I just like this cartoon! Well, Sunday was a complete day of rest, apart from domestic chores! Monday was quite a big training day, with a 3 mile easy run (legs ok, but it was very short and slow!), a 2.7k swim set at lunch time and then tested the race bike, complete with race wheels, by riding home 30 miles. The bike felt awesome and I had an average heart rate of 146 for and average speed of 21 mph - even with some slow traffic in towns etc. I think I had a favourable tail wind! I rode into work this morning but got a puncture at 15 miles.........AHHHH! I had left my puncture kit and spare tubes on my other bike!! Consequently, it was a long ride/walk! I managed to find a garage that was open early and he helped me repair the puncture. We struggled to get much air in the repaired tube and I had to ride the remaining 15 miles on a very squidgy front tyre. I will try and run later today but I will apply a more scientific approach to the session: I know I can run 3 miles easy with no leg pain; so today I will go for 4 miles easy...... very scientific eh!?! I really want to run hard and fast but until I fully recover from the marathon (probably some time in 2009 at this rate!) I will run easy.

I have a very hard bike session planned for Wednesday with Mick, if I can squeeze it in around my sick family. Julie and the girls all have stinking colds and sore throats. I am walking around with a surgical suit on, trying not to get infected! Anyway, must dash - more Jaffa Cakes needed.

73 Miles and OK - Phew!

Today was my first long bike ride since I can't remember! With my legs giving up whilst running last Thursday, I was concerned that I would struggle on the bike too. As you can see, after the ride I was still smiling - a good sign! I rode with Turbo Man (Mick Pullin), who has been going quite well on the bike lately. To cut a long story - or long ride - short, I was ok. We did 73 miles, with an average speed for the whole ride of 19.2mph. There was a headwind for the first 40 miles and that made going tough. However, once we turned, it was a great feeling to be scooting along at 26mph with no effort. I put in some sprints up some of the huge mountains of Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire and that took it out of me - the legs are tired now! The short races that I have planned this year are going to be tough, as I have focused entirely on long distance stuff this year. In fact, I have not done one proper interval session on the bike. I plan to ride a 2-up TT with Mick on Wednesday though, so that should kick start the shorter efforts. All I need now is for my run legs to return!

I Can Run .... I Can't Run 8-(

The guy in this pic (it's not me by the way!) looks how I feel! The legs have been feeling better the last couple of days; hence I had scheduled a run for today, and I was looking forward to it. Off I set at a nice relaxed pace, eager to see how the legs reacted to running. 7:30 per mile was good and I even had some bounce in the legs. After 3.5 miles my calves tightened up slightly - not unusual for me. however, at 4.5 miles, my legs all but shut down! My knees ached so much I had to stop. I walked the last mile back to work, getting cold and wet in the process. To say I am disappointed is an understatement! My big fear when I decided to run the marathon was breaking myself! I now feel as though my fears have materialised! Am I expecting recovery too quickly? I suppose recovery depends on the amount of effort expended during the race; as I said, I have never dug so deep in a race before. What people do not know is the aftermath of the race, and I wonder if this has any bearing on my slow recovery. In effect , I did 2 marathons that day! To cut a long story short, me and Julie could not find each other. As a consequence, I was hobbling, stumbling, attempting to run around London for 5 hours immediately after the race. There is nothing else for it, more rest! My focus has to be the World Champs in August so some rest in April should be fine...........now I just need to get another 30 miles in on the bike today to make 200 miles this week......

Easy Does it!

After the emphasis on running since December, it is now time to get back to the bike. I have to make use of every opportunity to ride the bike; if that means whilst I visit Tesco, then so be it!

It is my wedding anniversary today - only 20 years of marriage 8-) I celebrated with Julie at Southill Tea Rooms for lunch; does it sound like I am always there?! Today I ran continuously for 3 miles; actually, it was a slow plod! My legs are still not good. I am riding back home from work today, so that should give me an idea of how the cycling legs are! The sun is shining and I have my race bike out of moth balls to test - looking forward to that! I am riding with Turbo Man at the weekend and he is sure to take advantage of my fatigued state and push the flats. I will report back on that ride! Must dash.....the legs could do with a shave if the shorts are coming out!

Slow Recovery

Well, a week on and my legs are still very sore. Recovery seems to be slower than I anticipated. Thinking back to the race, it is hardly surprising as I have never 'dug' so deep in a race. The damage to the body must have been severe and I am starting to wonder if I will recover ok to race the rest of the season! I suppose caution is needed - no rushing back into training like a madman! That said, here is my training since Thursday:

Friday: Easy swim technique set. 50 min spin on the bike (including a recovery stop at Southill coffee shop)
Saturday: 3 miles walk jog - sore legs!
Sunday: 20 mins spin on the turbo followed by 20 mins walk jog - sore legs

Today I dropped the car off for its MOT and then cycled the remainder 28 miles to work. I had a tail wind, which made the ride very easy - good job as my legs are STILL SORE.....AAHHHH!!! Sorry, just a bit of frustration being vented 8-(

London Marathon Pics

Oh the pain!

I cycled yesterday and today; nothing hard or long as my legs are still very sore! I certainly did not feel like a cyclist! I did, however, feel better after after a coffee stop at Southill Tea Room (the Post Office) today. The frothy coffee and snacks are awesome there; maybe I should use them as my official nutrition for the World Champs!

Recovery and Taper

I am currently willing my legs to recover from last Sunday! I was incapable of walking properly on Monday but the legs are gradually coming round. That said, I cannot run at all as yet! I have been swimming every day since Monday and that seems to help loosen them off. I went to watch the Inter-Services Duathlon yesterday. There were some great performances by the RAF guys and gals but we are way behind the Army in terms of strength in depth. Was going to get some pics for the Blog but my camera packed in 8-( Well done to all the RAF participants. It was a shame that Jamie Eliott broke his seat post as he leaped onto his bike! Jamie was running well too and he would have been a counter for the RAF for sure. These running bike mounts seem to cause gradual stress on seat posts, as Greg Mac suffered the same problem a couple of years ago.

Anyway, more recovery for me but I hope to be back to full on training next week. I am spinning on my bike today, which I am really looking forward to. As for tapering, I may stick to my normal easy few days before an event. The 3 week taper for the marathon didn't seem to give me any extra oomph! In fact, I felt a bit stale. More training less recovery!