A refreshing end to the day: Cesc is back

Just put Radio 5 on on this laptop and heard 'Arsenal in the driving seat', which was nice.

This followed a 7pm sea swim at Perranporth which swept away lots of the lethargy which was there at the end of work: had quick chat with one of the surfers in which he commented that sea swim in which he used the word 'refreshing' - so apt both in physical and mental terms. Tried to get changed as quickly as possible after being in for c 30 minutes - one of Julie's top tips to get warm post swim. Did not put hat on though and this may well explain why I had lost feeling in my hands: meant I had to scope coins from my rucksack with claw like hands when paying for wine on way home...

Arsenal now 2-0 ahead.

On way home also realised my love/ passion for Arsenal was still burning when I felt myself get defensive when 'Man Utd fan, with kids and dogs' (sorry I do not know his name despite speaking to him on numerous occasions) starting having a dig at Arsenal/ Wenger. Agreed with him on Eboue though.

Arsenal now 3-0 ahead. Go Theo!

Off to a friends wedding at the weekend, need to think if I will take running shoes (thinking 'yes') and whether I can fit in BHF Brighton swim on Saturday morning (thinking 'no' as swim starts at 10am and wedding in Lewes is at 12.15 - I feel that Julie may think this is pushing it!).

Will use time away/ travelling to formulate the things I want to/ need to change re my 'personality' (i.e., my leopard's spots) if I am going to get round Norseman (and more specifically get 'black t-shirt') and start ticking off other items on my 'to do list'. Also need to pear down 'to do list'...

Arsenal 4-0.

(If I cycle tomorrow that will take me to 2 cycles (2 x 20 miles), 1 x run (8 miles) and 3+ sea swims - I am assuming I will not get in too much exercise while we are at Lewes for Delia and Luke's wedding - have benefited from bank holiday weekend though)

P.S. royzy, almost texted you earlier to see if you wanted to see Hellboy II. Maybe next week?

Can a leopard change its spots?

Do not want to all philosophical (let alone biblical) but just now when I did a search for a picture of leopard I ended up with references to Jeremiah 13.23 'Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil', which is strange.

Strange, not because I consider myself 'accustomed to do evil'. More I am 'accustomed to do little or nothing of what I would like to do and talk about doing' and one of the things I have oft talked about, as royzy will testify, is write a book and my latest idea (still at very early pre - conceptual stage) is set a book in Ethiopia - I have even gone as far as buying a Bradt Guide to Ethiopia to start my 'research'.

A bit taken aback by this coincidence (message?) I will defer my Norseman related blog until tomorrow.

P.S. royzy, also note that 13 appears in bible reference above...

Coincidence?

A few blogs ago I had questioned whether cricket should be on prime time news item. Today, whilst walking the beach I was distracted by a family playing cricket and stubbed my toe on back of Julie's heel. Thought no more of it until I showered and noted that my toe is the colour of part of Latvia's flag. Now it hurts!

(Colour of my toe reminds me to say belated congratulations to Ainārs Kovals who earned a silver medal for Latvia in the men's javelin: More of my association with Latvia in later blog).


Ran across the cliffs to beach and then length of beach c 8 miles) early this evening - felt generally strong.

Most enjoyable weekend has hopefully laid platform for decent showing in Perranporth Triathlon (assuming I can get in) and finish at Newquay Triathlon with in-laws in attendance...

Man from Atlantis

Well ok hardly the Man from Atlantis, who I assume could swim pretty well, but I have certainly enjoyed my time in the water much more in the last 2 days. Went in twice yesterday and once so far today.

Yesterday, went for swim and run at Perranporth beach with James H, this was a meet up postponed every week from 3 weeks ago. Practised swimming out through the surf and was pleased to be able to pass my little knowledge onto James. We were a bit concerned that we came out at Flat Rocks despite starting to the left of Flat Rocks and swimming away (i.e. to our left) when after we had got out back... Run was good - from in front of Surf Life Saving hut to end of beach and back (c 4 miles). This was followed by excellent cappuccino in Tin Fin, all of which combined to set me up for the day.

Time on Gwithian beach/ sea and meal and rugby league on Sky at Liz and Kevin's (well done Castleford - although maybe you should practice conversion kicking!) nicely rounded off the day.

