Ed's Triathlon

After reading about running training techiques on t'interweb I decided to try the slightly longer run by running with short walking intervals. This worked and the run lasted just over 10 mins. Next time I'll try it with longer running intervals between the walks.

Had the intention of going for a swim at lunch time but by the time I got to the pool (1:20pm) the swimming lane had disappeared (it's only there from 12 til 1) so the pool was just full of kids. Ended up having a sauna and jacuzzi instead so a bit of a waste of time!
Did the same bike ride as Sunday in the evening which took exactly the same time (to the second!) as last time even though I was 50 seconds quicker to the halfway point. Cycling into the wind on the way back was HARD! :-O

Another hard 45 mins of squash today in the sauna of a sports centre! Went for another short run at night too. After reading a forum I was advised not to run again until I'd had gait analysis on my running style as my trainers might cause injury if they aren't suited to me! Also been told to get some proper triathlon shorts with padding to stop the numb doo-dah happening again and to get some road tyres for my bike. Think it's going to cost me more to do the triathlon than what I'm going to raise for charity! lol

Henry helped with my training again today. We rode around the block again (about 1.5km), had a 5 minute rest then jogged / walked around the smaller block (about 0.9km). We did it in 8 mins 40 secs. It was soooo hot!!

After I'd dropped him off at home I went for a bike ride on a new slightly longer course. This one took just over 32 mins.

I felt pretty exhausted after this week so decided to take this as a rest day. Although my 5 year old son, Henry, decided that he'd like to help me train so we were running around the garden and then went for a ride around the block. He wanted to add a 4th 'bonus' event to the triathlon too of wrestling so he then proceeded to beat the crap out of me!

No specific triathlon training again but 4.5 hours walk around the golf course in the blazing sunshine (sorry I beat you dad!) followed by 90 mins of badminton in the evening. Think I lost half a stone in weight!

45 mins VERY hard minutes of squash and another short run in the evening. My body is starting to ache all over! Where are those massages when you need them? Just trying to work out which day to have off as rest...

Did a 200m non-stop swim today. 'Only' 6 lengths of the pool and only in breaststroke*. The pool was rammed with kids as it's summer holidays so went for a steam and sauna afterwards! So much better than exercise!

Also went for another bike round around the same course as last time (approx 7.8km). This time took just under 20 mins. My arse didn't hurt as much in the saddle either. Is it normal to have numb 'bits' when you get off the bike at the end though?! :-O

*apologies if you find the word breast offensive or sexist in any way. *rolls eyes*

No 'formal' triathlon training today but did 60 mins of badminton and 30 mins of squash for general exercise. Strapped my knee up just in case! Tight calves / achilles and knee all held up ok.

Managed to set up the online sponsorship page today. Hopefully I won't be blocked from advertising it via e-mail by the IT department at work...

Paid my entry fee to the triathlon today too so no turning back now!!

Managed another short run tonight. Went round in exactly the same time as yesterday. It actually felt slightly easier even though I was aching before I started. Slight twinges on my right knee though but held out to the end.

Went for my first 'run' session today. If you can call a run around the block which took 5 mins 18 secs a session!! I was just about dead by the end of it so I think I've found my weakness. And to run 3 times that far AFTER a swim and bike ride?! Are they crazy?!!!! :-O

Washed my bike and went for a 20 minute ride. Legs were knackered for the first 6 minutes but the pain then went away. Probably because my arse was killing from the saddle!

OK, so during a rainy day at work I thought "Hey, why not do a triathlon?" so here I am!!

I read up on the net about 'beginners' triathlons and saw a relatively local one that was:-

200m swim,
11km bike ride
2.5km run

This one was next week though so a little bit too soon as far as training is concerned! So, looking ahead there was one in October so I decided to look at that one instead. On closer investigation, though, it turned out that the bike ride was more than DOUBLE the original one at 23km. Arse. Hey ho, get on with it.

So, what is my current state as far as training is concerned? Well...

Swimming - hadn't swam since I left school 18 years ago until November last year and I've been 5 times since doing a few lengths each time.

Bike - haven't ridden for about 15 years. My bike had started to rust in the garage but washed up well and is ready to use. It has 'mountain bike' tyres on it though, not road tyres so will hinder me a bit.

Run - Went running a couple of times about 10 years ago and coughed up enough blood after 5 minutes to require a blood transfusion. Well, not literally. Did a couple of short 6 minute jogs three months ago but nothing since.

So, all in all I think I have alot of training to do. Especially now that the bike ride has doubled in length to what I thought it was going to be!

I'm going to do it for charity to. Not sure which one yet though.