47 days to go - half IM run through

The swim was fine in the pool at Jubilee

The bike ride was lovely with Jenny - we had tea at the Bakehouse, we dodged some rain, we had sunshine but we also had rain. 

Managed 72km and then it really chucked it down so I called it a day 😂

We went to Lemon & Jinga in Romsey - met Tina then back to hers to check out her garden.

Home by 6:30pm

Our for a run - managed 15km and then decided that was enough.

I’d be a DNF if this was an actual race

Great nutrition on the bike

Not so sure about the run nutrition this evening  but there will be so much food on the run at the actual Outlaw so I’m not at all worried about that.

Feet sore

Need to relook at my socks for the run. 

Such a great day

I am tired though and that’s not even half of what I’ll be doing in just under 7 weeks!!

50 days to go 🥰

3 years ago I was gearing up for the Outlaw just like I am now although I def feel better prepared this time around. 

Got x2 pairs new cycling shoes from Jacqui - they’re fabulous. So happy. Will take to Dave on Wednesday for my bike fit. Very glad I’ve got mums car as it was raining this morning. No cycling to work via Totton 😅

I am feeling very proud of myself 

Got home and within 5mins was back out and on my town bike for 48mins of cycling - 14.5km.

51 days to go

1600m swim before work - STC Oaklands session

Allotment after work 

Then some tidying, some modern family and quite a few portions of my trail mix 

Let’s just say I’ll have to buy some more dried fruit and m&m’s 😬

No long ride

Hmmmm

Didn’t manage the 3.5hour bike ride or brick run

Managed 65mins in the gym 

I need to figure out some long rides

53 days to go

Swam in the morning 2175m in 53 mins

Drinks in the evening with these two 🥰

54 days to go

It’s starting to get very real.

Ran this evening in Fetcham as gave Katie a lift to ballet. Ran approx 8.75km in about 1:05

That would be a just under 6 hour marathon. 

55 days to go

3,100m 1:18

7x 400m

Should have been 8x 400m but there was a late school booking so had to leave the pool by 10:05

Exeter to meet Leanne

Drinks then mac’n cheese back at her and Jake’s new house 

56 days to go

HB outside for an hour before work 

Bumped into Ed from tri club which was fab

Day 4/4 of work 🥰

Watered the allotment after work and chilled there for a good extra 30mins 

Love plot4 so much 

This time 2023 was the Rattler weekend of approx 2.5k lake swim, 10k run then 100mile bike ride 

After the bike ride I just thought oh crap, how on earth am I fit enough for a bloody ironman!! The accident was horrific but crikey, also dodged a bullet 🤣

I think this time I will be fit enough in 56 days.

My poor little heart may well burst with joy when I cross the finish line. 

It’s the direct correlation between the effort it’s taken to cross the line compared with the magnitude of the event which has in the past made every fibre of every cell in my body become pure joy. It’s an amazing feeling. I’m excited to have that feeing super sized in about 8 weeks xxx 

57 days to go

8k 1:12 run after work 

It was supposed to be 1:50 but when it got to 10pm it was time to go home to shower, have something to eat and unwind from the day 

Delighted though that I went out!

Beautiful sunset 

Plus I bumped into Chris from S&W which was wonderful as I haven't seen him for years 🤗

Friday 29th May - Swim & Mangos

Day2 at work 

Set alarm for 4:45am!!!!

STC swim session at Oaklands. So glad I went.

Approx 1750m in 48mins

Then met Emi & Maya after work at Mangos 🥰

Rest day

I am quite tired!

Left work early today to meet A & Amy for supper.

Bought our parking for the Outlaw weekend 

I have to keep trusting I’ll make it to the finish line 

Basically if I can do the 180k in 8 hours I’ll be fine 

How ridiculous is that, cycling for 8 hours. 

I need to buy new bike shoes 

5.5hour long run becomes 2.5hours

Well at least a swam agin in the morning and got to use my National Trust membership at Polesdon Lacey.

I need to do more cycling 🤔

Swim, boys & Armistead Maupin

Fabulous day

Should have started the swim earlier as only managed 1900m 48mins before needed to head home for breakfast with mum

Took mum to Drs

Coffee at Debs

Met boys at St Martin in the Fields

Food, talk - 50 years since Tales of the City came out, ice cream, drinks in the Retro Bar

Fabulous 

62 days to go

I’m very focused now on making sure I don’t miss any training 

Didn’t sleep very well - so hot!

So was out by 9am for my 60min run.  Then chilled at the allotment - watered the greenhouse and drank a lot of water 

Coven lunch 12:30pm

Caught the 5pm train to Ashtead 

Hopefully I’ll sleep better tonight

I have ordered the same eye mask that H uses when sleeping to see if that’ll help. Should arrive tomorrow 🤗

63 days - exactly 9 weeks!!

