Welcome

I started this blog in 2010 when there were 11 weeks to go before my next Ironman triathlon. People have found it interesting (mainly my Mum!) so I continue to write.
The Ironman is a long distance triathlon; Swim 2.4miles, Cycle 112miles, Run 26.2 miles (marathon). I have competed in one every year since 2004. I hope this blog can help others see what is involved. I find the process of writing it makes me more accountable and motivates me to do the harder sessions when i'm not feeling like it!

Saturday 23 February 2013

Rest

Sure enough woke with splitting headache and cough has come back. Took the kids swimming (a pool with a wave machine)

George was keen to practice with goggles beforehand.


Friday 22 February 2013

Turbo
Managed 10mins of warm up

A lot a leg fatigue and no energy. Must still be ill. I'm treating this as a bit of a small win. A couple of years ago i'd have forced my way through this so it's been great to have the discipline to back off. Still a bit frustrating though.

Maybe I need a Lance pick-me up?

Thursday 21 February 2013

Gym/Swim
Easing back into it. Still coughing! so all fairly low-key today.
Still thinking a lot about my hip - not sure how i'm going to tackle the run side of things.

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Swim
Intervals
500m warm up
8 x 200m on 40secs at 1m/sec (slightly faster)

Only time I could get in the pool was during a public no-lanes session during half term! I told myself it was good training to have to swim around everyone.
Only 2 crashes. Cold has stayed away

Tuesday 19 February 2013

Turbo

4 x 5min x 250W on 3 min recovery

As this was the first turbo following 2 weeks of illness I took it easy and went back to my baseline session of 250W work.

Lots of changes needed to look after the right hip.
1. Raised handlebars
2. Saddle all the way forward
3. Saddle high
4. High cadence around 90rpm instead of the 60rpm i've been doing lately

- These position changes are all designed to open the hip angle up. I was working on a more "aggressive" position but this may have been making it worse.

Other things i'll do
1. Change back to speedplay pedals as these have more float
2. May go to shorter cranks
3. Move the cleats further forwards (feet back)

Some of these changes will hit the achilles a bit more than i'd like. I'll see how it goes over the next few weeks. Mentally i'm just appreciating being able to do it. More than ever i'm aware that as much as i'd like I may have to stop one day.

Monday 18 February 2013

I haven't written anything for 14days!

Two things;
1. I had the flu for a week and this has been followed by a cough that I haven't been able to shift for another week. Not good. I've been swimming a few times and despite not pushing it it's set me back each time.

2. I had my appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon and the x-ray report of my hip came back. Bottom line - left side normal, right side some arthritis which the surgeon said was my age. Anyway, i'm glad I looked into it and am giving some thought into what this means.

Swim
2km Drill - still keeping up the backstroke and butterfly. It's getting easier. No breaststroke as it involves too much external hip rotation.