Milestone

OK. Not a massive one, but cycled 90km today in 3:38:00 and the last 45km into a massive headwind that only Holland knows how to produce. Knackered.

Twice that and I would have completed the Ironman cycling leg. Easy (?!). NOT.

Lots more to do. And it is only just dawning on me.

Still here and getting the mileage in

Lack of posts does not mean lack of effort in training. I have recently come back from my Winter training camp in Australia a.k.a a holiday for 2 weeks, fit and healthy (well, healthy anyway) and I am desperately trying to get the bike mileage in. Every time I leave the house on the bike it rains. Nevermind. Swimming is going........swimmingly and the running is also OK. Just the bloody bike!!!!

To everyone I know who I have not sent a card to have a wonderful merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

A lucky dad......

when you have two fantastic daughters like this. Love you both xxxxx

Milestones

On the basis that if I am not careful this blog will just end up as a very boring record of my training, I am going to keep the posts down to milestones on the way to IMCH.

Having cycled around 180km last week - in three bursts, today's milestone was that I swam 3.300m (132 lengths). The time of 1:15:31 was slightly irrelevant but what was a bit special was that I did this before 08:30.

Feeling remarkably fine afterwards I decided that I could have swam another 500m and that would have been IM distance. I really think my swimming is not a problem.

It's getting bike time that will be tricky. So as to not allow for any winter excuses I picked up my mountain bike last week and I am now set.

Saw my beautiful girls last night and a pic of them will appear here later - If I can get the camera off KT.

HR rate monitor lets me down

Lots of training going on - 2.500m swim on Sunday, 11km run Monday, 1.500m swim yesterday morning and then a 60 km cycle ride last night.

Last week I bought a new bike gadget - a Polar 220 which does practially everything apart from cycle for you. It has a wonderful heart rate monitor which I have not had time to play about with yet so if you are under your target HR it bleeps and if you are over it, then it bleeps very loudly and continually until you slow down.

OK. So I was cycling across the dunes here in Holland towards the end of my ride last night when a young guy effortlessly flies past me. Instead of letting him go I tried to catch him. Which I did after about 500m. Then I tried to stay with him, right behind his back wheel. I did this for about 1km until a small hill approached. Not to be beaten I cycled my hardest to keep up with him and from nowhere, my HR monitor started to bleep loudly, furiously and quite obviously. Here I was trying to pretend that keeping up with him was a breeze and my HR monitor was telling him in no uncertain terms, "this guy following you is knackered!!!" Very embarrasing when you are trying to look cool.

I dropped back, my HR returned to normal and when I got home I turned the bleeper off.

Too much cadence

I even know the jargon now! 

Cycled 55km today and 45km yesterday, bought a mountain bike ready for the winter and now having a restful weekend in UK.

Perfect.....................will run tomorrow and swim Sunday so restful but know rest if you know what I mean. 

That's more like it

60 km on the bike yesterday and although on very flat land, felt fine. Well thankfully it felt fine as IM is 180km. Actually did 12km on Saturday as well and it would have been more had I not got ready and found my bike with a puncture - so had to replace the tube before I went out and only had an hour in total as CB and KT were with me.

Now I must find some hills.......

Running later today then travelling the rest of the week so won't go paddling until Thursday am.

Training goes to New York

Been working too hard to find time to blog - sad but true. Swimming and running going fine - cycling not getting the KMs in so must focus on that for the next week.

Last week I was in New York on business - so I was able to run 3 times in Central Park - fantastic. It has to be one of the nicest places on the planet (in a large city) to run. Lovely weather, loads of other runners - a pure joy.

Then in a moment of madness I decided on Sunday that I would do some cycling - in New York. I hired a mountain bike and cycled from South Central Park to Ground Zero. Just for a bit more excitment I took 5th Avenvue and Broadway all the way down. How I did not end up the exhaust of a few yellow cabs I will never know. It was fun but scary. However, the Americans were kind enough to lay on a bit of wind for me to make it like cycling here in Holland as the tail end of Hurricane Hana flew through the city just as I was pedalling my way south.

Was worth it as Ground Zero is such an iconic place now as when I was there just 4 weeks after the event 7 years ago.

I came back the scenic cycle path route by the river.

