Another one of these... they're pretty good actually, it's nice to throw in a short sprint in to the mix to keep things moving and remind my legs what they used to be fairly good at. I've not managed to do any interval training really until yesterday.
Ever since the time off I've been forced to take i've been feeling more and more unfit, running fitness is such a different thing to anything else, i feel heavy and sluggish so last night I had scheduled some intervals - partly to check if I should even bother with todays Sprint!
So went to the track (which was locked up) so did laps round the outside of the running track, through the carpark which i've had to refer back to previous times doing this (many months ago!) which is measured at 840ish meters. I was going to do 800s so this was perfect. Did 5 reps off 5 mins (3:15 for each 800 and rest up to 5 mins)
Last time I did this I was doing 3:05 - 3:15 and yesterday i was realy struggling to do 3:15s - I didnt reach puke speed I just didnt feel great. The only good thing about it was my recovery was better than ever, my HR dropping to the 80s by the end of the rest period even though when i was running I was well in my LT zone.
I send my mate "Mike the running/traflon guru" a whining text, asking what the hells happened to me, why have i got so shit and will i be able to get it baack in 6 weeks before i have to taper for the big event!?
As always he gave me some sound advice and put my head in a better place so slaped myself round the face a bit and accepted that the above times were perfectly acceptable to do a semi decent 5k time today.
Todays race then:
I talked my mate Mark into doing this too (it didnt take much as he's easily lead) we've been doing a lot of training together as he only lives round the corner and he suggested we cycled there, its only about 15 miles and since we're donig an ironman todays distances were nothing compared to the miles we've been putting in on the bike and in the lake lately.
We left and it was drizzling a bit, by the time we arrived it was drizzling a lot. We signed in, got numbered up and milled about til race off time. Being a funny fucker, i had sent Marks entry in with his age as 64 so he was down as M60s age group :D He's a much quicker swimmer than me so was in the second wave, i would have preferred him to be the same wave so I could overtake him on the run :)
The swim was as always 400m - 16 lenghts of the pool, i was feeling strong and covering the water well I felt. After half way, i steady up my stroke and tried to cover the same distance in the same time with less effort and this seeemed to work fine. I got to what i thought was length 12 and i touched the wall to turn and my hand met a float (they stick a float in the water when you've got 2 lenghts to go)
I got all confused, and paused a bit, and then carred back on. I got back to the other end, and said i hadnt done enouhg? but got out and checked my watch which said 7 something... i was still confused but got out and ran on out into the car park, and then realised I'd miscounted my lengths and had donea pretty decent time. Officially 7:56 - if i'd been concentrating i could have got this down a bit. But still under 8 mins which is fucking awesome for me beings such a shit swimmer.
Transition was a bit of a pickle, it was pissing down, i'd put my trainers in a carrie bag to keep them dry which was stupid, and my socks wer all wet and hard to put on, i finally wriggled into them and ran out of the car park putting on my race belt as i ran. Transition was about 1:15! really Anna you need to sort this out - its fair enough in long distnace but sprints arent for fannying about!
The run was 5k as always, I started off with a high cadence covereing the ground fairly well, i passed a couple of people who had got out of the swim before me, follwed the course onwards and got into a rhythm. Iwasnt going flat out but i was pushing on, I got round the next corner and overtook some more folks, and got onto the straight to see that there was noone else in front of me.
I kept on til the turnaround point and checked my watch 10:30 for the first half, I pulled back the pace a little (not deliberately really) but slowed my cadence and increased my stride length. the people behind were now heading towards me going for the turnaround and about half way back the second wave of ridiculoulsly fast swimmers and runners were heading my way too. rounding the last kilometer or so, i spotted mak coming my way and we high 5'd I came back into the car park with a total time of 30:40 making my run time about 21:30 - not too shabby, but I dont know if i'll ever nail a negative split!
I was first lady again - best 3 times of the 5 series wins prizes, so i'm still in the lead. Next race is 19th June and I'm hopefully going to have put in some proper run training by then so am really going to try and push under 30 mins. :)
Saturday, 29 May 2010
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Friday, 21 May 2010
Florida 70.3 Half Ironman
I'm not sure where to start on this without it becoming a massive epic, part of me wants to keep it short but I have so much to write about it almost needs a whole blog but I think i'm going to try and keep it brief.
Me and Suzie entered this last year and it was oringally it was going to be my main event - but then I signed up for Switzerland Full Iron Man for the end of July, so this became my B race - or a warm up (!!)
My running has been suffering due to various injuries and haven't really been able to put in the time on my feet I'd have liked and i'm also very lardy at the moment which isnt helping a) my speed and b) my head.
We arrived n Orlando (Disneyworld no less) on Friday afternoon, after a giggly fun filled (but long) flight over, the worry of the bikes getting damaged in the hold was my main issue up to now.
When we got to our log cabin (very little house on the prairie) we upacked and reassembled our bikes - phew all was ok with them! I went for a little run whilst suzie rode her bike alongside, and we had a little mooch about and found the shops etc. even at 8pm it was really hot and humid.
Saturday we had to register and rack our bikes. Suzie wanted to go for a run, so I rode and checked my gears and brakes were all working ok whilst she ran, then we went to register and eat a "large" breakfast! going by the endurance fuelling method i use of large breakfast, moderate lunch and small dinner. Well we werent even hungry until dinner time!
