Well, another week over.......weather still crappy...blowing a gale and sheeting down with rain this morning. We are all so sick of MUD !
Starting a 'tick over' plan with Craig.....his words 'training to train'......managed a few of the sessions but still feel 'Goofy' in my quads.....did my spinning class this morning and then straight in the pool for 600m swim.
Tonight, I am going to 'Bodypump' want to test my elbow through a hard weight session.
I have lost so much strength/muscle in my arm and hand I am now starting to panic !
Not much else happening....spin/run tomorrow......should have stopped raining by then !
Friday, January 23, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
A New Year !
Hey, it's been some time since I posted. I had hoped Gordy would want to write a race report but he felt he had told everyone all about his race and didn't want to bore everyone again !
Christmas and the New Year has come and gone and we have been to Florida for 'Goofy's Challenge'. As in the previous 2 years we had a brilliant time. It really is a fun week-end and I would recommend ANYONE to do it.........it's so ridiculous to do those distances in two days. Plus we always throw in the 5k on the Friday.....42.4 miles.....not too shabby.
For me, it was just lovely to be racing again...I use the term 'racing' loosely....just having a number on and running with a bunch of people and getting a medal at the end ! Nothing like Disney for some serious finisher's bling !
I have been cleared by my elbow doc to do ANYTHING now, including biking (outside). No surgery....he thinks I have recovered enough movement to make this unnnecessary.......just lots of exercise to strengthen the arm.......hitting the weight room now.
Probably not biking outside for a week or so..we have had the most miserable winter........freezing....windy....raining...there's water and mud everywhere.
I have learned to co-exist with the treadmill as it has been too icy to run outside ......the few times I have ventured outside I was very glad of my Ice Queen SKIRT......kept my butt nice and toasty.
Well, getting back into some structured training now....thanks, Craig.....I really need the discipline of a regular schedule.
To all our American friends, have a great day tomorrow....a truly historic one.
Christmas and the New Year has come and gone and we have been to Florida for 'Goofy's Challenge'. As in the previous 2 years we had a brilliant time. It really is a fun week-end and I would recommend ANYONE to do it.........it's so ridiculous to do those distances in two days. Plus we always throw in the 5k on the Friday.....42.4 miles.....not too shabby.
For me, it was just lovely to be racing again...I use the term 'racing' loosely....just having a number on and running with a bunch of people and getting a medal at the end ! Nothing like Disney for some serious finisher's bling !
I have been cleared by my elbow doc to do ANYTHING now, including biking (outside). No surgery....he thinks I have recovered enough movement to make this unnnecessary.......just lots of exercise to strengthen the arm.......hitting the weight room now.
Probably not biking outside for a week or so..we have had the most miserable winter........freezing....windy....raining...there's water and mud everywhere.
I have learned to co-exist with the treadmill as it has been too icy to run outside ......the few times I have ventured outside I was very glad of my Ice Queen SKIRT......kept my butt nice and toasty.
Well, getting back into some structured training now....thanks, Craig.....I really need the discipline of a regular schedule.
To all our American friends, have a great day tomorrow....a truly historic one.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Home
Arrived home late yesterday....it's grey, cold and rainy. How we miss that Arizona sun !
What a great week. Don't know where to begin. It was wonderful to hang with some of the SKIRTS.....thank you all for your support and sympathy.....you are all amazing.
I was so proud of Gordy...he didn't quite make it this time but I know he will in Madison in September. He hadn't done enough running and he needs to work on his nutrition on the bike but due to my accident he missed some crucial work-outs in the final weeks leaing up to the race. He is fine with his effort.
Thanks to everyoen who made our time in Arizona so great. Congrats to Kona-bound Dan, Cathy, who notched up another IM this year, BJ who PR'd all over the place, Sarah who knocked a shed-load of time off her previous IM time, April who had a tough day but saw it through.
It was a lovely day.
What a great week. Don't know where to begin. It was wonderful to hang with some of the SKIRTS.....thank you all for your support and sympathy.....you are all amazing.
I was so proud of Gordy...he didn't quite make it this time but I know he will in Madison in September. He hadn't done enough running and he needs to work on his nutrition on the bike but due to my accident he missed some crucial work-outs in the final weeks leaing up to the race. He is fine with his effort.
Thanks to everyoen who made our time in Arizona so great. Congrats to Kona-bound Dan, Cathy, who notched up another IM this year, BJ who PR'd all over the place, Sarah who knocked a shed-load of time off her previous IM time, April who had a tough day but saw it through.
It was a lovely day.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Post Mortem
I'll keep this short and add some more thoughts once I get home.
The day started well - I did a PR in the swim of 1:28:39 - interesting starting the swim when it was semi-dark, I didn't see any marker buoys until I had gone around 500m. Swimmers were all over the place and I got my goggles knocked off 5 or 6 times but once we got to the turn around the sun was with us and it was an easy ride all the way back to transition.
T1 was an absolute zoo - no space at all in the change tent.
Got out onto the bike and tried to settle down into my planned pace of 16 mph - which would have got me home in 7 hours. My heart rate was a little too high and I averaged 17.4 mph so I came in around 2:11 for the first lap. I backed it off a little on lap 2 - probably a bit too much - and slowed down too much. By lap 3 my HR was dropping too low and I found it hard to keep the speed up ... it got a bit lonely on that final lap.