Back in Holland now and back to reality......swimming tomorrow morning. Least I don't have to get the wettie on. I have found a 50 metre indoor pool so will try that for a change.

Datchet again

Datchet was a great deal quieter yesterday as many who went a few weeks ago had been preparing for the London Tri. Still I was up with other crackpots at 06:30 diving in and swimming.

Surprised myself again swimming this time 2250m in exactly 45mins. The loop is a 750m out and back and so three of those in what was reasonably cold water in 45mins was very pleasing.

Bought a new wet suit - I look like an alien in it but it does seem to work. Pure neoprene. And it makes a huge difference.

So last week I ran, swam and cycled. In fact I swam 1500m on Thursday am and then cycled 85km that evening. I also ran 40km last week so pretty pleased.

Back in the pool

Last week was a diet of swimming and cycling. Over 150km cycle which in truth should have been much more and about 4.000m swimming. Running - about 20km. I am going to get a spreadsheet up on here that I can keep a record of what I have done. The running is not going as well as it should at present partly because I still feel a bit sore but also because having run a few marathons I think I know how to train for that bit. OK, I didn't run any of my marathons after swimming 3.8km and cycling 180km but that's just detail......

After a weekend of fun and games it's now back to the training with a 2.500m swim this morning.

Foot still hurting

As I am still suffering from PF in the left foot, the running is taking back seat to swimming and cycling. Ran 8km yesterday and while it is not so bad, it still niggles me. So this morning went and joined my pensioner friends at the pool and swam 2.500m in 54 mins. Very pleased with that - but worried that my foot is going to be a pain up until next summer.

While the foot is healing it is a good chance to get a good swim and cycle base I suppose.

KT being beautiful and acting tall.......

Pretending to be taller than me.......but I still love you xxxx

70km cycle ride today.......

and got lost. Not doing that again as I found myself going along a motorway type of road with people hooting me to get off! Well once you have gone 1km you just have to keep going and get off at the next exit don't you!

A bit of this and a lot of that

I have decided that my cycling must improve. I reckon my swimming will be OK - did 1500m yesterday morning and was quite pleased even though I had a row with a Dutch octagenarian halfway down the pool on lap 48.......simply would not get out of the way.

So last night I cycled 65km - it took me just over 2:10. But this is Holland so very flat. The thought of doing that three times is a bit frightening. Still only like running 15km and thinking that a Marathon is tough I suppose.

Anyway, running tonight but I might also try and get out on the bike while the weather is good.

So a bit of swimming a bit of runing and lots of cycling needed I think before next July.

Looked at buying a MTB for the winter today - that was after I realised the price of a 2XU wetsuit was way above my very small budget. Oh well, I will have to get a paper-round to fund this IM.

....and again

It must have been the thought of a bacon bap that got me up again at 05:15 to swim at Datchet this morning.

This time I took my watch and swam 1500m in 28mins. It is so different from pool swimming. Now looking to buy a wetsuit and was offered a good deal for a 2XU Elite. Will probably buy it next time I am there.

So even though I am in the UK this weekend, I have swam 3km in OW and ran 10km - not bad considering it is about 26 degrees.

Open water swimming - OMG!

If getting up at 05:15 wasn't bad enough then jumping in the lake a Datchet this morning at 06:30 was. However, after the first 750m I must admit to getting into a nice stroke and finding it quite fun. I swam 1500m, saw enough green weed to satisfy me for life and plan to do it again tomorrow.

What really shocked me (apart from seeing myself in a wetsuit) was the fact that there were around 300 other people doing the same thing. Still 45 mins later and a bacon butty in hand it didn't seem too bad.

Quietly getting on with it

Lots of action but no blogging.

Swam 2.500m on Monday and went for a 50km cycle last night. The running fits in later today and that is about what I am doing. At least one discipline once a day and sometimes I am fitting in a swim in the early morning and a cycle/run in the evening. I was looking at the finishing time last night and I reckon if I start at 07.00 I may just finish around 22.15 (giving me 45 mins before the cut off). Quite a thought. Hotel is booked now just need to recruit a sherpa and get the travel organised. And do a bit more training.

Looks like there will be 70+ Pirates making the trip.

