Norway here we come?

Tomorrow hopefully should be in a position to start booking flights etc. Itinerary and costs to go through with Si tomorrow morning when we meet up for swim/ surf.

February has not been the best month for exercise/ training. I will add up the mileage later but I do not think I have built on the base laid in December and January. That said, I have:

1. Done 2 longer cycle rides in the past 2 weeks
2. Done some training in 8 of the past 10 days, I think
3. Been swimming!

Swimming and specifically swimming lessons is a must for March...

(Together at least one 70 mile cycle ride)

or is N for 'Nice view for the sheep'

On climb out of Porthleven today the views, past the field of sheep, were beautiful: back down to the harbour and up the coast.

N = Nice man Peter teaches me a lesson

Went for a long bike ride this morning; which was good. Probably did 55 miles as I cycled to Perranworthal Station to meet with Peter and James, then off to Porthleven for a coffee and cake. Came back through Godolphin Cross and Four Lanes before we parted company and made my way back to Perranporth.

Fortunately, it was when I was on my own when I completely bonked - ended up feeling 'distressed' when I 'needed' sugar and found Blackwater stores was closed. Managed to struggle up hill (previously my favourite hill!) to garage where I bought and downed in large gulps a sports drink before feeling ready to continue.

The ride itself was very much an education - with Peter looking so good uphill and downhill and on the flat. James and I got a little left behind. James has suggested I get different (smoother) tyres for Norseman - must remember to follow this up.

P.S. The reference to 'nice man' is genuine - Peter is a real gentleman, particularly on the 5-aside pitch: determined/ tough, skillful and fair.

or is A for Advertees

Advertees, my co-operative sponsor has reminded me of (moral) obligation to mention Cornwall's foremost t-shirt printers.

or is A for Artic Cathedral

Situated in Tromso, where it looks like we will be spending a night and a day...

or is A for April Fool

As previously blogged, I set myself a challenging April events schedule to spur me on.

However,

1. February has not been the best month for training (featuring 8 days, and counting, of no training and only long bike ride)
2. My scanning of this months 220 magazine said a run of more than 18 miles in training for a Iron Man is counter productive.

I still want to have a go at 3 peaks (and I have said to people I am doing it!) and the North Cornwall Tor is a must (as I failed to finish last year AND it is a superb endurance test) so I am minded to drop the Cornish Coastal Marathon down to a half...

(P.S. If I am going to do 3 peaks I will need to mention this to Julie. Do not want to disturb her at the moment as she is planning Norway itinerary AND she we tell me (again) I am stupid).

A = Arsenal pants

No that is not 'Arsenal are pants'. (I know my nephew and Nick R would think that was more appropriate phrase!)

It is a reference to my lucky Arsenal pants that I used to wear on match days; sometimes at during a game if Arsenal were a goal down. I did not keep a record of the pants success rate but my recollection is that as soon as I put them on Arsenal's fortunes would change...

What ever happened to those pants? I must ask Julie.

M = Mileage

Thought I had done my first 50 mile cycle training ride yesterday but on AA route planner Perranporth to Padstow clocks in at a mere 22 miles. So even allowing for detour to parents and some extra miles in getting across Perranporth and into centre of Padstow I can't see me getting above 47-48.

A good challenging ride nonetheless and felt satisfied with efforts; particularly as it was such a struggle to get out of bed and on the bike. Really enjoyed an Origin coffee in Padstow - worth trawling round to find a cafe that did Origin.

Felt 'ok' after so that is reasonably encouraging but have to bear in mind that I have cyclosportif (North Cornwall Tor) over tougher terrain and covering more than twice the distance in 8 weeks so more time in the saddle required...

I had a first today when I had planned to do a 6 mile run and ended up running 10 miles (through choice). I had set off across the beach feeling heavy (late lunch) only to feel inspired to do carry on at end of beach and climb onto coast path round to Hollywell Bay. Ploddy pace but nice warm sunshine.

E = Eidfyord

Eidfyord is the start for the Norseman. We will be there from 6/8 until 5am on 8/8.

We shall hopefully get to see the Vøringsfossen - 182m waterfall.

S = Sound of fear

Anxious running: fear of the dark

To my left black cliff
Silhouette looms in the night sky
With a sense of foreboding
On my right
I can make out the white horses of the breaking waves
A splash under foot
Unsettles
A nervous glance
But the sea is still
A safe distance away
But still heart races
As tendrils of darkness reach out
Distort reality

Torch light
In front of me, confuses
The arc of the light
An irrational pattern
Further heightens my anxiety
What are those people doing?
Appear to be moving fast
Darting along cliff edge
I run away; accelerate to the open area
Past flat rocks

Torch light behind me now
Flat sands in front
Illuminated by the street lighting in the distance
I breath easier
And can hear my footfall
And the clinking of keys
In my pocket
Sounds I could not detect
A few minutes earlier; drowned out by
the sound of (irrational) fear...

R = royzy

Check out more of his work...

• website


• blog

Impressive...

or does O = Otta but not Oslo

Spent late morning and early afternoon planning the Norway trip with Julie and Si. Provisional plan is to arrive 5/8 in Bergen, with rough itinery as follows:

• 6/8 to 7/8 - Eidfjord
• 8/8 - Race
• 9/8 - Fly to Tromso
• 10/8 - 12/8 - On Ferry from Tromso to Trondheim
• 12/8 - 15/8 - Trondheim to Bergen via Otta

Something for everyone, including bungee jump for Si and whitewater rafting (possibly) for Julie.

