Visited RAF Brize Norton with work today. It's been a while since I have been to a 'real' unit. Quite enjoyed it and my new position is good for me. I managed to get back from work in time to do the club evening 10 mile TT last night. The conditions were better than a couple of weeks ago but a tasty wind got up after the turn. I managed to clock 23:24, which is not that far off my course PB of 22:52. The course has 7 roundabouts to contend with and these really slow you down. . . . . . More excuses eh?! You know I do like my excuses!
A quick note about my normal adversary - the dreaded H2O!! Great pool in Cambridge 5 mins from where I work. And they use 'fast water too 8-) yes I am swimming well. It almost pains me to say that because history tells me that it will not last! I can bang out 200m reps at 3 min pace without too much effort. Come race day I hope I can reproduce that form. As normal, though, swimming in a straight line may be my biggest problem.
Enough ramblings. TTFN
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Update
Well, with everything that has been going on during my many house and job moves, I have fallen behind with this Blog - sorry fellow Bloggers! Mind you, some may be thankful that I am not documenting my normal excuses for bad performances before they happen!
To try and update you all with happenings, I will complete a brain dump of stuff! I have started my new job, which is based at Marshal Aerospace in Cambridge. The location is great. It's 5 mins away from a swimming pool and expanse of heath land that is spot on for off road running. My commute is 20 miles exactly by bike. The route is pretty much flat. At the moment
I am using the guided busway that has been build between St Ives and Cambridge. Using this, I can get most of the route completed on traffic free smooth concrete. The pic below shows the busway - which is not yet used by buses! i do need to concentrate whilst riding though because there is a ditch in the middle of the tracks and a high curb on the edges. I have about 0.8 of a metre to ride on.
Overall, I have managed to be consistent with training. However, it has been haphazard and I do feel as though I am behind where I should be! But then I always say that!
I have done a couple of bike time trials. The first evening club 10 mile TT was held in very cold and windy conditions. I clocked 24:20. My course PB for this is 22:52. I also did an Open 25 mile TT. Again, it was Baltic and frost was on the ground as I started quite early in the 90 strong field. I clocked 1:00:39 and was disappointed not to break the hour. I have a course PB of 58:30 for this. Finishing 14th was not too bad but, last year, I had pretty much got used to breaking the hour no matter what the course was like. Maybe I will pick up as the season rolls on.
On 21 April I did the Inter Services Duathlon. The weather was better for this and I really enjoyed the event. I actually won the Vets competition but this was only due to the fast boys not attending! The results are here:
http://www.dbmax.co.uk/assets/results/146/original/Army_Overall.html?1271867078
My strategy was to cruise the first run (mindful of my achilles) and then ease into the bike for the first 3 laps. then kick the effort in on the next 2 laps and relax more on the final 6th lap. This worked well but didn't prevent some calf cramp as the second run started.
I have been suffering with a bad tummy lately and that ruled me out of the Rutland Sportif that I had planned to complete last Sat with JC. he had a great ride to get the 5th fastest time of the day. Sorry to let you down John.
My swimming is going OKish. It will be good enough to get round some triathlons this year! As for my running, I was surprised to clock 17:05 at the Inter-Services Duathlon. It was an accurate 5k too! The trouble is, I need to be in decent shape for half ironman distance and I just don't think I have the training in the bank to pull off a decent 13.1 miles. I will find out on 29 May because I have entered the Beaver Middle Distance Tri. EEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKK! The course is meant to contain some nasty hills - just like being back in Bristol!
More updates to come as I have a club 10 mile T tomorrow. Train well Bloggers!
To try and update you all with happenings, I will complete a brain dump of stuff! I have started my new job, which is based at Marshal Aerospace in Cambridge. The location is great. It's 5 mins away from a swimming pool and expanse of heath land that is spot on for off road running. My commute is 20 miles exactly by bike. The route is pretty much flat. At the moment
I am using the guided busway that has been build between St Ives and Cambridge. Using this, I can get most of the route completed on traffic free smooth concrete. The pic below shows the busway - which is not yet used by buses! i do need to concentrate whilst riding though because there is a ditch in the middle of the tracks and a high curb on the edges. I have about 0.8 of a metre to ride on.Overall, I have managed to be consistent with training. However, it has been haphazard and I do feel as though I am behind where I should be! But then I always say that!
