March 5th - 140 days to go

So that minor setback I wrote about a few weeks ago turned into a slightly-more-than-minor setback: only in the last week have I remembered what it's like to be able to walk without pain which, you know, is always nice. 

I have to admit there were times in the last 8 weeks where I got pretty down. Going from doing some form of exercise near enough every day to hardly be able to walk to the bus stop wasn't cool, and there were times where it just didn't feel like it was getting better. But with some reluctant patience (and physio - shout out to the guys at Whole Life Physio) I've been given the all clear to start (slowly) running again. Yesterday I went out on my bike for 10 minutes for the first time since January and was happier than a kid at Christmas. 

Once I got over the initial moping though I did realise that swimming often involves your arms more than your legs and oh yeah that's something I'm gonna have to do in the triathlon, I should probably do some of that. So over the last few weeks I've been trying to swim twice a week, being that cool person with the float between their legs. And it's felt pretty good. I've been mixing it up by doing some shorter 150m sets at speed with longer 400m sets for endurance and getting used to getting into a rhythm, but can't say I truly know what I'm doing! I know it will be better for me to follow a set training plan, so I'm gonna hunt around for one, but if anyone knows of a good place to find one please let me know!

I've also discovered my swim type: the "Arnie/Arnette". Commonly with a team sports background, check; often breathless, check; sinky legs, check; finds relaxing in the water quite difficult, check. Eerielly accurate! But it's helpful to know as I've been able to identify areas to work on, and I now feel like I'm getting the hang of breathing and starting to relax.

Totally me 

So fingers crossed things will only improve from here. I know I still need to be careful to do too much too soon, which is a real possibility when I'm itching to get back into training, but I'm just going to try and take it slowly.

I have set up a JustGiving page where I'm aiming to raise £500 for Alzheimer's Society. I'd be grateful if you could spare any pennies where you can! 

January 14th - 189 days to go

A minor setback...

I ran 5km last Sunday, testing out my new watch (Garmin vivoactive HR - thanks Santa) and felt pretty good, aside from some Christmas fatigue. My calves felt quite tight afterwards but did lots of stretching before and after to try and ease this.

But over the next couple of days I started to get a niggling pain in my knee. I still cycled to work but could feel it nagging. And because I'm so stubborn I still went to netball training, thinking I would take it easy...but easy isn't really a word in my book!

I was in too much pain to cycle home and had to go to the walk in centre the next day. Fortunately there doesn't seem to be any serious damage, just musculoskeletal pain, and I was told to rest for a couple of weeks. Not music to my ears.

It's hard not to be frustrated, even by such a minor injury, as I've never really had any injury before, and so much of my time is taken up by physical activity that it feels odd not doing any.

But looking on the bright side, it's probably good that this has happened at this stage when the triathlon is still a while away, rather than closer to the time. And it will encourage me to get into a proper strength and conditioning regime, and probably also to get some proper running trainers!

It's also teaching me that, even though frustrating, it's okay to take time off sometimes and not feel like I constantly have to be pushing myself, e.g. spending a rock and roll Friday night having a two hour bath because everyone knows baths cure everything.

Not sure how long that feeling will last though...

January 2nd - 201 days to go

Now that Christmas is over I guess I don't really have any excuse but to start training for the London Triathlon! I signed up a couple of months ago but it seemed a long way away until suddenly I had to admit it was happening this year.

Background: yeah I would describe myself as a relatively fit person. I'm into netball, I cycle to work quite a lot, and I have done a Sprint tri before. But this is a whole new challenge. I haven't gone swimming in absolutely ages. I generally dislike running because I get bored easily. And it's going to be cold and raining sometimes/most of the time, for the first few months at least. But what's the point of a challenge if it's not challenging?!

I'm doing this in aid of the Alzheimer's Society, because I've previously worked with older adults with dementia and have seen firsthand the devastating effects this disease has on an individual and their family. 

I'm starting this blog because I thought it might help me motivate myself to train. Sometimes it's all too easy to make excuses or put it off until another day, but I want to know I'm fully prepared for this triathlon, not be worrying in the last few weeks whether I'm fit enough.

I'm also starting this because I want help. Crowdsourcing, if you like. I can't afford a tri coach, and beyond using the local pool and taking a few swimming lessons to get feedback on my technique, I'm not planning to use a gym. I know lots of you are swimmers, or cyclists, or runners (or any combination in between). If you have any tips or comments about my training, nutrition, recovery, kit or general triathlon stuff that would be awesome. If you want to come and swim/cycle/run with me, do it, let me know, it'll save me the boredom of slogging it out on my own. If you just want to tell me I'm stupid or mad or crazy that's great too. Just make sure you donate on my JustGiving page while you're doing it. 

Triathlon related things achieved today:

- Cycled to Epping and back in the lovely winter sunshine - 20 miles
- Gave bike a much needed clean because mud
- Washed workout gear - decided I might need more workout gear
- Signed up for Parkrun - found out there is one just 5 minutes away from home, result
- Looked up triathlon training plans - got overwhelmed and decided to do that another day
- Watched some really helpful videos on swimsmooth.com about improving technique
- Sat on the sofa and watched the entire second series of Hunted (rest is a very important component of triathlon training...or something...)

201 days to go...