Today, I have been in sea at Fistral and kept up with Si as we 'stormed' out back. Once out back I caught my breath and whilst treading water saw Si catch and ride a wave I did not think he would stay on - he did and then after short, fast ride flung himself off to avoid getting caught inside again. Excellent entertainment. Swam to Fistral Blu end and back in quite heavy chop - felt pleased. Treated Julie to breakfast at Tin Fin and then we walked the beach and saw Scott windsurfing (Scott, I was very impressed).

Will go for run and maybe another swim later.

Lessons from past 2 days:

1. Realised I am going to going to have to get more organised than usual re entry for Norseman as entries filled within 5 days last year (and following conversation with James H yesterday I began to realise I have not entered Perranporth triathlon yet, having posted my entry into wrong letter box...)


2. Need to work on sculling element of swim stroke - James H reckons that is where my swimming needs attention and has given me some tips


3. Need to speak to Tin Fin to see where they got their t-shirts done - as they should have used Advertees

(P.S. Si has picked out a cycling event in South Africa that I must research)

Fish out of water

Swam this morning at Fistral while Si surfed. Thought of going in from other side of headland and round to beach but did not: swam for about 1 hour in Fistral beach area. Tried to swim like the Team GB representatives in 10k swim at Olympics but still 'reach out like a blind man in the dark' (how my stroke was accurately described previously)... Could not get any rhythm in my stroke at all.

Went in sea later for 10 minutes - body surfing - at Holywell Bay where I met up with Julie who had walked there from Perranporth.

This weeks running total for exercise is 3 x cycles, 3 x swims (one of which was rather short, so maybe does not constitute a proper swim - I was in long enough only to loose my watch!).



Watched a lot of the Olympics this week - really enjoyed it, not only from Team GB perspective. I love Bolt and very impressed with Bekele in 5,000m.


(P.S. Arsenal have just lost; radio commentator has just informed me that 'this is the first defeat for one of the big 4 this season' - we are only 2 games in!)

Broke so many of my rules this week - it would be easier to list those I stuck to. Still tomorrow is a new day/ week.

Action points:

1. Have a plan for Saturday morning swims and stick to it
2. Read about and try and enact improved swim technique
3. Start logging on to Norseman site every day to see if 2009 entries open

Me and Arsenal

Felt strangely out of sorts today and this is being reflected in Arsenal's performance tonight...

Listening to commentary of Arsenal v Fulham as I type - does not sound encouraging for a Arsenal fightback with 29 minutes to go. Not sure about Eboue as a midfielder. Anyway, what do I do know? My footballing ability could be measured in terms of number of 'keepy uppy' I would register only 6; less than my nephew.

Have supported Arsenal since I was about 7.

Fingers crossed.

Rules and regulations

I have decided I need some rules (to control this almost obsessive desire to blog for one thing...)

Rules for the year leading up the Norseman:

1. No blogging unless I have done some exercise that day or an some serious training the previous day;
2. Exercise 6 days a week (or at least 5);
3. Cycle x 3 (60 to 100 miles in total), Run x 2 (10 miles in total) and Swim x 2 (>2 miles in total);
4. Keep track of all cash expenditure from today - need to save for entry, flight and accommodation etc;
5. Go for long ride with Perranporth posse on Saturdays - starting October;
6. Eat only 'good' food;
7. Work out + stretch before runs etc;
8. Look after bike and wetsuit etc;
9. Leave work at 5.30pm at the latest;
10. Learn how to swim;
11. Learn to cycle down hill more confidently/ quicker/ more efficiently;
12. Read about Norseman - acclimatise to the event;
13. Blogs to take no more than 1/2 hour.

I have done 13 rules as this is my lucky number - commemorated by my '13' t-shirt done for me by Advertees.

May modify above as year progresses, particularly 3 where I will increase distances early 2009 if not before. Above assumes of course I get into Norseman: must keep an eye on the website... Once in need to think about collecting for charity and corporate and/or cooperative sponsorship.

I have found above quite therapeutic - I will maybe list goals/ rules for non-Norseman life over the next 12 months later this week (only if I comply with rule 1 of course).

Have broken rule 13 already: must get guidance from royzy re pictures. Also have broken rule 1 but not really as starts tomorrow...