Whislt racking our bikes, i felt very much like i didnt belong here, i felt very unfit and overweight here around all these lean triathletes :( flip side is there were some ridiculously hot guys mincing about! There was some serious bike porn too, some proper bling, not that i minded as my bike is lush.
after setting everything up in transition for the following morning, we set off back to the cabin got our kit ready for the morning and waited for my one of best friend'a Ellen and Suzie's friend to arrive (and soak up some sun )
We needed to be at the start for 5am to get marked up so set my alarm for 4am and i did something i never do.... slept through it! 4.30 and Suzie luckily had woken up so flung open my door and i crawled out of bed and we got ourselves fed, dressed and down to the start.
The Swim: 1.2 miles open water
The swim was set off in 22 waves 3 minutes apart by age group categoryy, mine was due to be set off at 7am, Suzies at 7.06 so we got to watch the Pro's get off and show us how its meant to be done! I was in awe. A pro woman (Emma Kate Lidbury) who some people from my club know was racing and i saw her warming up before the swim. That's how a triathlete should look - not a big whale! :(
Suzie and I hugged goodluck, somehow getting black ink on our faces off each others arms from the numbers.... 6.58 came and I was lined up next to 150 or so other girls in pink hats (each wave had different colours on)
The water was 84 degrees so wetsuits werent allowed which i'd been shitting myself about. But when the Klaxon went off and i ran in trying not to get too close to the quicker girls, it was so warm and relaxing i didn't mind it at all and got straight down to business (business being flapping my way through the water aroud the buoys (or as the yanks pronounce them - boo-eees)
The swim itself wasn't too eventful, i really enjoyed it mostly, i found myself overtaking the waves ahead (well the slow people) and getting overtaken by the faster swimmers coming from waves behind, so i rarely had any clear water had to stop a couple of times to regroup and get out of peoples way but nothing major. There was the odd patch of water that tasted of diesel - which was nice. and on the return jounrey i was using the person on my right to stay straight and totally took for granted that they were going the right way, and went so far off course i nearly went past the canoes!
I finally exited the water to cheers (something that didnt stop all day - its amazing what a big crowd 2500 competitors will draw in) and ran up towards transition, my exit time on the swim was 43 mins and i was 31st in my age group, which i was made up with, this is the furthest i've "raced" in the water ( I late found out an Aligator had been spotted out there!!)
Transition 1
There was a long run up to the bike transition area through bark chips which stuck to my feet. i dried off a little when i got to my bike cleaned up my feet and got into my shoes, slathered on a thick layer of factor 50 and set out on the bike.
The Bike: 56 Miles
I love my bike and i love riding her, and this course was great, i felt good from the start, it was a bit windy and slow getting out of the campsite but once out on the open road, there was miles and miles of smooth fast road, i overtook plenty of people which i loved keeping an eye on my HR trying not to go to lactate threshold, there were a few slight climbs and the last 10 miles was into a head wind, I reached 41 mile in bang on 2 hours so i thought i may get 2:45 which is well above my expectations. I had a few issues getting drinks on the course, knocling them out of peoples hands, having to slow almost to a stop but had a great ride, went totally to plan and i came in in 2:52 which i never in a million thought i'd do. There was an instant i thought i was gonna come off - a bus went past in the other direction and the draft sent me flying! I got to see Suzie out there a couple of times pasing each other in the opposite way and yelled and waved.
Transition 2
I ran back in with my bike and saw Ellen cheering at the side and gave a wave, fannied about swapping shoes, putting on a hat, and tying back my hair, i needed a piss too so ran into the portaloo where i promptly found myself tied into my shorts so took ages untying them!
The Run: 13.1 miles
Well fuck me, this was the worst 13 miles of my life. I got out to a good start of 8 min miles but remembered what i'd been told about trying to hold back and maintain a slow consistnet pace in preparation for the full monty. On the bike i'd not realised how hot it was, it was coming up to the hottest part of the day and the mercury had been in the 90s for the last few days.
just coming out of the first loop inot hte second i saw Suzie, i gave her a woop, i was surpriesd to see her so sooon off the bike. but really please for her, she must have done a stonking bike!
The rest of the time there was spent eating drinking and a bit of training now home, even fatter and shitting myself about a small matter of Switzerland IM in 9 weeks!! Eek!
Me and Suzie entered this last year and it was oringally it was going to be my main event - but then I signed up for Switzerland Full Iron Man for the end of July, so this became my B race - or a warm up (!!)
My running has been suffering due to various injuries and haven't really been able to put in the time on my feet I'd have liked and i'm also very lardy at the moment which isnt helping a) my speed and b) my head.
We arrived n Orlando (Disneyworld no less) on Friday afternoon, after a giggly fun filled (but long) flight over, the worry of the bikes getting damaged in the hold was my main issue up to now.
When we got to our log cabin (very little house on the prairie) we upacked and reassembled our bikes - phew all was ok with them! I went for a little run whilst suzie rode her bike alongside, and we had a little mooch about and found the shops etc. even at 8pm it was really hot and humid.
Saturday we had to register and rack our bikes. Suzie wanted to go for a run, so I rode and checked my gears and brakes were all working ok whilst she ran, then we went to register and eat a "large" breakfast! going by the endurance fuelling method i use of large breakfast, moderate lunch and small dinner. Well we werent even hungry until dinner time!
Whislt racking our bikes, i felt very much like i didnt belong here, i felt very unfit and overweight here around all these lean triathletes :( flip side is there were some ridiculously hot guys mincing about! There was some serious bike porn too, some proper bling, not that i minded as my bike is lush.
after setting everything up in transition for the following morning, we set off back to the cabin got our kit ready for the morning and waited for my one of best friend'a Ellen and Suzie's friend to arrive (and soak up some sun )
We needed to be at the start for 5am to get marked up so set my alarm for 4am and i did something i never do.... slept through it! 4.30 and Suzie luckily had woken up so flung open my door and i crawled out of bed and we got ourselves fed, dressed and down to the start.
