A short spin!

Tonight I went for a short spin on the Watt Bike in the Gym where I tried to get nowhere fast!

I'm not sure about the fast bit but I managed to do 13.17 miles in 40 minutes which is the equivalent of 19.2 mph.

When I logged this workout with Jantastic it came up with "Are you sure you have done this many workouts this week?"   

errrrrrrrr ...

"YES", we aren't all Couch potatoes who think one 5 minute session is pushing it!

Rest day tomorrow, then a run on Sunday!

Bring it on!

My First Brick Session!

Tonight I was going to go for a run but it had been snowing for most of the day and I didn't fancy slipping on slush!

Instead I opted to go to the gym and decided to do my first brick session instead!

For those of you not in the know a brick session is when 2 of the triathlon disciplines are performed in quick succession.

 I started off on the Watt bike and cycled for 40 minutes and managed to cover 12.57 miles which means I cycled at an average 18.8 MPH which I am absolutely delighted about as I found this a difficult 40 minute workout but that was obviously because I was pushing myself to the max!

Immediately after getting off the bike (and cleaning it!) I jumped onto the treadmill and ran 3.28 miles in 30 minutes which equals an average 9.10 minute mile pace.

I was amazed I didn't feel any ill effects running after cycling!

Here's to a lot more bricks!

Feeling P-O-S-I-T-I-V-E !

Another swim in the bag!

Tonight I went to the Tri Club Swimming Session which thankfully means I had no lane rage to deal with!

We started off with a bit of a technique session doing a variety of drills before moving on to some endurance training!

It is so much easier and so much more enjoyable swimming in a lane with people who understand lane etiquette and with people who are all of a similar speed and ability!

I had another very enjoyable session and swam 2000 metres (1.24 miles) in total!

My endurance has most definitely improved, now I just need to work on the speed!


Session 3/6 for Jantastic complete!

Snow permitting its back to running tomorrow!!!

Feeling focussed, fit and fantastic!

Speedster!

This evening I went to the Tri Club running session.

I was feeling tired after a very busy day at work and to top it all off nicely it was raining!

However, I tried not to dwell on my lack of energy and enthusiasm and got changed into my running gear before the little voice in my head convinced me to have a glass of wine instead!

It was one of those occasions when I definitely didn't regret going!

After a 2 mile warm-up we did 3 x 200m sprints with a slow recovery run back each time, this was followed by 2 x 400m sprints with a slow recovery run back and then 2 x200m sprints and a recovery run back inbetween.  We finished off with a cool down run and stretches! We ran for 5 miles in total.

I'm not a sprint runner and I find this sort of workout incredibly hard but determination got me through!  Whilst in the midst of it I felt like this session was endless but once I was home I felt INCREDIBLE!

Workout 2/6 for week 4 Jantastic!

Swimming tomorrow!

Bring it on!

Lane Rage!

Tonight I went swimming during the public swimming session at my local pool.

If I wasn't so desperate to improve my swimming I wouldn't bother going as I always end up feeling like my blood pressure is soaring by the time I leave!

My main problem is I am not able to keep up with the fastest swimmers in the fast lane but I am way too fast for the slow lane which is often full of the breaststroke blue rinse brigade!

The ideal solution would be if they added an extra lane for "medium" swimmer!

One thing that particularly annoyed me this evening was a woman who joined my lane and interrupted my training session by cutting in front of me and then to top it all off swam an incredibly slow breaststroke.  

I followed behind trying not to be a "swimming pool bully" and reasoned that once she got to the end she would allow me to pass!  
Unfortunately, she appeared oblivious to the fact she had a traffic jam behind her!  It was too busy to do a swift overtaking manoeuvre so I was stuck!  My patience soon ran out and I started to tap her feet hoping she would get the hint. 

After following this woman with absolutely no lane etiquette for 4 lengths I decided enough was enough! As we both approached the end of the pool I cut back in front of her before I actually reached the end cutting short my length!  Even after doing this I still lapped her and ended up back to being stuck behind.  

This time however a couple of swift taps sent her seeking the steps and thankfully she got out! I did feel a little guilty momentarily but it soon passed!  

I had a session to complete and a goal to hit!

