tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70873712024-03-07T06:07:25.317+00:00clanSharrock - The Home of The Fat TriathleteThe diary of a trainee Triathlete.....Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-66741142458654711332010-01-24T16:38:00.000+00:002010-01-25T08:46:15.557+00:00Off to Salt Lake CityHeading out to Salt Lake city for the next couple of weeks - going into the office and also taking a good look around the city and surrounding areas - meet up with a "realtor" or two and see where is the best place for us to live.<p>I'm taking my snowboard as well - why not - Snowbird is only 20 miles away and I've got a weekend out there - so seems a shame not to go and try it!<p>It was quite nice turning up to American Airlines express checkout for First and Business Class with a snowboard. And it would seem that AA have upgraded their cabins - the Business class is pretty close to the First Class that I was on a few years ago only not quite as shabby! The seats even turn into flat beds and the food wasn't at all bad.<p>Have changed my watch already to 6 hours ahead - and we still have seven hours left - and then another flight....So expect to be very tired once I get to the hotel. Hope I am OK to drive when I get to the airport finally.<p>Have passed Reykjavik and now heading towards Greenland - we take a very northern arched route - presume this due to airflows etc - but frankly I haven't a clue. This is probably the nicest AA flight I have been on - although its a 2-3-2 formation - not so great for the 3 - but at least I have an isle seat and I can plug the Mac in to the power port and watch pretty much any of my films - although there is a fairly decent on demand service on here.<p>The only problem is that the lights have been turned off - quite a few people want to sleep - and I'd rather not - so must remember to get the seat by the window on the next trip out so that I can have the blinds open. The kids are going to love this when they get to fly out Business class - however I am sure they will be bored after a few hours even with all the available TV, games and food....Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-18453684390694908172010-01-14T10:58:00.004+00:002010-01-14T11:06:46.184+00:00Moving to Salt Lake CityWell - for those of you that heard on the rumour mill that I might be moving jobs - its all true. The firm have offered me a new role out in the USA - in Utah, Salt Lake City - and I snapped it up. Myself and the wife along with our two kids and three cats will be moving out there sometime around June time this year. There is no end date to the role - so if we like it - we will quite probably stay there for good.<div><br /></div><div>Its a massive move for us - but it is one of those rare opportunities - quite possibly a once in a lifetime chance - and we felt that it was the right thing to do for both us and the kids.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everyone is excited - although it is obviously a little stressful - my list of things to do grows by the day and not many of them are getting crossed off yet!</div><div><br /></div><div>To all my friends and family that we are leaving behind - we love you all - and in no way does this reflect on you. We will miss you all and you are more than welcome to come and visit once we have settled in - I should expect that we will have plenty of room. To all my US based friends - well - snowboarding/skiing trips just got a little cheeper for you all!!! No hotel to pay for now - so please pop over and see us when we are in - especially during the winter season!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>None of us are looking forward to all the organising and packing - but we both hope it will be worth it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am looking forward to be able to go running in the mountains and all the bike trails that span Utah - some of the best tracks in the world lie within that state - so it should be great fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mark & Kerys.</div>Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-30142426831553679862009-12-06T21:09:00.001+00:002009-12-06T21:09:37.233+00:0022 Miles of swimming leads to sore arms - shock, horror!Well - we managed it - 22 miles of swimming - the equivalent to the length of the channel. In total - it took about 8 hours of swimming each - although I may have done a few more lengths that the wife. I never ever ever want to do that again - my shoulders are knackered, all I want to do is sleep now and I think my arms are falling off!<p>We raised over £470 for Aspire - so thanks to everyone who sponsored us - we really appreciate it.<p>I'm now off to sleep - so any further updates will need to wait until I have woken up and my arms work again....Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-89941227907399308212009-10-27T20:23:00.001+00:002009-10-27T20:23:19.185+00:00A lot of swimming and a long bike…<p>Have been doing loads of swimming recently – especially with some new paddles that were given to me by a friend – Tom. These are awesome – they really make you concentrate on your technique and seriously tire your shoulders and elbows! I’m knackered from using them – and after completing about 5.5km in total over 3 sessions I’m going to give them a rest for a bit to let the muscles recover.</p> <p>Went for a nice 20 mile bike ride with another TriChi team member the other day – Ben – who is shall we say – slightly fitter that I!!! When he turned up in his “Ironman Finisher” cycling top – I thought that perhaps I had bitten off more than I could chew – but in reality – he was great company to cycle with and while I probably slowed him down a bit – it made me push a lot harder than I would have done on my own – so I’ll be happy to do it again and hopefully I’ll get better.</p> <p>Managed a gym session as well today after the swim – loads of weighted squats etc – my legs are on fire now as well as the arms and shoulders – so tomorrow is definitely a rest day – especially as I went running this morning as well!</p> <p>If you cant tell from the sudden flurry of activity – I’m on holiday this week – so trying to kick start the training schedule again and loose a little weight for Christmas – aiming to do a few cross country events after the holiday period in the new year again.</p> Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-7041164883414811462009-08-24T08:33:00.000+00:002009-08-24T08:34:01.644+00:00A Summer of slacking....