The Swim: 1.2 miles open water
The swim was set off in 22 waves 3 minutes apart by age group categoryy, mine was due to be set off at 7am, Suzies at 7.06 so we got to watch the Pro's get off and show us how its meant to be done! I was in awe. A pro woman (Emma Kate Lidbury) who some people from my club know was racing and i saw her warming up before the swim. That's how a triathlete should look - not a big whale! :(
Suzie and I hugged goodluck, somehow getting black ink on our faces off each others arms from the numbers.... 6.58 came and I was lined up next to 150 or so other girls in pink hats (each wave had different colours on)
The water was 84 degrees so wetsuits werent allowed which i'd been shitting myself about. But when the Klaxon went off and i ran in trying not to get too close to the quicker girls, it was so warm and relaxing i didn't mind it at all and got straight down to business (business being flapping my way through the water aroud the buoys (or as the yanks pronounce them - boo-eees)
The swim itself wasn't too eventful, i really enjoyed it mostly, i found myself overtaking the waves ahead (well the slow people) and getting overtaken by the faster swimmers coming from waves behind, so i rarely had any clear water had to stop a couple of times to regroup and get out of peoples way but nothing major. There was the odd patch of water that tasted of diesel - which was nice. and on the return jounrey i was using the person on my right to stay straight and totally took for granted that they were going the right way, and went so far off course i nearly went past the canoes!
I finally exited the water to cheers (something that didnt stop all day - its amazing what a big crowd 2500 competitors will draw in) and ran up towards transition, my exit time on the swim was 43 mins and i was 31st in my age group, which i was made up with, this is the furthest i've "raced" in the water ( I late found out an Aligator had been spotted out there!!)
Transition 1
There was a long run up to the bike transition area through bark chips which stuck to my feet. i dried off a little when i got to my bike cleaned up my feet and got into my shoes, slathered on a thick layer of factor 50 and set out on the bike.
The Bike: 56 Miles
I love my bike and i love riding her, and this course was great, i felt good from the start, it was a bit windy and slow getting out of the campsite but once out on the open road, there was miles and miles of smooth fast road, i overtook plenty of people which i loved keeping an eye on my HR trying not to go to lactate threshold, there were a few slight climbs and the last 10 miles was into a head wind, I reached 41 mile in bang on 2 hours so i thought i may get 2:45 which is well above my expectations. I had a few issues getting drinks on the course, knocling them out of peoples hands, having to slow almost to a stop but had a great ride, went totally to plan and i came in in 2:52 which i never in a million thought i'd do. There was an instant i thought i was gonna come off - a bus went past in the other direction and the draft sent me flying! I got to see Suzie out there a couple of times pasing each other in the opposite way and yelled and waved.
Transition 2
I ran back in with my bike and saw Ellen cheering at the side and gave a wave, fannied about swapping shoes, putting on a hat, and tying back my hair, i needed a piss too so ran into the portaloo where i promptly found myself tied into my shorts so took ages untying them!
The Run: 13.1 miles
Well fuck me, this was the worst 13 miles of my life. I got out to a good start of 8 min miles but remembered what i'd been told about trying to hold back and maintain a slow consistnet pace in preparation for the full monty. On the bike i'd not realised how hot it was, it was coming up to the hottest part of the day and the mercury had been in the 90s for the last few days. The run was 3 loops, largely on grass with potholes, a pictresque swamp! alongside. Noone out there could understand why the run route didnt go along the nice trails of the campsite through the shade, but no, it was all open in beaming sunshine.
There were aid stations every mile, 2 sprinklers and lots of crowds.
I got to 3 miles and realised i was going to have to push out this last 10 miles.... i was in hell. every aid station took a bit longer to reach than the last, i couldnt get enough fluids in, i was constantly thirsty, i'd stop at each station to shove ice down my top, drink some coke and some water. i couldnt eat by this stage, my stomach had shut down. i tried to break the run down but all i could think was "i've got 3 loops to do!!!" and "how the fuck am i going to do double all this??"
just coming out of the first loop inot hte second i saw Suzie, i gave her a woop, i was surpriesd to see her so sooon off the bike. but really please for her, she must have done a stonking bike!
The last 8 miles were just hell, a guy (my new best friend at this point in the day) came alongside me and asked if we could run together for a while, and i agreed, we chatted a little, i was a lap ahead of him, he was struggling too and on for a Personal worst for the run too. We kept each other going, to each aid station where we'd pour water over ourselves, drink what we could then get back out there. I felt bad when i got to turn off to the finish and he had another lap to go, i wished him well and got his number (race number not phone number!) so i could look out for him at the finish.
I finally went through the finish to more cheering in a total time of 5hr 55 and 16th in my category. My target was sub 6 so just scraped in.
I went to cool down in the lake where i then found out noone was allowed back in cos an aligator had been spotted!!
I went back to the run course and waited to see Suzie, she passed me on her last lap and i told her i'd wait for her at the finish post, so went and found Ellen and Luke and went to the finish line to jjump about and yell.
Saturday, 1 May 2010
Half Iron Swindonman - 1st May 2010
Today was an "half ironman training day" organised by one of the guys from club targetted at those of us who are doing switzerland IM but was open to any of the club or friends of club who fancied taking part. We weren't allowed to call it an "event" for H & S reasons but it was being timed and marshalled etc so it was really. There were only about 40 of us, some doing just Swim and run, some only doing part of the bike, some only doing part of the run.
