Let the fun times roll

Posted on June 15, 2016June 15, 2016 by Ben

I ran over 500km in the first 2 months of this year as I trained for the quadzilla, then after a short break picked it up again training for the Milton Keynes marathon. Significantly higher than last year and an awful lot of running to fit in around work and family. Plus marathon training can all get a little bit intense can’t it? You focus on every run and how it contributes towards achieving that big time goal, so right now I’m trying to have a little fun.

I’m triathlon training, something which I think I’m going to try and do every year at some point having enjoyed it so much last year. I’m doing another half ironman which I know is a little crazy seeing as my objective is to have some fun but I genuinely enjoy the longer races. I like the challenge of endurance and actually the longer you race the more relaxed the event gets in my experience.

[…]

Cotswold Classic race preview

Posted on August 22, 2015August 22, 2015 by Ben

It’s the final countdown… (and yes I did sing that out loud as I wrote it) race day is Sunday, the Cotswold Classic is here, and I’m in that wonderful period pre race where I want to eat the whole contents of my fridge and am convinced that I have definitely not done enough training. The final week before a race is always a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions isn’t it? I was getting a bit of pain in my left leg yesterday and so of course starting imaging not being able to start the race let alone finish it, but a quick foam roller session seems to have sorted that out.

Realistically I’ve done as much training as I could have done with the time available, sure I missed a session here and there but I largely stuck to my plan. I’d have loved to get some more cycling in but family and work commitments made that hard. I’m sure with 6 months perfect training I could be faster but few people have that luxury. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved in training especially considering when I started way back in January I hadn’t ridden my bike for over a year and I can’t remember the last time I actually swam. […]

When it starts to get real

Posted on July 19, 2015October 30, 2015 by Ben

I’m at that point in my training where race day is looming and the doubts are setting in, 6 weeks to go until my first ever triathlon and all I can think is I haven’t done enough cycling. Or running. Or swimming. Although I am probably more worried about the cycling, I can do the distance but not sure on speed, whereas my run target time is way below my PB so should hopefully be reasonably comfortable. But is that going to matter if I slowly grind to a halt on the ride? Argghhhhh!

Turbo trainer in the garden to fit it all in

I try to remind myself that I’ve done as much as my training budget will allow, sure I probably could have pushed harder in some sessions but by and large I’ve ticked off every session I planned and have made a huge change to my swimming and cycling fitness. But still, reality bites sometimes doesn’t it? That’s ok as long as I get a grip before race day arrives, you can’t go into these kind of endurance events with doubts can you? You have to be confident (and realistic of course) in your abilities.

Do I sound like I believe myself?

[…]

It’s a marathon not a sprint

Posted on December 28, 2014January 6, 2015 by Ben

Just over a month since my last post which tells you all you need to know about how busy life with 3 children has been. There isn’t much time spare each day and when there is time the brain power is lacking to get words down on the page. Running wise it’s been fun though, very low key and just running for the sake of running. I think I’ve only worn my watch 2 or 3 times which has been great, nice to just run and enjoy it. I’ve rarely run more than 4 miles at a time but after a busy year of run I think that’s been good for me.

The downside of this low key finish to the year is it’s easy to forget everything that has happened over the past 12 months. 2014 was a big year for me, one of big challenges and one for cementing my fitness after the breakthrough in 2013. The year started with my first road marathon at Taunton in April and of course my first experience of training for a spring marathon. I really enjoyed learning about a 16 week marathon build up and what I did and didn’t enjoy about that structure. I’m intrigued by doing either the Hanson method or Pzitinger plan for my next marathon to see how that different approach feels. I’d certainly like more speed work and high intensity efforts in the plan.

[…]