<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT","sans-serif"'>Well – its coming towards the end of the summer now and in 2 weeks, the kids go back to school. I haven’t exactly been active on this blog recently – and that’s mainly down to the fact that I have been slacking and not doing any exercise! I cant remember the last time I went to the gym, or had a swim, or was on my bike! I have done some running – with notable achievements of running up and back down Dovedale in the Lakes, all the way up to Hart Crag at 822m and another run up to Hartsop above How from the bottom of Brotherswater. However, apart from a couple of smaller runs, that has been it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT","sans-serif"'>I dare not weigh myself – for I know I have piled on the pounds from the lack of exercise – and I went for a small run this morning to find my Heart Rate incredibly high on such an easy run. So – back to it – we have a race at the end of September – Roade sprint Triathlon – which I need to get in shape for, plus I intend to start the marathon training now as well – I am to complete at least two next year and a number of half marathons as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT","sans-serif"'>I am back off to the Lakes in a few weekends – but not for running this time – but walking with a group of friends with whom I climbed Benn More in Scotland a couple of years back. We are just taking bivvy bags and will be sleeping rough – so should be a hoot!<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-3415714907045157282009-07-12T19:44:00.001+00:002009-07-12T19:44:37.581+00:00Distinct lack of directed training!<p>Well – I haven’t written much for a while – but I have been busy in other ways. I’ve done a lot of running – but not a lot related to my sprint triathlon distance – I’ve even been in a race – the Chase Challenge – or whatever it is know as this year – where I had a terrible race and finished with a time of something over 28 mins – my boss beat me (although I have to say – he was a bit of a dark horse and fair play – he could bloody well run) and so did quite a few others.</p> <p>5km just doesn't seem to be enough these days and I crave further distances. I actually ran to the station and back repeatedly one week – a total daily distance of 28-30km – clocking up 4 days of this and over 100km in a week. It was amazing. But my legs started to really hurt.</p> <p>Went running with a friend this morning and did 10km – and I really enjoyed it. I know I said I would never do a half marathon again – but I am going to – in fact I intend to do a few marathons!</p> <p>In fact – I intent to run the Atacama desert race in 2011 – have a couple of people interested and will see how it goes. Lots to organise as it is a massive undertaking – but what is life for if not challenges?</p> <p>Along with a few other friends we also set up a Triathlon club – <a href="http://www.trichi.co.uk">www.trichi.co.uk</a> – which all and sundry are welcome to join – no under 18s is the only rule I am afraid. No charge and we are affiliated with the BTF.</p> <p>So – after this season of Triathlons – looks like I will do a couple next year – but I’ll also be doing a lot of marathons and off road half marathons etc in training for 2011….</p> Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-59134417155337322532009-06-15T09:32:00.001+00:002009-06-15T09:32:26.522+00:00I can see why people hire a coach....<!-- Converted from text/rtf format --> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">I</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">t’s a</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> few months into the season now, I</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">’</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">ve finished a number of running races and three Triathlons and the thing I have noticed most is that my enthusiasm is</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">definitely</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> on the wane. The amount of</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">training</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> sessions is down</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> and the will to get on the bike or go for a swim is pretty much non</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">existent</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">. The only thing I am managing to do is run reasonably</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">regularly</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> and I am having to force myself to do that. So</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> why is there this mid season slump for me? W</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">ell</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> I can put it down to a few things</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> but up there in the lists top five are, no training partner, no variation of training and boredom. You can see immediately how you would benefit from a coach who you report to and who is able to</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">vary your training without you having to find time to plan that out for yourself.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">Perhaps there are ways of increasing the mo</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">tivation without this kind of support</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> I wonder if the online forum communities help at all</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> but I very much doubt that they are any substitute for someone screaming at you to do that extra</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">push up</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> or sarcastically asking why</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">you failed to swim today, or someone who simply tells you to do 50m * 4 and rest 30 secs rather than just going for a 5km run.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> There are training programs you can get for free, buy or make yourself</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> but I am sure the simple act of having to report to your coach what you did this week must make motivation less of an issue.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">Perhaps next season</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">…</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">Two weeks until Northampton Tri</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> looking forward to that. And I will be joined by a few of my friends from Blenheim at the Roade Tri in September</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> so here</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">’</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">s hoping they have also caught the bug</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">…</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-91869812204636847462009-06-08T18:53:00.001+00:002009-06-08T18:53:39.460+00:00Blenheim Triathlon 2009<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPZmm2VAynuxarfpEdelHVPtViiJNXOcH-CNuNY5FRA63K-qBtYzNziVX9nL9ZNs9HZ8lKYtMnh__89qb2fHo4szxRtM_f-FDslmFZ9WILFFvYFoR_EhxRs_b_Ucr9T9izHjQ/s1600-h/Blenheim%20034%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Blenheim 034" border="0" alt="Blenheim 034" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoUf3_F4qoktfNSDEBwRY3V336iQ_VyM3ddVPRDxCk3qzqKUoty5owDFa4IzSXWYnfgLChyM9XFrWSBW_ZILjEwBBOdlM5mtN957Xnaix65x0a085J6Wt6TJZJtsY4CxMQCp_t/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a>Myself, Tom Egan, Rosemary Scott, Alexander Leggeat, James Chapman and Hugh Dowling all took on the Blenheim Triathlon last weekend and we all succeeded. <br />Tom went from not being able to swim 6 months ago - to swimming 19:13m for the 750m open water swim - an impressive achievement. <br />This bunch (apart from Hugh) were the result of a pub bet last year that I made - which saw them all sign up for the triathlon and start their training - and frankly a great job was done by all of them, especially since none of them were big runners, swimmers or cyclists previously. <br />The race times are here:</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody> <tr> <td width="100"><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> <td width="49"><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Overall</font></td> <td width="49"><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Swim</font></td> <td width="49"><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">T1</font></td> <td width="49"><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Cycle</font></td> <td width="49"><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">T2</font></td> <td width="49"><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Run</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Thomas Egan</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">01:32:26</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:19:13</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:04:34</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:40:20</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:01:41</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:26:40</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Mark Sharrock</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">01:36:17</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:17:06</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:04:38</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:41:20</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:02:17</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:30:58</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Hugh Dowling</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">01:39:41</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:16:43</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:04:56</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:43:30</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:02:12</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:32:22</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Alexander Leggeat</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">01:59:37</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:27:45</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:06:24</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:47:22</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:02:56</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:35:12</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">James Chapman</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">02:01:05</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:22:21</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:06:33</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:49:40</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:03:28</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:39:05</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">Rosemary Scott</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">02:18:12</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:22:36</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:06:36</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">01:06:21</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:02:18</font></td> <td><font size="1" face="Bradley Hand ITC">00:40:22</font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>Unfortunately it wasn’t one of my best races – in fact – it was 10 mins slower than my previous worst race – and much of this is no doubt down to preparation.</p> <p>I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsC9i-iJM3Z1QO9ftipKikTIGcuLPQ_O76G0J5z1bXazkNPmnvHVHZRAbJncEge35kKWZLTmybX4E385WNgTOAvqIVcht3ndcSqN9nuPyq21-5uUrQGtf1gM5ARfajjZ2Wy3lD/s1600-h/Blenheim%20045%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Blenheim 045" border="0" alt="Blenheim 045" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh98U56tdMS2kT2Fcmagnhos7n7SkL-JqrTBF6qMHUo1yFCOc2ursCRLZv1rZTwACR0FoHDYFgnrIfgjyxn0cSSHdb6Rf34ajovafjx-IX0b_bcupFclnNi4TbNK2nbEPn17UF/?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> had been training with Gatorade – it was available on course and I quite liked it. It didn't cause me any problems and I had used it in the previous race. But I found myself on Saturday morning without any and couldn't find any at the supermarket – so had to get Lucozade sport instead – a silly and frankly schoolboy mistake that would bite me on the ass later.</p> <p>The start of the swim was relaxed and I was looking forward to it – but as soon as the horn went – the mayhem began. I had my foot dragged by someone behind at the same time as some other bloke tried to swim over my head and while I can hold my own in the water – this still shook me up and I took a lungful of water – not a great start. The swim got worse from there – I was tense, the wetsuit made my arms ache, I just couldn't get my stroke right – I just felt uncomfortable from there on. No idea how much of it was in my head – but a 17:06 swim for 750 is pretty much the slowest I have ever done and it wasn’t exactly trying conditions.</p> <p>Ran up the steep 400m slope to T1 and the wetsuit came off nicely this time. Onto the bike and power off down the slope and up the next hill. I took on some Lucozade sport prior to the hill and by the time I reached the top my stomach was cramping and I threw up. Managed to stay on the bike while this was happening but it wasn't pleasant – and it left me dehydrated and weak. I carried on and tried to push it a bit more – but the next time around my legs were jelly on the hill. I knew I had to get some fluid inside me – so I chanced some more drink – but the results were the same – stomach c ramps and shortly after I threw up – just as I passed James on his first lap.