Good week after marathon

History shows that after a marathon, I turn into a lazy bloke who likes his biscuits.  In the past, I have gone to seed in the weeks after a big event like a marathon, using the excuse of a 'job well done' to 'treat' myself for several days (or weeks).

This time, the marathon isn't this season's goal so I have to keep going.  My legs were like lead so running was out.  I found cycling fine so I was on the bike on Monday for the short commute to college.  Same on Tuesday and then Wednesday I decided to use my early finish to go for a swim.  My legs ached so I hardly used them but managed 35 minutes.

On Thursday, we had a full day of PE instruction.  We basically spent the entire day playing games that we might use with the kids in school.  It was great fun but tough doing it from 9am until gone 4pm with a short lunch break.  Friday was another swim and Saturday my swim lesson please 25 miles on the bike.

Sunday was a special day.  I started with a very slow run before heading down to docklands to see a couple of friends run the marathon.  One, Simon, was aiming to smash his PB and the other, Charlie, his first time looking to get round and enjoy it.  I was so excited for both of them of loved watching the race (but would have rather been running it).  Simon did a superb 3:44:30 and Charlie finished and is now in the marathon club.

I got emotional several times with people struggling or battling their inner demons.  I got most emotional at the beginning as I saw the elite men run past.  It is the first time I've seen the elites in a big event and they were stunning.  Shere brilliance.  They took my breath away.

Swim:
Time - 2 hrs 20 mins
Distance - 2.3 kms

Cycle:
Time - 5 hrs
Distance - 62 miles

Run:
Time - 1 hrs 7 mins
Distance - 6.6 miles

Totals:
Time - 8 hrs 27 mins

Training Week 6

Week six is over already!!!  20% in to my Ironman training.  That's a scary thought.

It wasn't the greatest week of training.  Less hours than last week but still nearly 10 hours.  Really pleased with the swimming and the a 2 hour run yesterday was slow but really comfortable so that's on track.

Swimming - 3 sessions, 1.5 miles, 2hrs 10mins
Cycling - 6 sessions, 55 miles, 4hrs 15 mins
Running - 2 sessions, 24.4 miles, 3hrs, 15mins
(including 1hr15 of 5-a-side football - estimated 4 miles running)
Press-ups - 105 (A terrible excuse but I just forgot to do them this week)

Week 7 is just about seeing what I can fit in.  Its half term so I have the kids most of the week and then I'm off up north for my Gran's 90th birthday party so I'll take my running and swimming stuff and see if I can't get something done.

Training Week 4

The week didn't start too well with Monday and Tuesday off sick. I got some sort of winter vomiting thing which stopped me in my tracks. I was fine by Wednesday and had a session in the pool that wasn't great and a comfortable hour on the treadmill. My knee was sore afterwards which is still a big concern.

I swam again on Friday and actually enjoyed it. I did some lengths and some drills and I did feel a small amount of improvement. Baby steps! My training is hampered by not being able to use my fins in the pool at Tooting Leisure Centre. Health and Safety apparently. Load of nonsence. Many of the arm drills I've been given in the lessons require you to concentrate on arm position so you don't get much propulsion from the arms and have to rely on your legs. Without fins its incredible tiring.

Saturday's swim lesson was again really good. I am slowly beginning to like swimming rather than feeling it is something to just get through. Who'd have thought.

I went for a run today.  I kept it slow to try and save the knee but I felt strong from the word go and kept the pace higher than I have of late.  I got to about 45 minutes and still felt good but my knee started to twinge.  It was the same story.  It was just an ache that ever so slowly grew but not causing me to slow so I just kept going.  I did 7.2 miles in under 9 minute miles and my HR never left zone 2.  Perfect.

Finally, I will not be doing my Sunday weigh-in.  Its my birthday tomorrow and this weekend has been fairly indulgent.  I went for a 10 course meal last night and there was nothing that was on the weight-watchers lists of healthy meals.  Tonight its roast beef and all the trimmings and I'm sure there will be cake tomorrow.

Stats:
Swimming - 3 sessions, 1.2 miles, 2hrs 6mins
Running - 3 sessions, 16.7 miles, 2hrs, 32mins
Cycling - 4 sessions, 44 miles, 3hrs 5 mins
Press-ups - 343

Training Week 3

Another good week. I really enjoyed the swimming lesson on Saturday. I felt I progressed a little and it was good to get the confidence back after a terrible swim on Thursday. I also played 5-a-side football on Friday which was great fun.

My concerns this week are about the amount of running I've done. With only a month until the first of my 20 milers, I need to up the mileage. I was hoping my knee would feel fine by now but I still have a bit of a niggle that worries me.

Swimming
Time in water: 1 hrs 55 mins
Estimated Distance: 0.9 miles

Running
Time: 2 hrs 32 mins
Distance: 14.0 miles

Cycling
Time: 5 hrs 45 mins
Distance: 76 miles

Totals
Sessions: 13
Total Time: 10 hrs 12 mins

The cycling numbers are quite high. I do include my cycling to and from school as well as to and from the gym. I always treat these are exercise and work hard so I feel they should be included.

Next week my aim is to get out on the road bike. It is dependant on the weather but I don't want to do all my miles as a commute on the Ridgeback. My run is also up to 75 minutes but I need to keep raising so I'm ready of the Meon Valley 20 miler in February.

I also successfully completed my press-ups this week. 270 in 7 days. That rises to 300 next week. The weight loss wasn't so good. In fact, it was zero. I lost nothing. I was doing well until Friday when I was feeling down about the amount of school work I have to do and lost all sense of control. Friday night and all day Saturday were shocking. A malt loaf, stake & chips, pick n' mix and biscuits were some of the highlights. The fact that I didn't put on any weight is a miracle. Must do better next week.

Training Week 2

This was really my first week of proper training but it is week 2 in Don Fink's 30 week program so week 2 it shall be called. I really enjoyed training this week. It has gone well. I can feel myself getting better and stronger which is always encouraging. The progress I've made in the swimming is also filling me with confidence.

Swimming
Time in water: 2 hrs 18 mins
Estimated Distance: 1602 meters

Running
Time: 1 hrs 25 mins
Distance: 8.6 miles

Cycling
Time: 5 hrs 10 mins
Distance: 69 miles

Totals
Sessions: 13
Total Time: 8 hrs 53 mins

Now, non of these figures are quick. Far from it, they are painfully slow and at times, it has been hard to follow the program and not run or cycle faster but I have to keep telling myself, its not about speed. Speed does not matter. Endurance, form, technique and staying injury free for 30 weeks are what its all about.

Next week is very similar with a slight increase in Sunday's run and I will increase one or both of the swims from 35 to 45 minutes.