Another irritation is those swimmers who congregate for conversation at the shallow end, forcing you to shorten your length or fight to the lane's end. Have these people never heard of a cafe or sauna?

I think the lifeguards should police the lanes and if people are just chatting or going ridiculously slow and holding others up they should be asked to vacate the lane and swim in the general pool area!  

What difference does it make to them if people get in the way - they are going so slow anyway zigzagging in and out shouldn't be too difficult!

Rant over ... and breath!

Despite this episode of lane rage I enjoyed my session and managed 1600 metres (0.99 mile) in 39 minutes.  I try not to upset myself further by thinking about the time I would have done it in if I had my very own swimming pool!

Workout 1/6 for Week 4 of Jantastic complete!

Running tomorrow!

Bring it on!

Week 3 S-M-A-SH-E-D!

This afternoon I decided to go on a trail run despite the fact it was absolutely chucking it down!

The rain didn't really bother me but when it started to get foggy I started to become ever so slightly concerned!

I motored on feeling fairly confident that the route I was doing was one I had done dozens of times before so why should I worry!

All went according to plan until I started to head back!  I couldn't see the usual landmarks ahead due to the fog and rain and I somehow missed the gate and ended up going round in circles!

Once I realised that I had come full circle I started to feel ever so slightly stressed and had images going through my head of Mountain Rescue having to rescue me!

Thankfully I eventually got my bearings back and made it safely down!

Despite this little hic-up I enjoyed the 6.88 mile run although I didn't get the fabulous views I am usually awarded with!

You can view my run here!

This run now means week 3 of my Tri Training Plan is complete and I have totally smashed week 3 of Jantastic too - I have again reached my goal of 2 runs, 2 swim and 2 rides for the week.

My 2 runs were  5.12 miles and  6.88 miles.
My 2 swims were 1.24 miles and 1.30 miles.
My 2 rides were 6.75 miles and 33.31 miles.

Altogether a total of 54.6 miles!  

My highest weekly mileage for Jantastic and still feeling G-R-E-A-T!

Week 1 miles = 45.08
Week 2 miles = 45.19
Week 3 miles = 54.60

Week 4 starts tomorrow!  Let's smash it!

Icely does it!

This morning I had arranged to go on a bike ride with the Tri Club.

We had arranged to meet at the local Leisure Centre at 10am, and up to this point I had felt quite happy at the prospect of a group ride. 

The sky was clear and the sun was trying to peak out from behind the clouds, life felt good.

BUT ... the others weren't happy!  

Apparently the roads were treacherous with ice!  

I had happily cycled the mile to our meet up point and had been oblivious to this!

There was a big discussion about changing the planned route to stay on the gritted "A roads" for everyone's safety!

I was beginning to feel ever so slightly stressed by this point - I was beginning to wish that I had hit the turbo trainer instead!

Anyhow after a lot of deliberation and with my anxiety level now sky high we set off in two groups the "A" group and the "B"  scared shitless group!

Just in case you are wondering I was in the latter group!

Now that the seed had been planted that the roads were icy I was convinced I was going hit black ice and end up in a heap in the road!

Not only did I have the fear of ice I also had the fear of cars!  

With sticking to the "A"roads there was far too much traffic for my liking and my overactive imagination had me skidding on ice and then being run over by about 100 cars!

I was delighted when we eventually turned off the busy roads at around 13 miles and stayed on the much quieter "B" roads for the rest of the ride!

We stopped at around 18 miles for refreshments at Greenlands Farm Cafe! 


I  was well and truly ready for my cappuccino and flapjack by then! A shot of whiskey in it at this stage would have been welcome!

After a 40 minute break we were back on the road and someone up above must have been having a laugh as by now it was raining!  

Thankfully it didn't last long and I really enjoyed the second half of this ride once the "ice factor" had left my mind!

Altogether we did 33.31 miles at an average speed of 12.1 MPH although in my mind I was going much faster!

I am glad I went, it was certainly character building stuff!  

I know if left to my own devices I definitely wouldn't have gone today!

Tomorrow IS run day!

Bring it on!

Rest Day!

I said last night that I was going run today but that was before I knew what sort of day I was going have and the only answer was a bottle of wine and lots of junk food!