Am off to UK for a few days for work tomorrow but will stay over for the weekend and work on Monday. So am going OW swimming on Sunday morning in Datchet, trying out a few wet suits and then the weekend after I am going to the Ardennes to cycle up and down a few hills.

Not sure now if I can fit in the Amsterdam Marathon in October as I really need to get the mileage in on the bike. I will have to make a decision closer to the time and see how I feel.

I must be mad.

Hi Monk!

The funky little monkey with the tiniest ears

My biggest fan

Check out the specs!

The most beautiful 10 year old on the planet.

I love you to bits CB xxxxx

ps Where's Monk?

Henley splits

Well not sure whether to give up now or pat myself on the back. Strange really as this tri thing depends so much on the course (unlike a run) that it is hard to know how well or how badly you have done. So here are the splits:

Swim: 7:52 PB 49th place out of 165
T1: 1:20
Bike: 55:11 81st place out of 165
T2: 1:32
Run: 26.50 109th place out of 165 (yuk!)

Total time: 1:30:33 placed 85 out of 164 (a few seconds seem to have been lost - no matter, makes no difference)

Now compared to Stratford that is a whole lot slower due to the fact that the bike and running courses were up and down hill and I know I only managed an average speed of 29.2km compared to 32+km in Stratford on the bike. But the the swim was much faster. Where was I in my age group?

Stratford 31st out of 87
Henley 11th out of 20

Could it be that I have already peaked? I think that what seems to have happened is that the course was harder but also there were lot less tri virgins running - most of the other guys seemed to have done this before (lots of IM tatts, Cannondale bikes and shaved legs) and compared to Stratford that was a big difference.

Anyway, far too much analysis. On to Switzerland.

IMCH booked and thanks to the most beautiful 10 year old girl in the world

Oh well. My little sprint tri in Henley today didn't put me off - I am booked up for IMCH on July 12 2009 and that's about all I can say. Not sure whether to laugh, cry or seek some kind of phsyciatric help.

I had a wonderful weekend. Great Saturday with NE that made me think again about what I am missing out on still being here in Holland and a lovely meal on Friday night with someone special.

And Henley today. Great swim (my watch had it as 7:50), great bike which was so hilly I saw a few competitors walking it (and we had two loops so had to do it twice) but a slower run as that was up and down hil as well. Not sure what the official time was but I made it around 1:30:20

Also a few of the most important people in my life at the moment came and turned up to support. You know who you are and you were an inspiration so thanks from the bottom of my heart. And even though I gave simply the worse directions possible you were all smiling.......thanks xx

A final thank you to my wonderful daughter CB who wherever I am in the world and whatever she or I are doing, calls me at least twice a day to see how I am . And her wish of "good luck Dad for the triathlon" mean't more from her than had it come from millions of others put together. You are a star and a special little girl darling and I love you. x Please get better and hope to see you tomorrow.

So, who fancies a few days in Zurich next July then? The leiderhosen are on me.

Nearly ready for next tri

Planning one or maybe two more tri's this summer. Next Sunday will be the first and maybe I will do another in Sept. Swiftly followed by Amsterdam marathon in October.

Swam 2,750m yesterday in about an hour then cycled another 30km later in the evening so I feel ready. I have also been running a bit - around 30km this week. All in all looking forward to being a Pirate again.

The big problem looks to be getting a starting slot at the IMCH as they seem to be offered and sold out in a matter of hours. I see that IDE sold out in less than 12 hours but last year IMA was done in 4! I am thinking of coming back to Holland late on Sunday evening, arriving home v late so that I have a reliable internet connection to try and register on Monday 14 July when IMCH opens. Must admit I didn't think it would be that difficult but it looks as if around 40 UK Pirates alone are going to do this - add in a few thousand Swiss and Germans and this thing may get booked up very quickly indeed.

Ton up

Certified mad - swam 100 lengths (2.5km) early this morning. It took me 54 mins which I was pleased about. However two things happened - firstly I was soooooo bored it was scary and secondly the the marks left around my eyes by my swimming goggles stayed for about 6 hours making me look like a knackered panda.

I also ran (30km) and cycled (about 60km) this week.

Got to go as am out tonight and have to find a way of getting rid of what looks like two black eyes.

