The Quest for M dot

I rarely write off the cuff preferring to plan my story, carefully forming and editing in the hope of making an interesting read and generally inspiring or motivating others. But tonight is different. Ive just left the pool having completed my swim test and in doing so - my longest ever swim of 1500m. I don't always/ever live in the moment and often spend time worrying about the past and the future. Things I can't control but can't or haven't yet is probably a more positive way of putting it figured out how to manage it all. Tonight I pushed my body further that I expected I could. Ive been very worried about tonight's session. Not sleeping properly last night and following that up with a long day worrying in work today. But tonight it was worth it all. I jumped out of the pool at the end and sat on the side to catch my breath, seeing stars but managing to stay upright I got to enjoy my self-euphoria. I was tired hunger and sore but I felt an amazing sense o...

I'm that person that gives out, bitches and moans about training but always always  fears not having enough done. But doesn't everyone? I'm hoping so. Then there's the guilt. It irks away at you. Why are you not training? You don't deserve to relax. You haven't earned it. You can't enjoy food. You haven't earned it. You can't watch a series on Netflix unless your on the turbo. You must suffer. I'm not sure where the guilt comes from or the purpose but it's tough mentally and probably not proactive. I know that. I should probably just train more. That would teach the guilt. After a 2 week break from the pool, one for illness, the second more logistical I returned this week and was looking forward to it. It had only been 2 weeks. Hardly enough time to lose any swimming fitness. Swimming fitness I'd really only gained over the previous 3 weeks so possibly a bit niave on my part. Monday night's session was grim but I powered throu...

Tonight I went to the steam room. Stay with me, this gets more interesting. I've been once again stuck down with a viral and bacteria chest infection. Having worked through my last course of steroids and antibiotics while maintaining my swimming training along with spinning and running, it seemed something was up when I relapsed only 3 days after finishing the drugs. The drugs don't work? They fecking well do. So back to the doctor and the trusty drugs while wondering how many steroids will show up in my system come 70.3 day. If I win I'll always wonder if it was the steroids. If I win? When I win. I decided this time to knock the training on the head for a week and just focus on extra sleep and feeling better. With no work next week I have plans for extra training since time allows so best be chest fit for that. But I still couldn't stay away from the gym. It's an addiction. One that takes time to grow but once you're in the groove you really miss it. ...

Its been a while since I decided to go on this Ironman journey and in that time I still cant seem to spell Triathlon right most of the time. Does that mean this is not for me I should just give up? Its a sign, a sign that if you cannot spell it, you shouldnt do it. Life lesson. Its been 6 months since I've last been on a bike and I was fearing the worst when deciding to take out the trusty steed for a quick spin on Sunday. It really didn't disappoint. The parts of me I forgot how to hurt hurt. those parts were everywhere. Turns out staying consistent has advantages. The lovely burny feeling in the quads and calves returned and it was beautiful. That feeling reminds me of fitness and I visualize that as getting fitter and getting strong. Success. Not that I can count today's cycle as success but it was a start. Just the small matter of no hills and no wind on today's route and still a struggle. A low winter sun peeped over the the hedges and empty fields aimed direct...

Why do old men always want to chat in the swimming pool? It's a not a bloody Turkish baths situation. Also in the showers. I don't need to be told that "it's nice to be under the hot water". I am under the hot water. I know its nice. All this after being told all about how hard swimming is, how hard life is, how running or walking are so hard and swimming is all he'll be able to do until he leaves this life, quote, unquote. A cheery Saturday evening all round really as the old man waits to die in the pool but is brought back to life by nice hot water. The gym closes early on a Saturday and I really didn't have time for idle life, death and hot water discussions. There was swimming to be doing or attempted anyway. Small talk aside I did achieve my 500m aim which to most swimmers probably doesn't seem like a lot but to me is amazing. Tou could say it went swimmingly. And yes by the end of the week having completed 2700m (a new weekly totals record obv...

Tonight due to a goggle malfunction, as in somehow forgetting them I was unable to swim. I did try but it's impossible to see. I switched my mind to the excuse of a recovery day. Last night's lesson and horrific sets of 100s left me wrecked. In total we completed 1100m, obviously more than I've ever completed before and it left me fecked, not so much muscle tired as tired tired. Lacking electrolytes. Similar to the after effects of a long cycle were you just want to drift off to sleep the second you get in the door. That and the continued bug I can't seem to shake off even though I'm pumped up on drugs it seems the verve were right. The drugs dont work, they just make you worse so go to the doctor and get yourself sorted out. Or similar. This feeling of very very tired continued today, and with added blocked sinuses pressure I decided to opt for a long steam room session to attempt to clear my sinuses and get some stretches done on my calves and quads. Given the ...

I smell of Chlorine. I really smell of Chlorine. I used to smell of BO but now it's consistently the stink of swimming pool chlorine. The wonderfully horrible stink of swimming pool, which can only mean one thing. I've been consistent, and to me now that smell is the smell of success, the smell that I am getting somewhere, putting in the hours and actually feeling like I'm improving. I even sweat now when I finish in the pool. Which is odd but strangely satisfying. I never knew I could do that. Another achievement. I am more confident in my stroke. Breathing to the right is somewhat successful and even though only 3 short weeks ago I was fully sure that breathing on every second stroke was too much for me it turns out is perfect. And guess what you go faster and are less tired! Who knew. Slowly but surely the jigsaw is coming together, the breathing, the arm strokes and the kick. There still is, and I assume always will be a lot of tweaking but for now, I'm relatively...