I had intended originally only doing the swim and bike as they're my weaker disciplines and I've got Florida 70.3 in two weeks and thought it might be a bit much. I then decided I'd do half the run so I could get a good feel for the bike - run transition.
Last week was a 20 hour training week so this week i've been pretty pooped and hadnt taken a rest day for 10 days, so had Monday & Friday as total rest days, and thursdays sessions were chopped to a 30 min run, a body balance class and swim. I rode Tuesday and Wednesday though because I got my new bike finally after B was written off in the accident earlier this year. The bike is A-Mazing!! I'm in love with it, the difference between full carbon and aluminium is insane. Thankfully Mike had given me his old Scott bike, so i have been able to carry on training, and I think training on the heavier bike has actually been a blessing in disguise.
I wasnt really that fussed about today, some of the others were getting stressed about it, but as far as I was concerned it was a training day or dress rehearsal for Florida, so was mucking about fitting tri bars and downloading music til midnight last night instead of getting a decent nights sleep.
My alarm went off at 4.30am and I made some porridge, loaded up the car, minced about til 5.30 and set off to the lake. Everyone else was already there by the time I arrived as there was going to be a briefing at 5:45. I racked my bike on the scaffolding we'd been lent and went and got my wetsuit on. Came back and got Mark to lube me up so i didnt chafe in the lake. Noone likes chafing!
The swim route was 1.9k - two laps round the buoys with a short beach run between the laps, we got in to get wet and used to the cold water then went back to the shore to start. We set off, and at first i thought perhaps i'd be able to keep up with the pack. But with a few punches to the head from passers by, i soon found myself pretty much alone. I just concentrated on getting round, and not going miles out into the lake like i have been in training and making sure I spotted regularly.
I came to the shore for the beach run which was just a few meters, round a bollard and back in, i glanced behind to see only about 4 other people in the water and everyone else miles into the second lap and said "Wow i'm shit!" to the marshalls. and jumped back in for the second lap.
About half way round the other shit swimmers were gaining on me and starting to overtake, i tried to stay with them, i really didnt want to be last out! Coming from the last buoy i picked up some speed and pushed on to get out before them! Phew!! I wasnt' last!! Very nearly but not quite!
I checked my watch in transition and saw I'd got round in about 38 mins, which despite being so near the back I am really happy with.
I took my time in T1 to make sure i was comfy, I um'd and ah'd about whether to wear a jacket over my tri suit it wasnt even 7.30 yet but it looked sunny i decided to wear a jersey and if needs be i could drop it off.
I got out on the bike, my beautiful new shiny bike and set off on the course, it was a 56 mile flat course of out and back and out and back with the two of the turnarounds a big steep hill.
I was flying, i did the first 10 miles in a smidge under 30 mins, and overtook a couple of people. I was loving this new turn of speed. I dropped my jacket at the first turnaround and whizzed back down the steep hill, it was all quite uneventful but very enjoyable, I got to the second turnaround and got confused and carried on thinking i'd not reached it yet, going a mile in the wrong direction before realising the turnaround was back behind me. "bugger!"
I got back on the course to find i'd been overtaken by a few people! double bugger! I caught up with a couple of them, stopped for a wee in a bush, came back to transition. Swapped shoes, downed some jiz gel and straight out onto the run. Did the bike in 3hrs! Wow, i'd never thought i'd do that, and i did feel like i could push harder but I hadnt wanted to jeopardise the run too much (or burn out for florida)
The run was 13 miles, or 6 laps of the lake. I was going to see how i went, and maybe do three. I got on the run and felt great, no jelly legs and got straight into a nice rhythm, the first lap took about 16 mins, as did the 2nd. I was really enjoying it. It was getting pretty hot though. I decided i may as well just complete it and get a proper feel for how a half ironman feels. I over took some people who were on their last lap, some who were on the same lap as me, some who were only doing half etc....the last lap was painful... well more heavy legged than anything, i didnt get my nutrition quite right and could have done with more fluids but i was nearly home now so plugged on and managed a respectable 1:45 half marathon time.
My total time including transitions was 5:35 which i'm amazed at. I had previously given myself Plan A, B and C for florida sub 6 hours was Plan A and i thought highly unlikely! So i'm going to go for it in 2 weeks. Taper, nourish myself properly and kick some ass! Only trouble is its going to be a non wetsuit race so i'm pretty worried.
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Calne Aquathlon Summer Race Series - Race 1
Today was the first of the summer Aquathlon series.
Identical to the winter one, but without the frostbite!!
Have had numerous injuries the last few months, getting knocked off my bike, sprained ankle, cycling induced leg injury from having my seat position wrong....which has meant my running has been at best - shit. Only managing to do slow steady stuff when i've not been in pain, sandwiched between weeks off. But thankfully the injuries haven't affected my cycling and swimming so have been focussing on them.
The jizzio gave me the ok to run this week after a weekend and a half off my feet so did a tempo run weds and a 10 miler on thursday. With no signs of my injuries i decided to go for todays race and aim for a sub 8:15 swim and get through the run without my leg seizing up, and given my latest form i felt like i'd be lucky to manage 9 min miles!
As usual 400m Swim in the pool, run out to transition, trainers on, 5k run.
Did a couple of lengths warm up and decided with the guy i was sharing my lane with we'd go up and down rather than round and round - meaning he wouldnt have to worry about overtaking me!!
