Half Ironman done - in a weekend

Quite unplanned but started off with a swim Friday before work. Every intention of doing 60 lengths turned into 80 in 53 mins. T1 lasted until Saturday morning when I decided rather than rest before the Leiden Half marathon (which was planned) I would join the TTL's for a 100km cycle round most of Holland. In the end cycled 98km in 3.30. T2 lasted until this morning when I went out and ran Leiden half marathon in 1:42:54

So feet up, glass of wine and pondering a good weekend's training.

Getting there.....century week

Up to 160 lengths this week (Monday 100) and 7 hours plus cycling (100km today). As well as 2 hours plus running.

Training not as smooth as 2009 but nevermind - legs feel it, shoulders feel it and so does my brain but if I carry on at this pace I reckon I stand a great chance of making the start. This week will probably do just over 12 hours in total.

Signed up for Half marathon in a few weeks. See if I can get clsoe to a PB

OMG! Dutch hills do exist!

That will teach me. Last night went bike training with TTL and we went hill training. It consisted of finding an MTB circuit and going up and down it three times. Had a mechanical problem up the first impossible gradient and the back wheel locked. Lovely.

Then we found a motorway pedestrian flyover and went up and down that 3 times. See how inventive these Dutch guys are!

Bike making wierd noise so will sort that out today. Probably doesn't like hills........

Reading Half 2011 - last minute change of tactic

Tried a different tactic on Sunday at the Reading Half - no specific training, longest run since New York was 1:20 and went to the start line hoping for a 1:45 ish time to show some form for IM. But really even that was going to be a good one I thought.

But on the start line I decided to change tact as I was standing next to the 1:40 pace guy. I wondered how far I could keep up with him.........*note to self - if you do this next year it might be an idea to train a bit harder first?*

Well I kept up with him until about 17 km after which he went off into the distance and I ended up with a time of 1:41:31 which was ONE second slower than my Reading 2010 time.

Splits:

5km - 23:27
10km - 46:42
15km - 1:11:18
20km - 1:35:58

Dutch hills

No such thing as a Dutch hill but we have the wind here to compensate for cyclists who wish to pretend that they are going up hill and was it windy yesterday! Cycled 2 hours and was in the lowest gear for about 15km - great practice but very tiring.

Slipped in a rather lethargic 60 lengths this morning.

Gradually coming together

Gradually being the operative word.

Back in pool and up to 50 lengths with no reaction so that gets a tick. Running is OKish with no real long runs done but plenty of hour- hour and a half runs in place. Cycling as always taking back seat as it is still so cold here. Just can't get the motivation to get out and cycle 2 hours in 4 -5 degrees and in the wind. Still turboing but that has to be the world's most boring exercise. It even makes running on a treadmill seem fun.....

Reading Half in 3 weeks so looking for a 1:45 to show I am in some sort of shape before I really crack the cycling.

Slowly, slowly..................

Up to 12 lengths in the pool now and reckon on adding 4 more per week until I get pain in the shoulder, at which point I will have to stop. At this this rate I will be doing the IM distance in about 35 weeks which is no good as IM is in 30. So there has to come a point where I just stay in the pool and keep going maybe adding 5 lengths per session? wow...frustrating stuff.

Have decided it really is new bike time once I have swam 40 lengths in a reasonable time. Dilemma between a Cube Agree and a Kuota Khama. Sorry Colnago but you are just too pricey v value for money at the moment.