Hence I made the decision that today was a rest day!  

I certainly have worked hard (at work that is ... not at exercise!)

Sunday is now my run day instead of my rest day!

Tomorrow I am cycling with the Tri Club - with or without a hangover!

I hate the Gym ...

but I went anyhow!

Why do I hate the gym I hear you say!

I Hate:

• People Men flexing in the mirror, looking at themselves so intensely, you’d think they were actually looking at someone else they found attractive. 

• People Females who arrive at the gym wearing a full face of make-up and jewelry with hair neatly in place, smelling good and looking refreshed who then walk out again 1 hour later looking exactly the same!

• People who talk on the phone whilst exercising or read a book!  HOW?

• People that don’t sweat while working out. WTF?

• MIRRORS - The last thing I need in the middle of my workout is to look at myself in the mirror, with a splotchy, cherry tomato red face, wet strands of hair hanging in my eyes, and sweat stains!

• People  Men who hog the weight machines and do 3 sets of 5 reps with a 15 minute break in between each set whilst I am waiting to use the machine!

• Men who stare at females who have the audacity to use the strength machines!

• The delightful smell of Eau de sweat!

• The grunts and groans that some people  men think are a necessary part of working out!

• People Men who don't wipe down the machines after pouring sweat over them!

As you can tell I have a real hate/hate relationship with the gym but I feel I need to make more effort to go and do some upper body strength training to ensure I survive "Born Survivor"!

So back to telling you about the gym that I forced myself to enter!

I managed to survive a full hour and went on the rowing machine, the Watt bike, the hand pedal machine, the chest press and the fly machine before walking out sweaty and disheveled but still feeling very dissatisfied with my workout!

However it satisfies my 30 minute cycle training marked on the Tri Training plan and qualifies as workout 4/6 for Jantastic!

Back to the great outdoors tomorrow and a run! 

T30 Swim Endurance Challenge

Tonight was Tri Club Swimming night which was an endurance session for those wanting to enter the ASA T-30 swimming challenge.  

This is a simple event which determines just one thing – who can swim the furthest in 30 minutes!

This on its own wouldn't have been too bad but the powers that be decided it would be a good idea to do a warm-up and drill session FIRST! 

So even before we started the endurance session we swam 700 metres which is a difficult task in itself when its made up of drills!

I initially felt a bit stressed when I heard that we would all be doing the T30 Challenge and the word "competition" freaked me out somewhat!  

However, once I got going and settled into my pace I really enjoyed it and was pleased that I managed to maintain a fairly consistent pace wavering between 26 seconds and 32 seconds per 25 metres.

In the allotted 30 minutes I managed 1400 metres or 0.86 mile or 56 lengths.  Obviously not enough to come anywhere near the top of the leader board in the competition but it was a good effort for me!

In the entire session I swam 2100 metres or 1.30 miles.

Not a bad nights work!

Back on the turbo trainer tomorrow!

Drills and Things!

Tonight was running night with the Tri Club!

Luckily the snow that was forecast didn't materilise although it was still a very chilly night.

Tonight we did running technique drills followed by an easy 5K run.

The drills were good - although I know I should, I never actually do these on my own!  I would feel such a fool lolloping down the street on my own, it is so much better lolloping down the street in a group all looking fools together!

The run part was slightly too easy tonight but they are still being gentle with us after Christmas! Probably a good thing for my muscles after they were pushed to the extreme on Sunday's trail run!

Easy or not, miles are miles and that's Workout 2/6 complete for week 3 of Jantastic!

Swimming tomorrow!  Bring It on!

Just keep swimming!

Week 3 of Janatastic and week 3 of Tri Training!

Tonight was swimming night and after last weeks over crowded experience I wasn't really looking forward to it!

I decided to go 30 minutes later to see if this made any difference, and thankfully it did!  It was very busy when I first got in the pool but within 10 minutes it was like an evacuation scene from Jaws and everyone got out!  I actually ended up sharing my lane with just one other person!  It was very strange!

Loving it, Loving it, Loving it ... tonight I was definitely feeling it, I swam 2000 metres in 51 minutes and it almost felt effortless!  

