse that is the world. It is an excuse to appreciate how big the world is, and how very small each of our lives are - how insignificant, how futile, all the stupid worries we let get ahead of simply taking pleasure in existence. Pure, unadulterated: living.

Christmas Quickie #2

2009-12-24T10:18:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas eve, so I shall say little as all should be en joying the festivities.
Today -
warm up - 400m
main set - 20x50m + 6x100m
cool down - 50min, followed by diving fun, water slides, and general regression/frolicking in the splash time area with the lovely boyfriend.

You know that game you always see children playing at pools, where you chuck the locker key in, and the other dives to get it? We played that. Fun times! Then restored ourselves with Christmas eve Zizzi trip. Yummy times :-)

Also got my Christmas present from the LB (always allowed to open 1 present on Christmas eve!) - Vibram 5fingers! Very excited to try. For starters, will make EXCELLENT blogging review material!

quickie..

2009-12-23T05:55:00.000-08:00

Off to see Wikid with the family today - family Christmas celebrations begin here!
Sooo - I have not time stop and dwell, procrastonate or ponder.
Here's today's session:

200metre warm up
4x100m
2x200m
1x400m
2x200m
4x100m
200metre cool down

2400m.
Bada-bing-bada-bong.

As we sit, by the fire...

2009-12-22T08:24:00.000-08:00

The snow has meant that getting to the pool, cycling places, and my general, normal activity, has been a little difficult. The lack of cycling, particuarly, is notable. At uni, cycle paths are clear and safe, and everywhere is reachable by bike - here - not so.

In response to the fact I now have less 'getting from A to B' type exercise, i've basically upped the intensity - making everything harder and shorter. The ideal schedule would mix this up - long, slow, easy days, and short, hard, fast days. However, for now i'll have to stick with a slight lack of variety.

Today - serious attempt at conditioning!:
2x10min - 200KB swing, downward rows, figure 8s
2x10min - 150KB swing, 150 squat (1st = 9min50, 2nd = 9min57)
1x10min - snatches/figure8s/weighted sit ups/halo's/rows etc
1x10min - press ups/sit ups/planks

Yep - that's right. Frustration at lack of swimming got to me - 700swings - thats the most i've ever done in a day. I may have over done it a bit here - we shall see. Still, it's a pretty good session, and was all carried out in the safety and comfort of my own home.

So, if the winter blues are hitting home, and making it impossibe to stick to your normal plan, I say pick up the Kettlebell, and leave the scary out-doors to do its worst...

LimboLand

2009-12-20T03:08:00.000-08:00

INTERESTING NON-ACTIVE TIT-BIT:

Disclaimer:
I love my parents very much, I think they're great and they have supported me in every way possible all my life. This is more an exploration of a 'funny sort of age'.

I'm stuck in a funny sort of limbo - home life and uni life. Many friends of mine have referred to home life as suffocating/claustrophobic. These feelings have nothing to do with parents, or offspring, or anyone's individual actions. They are feelings that result merely from an unnatural environment. When birds fly the nest, they fly the nest, when monkey's potter off into the jungle, they stay pottered off... It's odd how so many humans pack themselves off to uni, set up a life, and then once every three months, come back home and are expected to regress to the independence-age of eighteen. This is not meant to sound as negative as it probably does - I like my parents, I like my family home, I like being back with the friends I have grown up with. What I don't like is being worried about. Parents raise you to become who they want, I pretty much believe that's inescapable. However, most people will in some ways digrees - will have some differences in opinions. There comes a point when you need to be left to apply what they taught you in your own world, your own environment. It is time to spread your wings. The problem with uni is you are allowed to grow them as far and wide as you like, only to have have them clipped once in a while.

BACK TO THE INTENDED TOPIC:

Found this - http://www.bdsc.co.uk/sessions/sessions.htm - list of practice sessions the Brighton Dolphin Swimming club masters do. Now - I can add variety!

So you think you're tired?

2009-12-17T04:56:00.000-08:00

Thursday - 40min bike, 50min swim

Two blogs in one day? I'm either feeding you, or irritating you - either way i'm afraid you're going to have to deal with it.

