#S4LTM - searching for lizzie's training mojo

Well... It's now boxing day, I'm sat in my  sister's kitchen, brother in law is sorting out luncheon and I'm still not sure where my training mojo is :(

Tomorrow I plan to go for a run. My calf did go pop last Saturday at parkrun so I'm not going to run if it hurts but I'd like to check out Run to Live's new premises in Leatherhead so plan to run /jog there - mabes 2miles

I'm also contemplating reinstating NJJ - although this time it'll be No Junk January.

My January key goals are:
1. Lose some weight.
2. Focus on S&C
3. Get consistent with my training

Although mabes number one should be to actually start my training plan.  Monday 5th January - if I can report a 30mins run before work and tri club swimming in the evening, then gentle blog readers of mine, you will know that lizzie lou "marathon" carter is back on track.

So excited.
Two marathons in 2015.
Wahoooooooo.
It's going to be brilliant fun :)

Oh and pic is me in my kitchen by my 2014 medals.
2015 is gonna be just as fabulous.
I LOVE being a triathlete x

Training plan up to the London Marathon done!

I've finally done my London marathon training plan. Hoorah. Page one of five attached.

It's now 140 days to the London marathon. Before the marathon I've got one 112k bike ride and three duathlons to do too. So the next few weeks up to Monday 5th January are designed to get me back into a training routine but not so scheduled that I feel all tied into a plan for the next 20 weeks.

I reckon training is half physical of course but also a big chunk is mental so I need to feel in control and excited about training and not all resentful and pissed off which I think I would get if started too quickly. I am afterall hoping to do the Twin Cities Marathon 4th October so once I start training I'll be doing something pretty much every day for the next 9 months. Which is bloody ages. Will def have to schedule in some training breaks after London so I don't get bored and over tired.

So excited for my 2015 season

Planned so far:-

25th Jan 112k bike ride

15th March Portsmouth duathlon #1 5k/15k/5k
22nd March Winchester duathlon 10k/47k/5k

12th April Portsmouth duathlon #2 7.5k/18.5k/5k
26th April London Marathon

4th May - Winchester May Day sprint triathlon
7th-11th May Holland Cycling Holiday
31st May tbc - 26mile walk

14th June Polsdon Lacey 10k

25-26th July Thunder Run

4th October Twin Cities Marathon, Minnesota

15th November Denbies duathlon.

Plus anything else that looks fun.
Wahoooooooo. 2015 here I come xx

The spirit of triathlon resides in me!!!!

Southampton tri clubs Xmas meal last night - Sat 29/12/14 and guess who got the Tim Wilks Trophy 🏆???

ME :)

It's given to the club member who has, in the opinion of the committee, embodied the spirit of triathlon the most in the past year. Steve Cooke, last year's winner was introducing this year's recipient... I started to recognise maybe me when steve said they were always smiling ☺,  then said they help the committee - I'm doing the car passes... I was starting to think oooh it could be me.

And then steve started to talk about the recipient's unique nutrition plan and I knew it was me. How absolutely fantastic. The perfect end to a wonderful season.  I am soooooo chuffed x

Was a great eve for tri buddies Tamsyn and James who both got best new triathlete - female and male.
A great evening had by all :)

I haven't quite got my training mojo back but I'm confident it'll be soon. I've got two marathons nextvyesr to train for!

Dublin half ironman cock up

Ooops,  not sure what I did / didn't do but managed to not pre register for the Dublin 70.3 inaugural half ironman.  Sigh.

However...

I will instead be cheering on Ant and Katherine on their 14km swim (I'm not doing this) while following the gang in Dublin via live timings.

Then I'm seriously considering do the twin cities marathon in minneapolis st paul on Sunday 4th October 2015.

Feb 2015 is when I can early bird enter. If I get in, which I'm sure I will, I'll book my flights and thrn go for a celebratory training run :)

Isn't life great!

I'm sat watching the Packers having their way over the Eagles - it's still only the first half so won't get too cocky but it's all fabulous so far :)
And I'm feeling great!

Yes my training for the marathon is going slowly but I've got over 6months to go so really I've got loads of time, I just want to get ahead of the game and get into a routine of training before Xmas. Had a lovely parkrun yesterday 5k 34.59 - no effort at all, chatting to Vik as we ran round the common. Met K&S for tea/coffee in the hawthorns - such a great way to start a day :)

A really lovely weekend.

Tri club swimming tomorrow Monday. Then will probably go for a run Tuesday. Wednesday at training so a 24k round trip commuter cycle. Thursday - maybe yoga. Friday half day at work as up to Ashtead to babysit. I may well take my bike... Will depend on trains as can't have bike on the train if travelling around rush hour which I think I may well be. Will take running gear instead.

And then it's the weekend again :)

Oh and the packers have just scored again.

Excellent!

Slow start to my London 2015 marathon training...

Hmmmmm

I ran for 30mins last Tuesday then did  a fair amount commuter cycling but not much else.

Saturday worked, then Hove and way too much proeseco, pizza and bday cake at Elsie's.
Sunday was more bday celebrations of a lot of pastries shared with the Henry's. Then up to London for NFL - I got a tad carried away with my  chocolates and sweets purchases. Debs overnight.
Monday back to London for bacon sarney luncheon and way too many plain chocolate hobnobs and shed loads of tea at Fresty's. Met cuz for red wine and burgers in her apt hotel by the Olympic Park then home.

Today a lot of commuter cycling but raining so no run.

Yay, training is going really well!!!!

Weeks one = 1 run of 30 minutes.

Reflecting on 2014 season before I start my 2015 training

What a year. So proud of everything I've accomplished this year. Yay me :)

1st Jan - parkrun 38mins. It was also vik's first one.

15th Feb - parkrun 35.04
16th Feb - Brighton half marathon 2:41.26

15th March - parkrun 32.09.88
16th March - first portsmouth duathlon (with dame Kelly) 33.59.36/ 2.08.11/ 40.46.70/ 1.09.96/ 34.26.92 = 1:52.31 5k/15/5k

8th April - LRR magic mile 09.04
13th April - second portsmouth duathlon 48.54.45/ 1.44.4/ 38.38.51 (inc T2) 32.51.24 = 2:02.08 7.5k/15?/5k
26th April - parkrun B 32.08

5th May - mayday winchester sprint triathlon 11.10.2/ 4.05.2 (1st time using cycle shoes) 1:17.27.8/ 1.49.8/ 36.45.15 400m pool swim /26k/5k
7th May - RR10 #2 stoney cross approx 50.50
11th May - third portsmouth duathlon 33.52/ 1:03.27/ 33.01 = 2:10.21 5k/23k/5k
18th May - Netley 10k 1:03.30
29th May - Eastleigh novice aquathlon 14.51.80/1.45.45/15.25.53 400m lake swim / 2.5k = 32.02.65

1st June - Leatherhead sprint triathlon 9.57.91/ 4.32.45/ 1:1857.85/ 1.12.25/ 34.25 = 2:09.18.53 400m pool swim, 26k/5k
15th June - Polsdon Lacey 10k 1:10.72 (pb)
29th June - Eastleigh open water sprint triathlon 11.29.3/ 3.06.85/ 53.37.55/ 1.28.25/ 31.37.95 = 1:41.19.9 400m lake swim/22k/5k

9th July - RR10 marwell zoo 4.8miles 59.28.96
12th July - parkrun B 31.52.04
13th July - Weymouth Olympic triathlon 56.42.87/ 5.24.60/ 1:58.02/ 1.28.7/ 1:23.03 = 4:24.41 1500m seas swim /23mile/10k

18th August - parkrun A? 30.53

7th September - 2k pier to pier sea swim Southsea 50.48 (pb)
14th September - Challenge Weymouth half ironman 1:00.51/ 14.06/ 4:31.23/ 8.49/ 2:44.26 = 8:30.36 1.9k sea swim/90k/22k
25th September - Eastleigh aquathlon 19.28.69/ 1.30.18/ 32.24.31 750m lake swim/4.5k run
28th September - HOWSC sprint triathlon 19.03.1/ 3.51.75/ 58.30.35/ 1.44.05/ 33.31.20 = 1:56.40.5 750m lake swim/20k/5k

19th October - Leatherhead duathlon 33.20/ 1.56.45/ 1:18.27.10/ 1.07.90/36.31.05 = 2:31.22.45 5k/25k/5k

Two weeks of rest.

