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December 2006
What
better way than to get back into training than to head for sunnier
climes! So it was of to Egypt for some much needed sun. I cannot
recommend Dahab highly enough, and if you are a watersport fan, it
is brilliant. I have not windsurfed for many years, but soon
remembered why I loved it as much as I did.
Being
with a great bunch of people helps too and the Datchet crew were
certainly great company.
I
started this saying I was training didn't I? Well I spent most of
it windsurfing and still have the blisters to prove it, but I also
managed to squeeze in some great mountain biking and some swims.
I would
like to wish you all a merry Christmas and happy new
year.
13
November 2006
I
thought I would take some time this winter to look at my running
style and spent some time with Oleg who is teaching me the Pose
Method of running. It is an interesting concept that says it works
with the laws of gravity to make you a better and more efficient
runner.
Unfortunately
I have only been able to have one lesson with Oleg, but hopefully
will be getting his expertise to sort out my gait soon. I have had
the usual cold and sniffles which bother us all at this time
of the year part apart from that I am happy with my slow and steady
progress getting back into shape.
The runs
are a bit chilly, but nothing better on a crisp morning to head out
for a good run - well at least some of the dogs I encounter think
so.
I should
have some sponsorship and charity news soon, so keep on checking
back.
04 October 2006
I don't
think I have quite got the hang of this training diary/blog thing
have I?
In my
very shaky defence, I have not been doing any training so felt I
could get away with not writing anything, but looking at the rather
rude responses from you all, it seems not. Amongst the more
sarcastic emails asking if I had frost bite again and that was why
I could not type, there were also some genuine concerns for my
health and I thank those who took the time and the trouble to email
me your best wishes.
So am I
back in training? Well not exactly. It's a matter of easing myself
slowly into it again and I am not looking forward to going through
that pain again. Actually that is a lie, I cannot wait to start
training again and especially looking forward to carrying on my
love affair with running in the Brecon Beacons in winter.. I must
still be a bit ill.
The
worst part about being ill was that I had to return the brand
spanking new prototype bike that Evans kindly lent me. Unridden.
That's right unridden.
So what
is the plan for next year? Well it is a matter of same time and
same place.
It looks
like I will have someone to share the training pain with as Steve
Haywood from Tri Coach UK has decided to take the plunge. I am
already rising to the challenge of having some competition as he
updates his training diary far more often than I do, but I hope to
catch up when he is out on those long winter cycles when it is
cold, dark and miserable and every car slows down to point fingers
at a nutter...enjoy Steve.
Pay your
respects to Steve at www.tricoach.co.uk/arch2arc.htm
And in
the meantime, I will endeavour to make an appearance a little more
regularly than I have recently. And the Just Giving page will be
back up very soon too.
07 July 2006
UNFORTUNATELY,
JULIAN HAS BEENQUITE
UNWELL OF
LATE, AND HAS NOW BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH GLANDULAR FEVER [also known
as infectious mononucleosis].
HE IS
THEREFORE UNABLE TO ATTEMPT THE ARCH TO ARC CHALLENGE THIS YEAR,
BUT WILL ASSESS THE SITUATION ONCE HE HAS RECOVERED
SUFFICIENTLY.
JULIAN
WILL UPDATE HIS BLOG AS SOON AS HE IS ABLE.
02 June 2006
With
less than 60 days to go I must admit that sometimes the
panicdoes set
in. Especially late at night when I am so
exhausted that sleep should come easy. Unfortunately I toss
and turn wondering if I did enough training that day, and if the
twinge I feel in my knee/ankle/shoulder/back is going to develop
into something serious.
But it
has been good, I have been happy with my swimming and getting
enough time on my feet at the moment. Mark Clarke from Trainsmart
did some tests on me and worked out the best HR for me to train at.
Avery
interesting morning was spent with him explaining threshold zones
and high intensity zones. Armed with a fancy new heart rate watch
he sent me on my merry way and hopefully I am sticking to the right
zones.
As far
as the bike is concerned, well I have some great news which I will
reveal shortly, however last weekend was spent on the Isle of
Wight mountain biking. I have never actually been proper
mountain biking before and loved every dirty, muddy second of it. I
found out that I am a bit of a downhill freak and I would caution
everyone not to bomb down a near vertical hill in fog without
having a clue what is at the bottom. Luckily my dive into a bush
saved me from the stone wall that appeared out of nowhere. Russell
was not so lucky and suffered some serious road rash and a
crocked knee. Sorry for laughing mate.
We
hooked up with Sharyn, Ruth and Scott in the beer tent and after a
few beers and some entertaining stories about the days ride it was
into the tents for a good kip. Sunday was a much brighter day and
once my bike had been cleaned and repaired ( I said I came away
from the wall unscathed!) It was back on the 60k Enduro race. This
time I was without Russell and I had to navigate myself - maybe a
good thing as the day before we had taken a 10 mile detour which I
am convinced cost us a top ten finish (okay, okay, maybe the
two punctures and accident had something to do with that
too.)
I felt
very strong and once I had plugged into my ipod, I was flying.
Apart from my chain snapping it was a good ride and I was back in
the beer tent after 6 hours, finishing in 14th. I have decided not
to mountain bike until after A2A as the lure of the downhills may
be too much.
I have a
slight shoulder niggle that has me worried but we shall see how a
three hour swim on Saturday feels.
STATS OF
THE WEEK:
Number
of times hit with a frisbee in the head: 1
Number
of times called an effing nutter by a bunch of asbos:
1
Number
of minutes before I came up with a witty reply to above asbos:
3.2
Song I
hate running too: When September Comes Green Day.
Song I
love running too: Khe Sanh Cold Chisel.
Number
of time When September Comes came up on my ipod during a 3 hour
run: 5
Number
of times Khe Sanh came up on the same run: 1
19 April 2006
I certainly plan to update this more than once a month! It's scary
where the time goes and makes me realise how quickly August will
come around.
Apart
from tearing some muscles in my back, training is going well.
I hope to be back into the swing of things this week and not
too concerned about catching up.
The big
sea swims start soon, which I am looking forward too. Still not
happy on my bike and desperate for a new one. Narrowed it down to a
Quintana Roo Lucero or Caliente. But in all honesty I will take
what ever comes my way.
This
week I have continue to be inspired by Alex who is still out in
the Atlantic -- not long now little brother -- and all those
currently trekking in the Arctic circle, especially Team Polarkat.
STATS OF
THE WEEK:
Number
of laps in pool: 455
Number
of times hooted at on bike: 8
Number
of times sworn back at above hooters: 17
Number
of beers: 3
Number
of times I wore my new running shoes: 7
Number
of times I ran in my new running shoes: 0
Number
of people who called me cool for doing this: 5
Number
of people who called me crazy for doing this: 7
Number
of people who called me cool but meant crazy: 4
20 Feb 2006
On this
page I hope to keep you up to date with how my training is going.
At the moment I am concentrating on building up my swimming. Years
of swimming incorrectly have left me with some poor habits and far
from the yacht cutting smoothly and gracefully through the water, I
am more like a barge! However I have taken amends to right that and
my technique is improving daily. I am also happy to report that I
seem to have lost none of my speed (sic)! Running steadily, but
once again am neglecting the bike, but not too concerned as that
will come.
14 July 2005
Due to a
shoulder injury I have had to postpone my Arch to Arc until
2006.
Unfortunately I need to rest and cannot do the necessary swimming
training.
I
appreciate all your support and messages of encouragement and hope
you will continue to support me in 2006.
Please
let me know if you have any queries regarding your donations or my
future plans.
Once
again thank you all for your support.
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