I arrived at the pool today with this mentality: uggh - I woke up at 7:30 today, it is Thursday and my last 'rest day' was Friday, my body is tired because it is being asked to use muscles it didn't know it had, and bleurgh. My first few laps were slow and crawling, and at one point, I decided that maybe I would just do half an hour.

Then, I started the 200m repeats section of the day. As I reached the end of lap 8, I was spluttering and guttering and feeling horrible. Then, I remembered how sometimes when i'm running, certain distances seem really far, until i've forced myself to do more - then they become easy. Six miles seemed hard til I did seven, seven seemed hard til I did 8, and so on. I though 'hey, why not just try a to get to ten'. So, I did. Actually, I did 12. Next time, I thought - 'well, that was 300m, can I do 400?' So I did. After that, 500m just sounded like such a pretty number, I couldn't resist 20 continuous laps.

Now, maybe i've performed this before, without realising or counting, but this was deffinately the first time I have ever put my head down, and swum for 20metres without stopping, whilst really thinking about breathing right. And this was the day I thought I was 'so tired I could hardly do 200m'.

After that, I was so energised I did 6x50metre, 3x100metre, and some more 200's. Not bad for someone who thought she was exhausted.

What i'm trying to point out, is that tiredness is pretty much 87% psychological. I thought 200m was hard, because i'd never done more; having done 500m, it seems a breeze. Futhermore, any feelings of tiredness I had before my swim have not been increased, as the thinking brain might tell me, but have been replaced with energetic vibes. What i'm saying, is that sometimes it is best to completely ignore the things you allow your conscious brain to tell you, and throw self analysis out the window. If something is too much, your body will tell you, otherwsie, it's probably fine.

So, if you're getting the bus home, and feeling a little sleepy, get off a stop early and walk. It won't make you more tired, it'll probably wake you up. If you're writing an essay (this goes out to the students!) or revising, and feel your eyelids drooping, run up the stairs a few times or put some music on and have a dance (check the curtains are closed, first). If you were going to walk to the shop, why not jog? We spend too many hours, days, weeks, wondering around in zombie like states, because we allow ourselves to believe we are tired. Humans have a much larger capactiy for activity than most Western people believe, so use what you've got!

Digressing from the Usual Topic.

2009-12-17T00:48:00.001-08:00

Ok - this has nothing to do with: exercise, nutrition, running, swimming, activity, or the resulting quiet contemplation or random rambling - it has nothing to do with anything usually discussed in this blog.

Actually cheating here, this isn't a scene from my victory today but from last year. How I miss my double bed..

However, it is 8:49AM - and I have, in my posession (saved on my computor, and soon to be on a memeory stick, as well as printed out, and in my inbox!) - two completed dissertations. With references. Arranged alphabetically. With headers.

8,000 words of total twaddle. One is about obstructions to writing characters in the novels of Virginia Woolf, and what we can establish about her own attitudes to successful writing. The other is about the realtionship between humankind and God, particuarly in the writing of Augustine and John Donne, and the way we two legged little individuals use our understanding of God to define ourselves, and how culture and institution affect this.

My relationship with English Literature is almost as troublesome as that between Donne and God (the bloke WANTED to suffer... so much...). Sometimes, I detest everything about it. I think it is pointless- what good does my writing an essay about some dead blokes rambling do in the world? Will it feed the hungry? No. Will it nurse the depressed? No. Will it inform people about anything they really need to know? No. My essay will do nothing to help anyone. So why don't I pack it in?

Some little part of me is in love with literature. A part of me swells with excitment when some metaphorical, abstract, philisophical argument seems to come true, or a piece of a puzzle pops into place - I feel I understand someone better, or maybe I understand human beings a little more.

Lets just hope, one day, I can finish this degree and use a few of the skills i've learnt to spread some words that might actually do someone, somewhere, a little bit of good...

Going to wrap up warm, and face the cold now to cycle to the pool. Wish me luck..

Feta, Cheddar, Mozarella, Eden... Cheese is the theme..