Saturday 1st November new running shoes bought

Marathon training plan identified.
Training starts tomorrow :)

It's been a fabulous season. Absolutely delighted with it.

Leatherhead duathlon - last event of my 2014 season.

My 2014 season is done.
The leatherhead duathlon on Sunday 19/10/14 being my last event. Super fun but I'm loving the fact that I'm in week two of my fortnight of complete rest :)

Will start marathon training this weekend.

The BIKE & RUN legs of my Challenge Weymouth Half Ironman Race Report / some musings on my day out in Weymouth and the Dorset countryside :)

And she's off!
Bike leg = 56 miles in 4:31.23 (654th finisher)

I'd read in one of the numerous blogs/articles/websites that i'd been devouring since early 2014 that you shouldn't eat anything for at least 20-30mins after the swim leg to give your stomach a chance to recover from the swim. So i waited for a few miles before i fished my peanut butter and marmite brown roll out of my cycling jersey pocket. Unfortunately i was still coughing up sea and there was a moment when i did think i was going to throw up so mabes the pb&m roll wasn't the best nutritional idea... I managed a couple of mouthfuls and then the half eaten roll got stuffed back in my back pocket :)

Luckily i had a snack box full of energy bars, gummy bears and pretzels along with about 6 gels "masking taped" to my cross bar. I had two 750ml water bottles and 56miles to ride. So i basically rode and ate and show tunes sang my way a round the beautiful Challenge Weymouth bike course. I had plenty to eat, i took extra water at the 3 feed stations plus half a banana at each one and used the facilities at the 1st and last feed station. Honestly, the cycle was lovely. Loads of spectators and because the full IM were doing two laps and i was doing one it meant that i was cycling with lots of other athletes. And OMG, the Dorset countryside is gorgeous and the route was super. We had road management marshals who were stopping the traffic for us and traffic bollards blocking off lanes so we could just swing out onto main roads and round roundabouts without having to worry about cars etc... Great fun. 

There was a horrid crash about 2 hours into my ride, the air ambulance took a couple of competitors to hospital. Was really awful. i did cry abit. They're okay but it was quite a serious crash, all of the competitors were really shaken up and the woman was in hospital for weeks :(

The rest of the ride was uneventful. The weather was warm and dry but i was still glad i had my jersey on. I really don't like being cold. Because the ride back into Weymouth was the same route as the Olymnpic distance tri we did in July i knew that i was on the home stretch about 5miles out. One last big hill and then it was pretty much coasting back down into Weymouth - all rolling hills and sea views. Quite quite wonderful. Needless to say i was saying thank you to anyone in a yellow vest and hi to anyone who even looked slightly in my direction. What was especially lovely as i cycled along the main road back to transition was seeing the runners up on the sea wall to my left and hearing my name yelled out by tri buddy Tamsyn who was now well into the run leg. How fab.

Unlike all of my other triathlons and duathlons i didn't have to re-rack my bike as once i'd dismounted a lovely volunteer took my bike from me! I didn't have to do anything except trot off to the change marquee via collecting my blue cycle to run bag. 

T2 was 8:49 so alot quicker than T2 but then i wasn't having to run from the sea shore or get out of a wetsuit... 
I decided to change my socks (couldn't decide if i had a grain of sand in my cycling socks so decided not to risk it). Changed into running shorts and trainers, plus wore my cap (thank goodness as it did get very sunny) and slapped on loads more vasoline.

I felt great. I was literally one huge smile. I was on the run leg and had my race strategy totally planned out. There were now 9 feed/drink stations between me and the finish line. I basically now had nine 2.5km runs from one picnic to another. There was no way i was going to 1. Bonk, 2. Not finish. And because i was basically doing 2.5 loops of the town centre it meant that i was going to see all the competitors still out on the course and loads of spectators who were all shouting out "come of Liz" "you can do it Liz" "go Liz" (our name was on our race number). This of course meant i was yelling back thanks, and waving, and encouraging my fellow athletes, and having little chats with people - especially through the feed stations. I was relaxed, running smoothly, feeling fabulous. I was taking on plenty of fluids, had a plethora of snacks to choose from - crisps, pretzel, flapjacks, jelly babies, orange segments, pieces of banana plus water and flat coke plus sponges that i wrung out over my head or used to rinse my hands off. This really was the most civilised half marathon ever.

And then i started to see chums - both running and spectating. Loads of hi fives and well dones and stopping for hugs and quick catch ups or a slow jog past so i could chat and wave but still be moving. Every single person that i past was cheering and clapping. I suppose i could have been a bit quicker but i had to say thankyou and of course do much whooping :)

Quite a few friends had been worried about me. And i suppose that's fair enough. I was after-all doing a half ironman!!! But those that saw me knew i'd be fine. I could talk, i wasn't struggling, my shoulders were relaxed, my stance was fine. Yes it was tough and by the end it hurt less to run than walk and i did have to stop a couple of times to stretch my legs and fiddle with my shoe laces but overall i felt great. 

And i loved that last lap, when i was able to say - LAST LAP and do more whooping. 
And then i loved, even more, to be able to say i wont see you again - and then do even more whooping. Such a party atmosphere. 

The last 500m or so was awesome. And my time was remarkable. I'd hoped to break 10 hours, but here i was about to go under 9 hours - and comfortably so.

My arms went up in the air as soon as i got on the red carpet and then when i was finally able to run down the centre aisle to the finish line... every fibre of Lizzie Lou Carter was screaming I'VE DONE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As i crossed the finish line the announcer said my name and i got my medal placed around my neck. 
I'd done it :) 
I was now a half ironman.

Friends came over to wave and take pics and just share in my moment. It was really special.

Run leg = a half marathon in 2:44.26 (638th finisher).

Overall time = 8:39.36
659th finisher
144th woman to finish
11th in my category (female 45-49)

I was then eating pasta in the athletes recovery area, i did some stretches and changed into my dry/clean street clothes from the green transition bag and put on my finishers t-shirt. A few more snacks (fruit and chocolate cake) and then it was time to go find the gang :)

Would i do it again???

ABSOLUTELY! 

I LOVE the half ironman distance. I won't though be doing the full ironman until 2016 at the very earliest (and my dream would be IM Wisconsin).

www.everyclick.com/halfanironman  
Fundraising for Breakout Youth - A Hampshire wide youth group for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) young people. 
NB - Breakout started in Southampton in 1993 and yours truly was a founder member :)  
I love Breakout x 

SWIM LEG of my Challenge Weymouth Half Ironman Race Report / some musings on my day out in Weymouth and the Dorset countryside :)

Finally... three weeks later, a race report / some musings on my day out in Weymouth and my lovely cycle in the Dorset countryside...

So gentle readers, i believe we last saw our intrepid Lizzie Lou in the wave 4 holding pen about to walk along the beach to the start, and then at the sound of the klaxon stumble into the water battling huge waves, the 200 odd fellow athletes and the bonkers swell. 

Honestly gang, it was brutal. Imagine perfect surfing/body boarding waves and then imagine swimming in it. You know what happens to your stomach when you drive over a hump back bridge? You kinda lose it? Well that's what kept happening to me as the waves were so huge the swim down really did take your stomach away. The swell was horrific. Felt really queasy (NB - some people were actually sick in the water - eeeuck). Let's just say i looked at my watch, it said i'd been in the water just over 5mins and i was seriously thinking of giving up. There may well have been a few tears too. All i could think of was it'll be over in an hour. You've flapped about in ridiculous sea conditions before and survived (although if you all remember the Olympic tri in July a lovely kyaker did pull me along for about 200m as i was constantly swimming but not going anywhere due to the stupid tides). But basically i knew that i could flap about for an hour and swim about 2km so i knew i could do this, i just had to keep going...

