March is almost over and I'd like to say that I've been busy getting some amazing training done or writing an amazing Master's essay worthy of a distinction! However I have just had a month where by time can not be accounted for. I would say I'm normally a pretty well time managed person, like most triathletes I try to cram 10 more things than I really can into my day, but this past month has flown by with little to write about. On the whole training has been coming along nicely.
I had entered fleet half marathon as a test event, to see where my running was really at. Of the back of some long controlled paced runs in Friston Forest I was feeling confident I would be able to run a PB. Fleet is close to my folks so I stayed at there's the night before, we ate late (and something not tired and tested) and this played havoc with my stomach. I felt great for the first 6 miles, holding 6:55 - 7:00 min/miles comfortably. But just after running back through town, my stomach started to rebel. Two toilet stops later, the jelly legs replaced my Strong running legs which had been with me for the first half. The jelly legs accompanied me all the way to the finish line which I crossed in 1:37:39, with a face like thunder. I managed a increase in pace down the finish chute only so not to be beaten by a man who had just completed the run with full army kit and 20lb pack, breaking the world record by 4 mins. (I felt sorry for my Dad, who had come to support, he got to put up with my misery all the way back home). My mood has improved from that disaster of a race. It just reinforces the need to be spot on with pre race nutrition and routine for me. I've a six week block of training coming up, before my first Triathlon of 2011 - The Marshman. Last year I raced and won the longer Marshman plus (3/4 distance event). This year they are not running the plus event, so I'm having to make do with the half Ironman distance!
Last Friday was Simon's Birthday. We spent a lovely day together. Enjoying breakfast, a long coffee shop ride and just relaxing. In the evening he surprised me by proposing. I spent most of the weekend with a massive smile on my face and dancing around!! I'd planned a surprise birthday lunch for Simon on the Sunday since it was a big birthday (I won't disclose how big here!). So almost 40 of our friends and family were there to help him celebrate this birthday, but also our engagement. Slightly overwhelming, but great fun, seeing family members who have not been seen since the previous year.
Now time to get knuckled down to training and Essay writing. I'm glad that the days are getting longer and the temperature is creeping up a bit.
Sarah x
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Friday, 25 March 2011
Sunny Day!
Had a fabulous day off work today. Lay in till 7am. Epic breakfast of Cooked Banana's, Bacon and Maple Syrup on Cinnamon and Raisin Bagels to celebrate Simon's Birthday. Stayed in my Pyjamas until 10:30am when headed out for just over a four hour bike ride in the sun (obviously got changed into suitable atire first). I haven't felt over dressed on the bike since Hawaii. My freckles have come out today :-)
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Day’s are getting lighter but not any warmer!
This last couple of weeks have flown by. Works been busy and we’ve had family and friends staying at the weekends. This weekend has been quite and relaxed, so taken time to catch up on all those meaning to do job’s –like updating my blog.
At last I’m starting to find some fitness and am looking forward to the coming season. I’m sure the slight increase in daylight is helping on this side of things. I’m actually getting outside on my bike more, rather than being stuck on the turbo! But I have to say riding on the turbo has still taken preference in the evenings, when it’s been so bitterly cold and windy here on the coast. Running is coming along. My coach has me doing lots of to-pace running at the moment. Alternating with longish runs off the bike one week, and long Ironman paced runs the following week. This combined with a midweek tempo run seems to be helping my speed and fitness. I’m now looking forward to Fleet ½ marathon in a couple of week, rather than dreading it. Today’s run was 6 times up and down a 2.5km trail in Friston forest – An Ironman lapped run is going to be a piece of cake, after this mentally challenging run – However, it was more interesting than 20 x 1 mile laps around the local rugby pitch, she had me doing before Ironman Nice last year. Plus, less strange looks from dog walkers and less explaining why I’m running around in circles.
Outside of training, I’ve had a couple of other interesting things going on. I’ve had my first week at University, the week before last. I’ve started a part time Master’s degree (starting now, possibly taking up to six years to complete – but hopefully not!) and my first module was great fun and very thought provoking. Now I have the hard bit to do – an assignment to write! I caught up with Simon Baynes from Craft this week, for a coffee and chat about the brand and my partnership with them this year. From my last post, you’ll see I’ve already received a lot of kit from Craft, mostly spring/summer apparel – I’m looking forward to the weather warming up to give it all a trial. Their fabulous zero base layers have made riding these past couple of weeks much more bare able through.
At last I’m starting to find some fitness and am looking forward to the coming season. I’m sure the slight increase in daylight is helping on this side of things. I’m actually getting outside on my bike more, rather than being stuck on the turbo! But I have to say riding on the turbo has still taken preference in the evenings, when it’s been so bitterly cold and windy here on the coast. Running is coming along. My coach has me doing lots of to-pace running at the moment. Alternating with longish runs off the bike one week, and long Ironman paced runs the following week. This combined with a midweek tempo run seems to be helping my speed and fitness. I’m now looking forward to Fleet ½ marathon in a couple of week, rather than dreading it. Today’s run was 6 times up and down a 2.5km trail in Friston forest – An Ironman lapped run is going to be a piece of cake, after this mentally challenging run – However, it was more interesting than 20 x 1 mile laps around the local rugby pitch, she had me doing before Ironman Nice last year. Plus, less strange looks from dog walkers and less explaining why I’m running around in circles.
