Update

I really need to get back into the habit of writing this blog ... even if no-one else reads it I enjoy looking back at old entries to see see where I was at at a certain point in the training or to see if I can learn anything from the entries before an injury etc.

So ... where am I at now?

I've mentally signed up for the Mount Jogger's Half Marathon in 8 weeks time (31st May 09 I think), meaning that I'm going to do it but I haven't paid yet. This will hopefully focus my training and make me get out there and run. My training has been very eratic for the last month. I've had loads of excuses to miss sessions and being 'this' part of the season it doesn't really matter. That's why I NEED the Half Marathon.

However, I am pleased with my running at the moment. I'm still not super fast but I'm sure my leg stregth has increased with the runs along Fraser Street which compared to my old routes is 'hilly'. I also have a new pair of running shoes which I think have made a big difference. They have definitely improved the situation with my calf and for the last few runs I have not worn the compression socks. This is a big relief. Maybe it was the shoes all along ... or maybe it was because I just needed to strengthen the calf and 'hilly' runs have done this. I don't care really. All I know is that I can now 'push the pace' a bit and not feel like my calf is going to give out. I'm going to do a few track workouts and tempo runs in the next 8 weeks so that should really test the theory. Cue calf pull??? I hope NOT!!!

I measured a 5K on mapmyrun and ran that in 22:29. I'm a bit sceptical of the distance but it did feel fast (for me). I'll keep to the same route and re-test in a few weeks time. Even if it is short I can still see a change (hopefully improvement).


I'm also pleased with where I am with the bike. I have been (semi) following a 'get faster now before you go far later' sort of plan and I have had great fun with short intervals on a flat course. I know not every training session is supposed to be a race but timing the intervals and trying to beat my PR (PB?) keeps my motivation up for the interval and (mostly) stops me slacking. I have also been tweaking my bike position which has been interesting. Laura has been on hand with the camera to capture the differences (in between taking Mr Bean pictures of herself) and that has been fun.

The interval course is 6.8K and current World Record is 11:22 set last month. I also did a 11:24 the same session. Annoyingly I went out yeaterday after tweaking the bike position and did a 11:23!!! ... although not the fastest it felt good. The 11:22 was on a totally windless day and splits were even both out and back. Yesterday was sort of 30km/hr out and 40km/hr back. I'm sure you don't get back all you lose on a windy/hilly course. Doesn't matter though. All good fun. I'm sure if I put the race tyres on I could knock out a Sub11 ... mmm maybe just for one go? Just to see? :)

OK ... my swimming ... erm ... swimming ... well I aint really done any. Part of the 'get faster on the bike' programme calls for you NOT to swim! The argument is that the return on investment of swimming is negligable before about 20 weeks out from your race ... so I am sort of giving it a go. I won't completely NOT swim though because the time cost for me is small because I can swim at lunchtimes rather than sit in the staffroom stuffing myself with food. Sometimes work takes over the lunchbreak but other times there is no excuse not to swim. I'll try to get in a few swims each week once we go back after Easter.

So at the moment I am happy with where I'm at (training wise) ... the big problem is going to be the next three weeks. Its a problem that is brilliant to have though. My mum and dad fly in from the UK Tuesday morning and my aunt who lives in Australia joins us on Friday. So we're all in holiday mode from Tuesday and in the middle there is Easter. My eating choices have been pretty poor lately and I can't see them getting any better while they are here. Ah well, going to enjoy it for three weeks and then get back to normality afterwards.

My main thing is to keep runnnig. I WILL get up early and get out before everyone gets up (although with jetlag my parents were up at 4am last time). Seriously, how hard can it be to get three runs in per week? If I don't get out on the bike it won't be so bad, but I don't want to miss the run sessions!

Just for the record my weight is hovering around the 196lbs/18% fat at the moment. 196lbs is 14 stone. I don't want to go too much above this. Would like to run the half marathon at about 190lbs. Ideally would like to get down to 180lbs for the Half Ironman but that isn't till December so can't start thinking about that yet!

Think that's enough. Back to clearing the house up. The way Jo's making us work I think the Queen must be coming as well.