2009-12-16T13:16:00.000-08:00

Tues - 50min swim, 100KB swing, 20min bike
Wed - 3x2min, 3x90sec, 3x60 sec, 30min swim, 200KB swing, 30min bike

I went to begin this blog 'watched the Royal Variety performance' tonight and couldn't help but laugh a little to myself - do I really ONLY watch TV in the evening when i'm at home?! Then I realised laughing to yourself is not considered hugely socially acceptable.

Still, its interesting to see the talent that appears on the stage. Those that make it to the TV are sometimes there because they are simply spectacular, others because they are unwaveringly dedicated, others because they are lucky. Not everyone with a talent makes it to the TV. There are so many people in this world with so many special abilities: physical, artistic, literary, weird (I could be polite and say uncanny, but you would all know what I meant)... Delve a little below the surface, and pretty much everyone has a story of excellence, one that they'd usually not share to save their modesty, but one that none the less shines in their memory. Ask a few questions, and you'll see the remembrance light up the metaphorical space behind their eyes (one would hope there is not actually a space behind their eyes... in that case modesty is one of their less pressing problems).

Often, all that is required to utilize natural talent, or take a hobby further, is a little less laziness, and a bit more self belief. It is easy to fall foul of apathy, but the result is never good. This struck me after my swimming trip today. Swimming is a new 'skill' (I use the term loosely!) to me- it is not something I am naturally gifted at, but it is something I am really working at improving. Sometimes, I wonder if I am wasting my time. Then, I remind myself that had I not spent my early morning hour in the pool, I probably would have spent it in bed, or watching some lame repeat on E4, or picking out the raisins from the muesli (this is a terrible habit that I MUST exterminate..), waiting for the rest of the world to wake. All my hard work seems to be paying off, too - i've cut 5 seconds off my 25metre time.

Not everyone will find themselves parading on the Royal Variety stage, but anyone can find a hobby, and get better at it. I risk sounding like one of those cheesy self help books you hope no one will EVER buy you, but its true - a little self belief goes a long way; and fulfillment is never far away.

(By the way, I caught myself absent minded thinking '1,2,3,breath,1,2,3,breath,1,2,3,breath to myself as I fell asleep last night... new form of sheep counting? Or a little sad/obsessive?)

Alternative Reasoning (again!)

2009-12-14T14:07:00.000-08:00

Monday - 8x1min intervals, 45min swim - mainly 200m and 50m sets (pretty much in keeping with last nights triathalon plans! Couldn't resist a little pool running though! If I can find time when it's still light tomorow, I may do some proper cycling...)

See the resemblance??

Tonight, I stayed in and watched 'Life' with Mutti and Vater (unsure why I become German when referring to parentals). The programme told the story of primates and their lives, day to day activities, feeding habits, survival techniques and the like. All this got me thinking (most things have a tendency to do that - overactive brain disorder) - animals are not designed to sit around in offices all day. Humans are animals, just like the rest. Why is it that we insist on this evolved confinement?

I read a blog by a guy this morning about 'why we train'. I would link you to it, but the world of the internet is a murky pond to me sometimes, and I can never seem to return to a page once i've left it; evidently my search engine capabilities aren't up to scratch. Anyway, to give you the jist, he supposed that the majority of athletes train under false reasons - claiming health, fitness, competition and ambition as reasons for training, in an attempt to hide their true irrational fears of failure, among others. A bold statement to make, but one that could hold some truth. I, however, have an alternative explanation: we train because society dictates that we spend our days cooped up in homes and offices, when the human body is designed to be active, to feel alive.

I often feel a little claustrophobic, a little lazy, a little hazy, until i've done SOMETHING in the day. Today I spent the hours between 10 and 4 working on an essay, whilst intermittently drifting between the kitchen and the horrible vortex that is facebook. On calling the Lovely Boyfriend, in search of some verbal contact, I have to admit I was pretty useless at conversation. Mainly, I wish to argue, because hours of staring at a computer screen and inactivity had turned my brain into slime.

There are a million reasons why we train. One of them might well be to remind out listless bodies that we are connected with the animal kingdom, and that we are alive.

ACTUAL TRIATHALON?