Sighting - the ability to get from A2B when open water swimming without also swimming the other 24letters of the alphabet. I knew i was doing a rectangle. Swim up to the big yellow buoy, swim horizontal to the shore to the next yellow buoy then straight down to shore to the big blue finished the swim arch. easy. Oh i forgot to say that when we watched the full IM doing their swim, loads of them were ending up by the rocks as they'd drifted too far left of the blue arch. It was all abit terrifying.

i thought i was doing a super job of sighting till i realised i was WAY left so had to swim back along the shore line past the rocks before i could swim straight down to the shore. Yay, 33mins later i was stumbling out of the water with a fixed grin on my face knowing that i had to walk back along the beach waving at the spectators and then do the whole bloody thing all over again. The swim marshals on the shore helpfully pointed out that i'd had some sighting issues (no sh*t sherlock) which i politely thanked them for.

I'm known for "loving" triathlons - which i do - but that walk along the beach to go back into the water was tough. BUT i'd done half of it so just woman up and get back into the stupid rough sea and get swimming.

Which i did.

I was super concious of sighting this time though and kept my eye on the yellow buoy as if my life depended on it. And then another helpful marshal, this time in a kyack pointed out that i was swimming towards the wrong yellow buoy. Oh crap. I re-looked and yes, there was the first yellow buoy off in the far left :(
With a cheery thank you smile and a wave i turned to my left and started swimming again. Lets just say i saw quite a few purple hats bobbing about in the middle of the swim course. Poor sods. So in the immortal words of dory... just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming . Another marshal tried to tell me i was now swimming back hugely to the right of the blue arch but i just shouted tides and thanks and just kept swimming.

I could see the blue arch. I'd nearly finished the swim. OMG - i'd nearly finished the swim. i kept trying to see if i could put my feet down but couldn't. In fact the blue arch didn't seem now to be getting at all closer. I didn't panic. I just thought what would Paula Radcliffe do in this situation? She'd count to a hundred and then re-asses. So i did. Still couldn't put my feet down. Counted another 20. And then miracle of miracles my foot felt the bottom. I just kept swimming. Nearly done. Two burly boys were hauling swimmers out of the water. They didn't grab me in time as i was sucked back by a huge wave and then unceremoniously dumped back by the burly boys who hauled me out saying well done. I of course WHOOOOPED and kept whooping as i jogged up the carpet to the blue arch and the first timing mat. Lizzie Lou had completed the swim leg of the half ironman in 1:00.51 - the 628th swim leg finisher. 

As i jogged along the carpet to transition thanking everyone and anyone (a huge thank-you to Ellie - a very friendly and encouraging face :) I just knew i'd be able to do this and it felt fabulous. There would be no more salty tears of terror or distress from yours truly today - any crying would be from the sheer happiness of participating in my first ever half ironman. YAY!!! time to grab my red bag and get into my cycling gear in the changing marquee.

14:06mins later i was on my bike.
I had to put on my glasses, drink water, blow my nose, try and get out of my wetsuit, try not to fall over, dry off, slap a load more vaseline all over, pull on cycling shorts, socks/shoes, gloves, helmet, cycling gillet and i decided to pop my cycling jersey on - i hate being cold and as Jan pointed out i could always take it off if i got too hot. I stuffed all my swim gear into the red bag, blew my nose again and then headed out of the marquee (do i need to pee? decided no) to get my bike and walk it to the mount line while waving at spectators and wishing my fellow competitors good luck.

I was off on the cycle leg - 90km / 56miles of beautiful Dorset countryside here i come. 
And there was Ellie waving me off on the cycle! Talk about heading off on my long cycle with a smile on my face - i was LOVING this.

www.everyclick.com/halfanironman

Pre Race Report - musings on my first ever half ironman (Challenge Weymouth) on Sunday 14th Sept 2014.

Okay... three weeks ago i swam, cycled and ran for 8hours 39mins and became Lizzie Lou Carter - half ironman.

 

So how was it?
It was amazing.

Tri buddy Suzanne and I stayed at the Bournville Hotel which was about 50 yards from the finish line and maybe a mile from the start. It would have been utterly perfect if the pub next door on Saturday night wasn't doing karaoke! But then again i was so excited/nervous that i probably wouldn't of done much sleeping anyway.

We'd registered Saturday, had the race briefing and cycled our bikes over to the start to rack them in transition ready for Sunday. I did have an exciting moment when we took my bike off the Suzanne's bike rack to find my back tire as flat as a flat thing that's flat (OMG!!!!). Luckily we were parked right by the finish which was also hosting the expo so i took my wheel and went off to find a stall selling new tires and inner tubes. Found one. And the lovely chap there also fixed it for me all for £31 which i though was a bit of a bargain.

What was great about this event was the amount of Southampton tri club and Lordshill Road Runners buddies that were also doing the event. Bumped into James, Stuart, Tamsyn, Jan, Gary (and Ellie), Roelie, Mike :) plus quite a few faces that i recognised from previous events. When we'd racked our bikes in transition, Suzanne and I went along to the shore to check out where we'd be swimming. It was just so beautiful and flat. Absolutely perfect sea conditions. We were getting really excited for the next day.

People ask me why i love triathlons as much as i do. One reason is all the prep. You're servicing three sports, having to organise the transitions, figure out your nutrition - so much to get right with so much that can go wrong (what if my tire had split during the cycle? that would have been the end of my race). We had three bags to sort - green which you put your street clothes into once you'd changed into your wetsuit and this was taken to the finish line. A red bag with your swim to cycle gear - shoes, socks, towel, water bottle, helmet etc... and a blue one with your cycle to run gear in - i had trainers, another pair of socks, more vaseline, running shorts, another bottle of water... Red and blue bags packed Saturday night along with snack boxes and sorting out gels for taping on cross bar. Love it!

Saturday evening was carb loading in an Italian restaurant with Suzanne's ma and pa. Pretty much EVERY table had at least one person on it sporting either a half or full ironman wrist bracelet :) 

Bedtime - carb loaded, bikes racked, bags packed - we were READY for our first ever half ironman (the hotel and even sorted out a mini fridge for milk/juice/yoghurts plus we each had a full bowl of cereal with cling film over it seeing as we'd be racing by the time the hotel opened its dining room for breakfast). Lights out, karaoke blaring, weather checked - looked okay, maybe slight chance of a shower at 10am but nothing too horrid to worry about...

Sunday morning after breakfast, after triple checking everything, I met Suzanne down in the lobby at 6am.

I think Suzanne's immortal words of "it's quite windy out" pretty much summed it up.
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek
HUGE waves, very windy, the sea was ROUGH. Lots of those white horses. You'd of thought the flipping Guinness advert had been filmed in Weymouth. We walked along the sea front to transition, sneaking looks to our right at the sea every now and again, catching each others eyes and manically laughing. In fact the sea was so choppy that the route was altered, the full ironman competitors were now only doing 1.9km swim (should have done 3.8km) and the start was delayed by 30mins. Yay.

Attached food to bikes, placed red and blue bags in transition by the changing tents and then we headed to the pub/holiday inn's dining room for tea and light hearted banter about the bonkers swim conditions we were all about to experience. The camaraderie of endurance athletes!

and then it was time to get into wetsuits and get to the start

Okay... pictures taken, last minute slurps of water slurped, green bags given in, wetsuits zipped and then at 8.35am Lizzie Lou Carter in wave 4 of the half ironman in her purple swim hat was finally ready to start THE RACE!!!!!!!!!!!! Wahooooooooooooooooooo.

£31 paid. London marathon place secured.

Well I've now paid for my London marathon 2015 place.

I won't actually start training for it till November. I've got my last event on Sunday 19th October (leatherhead duathlon) and then I'm doing nothing except commuter cycling and yoga for two weeks.

