First cycle of the new year

I knew the swimming pool would be closed at lunchtime today and after the exertions of yesterday's running, figured I'd have a go on the bike for the first time this year (really since October). One of my workmates was on for going out with me as well, so made me commit to actually going.

Despite the cold, it felt quite comfortable as we got into it. I was keen to take it easy initially and it was a nice calm day. Got into the cycle a bit after a few km's as my legs loosened out a bit and seemed to be making decent pace and really was enjoying the ride. It was tough in bits (workmate seemed to be struggling a little - he killed me a few times last summer) but kept going strong for the most part.

I was happy to see when I got back that I'd done a time very comparable to my best times last year - I eased off a bit the last few km's, so we'll see how it goes next time around. As I've mentioned previously, not going to focus on the bike until April, but will hopefully get out for the odd cycle like this again.

Weight update

Well, guess I may as write a quick update on what the scale showed the last two days....

I'm pleased to say it was good news. I was expecting to come in over 110kg after my week of slacking, but I came in at 108.3kg and 107.9kg over the last two days. That's had the effect of bringing my moving average down from it's pre-break level, but I'm not over the Christmas\New Year feasting.

I've finally done it

10.13km in 1hr 0m 3s.

Well that was tough...9 weeks out from the Reading Half Marathon, the JD running formula called for 10E + 2 x (20T + 10E) - read that as 10 mins Easy followed by two sets of twenty minutes hard (Threshold) with 10 mins easy recovery.

Recoveries included about 2 mins walking, but was almost heaving after those hard runs :) Had to dig deep towards the end of them, using all sort of psychological tricks to keep going.

Probably resting tomorrow, though I've said to a work mate I'll go for a cycle at lunch.

I'm back

Well after a nice ten days or so in Spain, in which all I done was either eat or smile politely and nod, it's time to get serious. I've less than two weeks to my first half marathon of the year, which I'm now absolutely dreading. It's damage limitation at this stage, so I'm just aiming to get out for a run most nights between now and next Tuesday or Wednesday at which point I'll taper down for the half marathon.

I'm absolutely dreading hopping on the weighing scales in the morning...it's going to be a serious wake up call I think...I'd say that it's a safe bet that I'll have put on weight in January!

Here's a tip for you...

Don't go shopping when you're hungry...it always leads to disaster.

(I'm not sure what the alternative is...always ensure you've an emergency stash in case you get caught out ... suggestions?)

So what have I been up to since New Years

Not a whole lot really. I've just completed my second run of 2009, and feel lucky enough to have made it around in one piece. I'm putting it down to the fact that I've started having soup for lunch, so will probably try something different when my soup reserves run out.

I've been getting down to the pool at lunch a few times a week which is good, but feel I've regressed a bit since before Christmas. It hasn't really helped that the pool has been absolutely jammers either, but I guess that's January for you.

I had planned on doing a 10km last weekend, but laziness overcame me...I was just hoping to turn up on the day and race, so didn't have the excuse of already being registered and payed up to get me out of bed. Guess my assault on the hour mark will have to wait.

I'm off to Spain for 10 days on Friday...hopefully get some training in, but that's probably being too optimistic. Might get some skiing in though which would be good.

What I've been up to since new years

I did go for a walk the day after new years, 15km along the River Thames from Reading to Goring. Bit of a slog in parts, where the trail was quite muddy. Had planned on getting some food in Goring, but there wasn't much selection, so just caught the train back tired and hungry.

It's been absolutely freezing around here for the last week or so, which has meant that I've not been getting out for a run in the evenings. I've been trying to arrange a staggered 10km run with a few of the football lads and there seems to be a bit of interest. The idea is that people set off at intervals, with the slowest first. If it's timed right, then everyone should reach the end at more or less the same time (and add a bit of a push for that final stretch).

Arranged it yesterday at short notice and only two of the lads showed. There's definitely interest there, so we'll see how it goes next week. Last nights run was a disaster...the two boys were fliers and we all set off at the same time. 2.5 km in I gave up and just done my own thing :)