2009-12-13T11:40:00.000-08:00

Sunday - 50min swim

Initially, I mentioned the idea of a Triathlon, believing it to be a pipe dream. Mainly, I was under the impression that training for a triathlon would pretty much downsize every other part of my life - social life, degree, writing life.. I saw them all being squashed into a tiny corner of my triathalonated brain. Having considered the idea a little more carefully, I am beginning to wonder if this decision might have been a little hasty.

Here's the deal - it's 13th December. I have until 11th January before i'm back at uni. In these 4 weeks, I cannot get a job (i've tried - believe me!), I may be doing some voluntary work, and I have to finish off my dissertation. In an entire month, that isn't a lot to achieve. My best friends do not have every hour of the day in order to entertain me, and it's likely i'll see them mostly in the evenings. All this leads me to the conclusion I can comfortably fit in 1-2 hours training a day, without letting it interfere too much with my life... My 'fear of compromising the rest of my life' excuse has thus been exorcised.

The idea of competing is also one that sometimes fills me with a little dread. However, the dread is mingled with excitement. Following any sort of competition, I always tell myself, and everyone around me, not to let me forget the feeling that follows a successful competition.

When it comes down to it, there's no harm in trying something out. At the age of twenty, i've got so much ahead of me. I'm sometimes struck with the realisation that in many ways, I have total freedom. In September, I will (hopefully!) be beginning an incredibly intensive course in Journalism. Those 10, or 20 (still deciding!) weeks will probably be the busiest of my life. If I want to give a triathalon a go - now is the time to do it.

Righht..

Quite obviously, I will be aiming for the shortest triathlon, which consists of this:
SPRINT
Swim: 750 METRES / Cycle: 20 KM / Run: 5 KM

Obviously, running is going to be a little tricky for a more weeks, but I can work up to it. Right now, it's my swimming that needs the most attention. Now, I have no idea what is reasonable to achieve, what is expected, or anything really! But, tomorrow i'm going to give this a go:

WARM UP - 150 M - EASY SWIM TO GET USE TO THE WATER
LEG KICK - 4 X 25 M - USE A FLOAT IN FRONT FRONT CRAWL LEG KICK
DISTANCE - 2 X 200 - AIM TO WORK ON YOUR BREATHING @ STEADY PACE
DRILLS 6 X 25 - CONCENTRATE ON HAND ENTRY AND LEG KICK
SPRINT 4 X 25 - WORK TO INCREASE YOUR SPEED FRONT CRAWL ONLY
COOL DOWN 100 M - EASY SWIM FOCUS ON YOUR BREATHING
(http://www.netfit.co.uk/training/sportsspecific/triathlon-training-program.htm)

I'll give it a go, assess if it's too much (likely), or too little (v. unlikely!), and then adjust.

The Internet really is a beautiful thing. Granted, it has its drawbacks. I'm sure Waterstones is feeling a tremble in the knees with the introduction of Google books, and the Internet porn industry has a lot to answer for in making porn disgustingly easy for little boys and girls to spoil their ideas of intimacy with. However (before I go off on a tangent), it has made it very easy for people to gain new intrests, and to truly develop new skills, with the advice of those who know what they're talking about. Without the Internet, it would be so much harder to know where to start, and I think I might just give up altogether!

Anyway - i'm taking a deep breath, and preparing to take this Triathalon idea seriosuly. At least, until next term... or maybe just til September... or... maybe i'll try and keep it up later.. let's wait and see..

Slow Return...

2009-12-12T09:10:00.000-08:00

Friday - resttt!!
Saturday - 3x10 min kettlebell's - swings/downward rows/figure 8's etc, adding to 550 swings. 30min swim, pool run ladder of 1-4min - adding to 16min's of hard.

Arrived home for Christmas with the parentals yesterday. So, i'm all snuggled up in my tartan pyjamas, ready to decorate the Christmas tree. Sensing a little bit of regression, anyone?

I'm gradually beginning my slow return to running at the moment - consisting of the odd 2 minute run from car to destination (I repeat - i'm home = access to car! ShockHorror... the girl can DRIVE?).