Today has been good 

100 lengths of the Jubilee pool Although the garmin only registered 99

Then 70k bike ride in approx 3:15 - decided I’d just keep cycling, barely stopped at all, quick selfie while I transferred water bottles, didn’t even stop for a pee!

The bike shoes will not work for 180km

I washed my top box and it disintegrated so I need a new top box as well. 

Plus shoulders are sore

Hopefully the bike fit will help. I think I’ll get a little massage fun as well. 

21km/hr. 

It’s got to be at least 23km/hr

So still plenty to do!!

Spent the rest of the day doing very little 🤣

64 days to go

I’ve made flapjack ready for tomorrow’s long ride. Plus the High5 drink is 3 dessert spoons per water bottle plus a squirt of orange squash. 

This 4 day work shift has gone in a blink of an eye. Very busy but always fun. 

65 days to go

1375 swim before work 33mins

Work

Closed up the allotment 

Ran 5.3km in 44.40

Made a pasta bake

Bed juat before midnight 

66 days to go, a bit of Joni Mitchell

Love my HB outside cycle to work.

Then Joni Mitchell songbook this evening with Abel & Karyn. 

But no S&C.

66 days to go 

I need to say no to stuff so I make sure I don’t miss a training session.

Rest day 20/5 - 67 days to go

Chilled in the allotment before work 

Chilled after work at home watching Netflix 

Realised I do need to sort out getting more sleep 

68 days to go - lovely run

Cycled to the leisure centre

Locked up my bike and headed off for a run - within 5mins I’m in the countryside! Just glorious 

(7km, 55mins) 

Nipped to Phil’s for tea & homemade flapjack / shortbread plus admired the garden. 

Ran back to the leisure centre then cycled back to mum’s via debs to drop a happy surgery day card for her for tomorrow 🥰

Now back in Southampton getting sorted for my next 4 days at work 

 

69 days to go.

The clock juat keeps on ticking!

9 weeks of training then a week of tapering. 

I will be done in 10 weeks 

This time in 10 weeks I think I’ll be quite broken but will feel epic x

S&C 

Stretching

Taking everything gently after yesterdays 109k bike ride

Will run & HB tomorrow before back to work on Wednesday 

Tired yet also feeling a mixture of terror, excitement and determination. 

I now need to sort out my just giving page for Sibs and buy some new bike shoes - my feet were sore on Sunday. 

Plus today Debs checked out Mum’s new toy 🤣

109km Hampshire Hilly Hundred

So much fun!

Sue got a puncture, decided 100km was plenty so we spent ages at the aid station eating 🤣 plus it meant no cycling in the rain xx

Sue eats / drinks every 15min when on a big ride

It worked so well 

I will be replicating this from now on.

The bike course for the Outlaw is flat.

My km per hour will be way higher than 18.8km & it has to be otherwise I won’t make the cutoff 🤔😬

In fact 23km per hour will make the cutoff 

I reckon it’ll be at least 25km per hour 🥳

71 days to go - stc swim & wedding party

Fabulous to make a Saturday morning STC swim session at the Quays. 1600m approx 57mins 

Then tea.

Tried to have a nap as off to Winchester in the evening for Linda & Louise’s wedding party. It was fabulous 

72 days to go

I’m loving the extra bike ride either before or after work - feels like a moving Hurtbox session 🥰

Work has been ridiculous 

Utterly shattered 

Very excited for my 4 day mini break 

73 days to go - need more sleep

Oaklands tomorrow cancelled and alarm set for 6:45am. Which is nearly 2 hours extra sleep. I’m going to swimming Saturday and I swam on Monday. I do need to up it to x3 a week which I’ll be doing soon.

Bedtime 

Work is tiring 

Staff sickness, staff dealing with personal issues, staff left via voluntary severance. We just need to keep going till w/c Monday 6th July when we’re all together, Mon-Fri 8am-8pm 

To do :

1. Sibs just giving page

2. Order new bike shoes for the bike fit with dave hooper 

3. Get used to High5 nutrition 

4. Learn how to make flapjack 

74 days to go

Rest day 

Closed up the allotment this evening 

Starting to get nervous about the Outlaw

Need to focus on the HHH and then fact Sue and I could be cyclibg 100miles on Sunday xx

75 days to go

OMG swam 1900m and cycled 50mins all before 9:30am 🥳

Am quite tired!

This month and next are my two huge, key training months. 

The Outlaw is getting closer and closer 

Monday 11th May - long run

I so very nearly didn’t go for a run

Had been raining, WIngs that evening, Deb’s and I had done lots of mum admin, it would have been so easy to just not go running.

But then I thought.

The long run is vital

76 days to go

When I make the swim / bike cutoff I’ll have at least 7 hours to do the marathon. That’s doable as long as I’m able to keep going quicker than a painful slow walk 🤣 Hence the importance of the long run.

So I did it.

Delighted xxx

77 days to go - beast from the east

68km today

So many hills.

So many amazing views 

The Outlaw bike course is not lumpy 

Today’s course was lumpy 

I could not have done another 110km today!!!