This time three weeks ago I was caked in deep heat in my hotel room in Weymouth having just competed my first ever half ironman in 8hours and 39minutes. I loved pretty much every moment except maybe the first 10mins of the swim when I just wanted to cry and give up it was so horrific. But I didn't. I kept going and am so glad I did.

I know I can do the London marathon because I've done a half ironman so I know I can commit to the training (when I do finally start!)
Very very excited.

Just need to refocus on my www.everyclick.com/halfanironman so I reach my target of £500 :)

OMG I've got a place in the 2015 London marathon :)

I think you'll find that the title of this blog entry kinda sums up today's entire blog :)

Entering some 2015 events while still recovering from some of my 2014 ones!

Maybe I'm feeling abit all at sea with the near ending of my 2014 season (especially as it was the year I became a half ironman) as this evening I entered race one of the portsmouth duathlon series 15/3/15, the winchester duathlon 22/3/15, the mayday tri 4/5/15 and the polsdon lacey 10k 14/6/15!

I'm now pausing to hear if I've got a place in the London marathon 26/4/15 before I sign up for anything else. Apparently I should know soon one way or another. If unsuccessful I'll have a chance via the club ballot (lordshill road runners) but I've also got a place in the new Southampton half marathon :)

Also registration for the inaugural Dublin half ironman 9/8/15 should open soon. It'll sell out in a blink of an eye so fingers crossed I get a place. I'm utterly sold on the half ironman distance. But still hoping to do the Wisconsin IM in September 2016.

And then of course I still need to share how I found the half ironman two weekends ago - fabulous fun, loved it.

As well as the last Eastleigh aquathlon 25/9/14, I also competed in the howsc 100 sprint tri on 28/9/14. Both events were great fun.

So loads to share and I'm obviously coming out the other side of my writers block so hopefully I'll have a frenzied flurry of posts and get you all caught up.

Finally though let me update you on my recovery from the half ironman and these last few events.
Well... Let's just say I'm perfectly aware that I am a forty five year old woman.

I seem to be in a constant state of aching abit all over. Yay, the joys of being an endurance athlete :)

Weymouth half ironman recovery - day 4 :)

Oh my good god I have eaten so much crap it's unbelievable! Biscuits, chocolates, crisps, pizza, chicken & chips, toast and marmite... You name it (as long as it has little nutritional value) I've stuffed it in my face.

Yes Suzanne, I really do need to go back to a no junk month except when training!

So... How has my recovery been going?

Sunday after the event - athletes recovery area, then tea and malteasers, walk to transition to get bikes, lovely shower back at hotel, pub dinner of chicken and chips with Suzanne, her mum and dad plus Stuart and Tamsyn then chilling in hotel room caked in deep heat from 10:15pm.

Monday - huge hotel bfast, we loved the Bournville hotel, Weymouth - the owners Mark and Pam bent over backwards to help us. Drive home had some snacks of crisps and last of the malteasers. Home just after midday. Watched NFL, had a snooze then cuppa tea at Red Hot Press and then round to Viks for cup of tea.
Walking was bit sore if I'd been stationary so getting up after sitting for awhile was tricky but honestly I felt amazing.

Tuesday - aaah, when I woke up it was as if the soreness dial had been turned up 3-4 notches. More deep heat was applied!!!! Wonderful massage at 3pm - wasn't too crunchy, still hurt abit but not as much as it would have done if wasn't as fit as I am :)
Then October books and A's for a cuppa. Home, ordered pizza. Telly. Bed.
I did sit on the stationary bike for about 30mins - 12.56km.

Wednesday - worked in morning so took in my medal to show everyone / show it off to everyone...
Spent afternoon watching Jesus Christ superstar the O2 version then pub cycle crawl.

Today - Thursday... I went to the gym and flapped about abit. Minimal sweat but did some stretches and weights. Met Katherine for lunch. So tired this afternoon. Yoga this eve - Wai noticed I was much stiffer than usual - gosh I wonder why?
Home, tired. Take away chicken and chips. Then had massive chocolate craving that I resisted for about an hour but then cracked (see photo!!!!!)

So recovery is going okay.
I'm resting, I'm eating what I crave although that'll have to stop soon otherwise I'll be back to Lizzie lardarse NOT elite athlete Carter pretty bloody quickly. Just sayin.

But I feel wonderful. I'll do my race report hopefully tomorrow but for now just know that the swim was bonkers, the ride was beautiful, the run was brilliant and the support from friends, family and complete strangers was amazing. I have already checked out next year's HIMs and am thinking of possibly doing Challenge Amsterdam on 12th Sept 2015 :)

I'm a half ironman!

The day after and it's just starting to sink in! I'm a half ironman finisher and in the grand scale of things there aren't that many of us about :)

Sleep needed now, will write more tomorrow.

Very very happy x

Half ironman is tomorrow!

Pub next door has kareoke on. Yay.

All sorted for tomorrow.
Gear laid out, alarm set for 4:55am. Will walk up to transistion - bout 25mins with bags. Fiddle with bike, hand over bags then watch some of the ironman before getting into my wetsuit and focus on my race.

I have no idea how I'll do. Maybe quicker than I think... I guess we will just have to see. Maybe I will finish by 4pm. Doubt it but you never know. I could have a great swim, smash the cycle and have no problems with my knees. That'd be fab :)

I did have a slight trauma when taking bike off the bike rack before heading up to transistion - puncture due to hole in tyre. Luckily expo going on so just bought new tyre and inner tube. Lovely chap sorted it so and Suzanne and I just popped it back on the bike. Phew. Fingers crossed no more traumas.

Slight headache, have taken paracetamol - I'm probably just tired and over excited.

Right, I'm going to bed.

Two sleeps to the half an ironman!!!

My race gear is all packed in my new sports bag :)

I've also packed plasters, paracetamol, deep heat, some freeze gel for sore muscles and a tube of arnica just in case - better safe than sorry and harking back to my brownie guide days as seconder in Gnome "be prepared".

Suzanne's picking me up tomorrow morning just after 10am, Mark at the Bournville Hotel in Weymouth is expecting us and various chums and family members will be there to cheer and collect bikes (yay Suzanne's dad). I really can't wait. It's going to be such a fabulous experience.

The challenge Weymouth website has a live tracker so you can just pop my number 1718 in the search box and then sit back for about 9.5 hours and watch me compete! Or more accurately see a computer screen refresh every 30-60mins as I pass over a timing mat either in transition or out on the course. Exciting stuff.

I should try and get an early night as I can't see me sleeping much tomorrow night. I'll then be up at 5ish Sunday morning, racing for 9.5 hours then eating and drinking for the rest of Sunday night while cheering home the full ironman finishers.

I have taken next week off work.

www.everyclick.com/halfanironman

NB - pics are of all my race gear first laid out on my bed and then all neatly packed away in my new sports bag.

I love my new sports bag :)

Four sleeps to go

Tired. Nervous. Excited.

Cleaned bike chain - a lot of crud has been wiped, scraped and scrubbed off, and the quick once round the block at about 8:40pm was lovely.

Didn't go swimming, just couldn't do it. Also, as Katherine pointed out, I have just done a non wetsuit 2k sea swim in 50mins :)

Sat on stationary bike:-
50:39mins, 25.41km.
Wore new shorts again, still fine.

Am now making lists of stuff to take, stuff still to buy for Weymouth, emails to send, jobs to do.

One more work day then Friday is annual leave for prep and chores. Suzanne is over Saturday morning and the event is this Sunday!!!!@

So excited. Bit terrified.

www.everyclick.com/halfanironman

Half ironman nutrition plans and guesstimate race timings.

I think I've got it nailed...

Well I figure mabes a peanut butter and marmite roll and a banana at whatever stupid o'clock we have to get up at - probably 5am.  Then I like the having a gel just b4 the swim plan.

I'll pop a water bottle in my T1 bag to have when changing out of wetsuit then my new snack box on cross bar will be chock full with power bars and solid food (fig rolls, malt loaf, jelly babies) with gels taped to the rest of my cross bar.