The discovery that i'm capable of this brings mixed emotions - during these little runs, total exhilaration - i'm running! My feet are hitting the ground, and there is no pain. It feels amazing too. The exhilaration is often followed by a twinge of sadness, because i've really quite enjoyed my recent little swimming routine. This sadness, however, is very quickly replaced with excitement, when I realise that the swimming doesn't have to stop at all - I will simply be gaining more choice in my day to day training. Swim, run, cycle - hopefully, in a few weeks, the choice will be entirely mine again!

I'm looking forward to getting back running, from time to time. I can't wait to see how my first few runs go. Firstly, any boredom I used to feel (totally minimal, but we all have 'those days') will be completely gone. Secondly, my legs have developed muscles that weren't there before, and i've (somehow?) shaved off half a stone of body fat. So - running may well feel an awful lot easier, because hopefully I will be springier and lighter. I'm thinking when I get back, i'll be running 3 days a week, and swimming 3, or maybe even running 2, swimming 2, cycling 2... or maybe i'll just chuck the schedule out the window and do whatever I fancy! It remains to be seen. For now, however, that's my running done for the next few days... i'm taking it SLOOWW!

Back to the swimming - I took my swimming much more slowly today, and found that finding the breathing rhythum was considerably easier. Baby steps, it seems, are more beneificial than over-ambitious powering through the water!

Joining the Party?

2009-12-11T00:37:00.000-08:00

Weds - 50min pool run and swim, hour cycle
Thurs - 30min swim/pool run, 3x2min, 3x90 sec, 3x60 sec intervals, hour cycle

Firstly - apologies for lack of blogging. In the last two days, i've been working on two dissertations, stuffed 3,700 envelopes, and been 'last week of term' Christmas partying.. it's been a bit hectic! Am however, finally finding the guts to share the blog on facebook...

As of late, i've been doing a fair amount of early morning/late night sea front cycling. My normal pool is closed, so i'm having to go a little further afield. What i've discovered on my peddling missions to find my exercise space is that there are so many people in my home city that run. There are gentle joggers, manic racers, running buddies in their pairs, and loan rangers who pound the pavement with their only their thoughts to keep them company. The sheer number of runners who dedicate themselves to nightly practice and training is phenomenal.

The 'lovely boyfriend' (I have decided this is his name for the blog. Don't know why. In true blog style, maybe it will soon become 'LB'? Everyone in a blog deserves a silly double barrelled nickname..) - recently commented that our city doesn't have much of a sports community. I disagree. I've been swimming for about a month, and i've already begun to recognise faces, had a few really interesting chats with interesting people (and a few uncomfortable ones with one particular individual, who needs reminding that the pool is not a watery version of Oceana, in all its breeding ground glory...) and I can hardly peddle my bike along the sea front without the danger of knocking over one of the running crowd. Furthermore, if you look into sports teams, there are simply so many! There is a team for pretty much every sport, and the majority are full of friendly people, who are so in love with their sport, they would probably welcome a mongoose onto the team as long as it possessed enough enthusiasm. Right now, I find myself pondering on the idea of checking out the water polo team. I'm a bit nervous, i've never played before (had never heard of it before!), but the captain has even posted a message on gumtree, which states that new players are very, very welcome! I am finding myself very, very tempted.

It's easy to assume that because a community isn't easily vi sable, it isn't there. However, I can tell you that this seaside town has plenty of sports enthusiasts. Furthermore, the more I scratch the surface, the more I realise how interconnected the whole community is. Not only that, but I find that when people sense genuine enthusiasm and interest, they are always happy to give advice. Learning from those with experience is not just a necessity, but it is a welcome one. There is a community here, and with the rise awareness of healthy living (maybe the government adverts are hitting some chords somehow..), i'm pretty sure there are growing running, swimming, cycling, sporting populations all over the country. If you want to get involved, you have to make the effort to find them. You wouldn't go to a party on your own, and expect to be flooded with eager strangers looking for conversation. To become part of a social circle, you need to make an effort. Without meaning to make this post sound biblical in it's importance...: Seek, and you will find.