The man who should listen to his wife about a hat

Went for swim off Swan Pool beach (Falmouth) this morning. Was only in for 20 minutes max - due primarily to the cold feeling I was anticipating after exiting the water (based on last time I swam at the beach when I shivered for ages after). royzy sat out this swim session - probably influenced by the amount of shivering I did last time. I do find south coast colder than north but feel embarrassed to be shivering when I have Latvian blood in me...

Julie claims, maybe rightly, that I would not feel the cold as much after if I put hat on straight after getting out water: one of the tips is Wild Swims book I bought on Friday. To be honest Julie was in for as long as I was and warmed up quicker, so may be '40% of heat loss through head' is true.

Water temperature for Norseman is shown on their website as between 15.5 and 17.5: You are also usefully informed that 'you can not stand up in the fjord as it is 400m deep'!

Congratulations to more medal winners for GB in Olympics today. Fantastic: Mark Hunter's state after winning the rowing a vivid testament to the amount of effort.

Fingers crossed for 2012 Paula.

Golden Day for inspiration

With Si going in for a surf we parked at South Fistral. After giving the matter some thought I announced I was going to swim from Crantock side of Pentire headland to Fistral beach - Si looked impressed. However when I got running part way around headland I realised:

1. It was going to be a very long swim; and,
2. The stretch past Lewinnick Lodge has very few easy 'outs' if a got into trouble
3. I was not as confident/ cocky about my open water swimming as I thought...

So I bottled it and instead after giving matter further thought went in off rocks close to Fistral beach and swam across to Little Fistral: a good swim which I enjoyed. I did struggle with swim direction on way back from Little Fistral to end of Fistral beach - for ages I seemed to be turning to right and kept having to stop to get bearings - must look at 220 articles on 'sighting'. Si paddled out to see me just after I started out, believing I had just come from round headland - I confessed...

Went to look at Snugg wetsuits after swim and will definitely buy (have some material to read through). Whilst driving to Snugg had Radio 5 on and heard commentary on our Coxless 4' s victory - superb. Si reminded me that we had also heard commentary of same race 4 or even 8 years previous.

Watched some of the Olympics when I got back - saw Team GB win medals in cycling and decided I want a Team GB cycling top...

I am reminded that I more dedication/ discipline was needed re Norseman - I will not be able to match dedication of Miss Rebecca Adlington or Mr Phelps (Phelps apparently spends 6 hours in the pool a day - even I could spend this long swimming I would not get anywhere near the 57 miles he covers...) but need to have a plan and stick to it once I am in the event.

Thank you Heath Ledger

I am (or maybe was) a big comic book fan. Whilst at Sheffield Poly in the mid/ late 80's I got really into them; particularly Batman and Daredevil. The films have never really lived up to the (mood of) of my favourite comics, for example the 'first' Batman with Micheal Keaton and Jack Nicholson was a huge disappointment for me compared to 'Dark Knight Returns' comic book by Frank Miller. Since then I have enjoyed a few of the comic book adaptations including Spiderman and Batman Begins - but then Spiderman 3 came and left me (I realised last night) feeling the same way about 'superhero' films as school dinners have left me feeling about rice pudding, scrabbled egg and semolina. I have not read a graphic novel since...



Last night I saw Dark Knight which has rejuvenated my 'love' for the genre: awesome! And, spookily royzy and I both had the same favourite image of the Joker from the film (not the one pictured).



I appreciate that this blog has little to do with Norseman or sport in any way shape of form but hey I really enjoyed the film and graphic novels are part of 'me' (apologies for defensiveness but Julie questioned the relevance of this blog...)

Run Forrest Run

Whilst not exactly a creature powered by new resolve (I put on and took off my trainers at least twice before getting out for a run), I did go for a short run after getting cycling home.

Also in the category of positives in context of Norseman:

1. I appear to have support crew; Si and royzy
   
2. I appear to have Ironman training partners; a Perranporth posse who will be training for next year's Austrian Ironman (led by twice Ironman finisher, Simon Martyn)


3. I feel closer to co-operative (as opposed to Corporate) sponsorship deal with Advertees


4. I am going to look at new wetsuit on Saturday

Next stage is to enter event and get fitter than I have ever been before: I can look forward to more shouts on 'Run Forrest Run' as I pound the local roads.

Life's a beach

'Day after day, slips away

To a silent scream

For what might have been'

Definitely true of yesterday where despite my resolve of previous day, I did not manage to compliment a cycle with run or swim.