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRim5VLgIRuS2fB7U3jki1KjpXihWA63sxr5hctr7yoJXAyGEcxthJ2uTt7imD61J4ChgekVXJEiquk8wOsIBV3VE2czfcbs8QjiZsqWkJNy4FIrfsp0MSN1vu5DuT64iZY0K8/s1600-h/Blenheim%20078%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Blenheim 078" border="0" alt="Blenheim 078" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLV3SL7byhPCRRLmaTQ9uYHc_IKsvPX3mgwsohyphenhyphenX5SS7C4xR3uSv36fTmMe40GL5ZFM5h8C15FTjAUk1EB57TUlnQDYuzczJZwCO2RV7WuFbEgj7MeGvxu9Ttnhc7C98O2NbH/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> Racked my bike and staggered out of transition – grabbed some water at the water station and this stayed down – but didn't get very much. Got some more at the next – but the damage was done – my legs weren't working well and I was dehydrated, getting blisters and frankly pretty unhappy. Pip and Rose were cheering at the side and this kept me going until the end. Boy I was happy it was over – and that was the first triathlon I have felt that on.</p> <p>Lesson learned – if you cannot get the drink that you trained with – stick to water!</p> <p>Well done to the other who did a great job.</p> Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-24447994179512677842009-05-24T18:52:00.002+00:002009-05-24T19:02:08.447+00:00A half marathon followed by the Big Cow Tri...I decided to run to work on Friday - essentially to the station (10km), then from St Pancras to Fleet Street (3km) and back again (26km). Felt pretty good and quite enjoyed it - had a few blisters at the end and was fairly sore on Saturday - in fact I had a hard time walking! I was a little worries for the triathlon today - but I woke up this morning in good form with most of the aches and pains gone.<div><br /></div><div>So - we arrived early at Emberton this morning for the Big Cow Sprint Tri - the first open water swim I have done. Wow - the water was freezing - but I was absolutely amazed at how much effort was required to move your arms in the wetsuit - my shoulders were incredibly sore afterwards - and the time was terrible - 16m for 750m. I was so knackered when I climbed out of the water that I started running the wrong way to transition!</div><div><br /></div><div>Getting the wetsuit off was just a hoot - it wouldnt come off - and it actually took over 2 mins t get out of the suit - meaning T1 was nearly 3 mins long!</div><div><br /></div><div>The bike was OK - I could have done better - but it was my quickest 20km of the year - it was a great course and the marshals were awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div>T2 was OK - but it still nearly took me a minute - and then onto the run. I still had the blisters from Friday - but they didnt seem to worry me too much. It was a 2 lap run - and my first lap sucked. Again my legs were like lead and I couldnt do much more than jog along - the first 2.5km taking over 16 mins - the second lap when I was able to push was more in the region of 10-11 mins.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway - all over - 01:26 - so reasonably happy with that - but can be improved upon next time....<br /><div><br /></div></div>Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-35243212566146128042009-05-16T19:21:00.002+00:002009-05-16T19:30:34.578+00:00A long swimI've been cycling most days - and ended up soaked a few times - but have mostly enjoyed it - thursday and friday were quite hard work on the bike due to the wind - but the rest of the week was quite enjoyable as the weather was quite good.<div>This morning I went to the gym for a couple of hours and concentrated on the swimming. I managed about 3.5 - 4km in a single session which was pretty good - had one brief stop in the middle - but other than that - swam continuously without any stops. It felt pretty easy and yet it was definitely quicker than many of my other swims. I guess I was fairly relaxed after the race last weekend and I'm less concerned about pushing the swim - so more relaxed in the water seems to make the swim faster.</div><div>Spent the afternoon trying to put a basketball hoop up for my son on the outside of the house and failing miserably - I measured the distance between the holes incorrectly and need to do it again - I couldn't manage today as my arms were simply dead and I couldn't face lifting my friends industrial and therefore incredibly heavy masonry drill again! Will try tomorrow.</div><div>Cai wants to go for a run tomorrow - so looks like I am getting up relatively early for that as well prior to attempting to put it up again.</div><div>One more week until my first open water swim triathlon - looking forward to it - just hope that the weather is good for it so that the family can come and watch.</div><div><br /></div>Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-15445580183502981432009-05-11T18:16:00.000+00:002009-05-11T18:17:41.950+00:00Stratford 220 Tri, 10th May 2009Well, that's the first one under the belt this season and it was both <br>a joy and a shock and perhaps a bit of a wake up call at the same time.<br>I arrived bright and early to find a hive of activity at 6:30 am and <br>quite a few competitors already there. Registration was open and I was <br>swifty ticked off, handed my Gatorade and written all over with a big <br>black marker pen. Everything seemed very well organised, friendly and <br>laid back, something that carried through the whole experience and is <br>testimony to the effort put in by the organisers.<br>I did my usual pacing like a cat on a hot tin roof up and down with a <br>small warm up before it was time to head to the pool for my 8:55 start <br>time. I'm not sure how we were ordered but perhaps on swim times.<br>The swim felt a little odd. It was a 33 metre pool and only 12 <br>lengths, again well organised so that you wouldn't miss count, but I <br>got stuck behind a few people on a number of occasions and struggled <br>to get past, but I still managed a half decent time of 07:40 for the <br>swim, an improvement on last year.<br>Transition was easy, but I was slow and even though I didn't put socks <br>on (note to self - this is why I have blisters) I didn't get out on <br>the bike very quickly.<br>At the start of the ride my heart was going nuts. I could have done <br>with my HR monitor but had elected not to bother- a mistake I think. <br>It felt as if I was going far too quickly so I tried to slow down and <br>drink some isotonic drink. I have fitted the tri bars to the bike and <br>actually find them rather comfortable, but it is difficult getting the <br>drink so I will have to think about getting a bottle between the bars.<br>I caught quite a few people on the bike, but was overtaken by one at <br>the top of a big climb when my legs were complaining - I was <br>definately in too big a gear most of the time - but I got him back on <br>the decent and he didn't get another opertunity. 46 mins for 23km, not <br>stunning and requires improvement.<br>The run was awful. Really bad. 26 mins plus for 5km and I struggled, <br>both from boredom (I hate two laps of the same circuit), blisters (no <br>socks and wet feet) and what felt like lead weights in my legs. No <br>where enough brick training I think.<p>So 01:19 overall - same as last year but slightly longer course. Also <br>I didn't feel knackered all day afterwards and could cycle today.<p>Need to do some serious training for Blenheim however....Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-73520728928424963312009-05-07T06:36:00.001+00:002009-05-07T06:36:55.840+00:00Thursday aches and pains....<!-- Converted from text/rtf format --> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">I ran</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">to the</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> office this morning from the station after taking another rest day yesterday.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">I have some odd pains in the lower half of my left leg</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> they were there on the 10km the other day as well</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> but they</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">don’t</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> seem to be going with rest unlike other niggles which is slightly worrying with the first race only a few days away.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">It feels almost as if the muscle below the calf is about to</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">“</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">Blow up</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">!</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">”</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> So I think there will be little or no training for the rest of the week while I rest it and see how it wor</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">ks at the race on Sunday at Stratford-upon-Avon.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">As long as it is better for Blenheim and I can get some more training in before</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">then I will be happy</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> not too worried about this weekend if I do badly</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> but Blenheim was always the</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">“</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">A</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">”</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> race and I</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">’</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">d like to be fit and healthy for that.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">I am also</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">conscious</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> of the lack of cycling I have been doing</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> I need to make a concerted effort next week</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">to get on the turbo trainer and do some more hills. It was on the training schedule this week</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> but once a</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">gain that</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">has been blown out of the water. You can see why people hire a coach now in order to ke</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">ep them on the straight and narrow</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> I seem to be wandering aimlessly at the moment.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">Anyway</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> rest is the order of the day I think for the leg</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">…</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">..</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-19456984360611411952009-05-06T06:16:00.003+00:002009-05-06T06:34:42.230+00:00Swimming the Channel for Charity<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EqXJu0UqteMic8zhBiaS-nFOqXEDFyMQ8lUR9IJTTEYyY-r8dR4ot8KD4J6qM1y-a01lhJu_niMFVYdgVR9y_8ESt_sOnKkJUhWWGpOpoSg9JrtHCpA0QKjMdp7iv4KsTDg2/s1600-h/TerryWills.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EqXJu0UqteMic8zhBiaS-nFOqXEDFyMQ8lUR9IJTTEYyY-r8dR4ot8KD4J6qM1y-a01lhJu_niMFVYdgVR9y_8ESt_sOnKkJUhWWGpOpoSg9JrtHCpA0QKjMdp7iv4KsTDg2/s320/TerryWills.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332594987976855426" border="0" /></a>Kerys - my wife - and I have decided to swim the equivalent of the channel (22 miles) for the charity Aspire this year. That is 1416 lengths of a 25 metre pool!!!<br /><br />Aspire works with people with Spinal Chord Injuries. Spinal Cord Injury has a devastating effect on the 1,200 people who become paralysed each year. <p>The individual affected will lose muscle and sensory control and the vast majority become full time wheelchair users for the rest of their lives.</p><p>Its a great charity and its a fairly large challenge. I'd apreciate any donations anyone could give - there is a widget on the blog page as well as on Facebook and the link is <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/clansharrock">http://www.justgiving.com/clansharrock</a> if you want to go straight there. Anything you can give to support this charity would be great, even a few quid.</p><p>It is a fairly large challenge - for those of you that have swam distances recently I am sure you understand that this is a decent challenge, and for those that have just run the London Marathon - this is only 4 miles less that you ran!</p><p>So come on - this will be my only charity event this year - I won't nag you for anything else. Please support this if you are able.</p><p>Many thanks</p><p>Mark & Kerys.<br /></p>Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-53348227016862798052009-05-06T06:13:00.002+00:002009-05-06T06:16:19.920+00:00Tuesday Run & SwimManaged a 1500m swim and a 10km run last night. The run was quite nice - all done with the HR below 150 and it took me 54 mins to run - 2 mins outside the racetime I did over the winter which is good. Obviously means I could go a lot quicker if I could pace myself properly.<br /><br />I have a very sore left leg this morning however - the muscle below my calf and just inside feels very sore - so I think I will rest it today, no point in blowing up just prior to the first race of the season.Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-46199023839554585252009-05-04T19:07:00.001+00:002009-05-04T19:07:42.323+00:00Monday run<p>On Saturday I went a bit nuts at the gym and swam 2.25 km without using my legs in about 45 mins, followed by sprint training on the treadmill heading up to 15 kmph. It felt alright at the time – but in the evening the intercostal muscles on either side of my chest were sore, and today (I took yesterday off apart from a very brief swim in the morning with the kids) when I went running they were very painful after 3.5km.</p> <p>Still – the run was fun. We bought the kids new bikes today and I spent the afternoon unboxing them and putting them together. Halfords quote 2 days, and I in my infinite wisdom thought I could take far less – obviously! Bloody hell – nearly killed me! </p> <p>Firstly – I don’t have a bike stand – so everything is done bent over double and after 2 hours of this I could hardly stand. Secondly – I just couldn't get the indexing on my son’s bike right – and that took a further frustrating 20 mins. I must admit – I can see why Halfords won’t build the bikes straight away for you there and then!