2 big 750ml bottles of water and then prob another bottle of water in run gear bag to drink in T2 if needed.

Then will snack my way round the run sampling the delights of most if not all the food stations. Sainsbury's Weymouth are providing additional nutrition such as flapjack, crisps, pretzels, bananas, oranges, coke and water at all the run feed stations. Plus loads of sports nutrition will also be available on the cycle course and run course such as gels, power bars, protein bars and energy drinks.

I'm thinking I should waddle over the finish line anytime from 5pm onwards - although after yesterday's sea swim...

2km pier to pier sea swim at southsea. 2013 in ridiculously choppy weather 64:42.
2014 in gorgeous weather (I have a swimming costume tan line on my back and shoulders) but still quite choppy = 50:48 and the female 45-54 age category winner :)

Absolutely delighted.

Sunday's new estimated times are now as follows...
8:05am start in wave 4, race number 1718.
1.9k swim = 50mins
T1 = 10-15min
On bike by 9:10am

90k cycle = 4-4.5hours
T2 = 5-10mins
Out running by 1:45pm

15k run while stopping at most feed stations to sample their delights = 3-4 hours (depends if knees play ball or give up the ghost and cause me to walk instead of run/jog/stagger)

Estimated time for lizzie lou to cross the finish line?

Any time from 4:45pm at I reckon the very earliest, to crawling over the finish line at 6:30pm.

The photo is this evenings lidls shop - the groceries of champions :)

www.everyclick.com/halfanironman

Great open water swim this eve.

Just a quick update

Was at HOWSC this eve with Katherine and Suzanne.

Three laps of approx 630-650m

14.30.28
12.53.71
12.41.28
01.39.44 - from bouy to quayside

Total distance = approx 1.9km
Total time = 41.44.71

I'm utterly delighted :)

The swim was okay!
Yes I was bored at first but then by the middle of the second lap I  started to feel all glidey and relaxed. And by the end of the third I did seriously wonder about doing a fourth.

I didn't.
But delighted to know I was considering it :)

Am I ready? Well I'm still planning on doing the half ironman and I've still got at least a week of training left (loads of swimming planned) so yes, I'm def getting there.

Maybe the gym tomorrow morning and boxing Tuesday eve.

Cheers :)

www.everyclick.com/halfanironman

No Junk September starts tomorrow

Yep, I'm going back to a no junk month as I'm incapable of judging just what "hardly any" actually is when it comes to chocolate. NJS will also include me not buying crisps but if a packet is open in the pub then I will have some. Sweets are included but not ice cream.

I'm a great believer in abstinence as long as it's your choice. I'm not going to set myself up to fail. I will have sensible sweetie goodness while training and the odd yummy treat but not chocolate as I can't just have "hardly any".

Great 42mile cycle today, fab new 17 mile cycle route discovered while out with Pam and Karen this morning - Romsey then sharp left and you pop out where I was marshalling last year at the LRR 10mile race, Totton by railway, ending up at Redbridge then back into town along Millbrook road. Loved it. Will def be doing that again.

Then Gosport via Lee on Solent - stopped for crappy cup of tea at the penguin cafe - the cafe was lovely but the young man didn't leave the tea bag in long enough. Then off to the Sunday tea club for tea and cakes, and then thank god, bikes went in the van and Pam and I got life back to soton. Yay Karen.

Just finished watching Alistair Brownlee win the grand final with Javier Gomez crowned world champion. Should really go to bed as quite tired, Giants/Brewers on ESPN and happiness is... the American football season starts Thursday with Seahawks at Lambeau field. Kick off 1am.

Oh and the attached picture was consumed earlier. Methinks NJS can't come quickly enough!!!

NB - if all goes well in less than 2 weeks I'll be Lizzie Lou Carter - Half Ironman :)

www.everyclick.com/halfanironman

Oh dear... HAJA has rapidly descended into TCFFA :(

Well... It would seem that my dear friends and family actually do know me better than I know myself...

After a superb start to HAJA - hardly any junk august where it was the odd handful of tortilla chips, maybe a few squares of Cadbury's dairy milk and the odd biscuit, it is with a heavy heart and full belly that I have to admit Haja didn't really work :(

Haja has, I'm sorry to admit, descended into Total Chocolate Feeding Frenzy August - TCFFA.

Sigh.

With two days left in the month I know I'm going to have to move into NJS EWT (no junk September except when training) as I really can't have "hardly any" junk. It's just not something that I'm capable of :)

Basically Operation Fit and Healthy had been 50/50.

Fit = going well, for instance this morning before work I swam 1500m (60 lengths) in 41mins and was in the gym yesterday morning before work. The Healthy part though has taken a nose dive into a very deep ocean and has yet to resurface (eeeek and ooops).

It's now 15 days to the half ironman and although I'm pretty nervous about it, I'm also really excited. Another week or so of training then a good couple of days of rest so I give myself the best chance of a sub 10 hour race. It's going to be tough but it's also going to be brilliant fun. I really love being a triathlete :)

www.everyclick.com/halfanironman

I've attached the old me at Breakout at Pride 93 pic again cos it makes me smile.

Three good things today :)

1. I went to the gym before work.
2. My American football tickets arrived (so very happy).
3. I didn't go get chocolate from the garage.

Today has been fab :)

August update :)

Gosh, nmja-ewt has been kinda okay... This weekend just gone did include a ginourmous slab of chocolate fudge cake, tootis yummy ice cream and a bag of those Cadburys solid chocolate eggs but other than that it's all going A-Okay!

Half ironman training since the iow holiday *just reaches for training log book*

Monday 11/8 - went for a run round ocean village before work then drank shed loads of prosecco with dear friends who I've known over 33 years.

Tuesday 12/8 another run before work, stationary bike and boxing

Wednesday 13/8 stationary bike and tri club at the uni pool

Thursday 14/8 run with Vik before work

Friday 15/8 another run before work

Saturday 16/8 parkrun 30.53 then boxing. Worthing in the afternoon meeting up with college mates - ginourmous chocolate fudge cake was consumed here.

Sunday 17/8 OMG I needed a rest day big time. Utterly exhausted. Barely able to walk. Tootis ice cream and then chocolate eggs consumed in the evening.

Monday 18/8 tri club this evening was fab. Did about 1850m in the session - felt good plus wasn't bored out of my tits with the swimming. I'm not quite at the swimming is an active meditation for me yet but I've def moved on from god I'm bored bored bored soooooo bored with it.

And now I'm watching a bit of telly :)

Oh and I think I may go to the gym tomorrow morning...

http://www.everyclick.com/halfanironman

Haja okay but now thinking nmja ewt...

What a fabulous August it's been so far. IOW with sis, bro in law and the nieces. Lots of sea swimming, running and rose wine.

Haja has been fine, I've been writing it all down so for instance on Sunday 3/8 I went for a run, had some sea swimming at Ryde beach and my haja consisted of packet of crisps at lunch, 4 digestives, 2 mini squares of flapjack, 2 strips of fruit and nut and one strip of dairy milk plus some white wine.

Haja and holiday exercise along with being a tourist = fabulously fun holiday.

However...

It's now 5 weeks to the day for the half ironman. I need to rethink haja especially after this evenings mini choc frenzy (eeek)

So, haja is now no more - holiday with sis finished yesterday. Training today - stationary bike, 3 sessions while watching the 1st packers pre season game = 45mins and 21km (approx)

It then stopped raining so I went out just after 3pm for a 2:54.52hour cycle = 31.91miles.

Haja disaster though - choc craving so of course figured I'm haja-ing so a bit of choc is fine...
It's no use. Who am I kidding? I can't just have "hardly any" chocolate. It's just not in my DNA to have just have one small piece! So after much soul searching I've taken the positive step of retiring haja.

I am now doing "nmja ewt" - no more junk august - except when training. It's def the right thing to do :)

Also seeing as the half ironman is just 5 weeks away I should start getting "operation fundraising for breakout youth" up and running.

So dear blog readers of mine - please check out:

www.everyclick.com/halfanironman

and feel free to fish out your plastic for this amazing cause.