Under starters orders - 5 secs to go, started my watch - and off..... i'd done a 3.8k time trial on thursday in the pool so wasn't sure how my shoulders were going to feel but felt ok, and got into a steady rhythm. I had a shoulder injury from getting knocked off my bike which meant i couldnt swim with club for the fast sessions so had just been banging out long slow steady stuff focussing on technique, which seems to have done wonders in the pool.
I got to about 8th length and checked the lap timer clock thing and checked how long the next 2 lenghts toook - just under a minute, kept checking each 50 and each time was just under a minute... by my calculations if the first half was the same sort of speed i was going at i could do easily under 8:15!
Tapped on the head - 2 to go, final push and checked my watch - 7:45!!!! holy shit!!! i scrambled out the pool and ran through the door - they apparently cut off as you reach the door so my official time was 7:53 - but wooooooooooooo! i was so flipping happy!! If you've read the preivious swim related posts you'll know that i used to be chuffed to get 9:45! I never expected to get under 8 - probably ever so i'm totally chuffed! :)
So ran out in to the sunshine!! (not a bit of frost in sight!) bunged on my ssocks and shoes and race number and ran back out, bout a minute in transition, out onto the run, i just focusses on keeping my cadence high, not going too quick and just picking off the people in front of me. (i.e. the fast swimmers!)
The run was fairly uneventful, until the turnaround i didnt see any ladies come back towards me, so assumed i must be first woman :) I overtook another fella, before another one came past me (must have been a shitter swimmer than me!) I really don't like the last 400m, it goes on for ages and i always want to take the wrong turn. back through the car park into transition and cross the line. 21:35 on the run :) Still slower than i used to be but i'm pretty chuffed with this time as i've not been focussing on sprint distances or any speed work - or running really!
It's a great confidence booost as i was really beginning to think my running days were slowing down but i reckon if i can stay injury free, i'll have some reasonabale triathlon runs in me this year.
i was 6th over all and 1st lady today!! yay!! The lady who normally wins didnt race today, she spectated so i only really won by default, but my swim times are getting closer to hers now, so she best watch out! ;)
Finished up with a 50 mile easy ride and ice cream :)
Identical to the winter one, but without the frostbite!!
Have had numerous injuries the last few months, getting knocked off my bike, sprained ankle, cycling induced leg injury from having my seat position wrong....which has meant my running has been at best - shit. Only managing to do slow steady stuff when i've not been in pain, sandwiched between weeks off. But thankfully the injuries haven't affected my cycling and swimming so have been focussing on them.
The jizzio gave me the ok to run this week after a weekend and a half off my feet so did a tempo run weds and a 10 miler on thursday. With no signs of my injuries i decided to go for todays race and aim for a sub 8:15 swim and get through the run without my leg seizing up, and given my latest form i felt like i'd be lucky to manage 9 min miles!
As usual 400m Swim in the pool, run out to transition, trainers on, 5k run.
Did a couple of lengths warm up and decided with the guy i was sharing my lane with we'd go up and down rather than round and round - meaning he wouldnt have to worry about overtaking me!!
Under starters orders - 5 secs to go, started my watch - and off..... i'd done a 3.8k time trial on thursday in the pool so wasn't sure how my shoulders were going to feel but felt ok, and got into a steady rhythm. I had a shoulder injury from getting knocked off my bike which meant i couldnt swim with club for the fast sessions so had just been banging out long slow steady stuff focussing on technique, which seems to have done wonders in the pool.
I got to about 8th length and checked the lap timer clock thing and checked how long the next 2 lenghts toook - just under a minute, kept checking each 50 and each time was just under a minute... by my calculations if the first half was the same sort of speed i was going at i could do easily under 8:15!
Tapped on the head - 2 to go, final push and checked my watch - 7:45!!!! holy shit!!! i scrambled out the pool and ran through the door - they apparently cut off as you reach the door so my official time was 7:53 - but wooooooooooooo! i was so flipping happy!! If you've read the preivious swim related posts you'll know that i used to be chuffed to get 9:45! I never expected to get under 8 - probably ever so i'm totally chuffed! :)
So ran out in to the sunshine!! (not a bit of frost in sight!) bunged on my ssocks and shoes and race number and ran back out, bout a minute in transition, out onto the run, i just focusses on keeping my cadence high, not going too quick and just picking off the people in front of me. (i.e. the fast swimmers!)
The run was fairly uneventful, until the turnaround i didnt see any ladies come back towards me, so assumed i must be first woman :) I overtook another fella, before another one came past me (must have been a shitter swimmer than me!) I really don't like the last 400m, it goes on for ages and i always want to take the wrong turn. back through the car park into transition and cross the line. 21:35 on the run :) Still slower than i used to be but i'm pretty chuffed with this time as i've not been focussing on sprint distances or any speed work - or running really!
It's a great confidence booost as i was really beginning to think my running days were slowing down but i reckon if i can stay injury free, i'll have some reasonabale triathlon runs in me this year.
i was 6th over all and 1st lady today!! yay!! The lady who normally wins didnt race today, she spectated so i only really won by default, but my swim times are getting closer to hers now, so she best watch out! ;)
Finished up with a 50 mile easy ride and ice cream :)
Monday, 29 March 2010
Cheshire Twat Sportive
It's been a month since my confession - according to Rob.... !
So... on that note - yesterday was the day of the aptly renamed "Twat Ride" - otherwise known as the "Cheshire Cat" sportive. I suggested this to a group of friends a few months back, my ulterior motive being that it was to form a milestone in my IronMan training plan - my first century ride (as it happens, this ended up being last week for my birthday) but it was my first sportive so still ad day for firsts.