Outside of training, I’ve had a couple of other interesting things going on. I’ve had my first week at University, the week before last. I’ve started a part time Master’s degree (starting now, possibly taking up to six years to complete – but hopefully not!) and my first module was great fun and very thought provoking. Now I have the hard bit to do – an assignment to write! I caught up with Simon Baynes from Craft this week, for a coffee and chat about the brand and my partnership with them this year. From my last post, you’ll see I’ve already received a lot of kit from Craft, mostly spring/summer apparel – I’m looking forward to the weather warming up to give it all a trial. Their fabulous zero base layers have made riding these past couple of weeks much more bare able through.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
It's been a long time
I’ve been receiving a lot of banter of late about my lack of blogging, and to be fair it is deserved, since it’s been a while. My last blog update was at the beginning of November!
I had planned a good break from structured training, after my 3 Ironman season and it ended up being a bit longer than planned with repeated colds. I under estimated how tired and unmotivated I would be and how difficult it would be to get back into structured training. The snow and ice helped, as the thought of 3 – 4 hour rides on he turbo every week, was not appealing. Simon and I had talked about doing Ironman South Africa this year. I’m now so glad we decided to not to enter such an early Ironman. In April last year I took a promotion at work, to a job I love but involves almost an hour commute each way. I’m fortunate enough to be able to car-share, but still the travelling in the dark has been tiring. Roll on the spring (or at least some warmer weather) so that the 22 miles each way, can be turned into a training ride)
Anyway all that lovely time off training, left more time to do the things you neglect to do when training lots. We got quickly settle into our new flat. Our old flat (which we moved into in the short term, but that quickly became 5 years) was a bit like a student flat. We now have a much more grown up flat, which is so big we often lose one another and has a gym room (meant to be spare room!) with treadmill, turbo set up on bike, and small weights selection. Simon’s sister also had a baby, so much baby Max cuddling has been had. Spent time catching up with friends and family and doing all those other things you neglect or run out of time to, like drink wine!
After Christmas and New Year, I finally got back to some proper training, which by that time, I was ready to do. The focus so far has been on my swimming and running. I’d like to say both have come on fabulously and I’m running and swimming so much faster than last year, but at the moment I’m not. I’m starting to feel fitter and stronger, but we’re trying some new things in the pool, changing my stroke, which just feels uncomfortable and slow at the moment. Recovering from hard run sessions is something I struggled with last year and lacked confidence in my ability to run fast as a result, so that has been a priority. So far, with more stretching, better warm up and cool downs, weight training and more core stability work I have been able to do more running, and have not suffered with sore tight legs and niggly injuries. So things are moving forwards. It’s still really early as my goal is a late season Ironman. The only thing that has got in the way of training has been work, either having to do a bit at work, or being very stressed and tired at the end of the day. Both of which obviously impact on training time and quality. But I’m learning to appreciate this and adjust my training as required. If work stress if high, then adding a lot of training stress is likely to make me feel run down and lack energy. It’s funny that since I accepted this, work stress has felt a lot lower, although there are still manic days.
For the past couple of years I have been fortunate to receive a generous amount of support from DJM Products, the UK distributor of Zoot Sports. Their ultra range of triathlon training and racing apparel has been fantastic and the compression clothing is the best I’ve used. However, I’ve now decided it’s time to end that partnership. I thank Martin Branfoot and DJM for all their support.
I have now teamed up with Craft for this coming year, which I am very excited about. 1 large box of goodies arrived this week, it was like a second christmas. There’s nothing like new kit to get you out training on cold and wet winter days!
Anyway all that lovely time off training, left more time to do the things you neglect to do when training lots. We got quickly settle into our new flat. Our old flat (which we moved into in the short term, but that quickly became 5 years) was a bit like a student flat. We now have a much more grown up flat, which is so big we often lose one another and has a gym room (meant to be spare room!) with treadmill, turbo set up on bike, and small weights selection. Simon’s sister also had a baby, so much baby Max cuddling has been had. Spent time catching up with friends and family and doing all those other things you neglect or run out of time to, like drink wine!
After Christmas and New Year, I finally got back to some proper training, which by that time, I was ready to do. The focus so far has been on my swimming and running. I’d like to say both have come on fabulously and I’m running and swimming so much faster than last year, but at the moment I’m not. I’m starting to feel fitter and stronger, but we’re trying some new things in the pool, changing my stroke, which just feels uncomfortable and slow at the moment. Recovering from hard run sessions is something I struggled with last year and lacked confidence in my ability to run fast as a result, so that has been a priority. So far, with more stretching, better warm up and cool downs, weight training and more core stability work I have been able to do more running, and have not suffered with sore tight legs and niggly injuries. So things are moving forwards. It’s still really early as my goal is a late season Ironman. The only thing that has got in the way of training has been work, either having to do a bit at work, or being very stressed and tired at the end of the day. Both of which obviously impact on training time and quality. But I’m learning to appreciate this and adjust my training as required. If work stress if high, then adding a lot of training stress is likely to make me feel run down and lack energy. It’s funny that since I accepted this, work stress has felt a lot lower, although there are still manic days.
For the past couple of years I have been fortunate to receive a generous amount of support from DJM Products, the UK distributor of Zoot Sports. Their ultra range of triathlon training and racing apparel has been fantastic and the compression clothing is the best I’ve used. However, I’ve now decided it’s time to end that partnership. I thank Martin Branfoot and DJM for all their support.
I have now teamed up with Craft for this coming year, which I am very excited about. 1 large box of goodies arrived this week, it was like a second christmas. There’s nothing like new kit to get you out training on cold and wet winter days!
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