Oh and the pic is today's page in my training log book - as you can all see, nmja ewt couldn't come soon enough :)

Njjewt update plus half ironman update and fundraising page.

Right, two days left of njjewt and I'm absolutely delighted to be able to update you all that it's been and continues to be a total success. I have in the last 29 days had zero crisps and chocolate, one bite of a cake after the RR10 marwell zoo run and half a bag of jelly tots bought while on our 36mile bike ride in Weymouth checking out the bike course.

We got lost.

My training? Has that been as successful I hear you all ask...

Well, since my last post I've done:-

Swimming: 1800m + 2050m
Stationary bike: 60mins + 50mins + 20mins
Regular cycling: 10.12miles + 29.32miles + whatever I cycled today and yesterday (approx 8 miles)
Running: 1:30 8km ish
Boxing: one session

So I've def done some training but I certainly need to keep going to everything as the half ironman is now less than 7 weeks away.

I've also decided on which charity I'll be fundraising for...

I've gone for Breakout Youth - a charity that has been dear to my heart for over 21 years.

www.everyclick.com/halfanironman

Check out the photo - me at Breakout's first Pride in 1993 :)

Njjewt moves into it's final week

Njjewt continues to be fabulously successful. I will be carrying this over to August as nmjaewt - which of course stands for not much junk august except when training.

Hey no judging people - I'm holidaying on the iow with big sis, bro in law and the nieces - there will be junk to be consumed in at least the first week of August :)

Half ironman training - must get my head around it, especially the nutrition, sea swimming and cycling. Oh and upping my running would be good too...

I intend to start training in earnest from tomorrow - Fifty days people, it's now fifty days to the half. Eeeek...

Nearly quit

Swimming this eve - was struggling, and just not feeling it. Then I started to panic about the half ironman and how I was going to manage the swim. Then started to wonder why on earth I was doing this as all I wanted to do was go home and watch tv.

And then I just kept swimming.

Just under an hour later, training was over and I'd swum 2.2k. Maybe I can do the half ironman afterall...

Njjewt going well. Plus lost 2lbs last week :)

Njjewt is still going strong, I however am shattered!

Sprawled in my armchair, feet resting on the saddle of my stationary bike, digesting my supper while watching the TdF trying not to fall asleep. I am utterly shattered and with just 57 days to the half ironman I have a feeling this is a state i'm just going to have to get used to!

Siiigh.

But njjewt is going great guns. I think 18 days without chocolate is probably the longest chocolate drought of my entire life. You really can do pretty much anything if you put your mind to it, are in the right frame of mind and life doesn't throw you a curve ball :)

Off to kent tomorrow for a road trip road trip road trip with mate Bernie. Should be a hoot.

Njj day 15 - am at the half way point

And I'm still doing fine. In fact my luncheon meal deal from the coop today was a salad, pineapple chunks and an apple juice, instead of my usual which was becoming a bit of a habit. The chicken, stuffing and red onion sandwich, ready salted walkers crisps and a smoothie.

Decided not to lake swim this morning as still a bit tired. I did though hop on my stationary bike for 10mins.

Went to boxing this evening - so glad to be back. Sweat dripping off me - could feel it dribbling down my legs. Great workout. Then did 17mins on the stationary bike when I got home.

I also updated my everyclick fundraising page on my work's everyclick webpage. Finally got all of this years events listed.

Blimey I've been a busy girl!!!

Www.everyclick.com/tri-ing4nolimits

Some musings on my first ever Olympic distance triathlon.

I'm hoping to write a race report but I'll give you some of my conclusions from Sunday's Olympic tri in Weymouth.

1. I need to do more sea swims - tide and waves were brutal.
2. I need to do more cycling - if fitter I'll be able to claw back time from swim and run.
3. I need to get stronger - I nearly dropped my bike in T2 cos I was so knackered with flippy floppy arms.
4. I need to be fitter.
5. Even knackered I still enjoyed it.
6. I love eating a huge meal after competing.
7. I loved my Miche massage this morning even more than usual.

So plenty of food for thought.

My own timings
1500m sea swim 56.42.87 but I must have swum at least 2k and trod on a jelly fish.
T1 5.24.60 but that was from the beach to getting on bike.
23mile cycle 1:58.02 but need to work on nutrition - more gels taped to bike will be needed.
T2 1.28.70 - I had to sit down to put my trainers on cos so tired.
10k run 1:23.03 - such a pretty run through the nature reserve. But boy oh boy was I utterly cream crackered by the end. Had to walk up the hill.

I of course did much whooping when I finished. Love finishing. It's such an amazing feeling of total achievement.

Biggest learning though... I should have spent at least 10mins stretching - I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been so stiff this morning if I had :)

Great day out.
Today was massage, commuter cycling, work, gardening, TdF highlights and now bed.

8 weeks to the half ironman. Eeeeek :)

Njj - day before my first ever Olympic distance tri

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!

I'm in bed, my alarm is set for 3:45am and I'm all packed. Just got to get some sleep now...

Parkrun this morning:-

1k - 6.11.34
2k - 6.52.66
3k - 6.03.44
4k - 6.48.06
5k - 5.56.54

Total time = 31.52.04
Parkrun official time 31.42

Was very hot.
I really hope tomorrow in Weymouth isn't as hot as today!

And another rest day

Not feeling it today.
Nice day at work. Njj still going fine. Haven't lost any weight this week which is a bit pants - maybe too much bread and malt loaf :)

Parkrun tomorrow then my first Olympic distance triathlon on Sunday. I'm nervous but also super excited.

1500m sea swim.
33km cycle.
10k run.

Oh and this evening I cleaned my fridge freezer. I am now feeling fabulous. Hoorah for doing a smidgeon of housework. 
Yay me xx

Pandas is prob best Chinese restaurant in soton

Lovely meal this evening - didn't have my after eight mint plus pudding at tootis, pineapple sorbet (not convinced), raspberry ripple ice cream - delicious and chopped strawberries - healthy, was very yummy.

Yoga tomorrow :)

Having to redo post as managed to delete it :(

Njj day 9

Listening to Holland Argentina semi final on radio - last few mins of extra time, I won't be able to listen to the penalty shoot out though...

I'm knackered.

Today I cycled to marwell zoo - 10.75miles in 50mins.

Then ran the RR10 as a member of lordshill road runners - 4.8miles, 59.29mins

Total cycling this eve 1:43.38 - 21.61miles. Average = 12.5mph

Njj still going well. I did have a half of a small piece of cake - so sweet and sickly. Really pleased I decided njj doesn't count when training/competing. It means I don't feel as if I'm denying myself anything because I can have crisps, choc, cake, sweets when training/racing if I want to.

Excellent :)

Njj day 8 - so far so good!

Today I have mostly been swimming, cycling, working, watching TdF and eating sliced malt loaf. It's been a good day :)

5 laps of the lake at 7am this morning in 42.22.36mins = 1.6km :)

19.77miles of cycling over the course of the day in 1:50.52hours.

Nearly finished one sliced malt loaf.

Am still chocolate, cake, crisps and biscuit free.

Njj day 6 - 36mile cycle in Weymouth

Although I didn't write up my blog yesterday you'll all be relieved to know that I'm still able to say njj is going well.

In fact at the water aid concert yesterday at the turner sims I gave away to Alex my two boxes of chocolates that I won in the raffle. Plus I didn't have any of the malteasers or minstrels that I brought along to the Hilton for the rough sleepers (see www.nolimitshelp.org.uk for details x)

Today was checking out the route for the challenge weymouth bike route with bike gang. I did the 36.75miles in 2:49.57 :)

Learning from today's ride:

1. I need better cycling shorts as my bum started hurting from 30miles :(

2. I need to talk to tobie - bikeguy to see about fiddling with my bike as my neck started to hurt from about 28-30miles.

3. A whole malt loaf in your back pocket that you grab hunks out of makes your hands really sticky - maybe need to pre cut up the loaf and wrap in clingfilm.