</p> <p>So – I took my son on his bike as a pace maker once it was in a ridable state – and he was a lot quicker on this one than his old one. I had to work incredibly hard to keep up and after the first 3.5km I was knackered and had to send him in so I could do the next loop at a nice leisurely pace! Should be good for the future however – have him pace me around.</p> Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-17319120401122853182009-05-04T18:59:00.001+00:002009-05-04T18:59:36.739+00:00This weeks training schedule….<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="399"><tbody> <tr> <td width="105"><strong>Day</strong></td> <td width="72"><strong>Hours</strong></td> <td width="146"><strong>Details</strong></td> <td width="74"><strong>Actual</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="105"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Monday</font></td> <td width="72"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">0.5</font></td> <td width="146"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">6km Endurance run</font></td> <td width="74"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">0.5</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="105"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Tuesday</font></td> <td width="72"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">0.5</font></td> <td width="146"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Early morning run</font></td> <td width="74"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="105"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> <td width="72"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">0.25</font></td> <td width="146"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Evening run to station</font></td> <td width="74"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="105"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Wednesday</font></td> <td width="72"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">1</font></td> <td width="146"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Evening cycle - hill training</font></td> <td width="74"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="105"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Thursday</font></td> <td width="72"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">0.5</font></td> <td width="146"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Swim 1500m</font></td> <td width="74"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="105"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> <td width="72"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">1</font></td> <td width="146"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Evening gentle cycle</font></td> <td width="74"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="105"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Friday</font></td> <td width="72"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">0.25</font></td> <td width="146"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Early morning run</font></td> <td width="74"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="105"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> <td width="72"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">0.5</font></td> <td width="146"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Spinning cycle</font></td> <td width="74"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="105"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Saturday</font></td> <td width="72"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">0.5</font></td> <td width="146"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Short morning run</font></td> <td width="74"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="105"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Sunday</font></td> <td width="72"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">1.5</font></td> <td width="146"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">Competition - Stratford 220</font></td> <td width="74"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="105"><strong>TOTAL</strong></td> <td width="72"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">6.5</font></td> <td width="146"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC"></font></td> <td width="75"><font face="Bradley Hand ITC">0.5</font></td> </tr> </tbody></table> Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-48990697137391514252009-05-02T10:16:00.002+00:002009-05-02T10:24:10.841+00:00This weeks Training.....Its been an interesting week this week - and I have oddly enough managed to train every day.<br /><br />I managed to cycle on Monday both ways, Tuesday one way, Wednesday one way, Swim Thursday and core training on Friday.<br /><br />I ache all over and that is mainly down to the core work - my ribs are killing as are my glutes. Good swim this week - covered 750m in a little over 14 mins and 1500 in a little under 30 - so was quite pleased with that.<br /><br />Am planning on going to the gym today and having a run tomorrow as well - so will have trained all days this week.<br /><br />Next weekend is the Stratford 220 Triathlon which I am looking forward to - and it will be interesting to see what time I set.<br /><br />My wetsuit came yesterday - have decided to hire one for the season - so have one of the Speedo suits. It is sooooo tight! Almost uncomfortable. Can't wait to try it out and see what it is like. First open water triathlon in 3 weeks at Emberton - Big Cow Sprint Triathlon....<br /><br />I dont seem to be loosing any more weight at the moment - and this is prompting me to rethink my diet. I think I have been drinking too much lucozade sport and not eating enough sensible food - too much fat - so from next week I am going to be a bit more careful - we shall see if that makes any difference.Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-61633314778107807622009-04-27T11:06:00.001+00:002009-04-27T11:06:52.824+00:00Troublesome breathing....<!-- Converted from text/rtf format --> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">Towards the end of last week , over the weekend and today, I have had some trouble breathing.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">It started last week during the hot weather with a tight chest and shortness of breath</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> although I could still exercise</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> 30 mins on the bike on Thursday and a swim on Friday morning, a</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">simulated time trial on Saturday using my new TT bar extensions</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> and a run, mountain bike and swim on Sunday! But I still feel qui</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">te tight afterwards and I am having trouble at night</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> I just</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">don’t</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> feel as if I have slept properly at all.