Originally Penny and Kerry were going to do the 67 mile route, Mike, David and I the 100 mile route. Penny fell down a cliff and smashed her shoulder (apparently - i think the xray/mri look a bit photoshopped to me and I'm almost certain the bruises were painted on with make-up) and David decided to do the 67 mile instead - because Penny had tired him out making her do all her errands - she has "a broken shoulder" you see! Kerry got herself a brand new shiny cycling type boyfriend so he also joined up - to the 100 miler.
The drive down was loooong! Made longer still by Mike having an anecdote for everything..... ever. Even buildings..... "did I tell you about the Fort Dunlop building?" I'm sure the feeling was mutual with my constant pointing out of signs such a "oh..look... jisborough", "shagborough" still travelling that fast in a Ford is quite a novelty for me, so i shan't complain any more.
After some issues trying to check in at the travel lodge - "no i'm not kerry, i'm having her room but she's now sharing with someone else" to the Neanderthal at the front desk (which looked more like a cupboard) Unpacked car, found room.... Penny and David were on the road still, trying to find the other Travelodge in Knutsford. Finally they arrive, shortly followed by Kerry and James - this was the first time i'd met the two fo them. I ahd gifts for everyone - Kerry - some Haribo as wiggle keep forgetting to send her some, Creme eggs for James - he likes the Jizzy centre, Wine gums for David as i noticed this to be his riding nutrition, some "Wank Party" tights for Penny, and a bumper pot of Sudacream for Mike's arse - they didnt have any giant Compede.
As always happens in the Company of Penny and David, i got lead firmly astray with the lure of lager and wine. Obviously being stuck in a car with Mike for most of the day meant I really *needed* a pint...... the bigger problem is my inability to know my limit - usually this is about a glass of wine before i stop drinking. Combine this with losing an hour's sleep to the age old thing of daylight saving time or whatever, this meant not the best night's sleep.
After requesting "lots of food" at breakfast, a couple of coffees, the hangover starting to subside, we finally got off to the start. We parked a 5 min ride from the start and when we got there, were about to join the queue, but soon realised the queue did a total lap of the carpark - so turned out being quite a wait, luckily the facilities on site were pretty decent so took it in turns to go for last minute wee stops. Anyone who's read previous posts will know of my penchant for boys in lycra - the day did not disappoint.... cycling is quite a handy sport to fulfill this simple requirement.
So we finally set off, the roads were a bit pot holey to begin, Kerry was having issues with her new pedals - bit tight apparently, James was having troubles with his bum - bit tight apparently. Nothing much momentous happened for the first 10 miles or so, until Mike decided to push me off my bike... ok so maybe he didn't really push me (so he says) neither of us seemed to know we were going to turn left, and somehow we got tangled up, (he pushed me) and i ended up in a pile on the floor. Luckily i wear a helmet - it's now cracked through - as i told my mate the other day when he turned up for a ride with a beanie on "that's not going to hold your brains in when you fall off"
No major injuries, a grazed elbow and bruised thigh we got off again, the first of the big hills came up much sooner than we expected, we had all thought there was a feed station prior so whilst bimbling along in the wrong gear for a big hill, i ended up stalling and having to half walk up a bit of it til i could find somewhere not quite as verticle to restart, during this time passed by Kerry and David - James and Mike were already gone. It then occured to me that this was the infamous "Mow Cop" hill, the pics on the website didn't do it justice and at 26% it was going to be a biggun! i rounded the corner and in front was just this wall of tarmac - iv'e previously written about "Snap" hill and "my hill" round my way, but they are gentle slopes by comparison!
I caught up with James, and could see Mike half way up the steepest bit, then i realised he was on the floor (it later transpired Karma came about and someone pushed him off)
So i slowly slowly catchy monkey slogged up the tarmac mountain, making slow steady progress. Passing people defeated and walking, trying to keep the front wheel on the floor, pretty much hacking up my uterus by this point, i was caught up to where Mike had been picked off the floor and about 2 wheel turns from the point where stewards were giving prizes for people getting up the steepest bit (rumoured to be 32%!!) and i ground to a halt, my wheel stopped and i just fell over sideways. (i'm certain Mike pushed me again as he was right there)
I laid on the side of the road giggling, still attached to both pedals and wasted Mike pulled off my shoe so i could get up and we walked the rest of the way to the top, whilst a few people nipped up like rats up drain pipes!
We got to the top and saw that James had made it the whole way! King of the hill. Fair play fella. We waited for everyone else to get to the top and refuelled with jiz gels n the like. After that we set off again.... round the corner the hill continued!! For approximately 40 miles. I love hills, but seriously these were ridiculous!!
There were feed stations about every 25 miles, which we could stock up on bananas, (i think i ate about 10 that day), drinks and biscuits/cakes - wee stops and reapply lube!
After the hills were out of the way David and I decided it was actually "quite pleasant" riding, despite the now wasted legs, there were some great decents but i'm a big wimp and hang off my brakes a lot of the time on the bigguns, when David said "i've not touched my brakes yet" I wasn't surprised as i've ridden with him before and him slalomming down massive hills make my stomach churn. We managed to get into a fairly decent pace for a while, taking it in turns to ride the front.
After the 2nd feed station we split off into our two groups, safe in the knowledge that we were *almost* half way! fuck me. Luckily we'd read the profile map so knew there were no more hills.... (well almost no more). I think Mike and I said something to upset James cos he belted off on his own. There were phases in the last 30 miles where nothing was said for miles, endurance is a funny thing, one minute you can be full of it, the next in a trance like state just trying to maintain your existence. I didnt have any real bad moments, but it was a real eye opener to the nutrition plan i need to adopt for the iron man as for a while, i could hardly keep up with my body's demands for energy and maintaining the same level was tricky for a while, so almost force feeding myself to keep level, but i think it worked.