Today, I managed to muster enthusiasm to run the beach after late finish at work (7pm): my first run for two and half weeks. Really feel better for it after (i.e., now).

New resolve:

1. Finish work at 5/ 5.30pm every day

2. Do some exercise after work (even if I have cycled)

3. Speak to royzy in the next few weeks about an email postcard re Norseman (assuming I get in)

Still, have to sign off now - I am cooking tea tonight.

P.S. Si and me are on You Tube Exmoor Explorer video (briefly at 1.25)

Should I be concerned my wife says she wants to marry Richard Dawkins?

I have come to the realisation today that with Perranporth triathlon and Newquay triathlon fast approaching I need to be complimenting my cycling to and from work (20 mile round trip; currently 3 times a week) with some more focused training - specifically some swimming and running. Otherwise I am in danger of either:

1. Not finishing another triathlon when Wilf and Joyce (previously described as 'in-laws') are visiting (see previous blog)


2. Getting out of the swim one from last (see St Ives triathlon 2008 results) or worse...

Have resolved to compliment tomorrow's cycle with a run (or swim).

My resolve strengthened by a cursory review of the finishing times for Saturday's Norseman and seeing some of the Endurance Life team clocking in at 17 1/2 hours (Endurance Life are the organisers of some very challenging events themselves - I know having taken 6 hours to complete one of their marathons!) I have emailed them for tips...

('No, I do not think so' is the answer to my question as she did say she would stay married to me as well... Anyway, for you Julie a picture of RD.)

Congratulations to all Norseman 2008 finishers and commiserations to any 'DNF'

In the sea again this morning, this time at Fistral. Si took surf board I just went for swim.

Ended up practising 'getting out back'...

As royzy occasionally reminds me, I was a 'DNF' in the 2004 Perranporth triathlon swim leg due to a combination of big messy swell, lack of focus and poor swimming ability. (To add to the embarrassment of not finishing my home town event, my in-laws were down to see it! - Hopefully I can finish the Newquay triathlon when they are down in September this year.)

Was very slow getting out back first time - Si overtook me on his way back out after catching a wave - but faster second time (although I did not go right back into shore and start again). Must make quicker progress between sets of waves.

Out back was superb - looking along the line of big waves peaking is magical (and this from a non-surfer, mr t-shirt will sure comment from both an artists and a surfers perspective).

Congratulations to all Norseman finishers, I appreciate my 'training' will have to be a lot more focused/ concentrated if I am going to be a finisher next year. Picture is from Norseman website of athletes before (very) early morning swim in fjord.

P.S. mr t-shirt, any chance of corporate sponsorship from Advertees?

Why does Cricket get TV news coverage?

Had a most enjoyable sea swim this morning. Went in off rocks Crantock side of Pentire headland, swam to Gooserock (pictured) before turning back (maybe have a go at swimming to Fistral next time!). As Simon had seen people coasteering yesterday we headed for cove and ended up traversing through cave in which sounds of water/ waves were awesome before swimming back to Crantock beach. Really good fun and contributes as training for Norseman (swimming - my weakest of the three disciplines). I will to focus on swimming over the next year and should be able to benchmark improvement relative to Simon - as he currently leaves me someway behind...

Anyway, for those of who are interested in sport is there someone out there who can explain to me why 'Test' cricket, specifically recent tests featuring England, is thought deserving of TV news coverage?

The 2008 Norseman started early this morning so if you want to get a feel for event you can see photos and follow event on Norseman today. (mr t shirt I hope this persuades you of the challenge presented by this event...) Good luck to all 2008 entrants.

Norseman - A true challenge

This is my first blog, so I understand from Roy who set this up that nobody will read this. Anyway, The Sporting Accountant will record my endeavours to prepare for a challenge next year - the Norseman - an ironman which looks like it should be fun, involving as it does the need for a 'support crew'. Entries open for the 2009 event next month so fingers crossed I can get in (and then get fit!).

I will also record my exercise 'regime' (word used in in loosest context), hopefully to stimulate me to do some swimming, cycling and running on days when I would have found excuses. I shall give views of sporting events -and expect lots of comment on my favourite football team - Arsenal.

If anyone out there in blogland is reading this and has any tips for a prospective entrant in Norseman then please blog...