4. I need to use bigger water bottles.

5. Don't look at yourself in shop windows as your cycling gear is really really skin tight and I'm only on day 6 of njj...

I enjoyed the ride, feel fine about the Olympic distance tri I'm doing next Sunday in Weymouth, I threw in the bin the jelly tots I hadn't finished on the bike ride as njj doesn't apply during training/racing but kicks back in once finished and I felt fabulous tucking into my carvery late  luncheon.

Fabulous day - am now sat in my armchair, just had a lovely hot bath, watching today's TdF on TiVo.

Hoorah!

njj day 4th of July

njj is going well. Half ironman training not so much.

However, I have had a summer cold so bit headachey and tired. These last few days have been rest days which is fine - hopefully it'll mean I'm able to swim tomorrow and cycle Sunday.

In fact I've spent a fab evening prepping for tomato soup and sorting out / flicking through my tri, running, fitness magazines/books.

Really rather content but prob time for bed now :)

njj update day 3

Today's food intake has consisted of...

Bfast - huge bowl of chopped grapes, strawberries, bananas, little pot of mixed fruit, some museli, some fruits of the forest yoghurt and water. Then toast and marmite.

Work - went to lidls and got French stick, cheese, dried fruit and a yoghurt which I ate at work with sine fareshare plum tomoatoes.

Plenty of water and cups of tea.

Shared buffet supper - volunteer reflection eve at work. Although cakes, biscuits and crisps were on the table, none of them passed my lips.

Am now sprawled on my arm chair feeling rather smug and pleased with myself. It has only been three days but in that time usually I'd of probably had 2-3 packets of crisps, maybe 2 twixes, there was cake at work and biscuits so I would have eaten those for sure.

Also I'm planning better and taking the time to prepare something to eat and not just reach for a mars bar.

Lets hope tomorrow is equally successful. I may even include pics of my food xx

Oh and training update - nothing. I had laid out my running gear so I could go for a run when I got back from work, but that ended up being 9.15ish pm so didn't really fancy it then. Maybe I'll actually do some exercise tomorrow...

NJJ day 2

Successful 2nd day for njj.
So far so good!

However training update = nothing today as when I got home just felt tired and headachey again. So I made a big Caesar salad and rewatched dirty dancing instead of tri club swimming.

I'm now in bed.

Rest.
Sleep.
No junk food.

Fingers crossed I feel okay tomorrow after work so I can go for a run  :)

Day 1 of No Junk July - njj

Some background...

I need to lose at least a stone mabes even one and a half but I am failing miserably in my quest to shed the lbs. I have come to the conclusion it's because of all the chocolates, cakes, crisps and sweets I eat. And anyone, and I mean anyone who knows me will be nodding their heads while saying "yep".

So I've decided to take the njj challenge and not eat any chocolates, cakes, crisps or sweets all month.

Day 1 = success.

Hoorah.

Oh and training update...
Eastleigh  open water tri done.
Tri club Monday - lots of sculling.
This morning - cycled to Eastleigh lakeside and swam 4 laps of approx 300m each

Lap 1 - 8.27.49
Lap 2 - 8.17.03
Lap 3 - 8.15.44
Lap 4 - 8.16.57
Total = 33.16.53

And NO defaulting to breast stroke!!!!!!!!!

Yay me :)

Had to do something today

I knew I had to do some training today but quite tired from boxing and weather looked dodgy so not that keen about LRR training this eve in case it did chuck it down.

So went to the quays after work for a swim. Really tired. Like swimming through treacle. Breathing felt rushed so did get abit panicky.

400m / 16 lengths 10.01.80.
Tired so 1.33.41 rest
50m 1.15.24

And then I got out!!!

Well at least I def know my 400m time is currently 10mins :)

I've signed up for tomorrow's aquathlon at lakeside in eastleigh - will prob do 750m / 5km

Need to get focused - half ironman is in 16 weeks!

I've made a training plan, I've got a book on stretches, I'm sorting out my nutrition...

Today I've cycled 5.5miles - commuting. Boxing with Pam 6.30-7.30pm then 30mins of stretching at home on my fabulous new yoga mat :)

Operation no bonking on the half ironman has definitely, officially started!

Mayday weekend

I'm rather hoping my body finally gets the memo about the whole upping the exercise because I'm absolutely knackered. Surely I'll stop aching soon? I wonder if professional athletes feel like this all the time? Because I'm telling you - if they do then I don't ever want to be a professional. Just sayin.

So, what have I been up to this week to make me so cream crackered? I'll just reach for my training journal and I'll tell you...

Sat 26/4 parkrun b course in 32.08
New kitchen and bathroom social at mine
Sun 27/4 stationary bike 30.42 mins
Mon 28/4 tri club 1750 in 50.46.85
Tues 29/4 hoglands park 5k 29.43.36
London 7pm festival hall mtg Stacey and Katie from mpls/st paul
Wed 30/4 West Side Story
Thurs 1/5 runcamp, 10 miles cycling, 19.20 on the stationary bike
Fri 2/5 run to Weston shore and back - 1:00.49 then 16.47 on stationary bike
Sat 3/5 1200m swim 32.10.49, new cycle shoes - 1:05.50, 12.60miles (average 11.4mph)

So prob not that surprising to be honest :)

I got a tad carried away in tkmaxx, soccer sport and decathlon today - wonderful - loads of cycling and running stuff including new cycling shoes for events. I don't really use my cycling shoes for events cos they're ones that you can wear all the time so when I wear them with shorts I just look like a little school boy!

Fingers crossed weather lovely tomorrow so I get to cycle out to bucklers hard and meet the girls for luncheon.

Great swim session

Coach Peter says I need to concentrate on my turns - reckons I'd save 2seconds per length just by turning better.
The other thing I need to work on is the pull - I stop at my tummy instead of pushing down to my thighs - coach peter reckons I'm losing at least 25% of the power each time. So plenty to work on!

The session today was 400 x2, 300 x2 with 30secs rest, 200 x2 and then the boys also did 100 x2. Cool down 50 breast stroke, 50 back stroke.

I did:-

350m 9.01.39
400m 10.32.84
300m 7.39.62
Rest 52.23
300m 7.38.67
Turning training with coach peter 4.28.61
200m 5.56.57
Rest 30.73
200m 5.06.19
End of session - 1750m in 50.46.85

So feeling okay about the 1.9k sea swim for the half ironman - just nervous about the whole having to do it with no breaks. No sneaky rest in the sea after each length - no holding onto the side for a breather or popping feet down at the shallow end... I was shattered at HOWSC last week - 600m non stop swim. That's what I need to focus on - my endurance!!!

Cycled for 43.44mins today, 6.57miles
Average = 9mph

Tobie - aka www.bikeguy.co.uk says I need to get my average up to 12.5mph by challenge Weymouth. Bike guy reckons I'll easily be able to do this by mid Sept :)

20 weeks to go!!

Today was supposed to be me starting my cycle training with a 40mile bike ride. It was though pissing with rain so did 30mins on the stationary bike instead. I actually couldn't manage anymore - utterly exhausted, pretty much collapsed in a puddle of sweat :)

Bike stats:
30.42 mins
15.44km
348 calories

I then thought I'd go swimming sometime in the afternoon  but lunch took much longer than anticipated to digest - I emptied the last couple of boxes of kitchen and bathroom stuff instead.

Today I have mostly been doing...

Working, then yoga then cleaning/sorting/tidying the flat.
Cycled 8.5miles - just under 50mins.

I also found out exactly how far I cycle to work - 0.06miles and it takes me 30 point something seconds.

So probably just as well yoga was about 8.45 miles away so I got some training done :)

Parkrun tomorrow
Planning long cycle ride on Sunday.

Unexpected rest day

I didn't do the 5 laps of hoglands park this morning as was intending to do the first RR10 race this eve at Victoria Country Park.

However, it was raining and Tim texted to say he'd finished painting the larder so I could put everything back and properly unpack rest of my kitchen.