The last feed station was an eerie place... there was tumbleweed rolling by, someone walking round with a sandwich board saying "the end is nigh" ok i made that up but it felt a bit like that... the end was nigh in fact... just 25 miles to go! So quick refuel, and back on... "ouch" not the worst case of saddle sore, but a definite bit of chaffing!
We picked up the pace a bit for the last stretch and a few more words were exchanged... "I fucking hate you Mike" and various mean comments about my fat arse. Standard really.
The last few miles, we chased down a few people in front of us, the last 2 not letting us win, they knew our game! Finally cross the finish line (2 seconds ahead of Mike) hoppped off feeling pretty decnet actually - definitley could ahve done a run after (which is just as well as in a few months i need to ride on a further 12 miles and run 26.2... !)
Went inside and found kerry and james - Penny and David had left, but Penny had left us a banana cake - I fucking love Penny! xx (not just for her cakes you realise)
Kerry and james left, Mike spent about an hour doing his make up for the journey home, and we set about on the longest car journey in history..... where the following things were learnt 1) scav nav is a bit wank, 2) you can't follow the north star if there's clouds 3) Mike's a shit navigator 4) i'm a shit driver 5) Clash rocked the Casbah 6) "did I tell you about the Fort Dunlop building?"
All in all a pretty great weekend really, fucking nackered now, and i've got whiplash, bruised elbows, and a sore knee. But i feel pretty prepared for my next adventure... 7 weeks until Florida Half Ironman!! Eek.
Hopefully next year Penny can ride too! x
So... on that note - yesterday was the day of the aptly renamed "Twat Ride" - otherwise known as the "Cheshire Cat" sportive. I suggested this to a group of friends a few months back, my ulterior motive being that it was to form a milestone in my IronMan training plan - my first century ride (as it happens, this ended up being last week for my birthday) but it was my first sportive so still ad day for firsts.
Originally Penny and Kerry were going to do the 67 mile route, Mike, David and I the 100 mile route. Penny fell down a cliff and smashed her shoulder (apparently - i think the xray/mri look a bit photoshopped to me and I'm almost certain the bruises were painted on with make-up) and David decided to do the 67 mile instead - because Penny had tired him out making her do all her errands - she has "a broken shoulder" you see! Kerry got herself a brand new shiny cycling type boyfriend so he also joined up - to the 100 miler.
The drive down was loooong! Made longer still by Mike having an anecdote for everything..... ever. Even buildings..... "did I tell you about the Fort Dunlop building?" I'm sure the feeling was mutual with my constant pointing out of signs such a "oh..look... jisborough", "shagborough" still travelling that fast in a Ford is quite a novelty for me, so i shan't complain any more.
After some issues trying to check in at the travel lodge - "no i'm not kerry, i'm having her room but she's now sharing with someone else" to the Neanderthal at the front desk (which looked more like a cupboard) Unpacked car, found room.... Penny and David were on the road still, trying to find the other Travelodge in Knutsford. Finally they arrive, shortly followed by Kerry and James - this was the first time i'd met the two fo them. I ahd gifts for everyone - Kerry - some Haribo as wiggle keep forgetting to send her some, Creme eggs for James - he likes the Jizzy centre, Wine gums for David as i noticed this to be his riding nutrition, some "Wank Party" tights for Penny, and a bumper pot of Sudacream for Mike's arse - they didnt have any giant Compede.
As always happens in the Company of Penny and David, i got lead firmly astray with the lure of lager and wine. Obviously being stuck in a car with Mike for most of the day meant I really *needed* a pint...... the bigger problem is my inability to know my limit - usually this is about a glass of wine before i stop drinking. Combine this with losing an hour's sleep to the age old thing of daylight saving time or whatever, this meant not the best night's sleep.
After requesting "lots of food" at breakfast, a couple of coffees, the hangover starting to subside, we finally got off to the start. We parked a 5 min ride from the start and when we got there, were about to join the queue, but soon realised the queue did a total lap of the carpark - so turned out being quite a wait, luckily the facilities on site were pretty decent so took it in turns to go for last minute wee stops. Anyone who's read previous posts will know of my penchant for boys in lycra - the day did not disappoint.... cycling is quite a handy sport to fulfill this simple requirement.
So we finally set off, the roads were a bit pot holey to begin, Kerry was having issues with her new pedals - bit tight apparently, James was having troubles with his bum - bit tight apparently. Nothing much momentous happened for the first 10 miles or so, until Mike decided to push me off my bike... ok so maybe he didn't really push me (so he says) neither of us seemed to know we were going to turn left, and somehow we got tangled up, (he pushed me) and i ended up in a pile on the floor. Luckily i wear a helmet - it's now cracked through - as i told my mate the other day when he turned up for a ride with a beanie on "that's not going to hold your brains in when you fall off"
No major injuries, a grazed elbow and bruised thigh we got off again, the first of the big hills came up much sooner than we expected, we had all thought there was a feed station prior so whilst bimbling along in the wrong gear for a big hill, i ended up stalling and having to half walk up a bit of it til i could find somewhere not quite as verticle to restart, during this time passed by Kerry and David - James and Mike were already gone. It then occured to me that this was the infamous "Mow Cop" hill, the pics on the website didn't do it justice and at 26% it was going to be a biggun! i rounded the corner and in front was just this wall of tarmac - iv'e previously written about "Snap" hill and "my hill" round my way, but they are gentle slopes by comparison!