2009-12-08T07:07:00.001-08:00

Monday 30min swim, 30min pool run, 40min bike
Tuesday 30min swim, 10min pool jog,8x1min interval pool run

I will blog again soon! Essay's taking over!

Free Happy High?

2009-12-06T16:32:00.000-08:00

I've noticed, as of late, that my blogs generally revolve around positivity. Maybe I should re-name the blog: 'Notes from the Positive Sphere of Living'. I think this is largely due to the fact that they are often written in response to, or shortly following, a good bit of exercise. This leads me to the conclusion that adrenaline, endorphins, and all those other lovely post-exercise rewards might have a lot to do with it:

When you cycle, swim, run, or carry out any other form of strenuous endurance exercise,..the brain produces its own set of neurochemicals which are actually far more potent than morphine, opium, and heroin but share the same neural receptors with these drugs...
Pasted from http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/0430.htm

Endorphins aren't the only accompaniment to a raised heart rate and achey muscles, though. A recent experiment looked at the release of Phenylethylamine (PEA) - a chemical found also in chocolate, that is said to raise a person's mood. The study measured the levels of the chemical in the blood of young men before and after exercise, and found it to be around 77% higher afterwards. I wonder if the heavily publicised 'happy hormones' in chocolate give such a dramatic increase?!

Are the fitness freaks, the rampant runners and bike bonkers members of the population just glorified drug addicts? Do we constantly seek this magical, self produced drug?

The problem with a drug induced buzz, is it tends to wear off pretty quickly, and leave the drug-taker slumped, paranoid, irritable or plain messy. That and drugs generally have an adverse relationship to health. Exercise, however, leaves no such nasty hangovers:

The research to find the processes behind this phenomenon have all shown the immediate chemical levels of people after exercise. However, the lasting ability of these effects are largely important to depression treatment and an overall healthy happy lifestyle. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro05/web2/mmcgovern.html

Immediate chemical releases are great, but there are so many more benefits to a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is known to cheer people up for a million reasons, including boosted self esteem and improved self-image, confidence and feelings of accomplishment, and simply taking time out of the day for yourself.

Exercise is a (relatively) free form of happy-pill, which will transform your body, cleanse your mind, not to mention povide a new avenue for broadening your social circle.
Count me in.

Sunday - 1hr cycle, 3x2min, 3x90sec, 3x60 sec intervals, 15min pool run/swim

Contagious Calorie Counting at its WORST

2009-12-05T04:25:00.000-08:00

The Internet is rabid with discourse over the benefits of swimming vs running. Frenzied, even linguistically violent attacks come from both sides of the fence.

Most of the discussion, sadly, is solely centered around the calorie burning efficiency of the two - "HelP!" - tortured 'athletes' cry - which will make me look more like a victim of third world hunger?! Most of these discussions blah on about V02 max, body temperature, metabolism speed and the effect of weight bearing etc etc etc... blah. When it comes down to it, have you ever seen a fat Olympic swimmer? Are many sprinters obese? No? So chill out! If you've got a healthy attitude, and are training to get faster, better, stronger, you will probably replace many of the calories you burn anyway. Surely, burn less = eat less, burn more = eat more.

One tortured soul asked a forum 'i'm bored of running, and i'm beginning to get sore knee's, but i've heard that swimming does not burn as many calories'. On having this assertion confirmed, he concluded he should stick to running. I cannot help but wonder if this will still appear the sensible decision of this young man gets so bored, and so injured, he packs the whole lot in?!

The obvious flaw in this logic is that I am speaking mainly of athletes in training, not people who could do with losing a few pounds to benefit their health. Truth be told, though, if we take of our scientifically analytical glasses and look a the real world, isn't any exercise good, in that case? For athletes and everyday health conscious people alike, when it comes down to it, really isn't it all about which one is more enjoyable?

Life is for enjoying. Calorie counting is definitely not enjoyable. Get on with it.

Fri - 20min swim, 10min pool jog, pool run ladder - 1easy,1hard,1easy,2hard,1,3,1,4,1,3,1,2,1,1. 20min cycle
Sat - 20min swim, 40min pool run, 30min cycle, 200 KB swing

On Swallowing Pride.. (and pool water..)