Spent a fabulous 4 hours or so sorting kitchen. It was slightly overwhelming at first but just kept plodding on and hey presto - practically done :)

I rewarded myself with filling up my new "showing off all my medals" display and then watched some tv. Runcamp tomorrow morning and then hopefully putting back my bathroom tomorrow eve.

145 days to go till the half ironman

My Tuesday morning started again with the 5k of 5 laps of hoglands park = 30.22.02
1k - 5.59.67
2k - 6.01.18
3k - 6.06.76
4k - 6.06.23
5k - 6.08.02

Stretches - 5.12.62

Over breakfast I entered the ballot for next years London marathon. And yes, I did have a text conversation with fellow challenge Weymouth tri club buddy Suzanne about why on earth would you ever want to run a marathon if it isn't the final leg of an ironman. But all the first hand stories from London inspired me so much - plus it's London so fabulous opportunity for sightseeing and enroute socializing.
I'd also consider Minneapolis, Sydney - major cities / possible holiday destinations!

This evening used one of my cheap swimming passes - went to the Quays. I managed 650m in 18.26.09

Just too tired and decided I wanted supper more than I wanted to do any more lengths :)

First of the RR10s tomorrow eve at Victoria Country Park so prob won't do the hoglands park 5k morning run.

Hello lie in :)

Operation fit and healthy for Challenge Weymouth

Monday 21st April - 21 weeks today I will have done my first half ironman. Time to get properly training.

8.30am - x5 laps if hoglands park which is 5k.
Time = 30.24
1k 5.54
2k 6.08
3k 6.11
4k 6.19
5k 5.13

Then gardening, washing, some clearing and tidying.

Start of the open water swimming season so off to HOWSC and the usual suspects - Katherine, Suzanne, Pam with Tamsyn and Stuart already at the lake.

It was cold but not stupid cold like last year's first ever open water swim session.

600m, defaulted to breast stroke quite abit, tired, struggled with keeping the technique going - I find open water swimming really quite scary. Managed it in 23.37

Beautiful Cornish countryside

I'm currently on a train travelling down to Cornwall to spend time with friends. It's early evening, the sun is a rich golden light, sky is miraculous and the countryside screams England - lush green rolling hills dotted with houses hedges sheep and cows. It's a sight that makes me smile from the inside out.

But I have now noticed a subtle change since becoming a triathlete. Now I'm thinking oooh that'd be a lovely run, or I wouldn't mind doing some open water swimming there or wow - gorgeous route for a cycle ride.

This weekend one year ago is when I competed in my first triathlon and became a triathlete.

Isn't it amazing the difference a year makes :)

Guess what?

I really love boxing!!!!

Feeling tired

Been a good week.
P/T session with Ant 18/2 - loved it.
Didn't go boxing Thursday or running Wednesday - prob the half marathon catching up with me.

I did go swimming Sunday 23/2 - a whole 2 lengths and then lots of splashing about with cousin Ruth and family!

Mondays tri club was good. It must have been about 1650m over the hour.
200 swim
100 kick
200 pull
100 shark fin
100 legs torpedo
100 kick then arms
100catch up spear the fish
12x50 in four sets of 3x50 easy medium hard
50 hard
100 cool down.

Tuesday 25/2 runcamp for 6.30am - no breakfast first - was fine
800 warm-up
4x 3min with 3min rest - got just past of to 500m twice!

Today - didn't do running as seeing Lego movie in 3D but did do yoga first. Was great - could feel the stretch :)

Half marathon 2:41.26

I think the most miraculous thing about the half marathon this year is that I've been able to walk after it! Absolutely delighted. I was though two minutes slower than last year - I reckon my pacing was better this year, I of course did chatting with my support team at 8 & 11.5 miles as per usual and my knee got sore at 11miles as opposed to giving way at 8.5 last year.

Legs were quite stiff though and my right knee was sore so still plenty to work on but all in all an excellent start to my 2014 season :)

The morning of the Brighton half

I'll be heading off in about 15mins - just having my second cup of hot water.

My prep has been okay - I went for a short run in Thursday evening, swam 1km - 40 lengths Friday morning and did parkrun Saturday morning. Nice and gentle pace with Vik, 35:04.

The weather here in Brighton and Hove is gorgeous and I'm really looking forward to my run jog stroll meander :)

Bernie will be at 2miles, Elsie and Elizabeth at 8 with Karen, Toby, Jo, Rufus and Esme joining the girls by 11.5miles. Excellent!!

Taking it easy in the run up to Brighton

I decided not to go to boxing this eve as I didn't want to spend Sunday morning hobbling round Brighton bent double because my stomach muscles were whimpering from this eve's session!

I went for a gentle jog instead round the city centre - was out for approx 43minutes and I did about 5.5/6km. I then rode my stationary bike for 6mins - I would have cycled longer but my right knee started to twinge so stopped. My left leg - calf - had a weird twinge at about 24mins when running past the mayflower. Not sure what that was as my running felt great by the parks.

Another early night as hoping to get to the quays for 7.30am for an early morning swim. Ideally I'd like to do 40-50 lengths. I guess we'll see how that goes in about 9.5/10hours :)

Decided to do park run on Saturday - a nice gentle 35min (ish) 5k will set me up nicely for Sundays half marathon.

Working in sholing tomorrow then pub in the evening so I'll prob by cycling about 10miles tomorrow as well.

Looking back at this weeks training...

Lets take a moment to have a look back at w/c Monday 3rd Feb.

Monday:-

• Cycled 7.4miles
• Tri club swimming - warm up 200 swim/100 kick / 200 pull / 100 swim (i only did the 1st 300m)
• Shark fin drill approx 250m
• Then 4x 200 swim then 50m kick with a 45-60 sec rest between each 250m = approx 1km in 30 mins

Tuesday:-

• Run camp at the sports centre 6.30-7.30am
• Cycled in total 7 miles in 42:58 (round trip to sports centre and back)
• Drills 
• 4x 650m (ish) in 4 mins with a 3 min rest in between each set
• Oh and i'm plus 0.25lbs from  last week. siiiiiiiiiiiigh.

Wednesday:-

• I was going to go to the common and do the LRR wed eve training session but jeez, talk about windy - decided it was too dangerous to cycle so instead - 
• I ran/jogged for 50 mins (bumped into Vik, Shaz & B who were also out running) 
• Then home and 30 mins on the stationary bike.

Thursday:-

• Cycled to Sholing and back for work (pouring with rain) 
• Boxing - great session - 1 hour.

Friday

• 30 mins on the stationary bike while watching the new episode of NCIS

Saturday

• Worked so no training plus totally knackered - watched telly and ate chocolate in the evening instead.

Sunday

• Bike ride with Katherine - 31 miles / 49.5km in approx 3 hours
• Total time on bike today was 3:36.13 and i did 37.61 miles
• Max speed was 36.3 mph! pretty sure that was at Farley's Mount on the new tarmac'd road - wonderful fun (oh and FYI Kings Sorborne - x3 floods to cycle through - def would have been to our calves if had to walk through the water)
• Cup of tea at Katherine's then off to meet the girls and boy in the Wellington Arms for a couple of white wine spritzers. I'd missed brunch so the girls had packed up some leftovers for me - i'm a very lucky girl!

It's now 8.30pm, I've had a bath and am now in my pj's. 

I have a feeling i'll be in bed by 9!

I love my stationary bike!

I've just watched the new episode of NCIS while sat on my stationary bike - 30:03 of peddling - I'm quite sweaty and abit tired. Apparently that's the equivalent of 90mins out on the roads. I guess that's because there's no coasting on a stationary bike!

Boxing was great this eve!

Okay, so I'm sore but what a fab boxing session this eve. Tough session but enjoyed it alot.

Skipping - Pam gave me one of her ropes - they're the proper boxing ones that make you skip faster and faster.

Lots of pad work - all I could think was this must be helping my swimming.

Plus this eve I booked the hotel for the Weymouth half ironman weekend. Absolutely no turning back now!!! Eeeeeek. Must keep training and increase my endurance.