The Important Things...

Last week was good.

Damn good.

Training is back underway in a proper fashion (although this week will be a little lighter due to work commitments) and, although I'm not running yet, swim and bike continue to go well.

I trained for a total of ten and a half hours this week which is more like the old days. This broke down into 4 x 45 minutes of swimming - each time doing 2km based on various different reps - 3 x 1 hour turbo sessions on the bike, a half hour turbo bike session and a long, relaxed but bloody cold 60 mile, 4 hour bike on the Saturday.

Went out with Dave and Coach Kleanthous or MarkyMark to his mates on Saturday. Mark tells me I'm back training from December 1st. Under his guidance once again, I shall soar to the dizzy heights of IronMan superfitness.

Although to start running would be good.

Anyway... my photo this week is of my youngest daughter, Alice. After tons of prep work and practice, we heard on Friday that she'd passed her eleven plus exam. Like training, you get what you work for.

Well done, Alice. I love you.

The Reality Sets In

Second week back in serious training and have begun to gradually up my bike mileage on the long ride. And it's become obvious that it's gonna be a long winter as I grind out the training that will allow me to hit my IMA bike target in July. Still we're up and riding and my trusty Specialized Allez Comp - an example of which is pictured - (3,000 miles in a year of ownership) is going well.

I'm still not running and have no plans to this month. My calf shows no signs of problems, but then again it never has until I go out and run on the bloody thing. Must get another massage from Dave and book in for an MOT with Will now I've started out 'real' training again.

So it's been swimming and biking again this week. Swam 8,000 metres in total in four morning sessions. I've been breaking the sessions up and, instead of swimming 5 x 400m have been doing 10 x 200m of varying paces... breathing left, breathing right, with and without pool buoy etc. It's going well.

Biking is good too. Had two one hour sessions at Monday and Wednesday and knocked off around 18 miles in each of them. Saturday saw a 60 mile ride which got touch towards the end, coming back home against the wind. I'll have my cycling legs back in no time though.

Busy couple of weeks coming up but am keen to keep focussed and stay in training.

If only it could help me with my training...

Yes... succumbed to the hype and bought myself an i phone on Friday. In my defence I must say that I run Macs and have done for some time. That said I already have a perfectly good mobile phone and... yes... I'm a tart for gadgets.

Anyway. I reached a line in the sand last Saturday night. Figuratively speaking of course. There I was at the bonfire party, guzzling beer, eating food and... in an instant... I knew it couldn't go on. Now was the time to get back training.

Strange how you know. I remember studying 'the point of elasticity' principle in physics as a kid. You know the thing. When an object goes past the point to which it can return by its own devices (I paraphrase of course). That's me. Any more beer or pies without serious training and it'll be seriously tough to get back to full fitness.

So... off I went. The following Sunday I rode 38 miles. Monday saw a 1.5km swim and setting up of the turbo for winter (quite a bloody faff !! - is it the same for everyone?). Tuesday was an hour on the turbo (ten minutes tempo, 5 minutes hard, four times) plus a trip to Anfield to see the mighty reds beat Besiktas 8-0! Wednesday saw a 2km swim and 35 minutes turbo, Thursday another 2km swim and 45 minutes turbo. Friday... yes you guessed it, a 2km swim and an hour on the turbo. Saturday was a 50 mile bike ride with Dave (my mate who also completed IMA 2007) and Sunday was just an hour on the bike taking it easy with an 18 mile ride.

A good week and I feel back in business.

Focussed and sharper. Strong on the bike. Must keep working on this. I will. Dave - who's also a sports physio - gave me a good couple of massages on my troublesome left calf. I'm not going to run at all until December. So biking only until then. Also... no, I haven't changed from Will - just worked out easier with Dave on this occasion. I'll be back to see Will soon to start my injury prevention regime for IMA 2008!! (If I can get a booking!)

More soon.