Give me Strength

This week has seen the beginning of a more dedicated strength training program instead of the usual " do it when i can " plan. Its a 12 week plan to get some lean muscle on my bones. Monday started great, Tuesday reminded me of what DOMS was, Wednesday reinforced the pain of working out one set of muscles whilst still recovering    from the last session. All good stuff - no pain and all that. Friday is weigh in day and  I know i have lost weight - the question is - just how much?

Its been relatively easy going of late and last years niggles seems to have sorted themselves out, a 5 mile run turned into a 9.25 - the weather is just too good for November and i did slightly over dress but loved the time out all the same.

mission accomplished

Sunday gave me an unexpected surprise, not only did actually finish the rutland marathon, I did it in a half reasonable time for a first timer with minimal long distance training. The hills were there, just not where i expected them. Having done the Vitruvian Triathlon there a few weeks prior i was expecting 3 large hills at the 20 mile mark but as this course is closer to the lake they werent that bad at all. I found the constant up and down was more difficult than the 3 hills i expected though, not really hard - its the cattle grids that slow you down more.

I had been advised that it wasnt the easiest of first time marathons but whats life like without a bit of uncertainty anyway. I did have a stitch about 3/4 of the way round but after walking for a few seconds it subsided, nothing like the pain i encountered crossing the line at the Worksop half mara the week before. I also ran out of liquid 5 or 6 miles short of the end and had to rely on the aid stations which was a lesson learned - i did only take about 800ml with me.  - Idiot - .   

There was people that have done over 800 marathons - im not sure if they are insane or just dedicated, but i do know that while i was running it I was sincere in thinking that it would be my one and only standalone marathon but now i just dont know - Ultra running seems kind of fun, but not at the expense of triathlon training. Im going to need to find out alot more about ultra training plans and then decide. If marathons take a few weeks of prep do ultras take months?  To be honest my legs ache a little today but by next sunday i could see myself running another 26.2 without too much bother.   Anyway my time was 3.58.25 - just made the sub 4 hour :) 

more data too analyse :)

Mr Wiggle bought me a Garmin edge 500 for my bday so i christened it with an 18 mile turbo session tonight, very nice bit of kit with every bit of data you could ever need for biking so that should keep me very happy for the foreseeable.

Now just 2 days off the Rutland mara and i haven't got to my target weight but I'll tough it out and haul my fat ass over that line somehow :)

four zero

today is my 40th birthday.  i havent trained. i have eaten too much. i may eat more :)