Lost a week

27.01.09: As you can see by the dates lost a week in terms of diary however training went well last week particularly on Friday(23rd Jan) when i had a coaching session with Lesley and although was feeling a bit jaded accomplished a good level of endurance training on the super sets that i did. Started with 15 lengths to be swam under 5 mins, followed by 2 sets of 8 each with a 15 second gap between them. Then i get a 10 second gap between swimming 4 x sets of 4 lengths and finally finish with 8 sets of 2 lengths each with a 5 second gap between them. This had been preceeded with a 20 lengths warm up and an 8 lengths warm down all done under an hour. The idea is to increase cardio strength and speed of recovery for greater endurance.

Today i will probably do between 120 and 140 lengths but i will check in later today or tomorrow to confirm.

Am starting to be aware that i am continuing to lose weight and maybe need to concentrate on what my calorie intake is. Want to have a good intake to be assured that i have the right amount of fuel to burn up for the distance.

Saturday Slog

Saturday the 17th:Up at 7.30am for an early swim. Always tough getting up first thing and took a while to get in to my rhythm. Pool again quite packed but decided to persevere. Managed 140 lengths before i was kicked out for swim classes at 9am. Not the best but pleased i saw it through.

Go for a bit of think time after and grab a coffe in Nero’s Godalming and read the paper.

Got home and then went back into Godalming with the family and had a lovely day doing a bit of shopping and just hanging out at Grandmas.

Went for a run about 5pm and felt good. Weather was not to cold although it was quite windy. Extended my usual run and found that i was improving my stride the longer the run went on. Probably acheived about five miles and powered on the last half mile. Although i have always stated that i don’t like running , if you hit your stride and feel good the whole thing becomes more addictive and enjoyable.

Enjoyed snuggling up with the kids in the evening and watching a DVD(Prince Caspian). This as part of the Narnia tales was one of my favourite stories that i liked reading as a child and i love being with my children as they experience the modern take on showing the story in film.

Thank God It’s Friday

Friday the 16th: Had a little bit of a lie in as i am meeting with a client to do some demo’s at a couple of my manufacturers and suppliers. Took Ellie to meet the bus and took the twins to school then headed of to meet my client. First Demo was in Cobham and thoroughly enjoyed the time showing of the product and discussing what we would be doing for him. Then took him over to Chalfont St Giles and demo’d a full blown cinema system designed and installed in a clients back garden in a purpose built unit. Finished the demo about 3.30pm and headed back towards home. Swerved in to Godalming leisure centre for a quick swim. ONly managed 50 lengths as the pool was general swim time and there was o many people in the way to crack on. Not very enjoyable but still got some training in.

Had a table meeting in the evening to discuss up and coming events that we are organising. Feeling tired so left immediately when the business was done.

Quick Update & hangin’ with the machine

Thursday 15th: Knocked out a quick 100 lengths and all things are feeling good. Still suffering a little shoulder ache particularly in my left shoulder. That evening went to my brothers and did a 3 mile run. Found the going a little bit tough as was running in the dark and didn’t know the course that well. Bit of a theme occurring where i am training in the dark over terrain that i am not that familiar with. Spent the rest of the eveing just hangin with my bro the Dave Machine(not my usual phrasiology but seems appropriate for the moment)and had a pizza and just talked about stuff).Love It……..GOt home about 11.20pm and did 100 sit ups and 75 press ups. Find myself a bit inconsistent with these but still maintaining a level of daily inclusion.

Training, Training, Training, Shut Up

Wednesday the 14th: Had an early breakfast meet and was let down by a contractor at the last minute, still enjoyed nice breakfast and a good chat with Bill. Wanted to make sure i consumed a good amount of calories as my eating the last couple of days had not been where i would have liked it to have been.

Spent rest of day in the office

Got ready for first cycle ride of the year. Not looking forward to it as always but know i will get the buzz when we are on the move. AS always i am nervouse and do not have great lights this week, have been borrowing equipment from the guys as am not in a position to buy all the gear in one go, although was given a few bits over christmas. As always the guys are great and very encouraging. Starting to feel it more and breathing is certainly improving and really got into the ride from the of. Had a major fall at a place they call the bucket where the ground just drops away as you go over a ledge, not helped by limited lighting. Went over the top of the bike and landed in a crumpled mess. Took a good wack on the floor however nothing broken and adrenalin was pumping so got straight back up an cracked. In fact the fall took away some of the fear and really enjoyed the rest of the ride. Notsure of exact distance but the guys always quote around about 10 miles. Still trailing near the back but feel it’s only a matter of time before i start making headway in the group.

Update Training and Fundraising other stuff

On the evening of Monday the 12th had a meeting with the charity in the evening. Really enjoyed this and met some new people. Looking at different ways to drum up more interest locally i.e newspapers and local radio. Have e-mailed the national offices with some info and waiting to hear back what their plans are. Got home late and was absolutely starving. Watched some rubbish film and pigged out on Pasta, Crisps and chocolate. Not great for the diet but needs must. I guess i’ll justify it by the amount of training i’m doing.

Tuesday the 13th. Got down the pool and carved out 100 lengths. Was timing myself  and going all out to do a really good seesion. Got interrupted at about 20 lengths by Lesley my swim coach who just came over to say hello as i hadn’t seen since before Christmas. Goddammit, that put me out of my stride, not happy. Cracked on and felt good.Breathing good, no mucle aches, old age is kept at bay.

Got home and had a late workout around 9.30-10pm consisting mainly of sit-ups press ups and stretches using yoga poses as a technique.

At time of writing been in the office all day but gearing up for a 10 mile bike ride this eveing with the guys. Haven’t eaten heavy so looking forward to being sharp.

Not quite there yet

Training has been going fantastically well, however my ability to keep my blog updated on a regular basis has however not been a great success.

Just to update. i have now been able to include some very good swims at the weekend MANAGING A COUPLE OF HUNDRED lengths on Saturday followed by run in the afternoon. The weekend before last i managed to repeat this on the Sunday and also included a run back from the rugby club after coaching my sons rugby team.

This time of year is all about New Years resolutions however i feel that there is very little in terms of training that i need to look at but would like to improve on getting the word around to publicise the swim more.

Sponsorship seems to have stalled and although i know after speaking to a lot of people they all say they will donate, nothing is certain until they commit on the web page. One does not want to keep hassling however if anyone has some ideas out there in blog land, please let me know!

If any one looks in i would be greatful for any comments you wish to add.

Best wishes to all for the new year .