I swam a pyramid session starting with 100 metres and building up to 150m, 200m, 250m, 400m before coming back down with 300m, 200m. 200m, 100m finishing off with 100m. I had 30 seconds rest between each set!

For once everything seemed to come together and I actually started to believe that I AM getting better and that I CAN do this!

Hopefully all my hard work is finally starting to pay off!

Running tomorrow!

Bring it on!

Week 2 of Tri Training and Jantastic done!

Yesterday I went out for Lunch and Cocktails to celebrate a friends birthday and it somehow evolved into a night session too!  This morning when I eventually crawled out of my bed the world had turned white overnight blanketed in snow! 

I had arranged to go on a run this afternoon (thankfully) with a friend who is a total mad woman when it comes to running and does silly things like the Lakeland 100!

Snow, a hangover and a run with her are not the ideal combination!

Thankfully by the time 3 O Clock came around the snow had started to thaw, and my head had begun to stop throbbing!

I stupidly arranged to meet her at her house which just happens to be at the bottom of a bloody big hill - and you've guessed it she made me run up it at what felt like a mighty pace!  She even expected me to have a conversation with her whilst I was doing it!

It certainly wasn't a good start!

However, I gritted my teeth and hung in there as we ran up and over Cunswick Scar and Scoutscar!  It's very hard not to smile when you are surrounded by such stunning scenery!

Thankfully,I got a couple of quick breathers when my friend decided to take some photos!  Unfortunately for me her photography skills are the same as her running ones - F A S T!

I had dressed prepared for the weather and was actually too hot after about 4 miles! However, by the time we got to 8 miles it felt like someone had turned the temperature control down several notches - the temperature just plummeted!  I was very grateful for the extra layers!

We had also gone prepared with head torches but we got back just as the last light faded!

All in all despite being absolutely exhausted I really enjoyed this run!  

What doesn't kill you ... and all that!

We did 10.2 miles over some fairly technical terrain (well it was as far as I'm concerned!). You can view my run here!


Week 2 of my Tri Training Plan is complete and I have smashed week 2 of Jantastic too - I have again reached my goal of 2 runs, 2 swim and 2 rides for the week.

My 2 runs were 10.2 miles and 3.56 miles.
My 2 swims were 0.71 mile and 0.84 mile.
My 2 rides were 15.44 miles and 14.44 miles.

Altogether a total of 45.19 miles!


Week 3 starts tomorrow!

Bring it on!

Turbo Power!

Tonight I decided to do my cycling time in the garage on the turbo trainer!

I'm not stupid  brave enough to go out on my bike in the dark, when there is ice and snow on the road!

If I was to be totally honest I'm not brave enough to do any of these singularly!

- I won't cycle in the dark!
- I won't cycle in the snow or ice whether its day or night!

So I yet again  I left it up to Coach Troy to get me all hot and sweaty and work me up into a lather!

After 50 minutes with Troy in the confined space of my garage I felt like I had been put though my paces and managed to cover 15 miles and LOADS of hills!

Not quite the same as the great outdoors but it means I can tick the completed box on my tri training plan!

Workout 5/6 for Jantastic!

Tomorrow is a rest day and I'm going to spend it celebrating my friends birthday with lunch and cocktails!

What better way is there to spend a rest day!

Wet and very very windy!

Tonight I very nearly wussed out and very nearly went to the gym instead of braving the elements.

However, I gave myself a stern talking to and reminded myself just how much I hate the gym when I am there and before I knew it I was donning my cold weather running gear and hitting the streets!

It was very wet and very, very, very windy but for some strange and perverse reason I actually really enjoyed it and came back feeling A-L-I-V-E! 

At one point I actually thought I was going be blown off my feet and had visions of me ending up in The Land of Oz! It's not often I want some extra weight but I tonight I would have been grateful for an extra stone or 2 to weight me down securely!

Not only did I have the wind and rain to contend with I had stupid members of the general public rushing around blinkered by hats, hoods and brolly's making me jump into the road to avoid being ploughed down!

However, despite all this I had an enjoyable 3.56 mile run and felt energised by it!

Workout 4/6 complete for this week's Jantastic! 

You can view my route here!

BRING IT ON!