No lack of effort

No blogging does not mean no running etc. Infact I have been so busy running, jumping and the such like that I have not had time to record it.

To summarise last week - think I ran about 40km, swam around 4km and cycled about 75km. Not mega distances but it all helps - and I worked v hard as well. I have had KT and CB here this weekend so it's a bit tricky to get out and long run/swim/cycle but next week I reckon I can up it a few degrees. Plus it is so lovely to see them.

Thanks to the lovely TA who knows who she is and is proving to be a great friend and confidant. Wish we'd hooked up years ago!!!! Still plenty of time to make up for "lost time" I hope. Et vous?

Time to taper already?

It would seem that I am peaking a little too early - about a year to be exact.

Swam 84 lengths (2.100m) this morning (84, because after 83 boredom and cramp set in) in just under 48 mins. I know there is a long way to go but I was a bit pleased with myself. OK it was in a pool surrounded by lots of old people but even so....

Add that to the 30km cycle yesterday late afternoon (OK it wasn't 180km but who's counting)? and I am even more pleased (the bottle of merlot last night however was a bit rash).

Thew running seems to be taking a back seat at the moment. Will put that right tomorrow.

Now, where's that entry form for NE to sign..........?

Henley preparation stalls

This weekend I only managed 20km running as I enjoyed myself far too much Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in England. So it's back to the salads for this week as I crank up my training for Henley on July 13. What pleased me was that after this weekends fun I have not put on a single gram in weight so there is some consolation that my Pirate gear still fits.

Friday night was great fun as I think after a lovely meal and lots of crazy discussion NE has decided that he may also do Ironman in Switzerland next year. That would be so good - if you are reading this mate, then it would be so good to do it together.

I received the photos from Stratford and will have to find a way to get them on here as one of them, with me finishing the run, is an absolute scream.

Ironman Switzerland 2009

In a moment of madness I have committed to doing the Ironman Switzerland 2009 next July. Can't really understand why but there we go. So quick change of plan now means that the Amsterdam marathon in October becomes a sort of training run!

Blimey.

Thank goodness I went and swam 1500m this morning - no harm in getting the training in early is there. I do think however that this means not just a load of training but also a few life changes - in the eating and drinking department. Anyone who knows me willing to offer any advice?

That's better

Lovely weather and yesterday a 60km cycle ride up and around the dunes near where I live. Completed in just under 2 hours so I was happy with that.

When I was running I was always envious of cyclists flying past me showing little peddle effort. Now I cycle past runners actually wishing I was running and not cycling as running is still my passion and however long I cycle I don't think it will ever give me the buzz that running does.

Still, if I want to get to an Ironman I have lots more cycling to do so I had better start to like it!

This is getting silly

64 lengths of the swimming pool yesterday (1.600m) and because of the rain I still cannot get out on the bicycle.

Big effort needed

OK. A whole week of fun has to stop. Only ran 20 km and swam 1500 m so now I must knuckle down to some serious training for Henley otherwise not only will I not fit into my Pirate gear (and it was petty tight-fitting at Stratford) but I will disgrace myself by being very slow.

Thanks to everyone for the lovely comments since I have been back blogging. The last 8 months have been pretty turbulent. But now I am looking forward rather than back - and it looks a whole lot brighter.

Roll on Henley/Amsterdam/NYC 2009/Ironman 2009.......................blimey, did I say Ironman?!!!

Now I know why I don't like swimming

Dragging myself out of bed at 06.30 this morning to get into a cold swimming pool (having been out v.v. late on Weds in London and getting up at 05.30 yesterday to get a flight home), I realised why I never really wanted to get into swimming.

It seems that swimmers go out early, get their swim done and then get home again, all before 08.00. Well, that's fine if you are not constantly knackered or travelling as I seem to be at the moment.

Still, swam 1500m in about 34 mins. Not sure if that if that is good or bad, but it was fairly leisurely so I was pleased.

Already looking forward to the next tri in July.

These guys were really good on TV on Saturday

and the Mum was lovely as well!

Too busy to swim

Up at 06:45 ready to go for a swim only to get to the pool and find it practically full. Don't the Dutch have anything better to do at that time in the morning?.