My only concern is that given the number of late night/ early morning departures on ferry and bus is there appears to be little time for sleep!

Really looking forward to it - now beginning to take shape. (Now I have to get into shape...)

O = "Only going 1/2 way then?"

Had what I reckon was one of my two best ever swims ever this morning.

Do not understand why, as this week was another week, where work got in the way of swimming (is this really what is happening or just an excuse I am not sure!). Felt really strong and fluid in the water for parts of swim which is very unusual for me and I had no desire to resort to breaststroke, which is even more unusual.

Ended up swimming from North to South Fistral and back (approx 1 mile). Would have got out earlier on way back but as I swam up to Si who was surfing he said "Only going 1/2 way then?" which spurred me on to carry onto level level with end of car park.

Started retching while swimming and this continued while I went for short run - do not know what brought it on (cold? or apprehension?). Anyway, felt really pleased with my efforts (swimming not retching!).

P.S. Si's coaching methods became a little less subtle when I saw me stopped after running - he chucked a pebble at me whilst cajoling me for stopping...

N is for Norseman

'You look shattered' was a comment by Si this morning whilst we were getting changed to into the sea.

The picture on my face at the time of Si's comment was actually one of cold mixed by frustration as I was struggling to get my neoprene mittens on but the comment nonetheless summed the way I have been feeling. Not sure why but I have not been sleeping well and maybe the cycle in on Tuesday morning had taken a lot out of me. Anyway, could not muster the energy or enthusiasm to go for Saturday morning cycle and had a, lovely, 12 mile walk with Julie instead.

Woke up this morning and it is was a effort to get out of bed in the cold.

However, approximately 2 1/2 hours later was feeling buoyed up having been in the sea for a swim; sandwiched between two short runs across Fistral beach: we ended up swimming from South to North Fistral. Water was cold but not unpleasant or your face for spells of front crawl.

However, my frustration with my new mittens had resulted in me leaving the glove off and consequently, my left hand was so cold I was wary of getting straight in the shower and experiencing the 'painful' tingling that would follow my hand warming up too quickly.

I said to Si that I needed to run to try and get some feeling back/ circulation back. Si told me to 'do a Mike Channon' - tip for getting blood back into your finger tips passed onto him by a ski instructor. The technique involves making a circular motion with your arm whilst running - replicating the 70's striker's goal celebration. It works...

I may need it again after exiting the fjord in Norseman. Hoping the swim is a platform for renewed, disciplined, training effort and to getting accommodation etc sorted. 'Plan' for week ahead is:

• Mon - Cycle 20 miles
• Tues - Swim 60 lengths
• Wed - Cycle 20 miles + Run 6
• Thur - Swim 60 lengths
• Fri - Cycle 20 miles
• Sat - Cycle 50 miles
• Sun - Sea swim + Run?

Will also dig out book on swimming (properly) and research into swimming lessons.

Here goes...

E = End game

Was reminded on Tuesday of one my (many) faults - forgetting what the 'end game' is...

It had snowed on Monday afternoon and I was pleased with my effort in cycling back from Truro to Perranporth - a really enjoyable experience in the magical half light as snow reflected the dusk sun. Roads were almost deserted; most people having left for home earlier (wary of the chaos that followed the last heavy snow that fell a few years ago.)

Got home exhilarated and determined to ride in the next morning whatever the weather (well almost whatever). Woke early to a fresh snow fall and wrapped up warm set off. Had to walk up hill at end of Perrancombe, due to compact snow/ ice causing wheel to spin, and choose to walk down Kenwyn Hill as it looked very slippy - evidenced by car being unable to turn off the main road (in the end my 'manly' efforts to help out the damsels in distress were rendered superfluous by a man, a 4 x 4 and a rope).

Got in to our office an hour and a half after leaving home too find I had focused too much on the journey - the mental concentration and physical effort in making my way in had left me 'wasted'. Had an 'ok' day but bit of disappointment in terms of productivity - should have thought about what I wanted to achieve when I had to work...

This is not new to me; one of my 'favourites' was when I had just joined the firm I work for now and was involved in a presentation - I focused so much on the actual presentation that when I finished talking I just 'turned off'. Unfortunately, the presentation was followed by Q&A session and I could not even remember my name.

In the context of Norseman - I have to remember the end game is to finish (as opposed to getting on start list!). And, also to remember that Norseman is the 'end game' for me physically in 2009 as opposed to the marathons I have scheduled in as training in April (Note: I read yesterday in 220 magazine that a Ironman trainee should not look to have a long run greater than 18 miles - so may have to reconsider my plans for April).

H is for Hotels, Help and Hoping

Finally got around to sending a couple of emails to Hotels in Eidfjord for the 2 days before the Norseman. Maybe not surprisingly, the responses were 'no rooms available'. Have now tried Eidfjord Tourist Office - fingers crossed.

I have asked the Tourist Office about 'Huts' as Julie informs me that these are campsite accommodation (and has pointed me in a direction of pictures on Destination Eidfjord website - one shown at foot of this blog).

Julie has I believe secured us accommodation for the night/ early morning after the event.

I have also emailed Endurance Life to see if they can give me any assistance on the day specifically. I had left it too late to get one of their 'team' places. Again, fingers crossed as this would take some pressure off my 'team'.

Have started to give some thought to where we might go and what we might do post the event. Temptation is go North...

Had a good run this morning; running back from work (Truro) to Perranporth. Felt good. Time not fast (1 hour 45 minutes ish) but was pleasantly surprised to find myself actually enjoying myself.