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">I am wondering if it is some form of hay fever</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> and hopefully with the start of the rain it will go away</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"></FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">but it is quite worrying.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">Rode the creaking Mountain Bike in today. God it makes a lot of noise and needs a good service. It seems to be the cranks that are creaking</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> so I presume there are some loose bolts somewhere</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"></FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> but not sure where.</FONT></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">I bought some TT extension bars the other day for my Trek Madone. They were pretty reasonable - £80 or so from Wiggle</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> and I tried them out on Saturday evening.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">At first they make you feel out of control</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> but once you smooth your riding style out a bit</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> they are quite comfortable to use</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> and rock solid. I</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">’</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">ll do a proper review later</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">…</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-32041412137571128472009-04-22T15:52:00.001+00:002009-04-22T15:52:11.999+00:00Full of cold...<!-- Converted from text/rtf format --> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">I did manage to run today</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> but after my run yest</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">erday I started feeling pretty rubbish</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> felt cold, shivery, tired, head ache etc. Typical man flu stuff</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> without the runny nose. Still have it today. As I said</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> I managed a run this morning</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> but</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">really don</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">’</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">t feel up for anything more than that</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> and all I wanted to do last night was go to bed. Pretty sure that is all I will manage tonight as well. I have to cycle to the station tomorrow as the wife needs my car</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> so will no doubt not enjoy that given my current state!</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">Still</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> gotta muddle through.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">I am presuming that I won</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">’</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">t be doing myself too much damage by exercising during this period</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> given that it is essentially a cold (albeit a MANs cold</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"></FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> which is obviously far worse!!! :-0 ) So bike ride for the rest of the week and perhaps if I feel better</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Gill Sans MT"> a swim as well.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-72003133118336542962009-04-21T10:46:00.001+00:002009-04-21T10:46:53.214+00:00Day off on Monday and a run on Tuesday<!-- Converted from text/rtf format --> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">Took Monday off exercise as I probably overdid it last week</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> and I was very tired. I was however itching to get outside as the weather was wonderful</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> so</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">today I ran into work. Had to run the short 3.5km route as the train was delayed</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> so I</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">didn’t</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> have time to do anything larger</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> but hopefully I will get a chance to run back this evening</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">I</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">haven’t</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> had a chance to map out the week yet</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> but the Wife has already said she needs my car on Thursday and Friday as hers is going into the shop for its MOT</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> so I will be on the bike both those days. I</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">t will be the road bike as well as the Mountain Bike needs a bit of a service!</FONT></SPAN></P> <P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri">Only a few more weeks until the first triathlon now</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> and I am looking forward to it.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">I need to hire a wetsuit, get my race day kit list together and a few other jobs</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT FACE="Calibri">–</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT FACE="Calibri"> but really looking forward to it and feeling quite positive.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></P> Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-32088605446009855812009-04-19T12:27:00.002+00:002009-04-19T12:42:54.404+00:00A hard easy run...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvbd0fExpqz1RVMjJfUJxya1Dub3ByXgcKg2khnxy3Aa9mpHWrACI4PTlIZbdK9_siOFROA-ykYNksd0L8RBFQBe3qcqdFGChuX0MR-NbV4Ai5g8R6e4dFWoEK1gbFA2OzJJl/s1600-h/evertonfc-crest.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvbd0fExpqz1RVMjJfUJxya1Dub3ByXgcKg2khnxy3Aa9mpHWrACI4PTlIZbdK9_siOFROA-ykYNksd0L8RBFQBe3qcqdFGChuX0MR-NbV4Ai5g8R6e4dFWoEK1gbFA2OzJJl/s320/evertonfc-crest.