Nevermind, resourceful as ever I went home, worked for a couple of hours and returned. Even busier so i just threw myself in and tried to avoid loads of OAPs whose mid morning "swim-morning" I seemed to have disturbed. And they don't swim - they just stand at the end of the pool, talking and getting in the way. Next time I will swim early and just barge my way through the traffic.

Anyway, swam 1400m, in about 32 mins, got bored and came back home to work.

ps pic of KT looking cool. Her words not mine. Nice colour hair.........

All that way for a coffee

Yesterday I had a decision to take - run the Leiden half marathon which takes place just around the corner from me and you can sign up pretty much up to the last minute, or go for a cycle ride.

Cycling won as it was a lovely day and I didn't really want to put anymore pressure on my over worked limbs by running an unplanned half.

So clippy shoes on I went out for a 60km cycle - 30 km out, stopped for a coffee, then 30km back (average speed 31km). What I am not quite used to yet in this cycling business is that I am not actually very good at it. So when I bust a gut to over take someone, seconds later they fly past me barely breathing deeply. I must learn to pick my targets better and not try and over take the fit ones.

Girls are coming round later which is real fun - attached pic of CB showing me how it should be done on the trampoline. Makes your eyes water...........

It's just the thought of it

Having failed to get into NY I think NE and I have chosen to run Amsterdam marathon this autumn. Nice and flat, have never done it before, close to where I live and easy to enter. That's the easy bit.

It is just the thought of a marathon training plan that is so daunting. Hal Higdon has done me proud for the last 4 marathon's but now I think it is time for a change. I am on the look out for another training plan.

Still with half an eye on the Henley tri in July I was up with the larks today to swim for 30 mins. Probably swam about 1.500m in all but must say I lost count of the lengths so it could well have been more (but quite probably less).

First outing as a Pirate

A short report on the sprint tri that I did on Sunday. Firstly, I could not believe all the preparation that was needed. It made running look positively straightforward - just turn up wth a pair of shoes and off you go. I was hoping to go under 1:30 :00

My splits were:

Swim 8:27 I had hoped to do it in 8:45 so that was a PB as all my training was around 9:00
T1 1.59 If I had heard the lady asking me for the swim cap back when I had got out of the pool and not had to run back to give it to her then I might have done this in half the time
Bike 44:45 This was the best bit. I surprised myself in averaging 32.5km for the bike leg
T2 1:30 Reasonable I suppose......not sure what time I should be doing this in.
Run 23.57 was the hardest part and frankly I was a bit disappointed in this time - but it was x country.....

Total time: 1:19:58 placed 247th out of 514

I was delighted to beat 1:20:00 and reckon that it may be hard to beat at Henley in July.

Thanks to NE for coming with me and putting up with the early start and of course to all the Pirates for the support.

Just found out last night that I did not get a place in the Lottery for the NY City Marathon in Nov. Oh well, that means a guaranteed place in 2009 as that is 3 rejections but I must now find something for the Autumn. I am so tempted to find a tri 70.3 but there again may run Amsterdam.

It's back..................

Nearly a year since the last post and I'm back. Thank goodness that the technology seems to be pretty similar!

Due to the fact that KT and others asked me a few weeks ago to get it up and running and because I have so much to say, the Go Bedders! blog rises from the ashes.

Quite a bit has gone on since the last time - I have had a long injury to my foot which has kept my running down to a minimum during the winter (I pulled out of an Autumn marathon as I had planned to run Amsterdam) and I started to get a bit bored of the marathon training schedule. I said when I was 40 that I would run a marathon a year until I was 50 then take a rain check. So far so good.

What I didn't promise myself was that I would also take part in triathlons. I finished my first yesterday and will write up my experience later.

One of the reasons I have not written this blog is that since I last hit the blogging keyboard I have been rather busy divorcing my wife. While this is a running/tri blog and will remain that way, I say now that I have always used this blog to mentioned unusual/bizzare/ridiculous things that happen in my life and I now have an endless source of blog material thanks to my ex wife. Probably worth a blog on it's own. More later.

Anyway, it's back and hopefully will inspire others to get involved in running (and now cycling and swimming!)

By the way, a quick "hi" to KT and CB (who had her 10th birthday yesterday) without whom over the last few months I do know how I would have got where I am today. I love you both so much. Thanks for the inspiration.