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!

2:55:42

Well, that was my finish time. I am happy but it could have been better - anyone heard that from me before! It was a great event and the atmosphere was fantastic. When the hooter sounded and we set off, I had that feeling that the running legs were not really there today. With 26 miles to run, I banished that thought straight away! I fell into a nice rhythm and clocked consistent 6:28 miles. Half way was 1:24, which was spot on schedule. At 19 miles, my legs began to shut down. It was a strange feeling because I wasn't even breathing hard. The last 7 miles was very painful and the verse in my previous post was going over and over in my head. With 5 miles left I caught sight of Matthew Simpkin (work colleague and fellow Christian). I had seen him at 14 miles and it was great to see a familiar face in the crowd. However, at 5 miles to go I think I looked at him with and muttered something about how bad I felt! Thanks for the support buddy! Sorry if I appeared delirious! The last 2 miles along the Embankment was the most difficult. There were so many people cheering for the Royal Air Force, and yet I felt like I was letting them down as my running had now become a feeble shuffle. As I rounded the last corner by Buckingham Palace I could see the finishing clock; I was amazed that I was going to break 2:56 as I really thought I was going to shuffle over the line in over 3 hours! As I tried to look as though I was running (rather than hobbling!) I saw Julie in the grandstand waving and cheering - it was a welcome sight! I had pushed through the last 6 miles but I knew that my legs were going to pay the price for the effort..........

..........oh how right I was! Stairs are a major obstacle today! Thanks to everyone for the support and texts. I will be back racing in.......ummm.......about 6 months!

Inner Strength

As marathon race day approaches thoughts are focused on the huge effort that will be expended tomorrow. I often wonder what strategy people use to drive on during an endurance event when the body is screaming at the head to stop! It's one thing to be confident, knowing that the training is in the bag, but when the time ticks by and the legs feel heavy what is the focus? A Christian colleague of mine recently reminded me of a great verse from the Bible; whether you are a believer or not, it is a great focus:

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."Isaiah 40 : 31

Now you know what will be going through my head at the 20 mile point tomorrow! For us triathletes, had time trial bikes been around in the Old Testament, I am sure the Lord would have included:

".....will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint, they will be steadfast in an aero tuck and have lungs of endless capacity."

Is Sponsorship Worth It?

The cost of getting to the World Long Distance Triathlon Champs is not small! I was considering trying to get sponsorship. However, I am probably too old and take a look at what Tiger Woods had to do to keep his sponsors happy! Plastic surgery is just a step too far!! I suppose the Nike swoosh is almost a smile. In RAF Tri we use Saucony. Now their logo would produce a very wonky smile!

Training yesterday comprised a 30 min swim drill session and a reduced track run session at Hunts AC. I did the same session as last week, 10 x 200m with 200m jog recovery. I felt good after last week, so figured doing the same may make me feel good again! I felt strong as I did the session but held back and did constant 36 sec for each 200m. Today was an easy spin on the bike to the local coffee shop and back. I wasn't out that long but long enough to get wet and hailed on! The temperature dropped markedly too; this freaky weather is not good - the old joints like warm weather!

Unfortunately, most of my family are ill! JJ has a bad throat and feeling rotten and Julie is feeling nauseous; CJ has a cold! I have 2 days to stay illness free.............will I make it? Just a bit of suspense for Blog readers there! Pray for good weather on Sunday!