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326378392614504402" /></a>I woke up this morning a little worse for wear - my Father in Law, brother in law and cousin came down to pick the missus up and to take her down to Wembley - and we all went out for a curry and a few beverages last evening. Well - as normal in these situations - I may have consumed a few too many beers and I didn't get to sleep until very late. Hence the bad head this morning....<div><br /></div><div>Anyways - I thought I'd go for a run anyway to complete the week - and it was pretty hard. I was going for 5km endurance - so nice and slow and keep the HR down - but my legs were tired and I couldn't get the HR much above 140 anyway - so I found it very hard going - and I was exhausted after the 5km when I got home - even now my legs feel pretty sore. Still - it was interesting that I managed it in 30 mins with keeping the HR so low.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway - good luck to Everton today in the match against Man Utd - the wife and family are there today and I hope they enjoy it. Back to work tomorrow and I will have to start fitting the training around work again - so will hopefully work out a plan for this week tonight - but tomorrow will be a rest day - my legs certainly need it.</div>Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-15328504904013942502009-04-18T18:07:00.003+00:002009-04-18T18:16:42.813+00:00Saturday and a little bit of Mountain BikingCouldn't remember what the devil I was supposed to be doing today - and didn't fancy a run this morning - so jumped on the Mountain Bike and headed off to Irchester Country Park in the sun. My Mountain Bike definitely needs servicing - it is creaking like an old man and the gears keep slipping - but I managed about 3 laps of the park and quite a few bits of the single track including a great bit between the trees which includes a couple of 'hairy bits' where I had to swing between two close trees. Really good fun.<div><br /></div><div>Some decent single track on the way home as well - about an hour and a half in total - 1150 kcals.</div><div><br /></div><div>Interestingly my legs were seriously aching by the time I got back home - really really aching. Far more that on the trainer - and I couldn't have gone much further - so either I have over trained a bit - or I just didn't have enough carbs - will have to watch that in the future. </div>Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-76832568771310919932009-04-17T13:42:00.002+00:002009-04-17T13:49:04.115+00:00Lunchtime Bike power/sprint trainingJumped on the bike trainer and chose a different training route to normal - usually I take the hill training - but this time I took the power/sprint training route - lots of quick sprints with recovery afterwards, a couple of big hills at the end - but generally lots of quick power generation climbs.<div><br /></div><div>I managed a personal best today - 772 Watts. I've never got anywhere close to this before - I think I usually generate about 400 watts on a quick climb for a short amount of time - but today the force was obviously with me (Revenge of the Sith on the laptop infront of me!) - and I managed a couple of pretty big pushes - 602 watts being the previous one and 772 Watts the last push. I am pretty pleased with these - especially as they were at the end of the ride - 32km in 56 mins. I am pretty peckish now - so going to get some grub now....</div><div><br /></div><div>Not so sure about a run later - might have done enough today now.....</div>Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-8967349120876249942009-04-17T11:57:00.003+00:002009-04-17T12:08:09.853+00:00A good morning swim<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbPCoUoZsc3EIdDTKcyzJfReZbh6wjKqcLa3F7TxBpePrRSNf1preqxKq2VSjkZCsyv9qFmQB38xh0-nFcnTKYlQoIrL0bvlIZuZsdjIU_nTE75HYBjqgGpskqcJ_j8xyxQUh/s1600-h/image_10.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbPCoUoZsc3EIdDTKcyzJfReZbh6wjKqcLa3F7TxBpePrRSNf1preqxKq2VSjkZCsyv9qFmQB38xh0-nFcnTKYlQoIrL0bvlIZuZsdjIU_nTE75HYBjqgGpskqcJ_j8xyxQUh/s320/image_10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325630242077657682" /></a><br />My daughter, bless her, has chicken pox at the moment - and didn't sleep too well last night and in the process managed to keep my wife (and me a bit) awake quite a bit. A feat - those of you that know me will agree - as I can sleep through Armageddon. So - I was planning on heading to the pool at about 6:30am this morning and going for a run afterwards, instead - I arrived at the pool at about 8:30am and forgo the run. I managed 2.7km in a steady time - about 1 hour 10 mins including a warm down at the end - so not too bad.<div><br /></div><div>My arms don't feel quite as bad as they usually do which is encouraging - so I might jump on the cycle trainer in a bit and see if I can manage a few kilometers on that.</div><div><br /></div><div>My photos from the Half Marathon at Silverstone arrived today as well - and by golly I look quite tired at the end! I forgot what an ordeal the last 2km were - but my face on the finish line tells the story in its entirety I feel. I don't look too happy to say the least. Oh well - at least I did it, but I probably won't be doing it again. I'm still thinking of stepping up to Olympic distance next season - but haven't gone any further than thinking of it yet. At least I know I can do the distances involved - although I suspect my time will be poor on the more endurance distance event - but I guess that is what specific training is for hey?</div>Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7087371.post-87658929845396673042009-04-16T19:30:00.001+00:002009-04-16T19:30:47.605+00:00A brick sessionI thought I would get all the training that I wanted to do in early <br>today so I could get beaten at Monopoly by my kids today and not have <br>to worry about fitting any more in.<p>So I decided that a decent bike session was in order - so a 27km hill <br>training session on the trainer with the aim to see what my average <br>wattage would be. I was a little disapponted to see only 150 watts <br>average at the end of 48mins, although the high was 400 and on some of <br>the climbs I had sustained over 250-300 for the entire climb - the <br>descents just wouldn't allow me (read my legs wouldn't allow me!) to <br>keep that up afterwards.<p>I did manage to do all this without socks and also while practicing <br>with shoes already attached to the bike etc.<p>Then straight into my trainers - again no socks - and out for the run. <br>My legs were heavy and my HR was above 150 at the start, but I managed <br>a half decent 3.5km in just over 15 mins.<p>Brick training is pretty hard and it was a bit of a shock - I forgot <br>how hard it was to run straight after a bike. I definately need to <br>keep trying this a few more times. Tomorrow I am hoping to get up for <br>an early morning swim and a run, we shall see how that works!Mark Sharrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08932725723337475879noreply@blogger.com0