70.3 Good to Go - Sat 21 July

We set the date a while back and in the meantime a new job has so thoroughly shaken up my old routines that I'd forgotten! But I'm still cycling to work most days, so hopefully the base fitness is still there! Just need to firm up some details with the other competitors and we'll be good to go!!

4th Parkrun - latest training write up

Cycling to work continues through this latest cold snap - Friday saw temp reading on the Garmin drop down to -4.5. I was glad I'd put my overgloves over my normal gloves which had silk liners underneath. I'm going to try Goretex ski gloves this week instead, as all dexterity was gone with 3 pairs of gloves. Good job I was on the single speed, as I'd have found it tricky changing gear.

Sadly didn't join Alan and Christian in the Bowler on Friday after going to see Iron Lady with Caroline first. Or maybe it was a wise move? Saturday morning was cold but Caroline and I had agreed that if it was raining/snowing we'd do the Leamington Parkrun. The ground was well hard underfoot but once we were on the paths the going got easier. My hat stayed on until the top of the climb and my gloves only came off in the last km. I'd sort of given up a bit then and let the guy who'd been huffing and puffing behind me get past. Managed a bit of a sprint for the line and then spotted Luke and his daughter Chelsea in the line ahead of me. Nice chat with him. He managed a sub 24min time which I'm aiming for now having managed a PB of 24.33 just 7 seconds faster than the last PB. Still early days yet. Only Parkrun no 4, which is nothing compared to Alan 'The One' http://wotlers70point3.blogspot.com/ whose just finished his 20th! Caroline finished her 2nd Parkrun just over a min behind Alan and was really pleased with a PB too!

Swimming - yet to happen but have heard of a chap who does lessons on a Wednesday evening at Southam Leisure at 8.30 and comes highly recommended by both Liz and Louise.

Coughs and sneezes

Feeling a bit bad that I didn't manage to join Alan last Saturday for his excellent sub 30 min Park Run.My excuse was that I needed to recover from the office Christmas Do that started with cocktail making Thursday afternoon and ended being turfed out of a pub early Friday morning... few hours later saw me steaming down the tow path all the way to Hatton Lock to retrieve my car from somewhere back in Warwick.

Saturday morning woke with sore throat and felt vindicated not going for a run. With Caroline and Alex both suffering with colds I wasn't surprised the bugs were attacking me. Sunday felt fine and crewed for Paul Anthony in his Fireball at Draycote - I'd have said hello to Alan if I'd known he was going to be there.

This week managed to cycle every day with the mountain bike getting used on Mon and Wed but the Goff on Tue. Having just watched the weather forecast that's saying rain on frozen ground tonight and snow for Friday, it'll be the mountain bike for the rest of the week - fatter tyres and closer to the ground.

Not sure yet about Park Run this Saturday but looks like the whole family are committed to the Christmas Eve Park Run - fancy dress and cakes!

Park Run No.2

Determined to improve my running so with news that Alan ran last week I wanted to keep him company this time. Also he'd very generously offered a lift in his car. Fool that I am cycling seemed a nice idea when I saw how mild and still it was this morning.

Off down the Welsh Road, overtaken by chap on a rode bike, so I peeled off at the canal and went along the tow path - beautiful. Could have done without the chain falling off a few times got there in time to greet first Sue Tawney, walking her dog, then Alan and Gareth, walking from the car. Phew, Alan's new trainers looked fast! Just time to lock up the bike, strip off tracksuit etc and it was time for the sponsor's announcements.

Blooming Well Done Gareth - 10 times T-shirt winner!!!
Start of Run - set off a bit faster as there was no Alex to keep company. Hit the hill and it hurt more, certainly not up as fast as last time. The next 3km took forever but by the finish it looked like I should have been more than 1 min faster than last time.

Couldn't fix bike but got some good advice about heating and cooling the spring to re-set it!

Roll on next week with Dave

Birthday Pressie - Garmin

Caroline came up trumps yesterday morning as I unwrapped my presents. Alex had got me a chocolate orange and Katie a tin of shortbread but best by far was the Garmin 500 GPS bike computer. It's charged up and ready to go. With sailing tomorrow it'll be the Monday commute before it's first outing. Then I'll start exploring the capabilities...

Run training - Park Run - in at the deep end

Knowing that running is my weak spot I'm determined to focus on it. So a couple of weeks ago I registered on the Park Run website - very simple and free!

Last week I failed miserably to haul myself out of bed early enough but this week I did. It helped having Alan round on Fri night so I could cadge a lift. His calf injury has meant lots of volunteering but no running. Gareth's quick - helped I'm sure by the new shoes.

This morning Alex got a bit of a shock when I told him he was coming along too. Thanks Alan for the lift. And it was a very nice atmosphere with all ages and abilities. Come along and give it a go - very motivating, or maybe that's just me. Hot drinks after good too.

Week 2 Triathalan Training

Visit to dentist in Solihull on Wednesday meant rare use of car. So last week only commuted 4 out of 5 days. But Saturday evening saw more bike training led by Alan, tempered by regular pub stops!
Still need to address the swim and run legs....