I caught up with James, and could see Mike half way up the steepest bit, then i realised he was on the floor (it later transpired Karma came about and someone pushed him off)
So i slowly slowly catchy monkey slogged up the tarmac mountain, making slow steady progress. Passing people defeated and walking, trying to keep the front wheel on the floor, pretty much hacking up my uterus by this point, i was caught up to where Mike had been picked off the floor and about 2 wheel turns from the point where stewards were giving prizes for people getting up the steepest bit (rumoured to be 32%!!) and i ground to a halt, my wheel stopped and i just fell over sideways. (i'm certain Mike pushed me again as he was right there)
I laid on the side of the road giggling, still attached to both pedals and wasted Mike pulled off my shoe so i could get up and we walked the rest of the way to the top, whilst a few people nipped up like rats up drain pipes!
We got to the top and saw that James had made it the whole way! King of the hill. Fair play fella. We waited for everyone else to get to the top and refuelled with jiz gels n the like. After that we set off again.... round the corner the hill continued!! For approximately 40 miles. I love hills, but seriously these were ridiculous!!
There were feed stations about every 25 miles, which we could stock up on bananas, (i think i ate about 10 that day), drinks and biscuits/cakes - wee stops and reapply lube!
After the hills were out of the way David and I decided it was actually "quite pleasant" riding, despite the now wasted legs, there were some great decents but i'm a big wimp and hang off my brakes a lot of the time on the bigguns, when David said "i've not touched my brakes yet" I wasn't surprised as i've ridden with him before and him slalomming down massive hills make my stomach churn. We managed to get into a fairly decent pace for a while, taking it in turns to ride the front.
After the 2nd feed station we split off into our two groups, safe in the knowledge that we were *almost* half way! fuck me. Luckily we'd read the profile map so knew there were no more hills.... (well almost no more). I think Mike and I said something to upset James cos he belted off on his own. There were phases in the last 30 miles where nothing was said for miles, endurance is a funny thing, one minute you can be full of it, the next in a trance like state just trying to maintain your existence. I didnt have any real bad moments, but it was a real eye opener to the nutrition plan i need to adopt for the iron man as for a while, i could hardly keep up with my body's demands for energy and maintaining the same level was tricky for a while, so almost force feeding myself to keep level, but i think it worked.
The last feed station was an eerie place... there was tumbleweed rolling by, someone walking round with a sandwich board saying "the end is nigh" ok i made that up but it felt a bit like that... the end was nigh in fact... just 25 miles to go! So quick refuel, and back on... "ouch" not the worst case of saddle sore, but a definite bit of chaffing!
We picked up the pace a bit for the last stretch and a few more words were exchanged... "I fucking hate you Mike" and various mean comments about my fat arse. Standard really.
The last few miles, we chased down a few people in front of us, the last 2 not letting us win, they knew our game! Finally cross the finish line (2 seconds ahead of Mike) hoppped off feeling pretty decnet actually - definitley could ahve done a run after (which is just as well as in a few months i need to ride on a further 12 miles and run 26.2... !)
Went inside and found kerry and james - Penny and David had left, but Penny had left us a banana cake - I fucking love Penny! xx (not just for her cakes you realise)
Kerry and james left, Mike spent about an hour doing his make up for the journey home, and we set about on the longest car journey in history..... where the following things were learnt 1) scav nav is a bit wank, 2) you can't follow the north star if there's clouds 3) Mike's a shit navigator 4) i'm a shit driver 5) Clash rocked the Casbah 6) "did I tell you about the Fort Dunlop building?"
All in all a pretty great weekend really, fucking nackered now, and i've got whiplash, bruised elbows, and a sore knee. But i feel pretty prepared for my next adventure... 7 weeks until Florida Half Ironman!! Eek.
Hopefully next year Penny can ride too! x
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Feb 20th Calne Aquathlon Race 5/5
Well I unfortunately didn't make the last of the race series as the injury from last month has been lingering since, went to the physio and turned out i'd sprained the medial ligament in me cankle.
So rest, bit of electro therapy or something and no racing/running. Am getting back into it again slowly but only ran twice a week for the last few weeks whilst rehabilitating it. Not ideal for training but better than making it worse.
Anyhow, didn't go but i had a call about lunchtime to tell me i'd won a prize :-) and what's the best kind of prize?
A sur-prize!
I got 2nd lady!! yay. i thought i was 3rd in the series so this was a better result. There was quite a big gap between 1st and me cos she's a dead quick swimmer and min or two quicker on the run. A ten quid voucher for total bath fitness came through today so will buy some socks or something :P
That's it.... i've not got many more races planned now before switzerland, i may do the summer series and some time trials but nothing set in stone. Really wanted to do the ballbuster again at beginning of march but it doesnt really fit in.
So rest, bit of electro therapy or something and no racing/running. Am getting back into it again slowly but only ran twice a week for the last few weeks whilst rehabilitating it. Not ideal for training but better than making it worse.
Anyhow, didn't go but i had a call about lunchtime to tell me i'd won a prize :-) and what's the best kind of prize?
A sur-prize!
I got 2nd lady!! yay. i thought i was 3rd in the series so this was a better result. There was quite a big gap between 1st and me cos she's a dead quick swimmer and min or two quicker on the run. A ten quid voucher for total bath fitness came through today so will buy some socks or something :P
That's it.... i've not got many more races planned now before switzerland, i may do the summer series and some time trials but nothing set in stone. Really wanted to do the ballbuster again at beginning of march but it doesnt really fit in.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- anna
- This latest blog will be hopefully following my transwales experience. Enjoy with me :-)