Sue and I are doing the Hampshire Hilly Hundred next Sunday. 

I wonder how long that will take and if I’m broken at the end. 

Still plenty of time till I go long. 

I am nervous though.

78 days to go

I need to nail some more long bike ride but today has been fun

79 days to the Outlaw

Today started strong 

Off to Jenny’s the Oaklands for STC 6-7am swim session 1850m

Breakfast at Jenny's then home 

Lidls before the allotment to meet Jenny & Sue

Loved showing to off

Ate a radish - so hot.

We had lunch in Mettricks

Art gallery juat about to close - 3pm so we did hugging and I went home

Hair cut

Tidied

Didn’t go for a 5 hour bike ride

I am very tired. 

Off to shower then bed 

80 days to go

S&C at home before work

Voted

Cycled to work the scenic route so past the allotment and along the boardwalk

Work

Then the Cowherds with Vik, A, K&S

Cycled home

Had some pasta 

Bedtime 

End of another 4 days at work

Start of my latest 5 day mini break (have taken Tuesday off) 

Alarm set for 4:55am as swimming at Oaklands 6-7am. 

82 days to go

Recovery from Sundays half marathon going well

Approx 20k / 75mins of cycling to and from work and the allotment today so def feel like I had a couple of HB outside sessions 🤗

Starting to focus some attention on what I’m eating which is good. I must sort out what I’ll be eating on the bike and then practice it 

Still tired but liking that I’m able to continue training 

Rest day 🥰

So tired!!!

Loved the half marathon though xx

Southampton half marathon 3/4/26 = 2:49.36

Loved it

Ran with Anabel the whole way

Felt strong, felt great

So many friends cheering & bumped into quite a few who were also running.

Did a few intervals - ran ahead to get pics of me, A & Chrissy running through the stadium, caught up with the girls when i had a quick comfort break at Bitterne Station - caught them by Riverside park. 

I didn't pop into work for a cuppa and a biscuit this year! But i did see the gang outside #37 which was wonderful 

Loved the finishing chute

Felt quite emotional - nearly an hour quicker than last year

Walked A to bottom of London Road then decided to head home

OMG my calves were in agony, i could barely stretch!!

Said hi to Zoe at UoS tent, grabbed my event tshirt then headed home

So hungry - made the mistake of ordering Thrive which was delicious but 40min wait. By the time i'd eaten i was done for the day, I had a nap, but no going to the allotment and was in bed by 10pm

I did think to myself, there is no way i could run a marathon but then realised i don't have to run one for another 12 weeks. 

Plenty of time to get stronger. 

I just have to trust the process. 

86 days to go - 1600m swim at L’head Leisure Centre

Felt more positive about today’s training 

Up and out of the house by 8am to swim at the leisure centre 

1600m done

Nice and smooth

2:20 per 100m average = approx 1:40 for 3.8k 

Currently I’m thinking 1:45 for the swim so any quicker will be a bonus 

Cycled back to mums for breakfast 🤗

Coffee and shopping in the village

Big lunch 

Chilled afternoon 

6:13pm train to Soton, home by 8:30pm

Douche for the last 11 weeks has to be the long bike rides, runs and swimming plus I must figure out my fuelling.

Fun!!!!!

Very excited for Sunday’s half marathon

Tomorrow is parkrun then Matt&Tom’s 50th bday celebrations part one up in London. I won’t be doing anymore as I need to get back so I’m not knackered for the half x

Didn’t manage the long run

I had it all planned

And then got side tracked with mum scooter stuff 

St Giles looking beautiful this morning 

88 days to go - 2850m swim in 1:17

Alarm set for 4:30am

Oaklands community pool for STC swim 🤗

Breakfast at Jenny’s

Cycled to work 

12 hours at work

Cycled home

Drove to Ashtead 

Knackered

Still up - 19 hours and counting.  

#GettingItDone xx

89 days to go - getting it done

6k run 48mins before work 

Gosport after work to collect mum’s ‘new to her’ scooter from Ben 

I am quite tired yet I’ve set my alarm for 4:30am so I can swim at Oaklands 5:30-7am 🤣

Bedtime 

90 day / 12 weeks to go

I’ve got to trust in the process 

I have to do the long rides 

I am loving the 50-60min bike rides pre work. 

Work changes 7th July 

It’ll be interesting to see how my life changes going back to Mon-Fri

Rest day

So tired 

Mainly due to the three day NFL draft 

Loved athlete tracking the London marathon today.

Can’t wait for the Southampton half next Sunday -  my goal is to finish feeling fresh 🤗

I need to be kind to myself so I may just go to London for Matt & Tom’s 50th from Ashtead on Saturday and then back to Soton that evening from Waterloo. I’ll need to check luggage / logistics regarding training but that might be kinder on my body / sleep 🤔 

Parkrun surrounded by bluebells

Just fabulous xx