2009-12-03T04:02:00.000-08:00

Had a wonderful morning, arrived at the pool at 8am, swam til 9am, got myself a Starbucks with the lovely boyfriend, paid money into my bill account and pottered off back home.

Feeling rather fantastic because today - I swam properly. Yes - I swallowed my pride, and a fairly significant amount of sweat/snot/bodily fluid tainted water, and taught myself to swim with my head underwater. It's one of those things i've never managed to master. I've always known it's purely a matter of practice, but the interesting thing about me is I don't much like to LEARN things, I like to DO things. As soon as it's necessary to admit I need to LEARN, I tend to avoid the skill altogether.

It's partly (ok, almost completely) to do with pride. Today, I admitted to everyone at the pool (yes - all those people who blatantly have no interest and are not watching anyway) that I am not very good at swimming underwater. You see, if you avoid the practice, no one knows you can't do it. Today, I practiced, and practiced, and I managed a few lenghts of 'stroke, stroke, stroke, breath, stroke, stroke, stroke, breath'. I'm sure my attempts looked pretty pitiful, but when it comes down to it, my new approach is this - self-consciousness and arrogance are very closely linked. The truth is, everyone else is busy getting on with their own lives, and they're not watching you anyway.

To those people who have been managing this stoking and breathing (when SWIMMING!)for years, i'm sure my proud little puffed up chest makes me seem like an over-excited little Robin who just learnt to perform something quite as natural as singing. However, the more I learn to swim properly, the more I can swim. You'll notice, for the first time ever, I spent more time swimming today than I did pool running... and I really quite enjoyed myself.

Today - injured runner
Tomorrow - injury free swimmer? triathlete? We'll see...

Training - Wed - 30min bike, 20min swim, 20min pool run, 8x1min fast interval pool run
Thurs (today) - 30min swim, 25min pool run, 40min bike

Musings on Unecessary Idlesness

2009-12-01T05:26:00.000-08:00

Today's training - 2x10min kettlebell - adding to 400 swings, with downward rows to recover, 30min swim, 30 min pool jog, 20min cycle

I write this sitting in the library cafe, hoping that the twenty minutes till my seminar will pass quickly. Quite simply, I have no work I can get on with until I get my essay feedback, I have twenty minutes to kill; I am bored.

On writing the above, it struck me that in many ways, boredom, is a non-emotion, a non-feeling. Furthermore, it is a non-entity that I don't believe any healthy young (or old, for that matter) person should expose themselves too. Ignoring my slightly dodgy ankle, I am in near perfect health. I have a life ahead of me to plan, to think, to do. It seems almost arrogant of me to ever waste a minute contemplating boredom.

There are people who cannot walk, cannot leave their homes; there are those who are tucked up in hospital beds, probably imagining all the beautiful things they might be doing if they could only escape the confinement of their own body. I can't imagine anything more frustrating. I take my frustration at not being able to run, and try to multiply it by enough to make it even come close; I can't find a multiple that does the job except infinity. This is why I have no right to boredom.

I think it best to use every minute of my life I can. In this time, this simple twenty minutes I possess, I could wonder through the park outside uni, breath in the cold chill and let it fill my head with the future. I could buy myself a coffee (cappachino, I've worked hard today - could do with some milky nutrition!), and take pleasure in the swirl of chocolate on top, and the rich aroma of foreign beans. I could take a plunge into the world of google, wiki something new, and expand my mind in one little area that I've left uncovered. Or, as I have, I could take a few minutes to realise how very lucky I really am; maybe I could even inspire someone else to do the same.

Boredom is completely unnecessary idleness, it's a waste of time in a life which could only be fleeting. Whatever you do - thinking, acting, planning - use your life, use your body; it's a gift, and it's ungrateful to let gifts go to waste.

Anyway, if you're really, really bored - be productive. Grab a kettlebell - 200 swings, or failing that, drop and give me 200 press ups. Or, take a look at '8 Minute Abs/Legs/Buns' on you tube - not only absolutely hilarious - but you'll never see 8 minutes as time worth wasting ever again!