I have done a couple of bike time trials. The first evening club 10 mile TT was held in very cold and windy conditions. I clocked 24:20. My course PB for this is 22:52. I also did an Open 25 mile TT. Again, it was Baltic and frost was on the ground as I started quite early in the 90 strong field. I clocked 1:00:39 and was disappointed not to break the hour. I have a course PB of 58:30 for this. Finishing 14th was not too bad but, last year, I had pretty much got used to breaking the hour no matter what the course was like. Maybe I will pick up as the season rolls on.
On 21 April I did the Inter Services Duathlon. The weather was better for this and I really enjoyed the event. I actually won the Vets competition but this was only due to the fast boys not attending! The results are here:
http://www.dbmax.co.uk/assets/results/146/original/Army_Overall.html?1271867078
My strategy was to cruise the first run (mindful of my achilles) and then ease into the bike for the first 3 laps. then kick the effort in on the next 2 laps and relax more on the final 6th lap. This worked well but didn't prevent some calf cramp as the second run started.
I have been suffering with a bad tummy lately and that ruled me out of the Rutland Sportif that I had planned to complete last Sat with JC. he had a great ride to get the 5th fastest time of the day. Sorry to let you down John.
My swimming is going OKish. It will be good enough to get round some triathlons this year! As for my running, I was surprised to clock 17:05 at the Inter-Services Duathlon. It was an accurate 5k too! The trouble is, I need to be in decent shape for half ironman distance and I just don't think I have the training in the bank to pull off a decent 13.1 miles. I will find out on 29 May because I have entered the Beaver Middle Distance Tri. EEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKK! The course is meant to contain some nasty hills - just like being back in Bristol!
More updates to come as I have a club 10 mile T tomorrow. Train well Bloggers!
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Tummy Probs
Meant to be doing the Rutland Sportif today but had some tummy probs since the Int Services Duathlon. So it's a DNS for me. I hate that. Poor old JC will have to ride as Billy no mates. Talking of the Duathlon, I hope to get a full report soon, now that I am back on the internet at home . . . . . . Stand by!
Friday, 16 April 2010
Quick Update
First TT of 2010 done. Slow but good enough for the conditions and course. Got a 25 TT on Sunday. Passed my fitness test with an aching achilles. Stopped at level 12.5 but happy to feel easy at that.
Friday, 9 April 2010
The Quest for Speed
I got a bit fed up of long slow stuff so I have attempted to do some more speedy stuff this week. Not sure how the niggling injuries will hold up to the pounding!
First, I did a killer speed session on the turbo that consisted of lots of short above race pace efforts. Then I ran off the bike with just 2 x 1 mile efforts. Managed sub 6 min miles for these.
Today I did 30 miles bike aiming to maintain at least a 20 mph average. I managed 22mph avetage. Not that fast but with warm up and junctions etc it was not that easy. Off the bike the aim was 5 mile run averaging at least 7 min miling. Managed 6:35 miling but the legs were struggling. The good news is that when I feel ok breathing but the legs are sore it normally means some form is on the way. Just need to stay healthy!
First, I did a killer speed session on the turbo that consisted of lots of short above race pace efforts. Then I ran off the bike with just 2 x 1 mile efforts. Managed sub 6 min miles for these.
Today I did 30 miles bike aiming to maintain at least a 20 mph average. I managed 22mph avetage. Not that fast but with warm up and junctions etc it was not that easy. Off the bike the aim was 5 mile run averaging at least 7 min miling. Managed 6:35 miling but the legs were struggling. The good news is that when I feel ok breathing but the legs are sore it normally means some form is on the way. Just need to stay healthy!
Monday, 5 April 2010
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Moved House
Hopefully that's the last move of house I will do for a couple of years! I trained yesterday and today so some routine may return soon. First, however. Its back down to Bristol to clean and march out of the old house. Doh! More hassle! But the new job looks good and I am looking forward to starting that. Looks like a decent bike commute is possible too 8-)
$ad a right load of grief with getting back on the internet. I have to wait for around 2 weeks before i am back in virtual world. Also, my normal mobile has died. I can't even turn it on. So if anyone is trying to contact me, please get me on face book!
$ad a right load of grief with getting back on the internet. I have to wait for around 2 weeks before i am back in virtual world. Also, my normal mobile has died. I can't even turn it on. So if anyone is trying to contact me, please get me on face book!
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