Came into T2 at 4:23 and got some massage on my shoulder before heading out on the run. Running and walking for the first 4 miles but after that I found I was slowing down. I calculated that I wouldn't be able to finish the run by midnight so I pulled out at mile 7 where Jack was waiting at the aid station with Gerry & Sue. They all tried to convince me to carry on but enough was enough and I decided that discretion was the better part of valour!
We had a great time in Tempe and got to hang out with loads of friends - Dan qualified for Kona which really was the icing on the cake. BJ and Sarah both posted PR's.
I'll post pictures and more stuff once we are home.
Thanks to everyone for your support and good wishes, it really is great to know that you are all out there!
The day started well - I did a PR in the swim of 1:28:39 - interesting starting the swim when it was semi-dark, I didn't see any marker buoys until I had gone around 500m. Swimmers were all over the place and I got my goggles knocked off 5 or 6 times but once we got to the turn around the sun was with us and it was an easy ride all the way back to transition.
T1 was an absolute zoo - no space at all in the change tent.
Got out onto the bike and tried to settle down into my planned pace of 16 mph - which would have got me home in 7 hours. My heart rate was a little too high and I averaged 17.4 mph so I came in around 2:11 for the first lap. I backed it off a little on lap 2 - probably a bit too much - and slowed down too much. By lap 3 my HR was dropping too low and I found it hard to keep the speed up ... it got a bit lonely on that final lap.
Came into T2 at 4:23 and got some massage on my shoulder before heading out on the run. Running and walking for the first 4 miles but after that I found I was slowing down. I calculated that I wouldn't be able to finish the run by midnight so I pulled out at mile 7 where Jack was waiting at the aid station with Gerry & Sue. They all tried to convince me to carry on but enough was enough and I decided that discretion was the better part of valour!
We had a great time in Tempe and got to hang out with loads of friends - Dan qualified for Kona which really was the icing on the cake. BJ and Sarah both posted PR's.
I'll post pictures and more stuff once we are home.
Thanks to everyone for your support and good wishes, it really is great to know that you are all out there!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Today's the day !
Well, it's 4.30 am here in Tempe.....I'm up and ready to go....as usual Gordy is pottering about in his calm, unhurried fashion...drives me crazy !!!!
Just to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone that has sent him all the 'Good Luck' messages....they have been coming in thick and fast....you people out there are the BEST !
I'll keep everyone posted during the day as much as I can........
Have a good day....
Just to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone that has sent him all the 'Good Luck' messages....they have been coming in thick and fast....you people out there are the BEST !
I'll keep everyone posted during the day as much as I can........
Have a good day....
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Final Countdown!
It's 4:10 in the afternoon - if all goes to plan tomorrow I should be in off the bike and out on the run ... we'll see. The time since we arrived on Tuesday night has gone incredibly quickly, Thursday morning was the first day we could swim in the lake so down we went - I led Gerry & Sue down part of the swim course while Jack went for a half-hour gentle run along the lake shore path.The lake water was cool and murky - just like home - so no problems there. Just spent the time swimming steadily - throwing in the odd sprint & kick - and found that I fell into breathing every 4th stroke very naturally. The plan is to come out of the swim in 1 hour 30 minutes tomorrow.
Friday was quite windy - it calmed down by late afternoon and Sarah came over for a final test ride of our bikes - a couple of short loops testing the gears & brakes then back to the hotel for a quick "transition" and we joined up with Jack, Gerry & Sue for a gentle jog along part of the run course along the lake. Beautiful weather.Saturday morning I decided not to bother with another swim, just sat on the side watching G & S while Jack signed up for the 2009 race. Back to the hotel to sort all my kit into the bags for tomorrow and then back to the transition area to check in my bike and bags.
Back in the room now (4:20) and resting until we have dinner at 7:00 then off to bed - will probably pick up donuts for breakfast(!) and slip down to the start fairly late - got our own marker pens so if there is a long line I can mark my own numbers on my arms & legs!Keep an eye on www.ironman.com tomorrow to see what I'm up to.
Monday, November 17, 2008
All our bags are packed.......
Gordy's bike is packed and everything else is packed, except for those last few bits. When we woke up this morning I reminded Gordy that this time next week he will be an IRONMAN! He rolled over, went back to sleep and was snoring......
Be glad to leave this cold, wet, grey weather for the sunshine of Arizona.
Planning my first run today since the accident...getting very excited ! Physio is very pleased with my progress, I can nearly see the palm of my left hand ! Actually got a spoon to my mouth last night......if I lower my head enough to meet it !!!! Also, another milestone was reached this morning, I could get my socks on with two hands !!!
Baby steps......
Be glad to leave this cold, wet, grey weather for the sunshine of Arizona.
Planning my first run today since the accident...getting very excited ! Physio is very pleased with my progress, I can nearly see the palm of my left hand ! Actually got a spoon to my mouth last night......if I lower my head enough to meet it !!!! Also, another milestone was reached this morning, I could get my socks on with two hands !!!
Baby steps......
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