Looking forward to the view from the Dales

Off on holiday on Friday. Will see David Tennant in Hamlet at Stratford-upon-Avon on Friday night before taking up residence in self catering accommodation on the Yorkshire Dales. It had been my intention to do cycle cross event on the Sunday but did not get entry in after petulant email pre-registration opening (where I felt compelled to push forward my 'athletic achievements' in response to email from organiser that enraged me in some way).

[Listening to Arsenal boys on radio commentary tonight, 4-0 up. 7 teenagers in the team, average age = 19. Superb]

On cycle home tonight I was thinking of early morning runs on the Dales followed by a cooked breakfast... nice thoughts.

[5-0 after goal from Jack Wilshere, 16 years old]

I will try and persuade Julie to do the 3-peaks walk, apparently you get a certificate if complete the route within a certain time (will have to research this further...)

Will also use time in Dales to plan training and events for the next year: target to be at peak fitness for Norseman on 8 August.

P.S. Arsenal win 6-0; hatrick for Carlos Vera

A mission accomplished: well not exactly

Had fantastic time yesterday at Perranporth Triathlon. Really enjoyed the event 'in the whole'. Swim was awful - this will be the last time I write 'did not feel comfortable doing front crawl so went to breaststroke' or 'I must learn to swim' or one of a number of phrases I bound around after a triathlon swim. I will learn to swim and I will start by taking my two swimming books to Yorkshire next week to immerse myself in theory (and hopefully some practise as I understand some 'Wild Swim' swims are within hiking distance.)

Cycled strongly (for me) and was pleases with concerted effort - racing number 25 (after we overtook one another for the nth time he introduced himself as 'Tony') over the whole of the 2nd lap certainly helped.

Plodded the run but overtook a few more. Julie, royzy and Lisa arrived at the finish (about 10 minutes after I had finished, which I found encouraging...) and we just sat in the sun, chatting. Felt content.

Found out today I finished 139th, out of 213 starters, click here for results. So did not make top 1/2 so 'well not exactly' should read 'no' but I am pleased nonetheless.

Key learning points:

1. Learn to swim front crawl

Must also learn to stop myself retching before and during the event - threw up twice on walk down to beach in the morning.

P.S. Enjoyed 'Tropic Thunder' at cinema yesterday evening. Good day.

Enter Sandman - target set for Perranporth Triathlon

Went to Fistral in morning for 'swim' (more of a bob around). Was conscious of getting in the way of throngs of surfers in this morning, particularly when coming back into shore. One swept across a wave in front of head. (It was just as well roles were not reversed as I would no doubt have hit him - as royzy will testify! Unlikely, scenario the more I think of it as he was surfing across the wave, something I failed to do in 2 + years - as Si, my surfing Yoda will testify!)

Got stuff ready for Perranporth Triathlon using checklist I made on blog on preparing for Newquay: good idea. Have to get myself mentally ready now.

I am going to sit down and watch/ listen to some Metallica recorded from TV last night in the hope that this will really fire me up for Perranporth Triathlon. Target is finish in top half which is going to be a real challenge as I note I finished 162 (out of 227 starters) last year in 2:28:13. To have finished in top 1/2 I would have to had to have done a time of 2:17:40. In football speak, I will have to give it 110%!

Royzy and Lisa, and maybe Si, may be coming to watch which will be really nice. (but do not feel pressured if you happen to read this!)

James H rang to say he had been ill in the week and would not be taking part - so just me v the clock!

P.S. Have not been a fan of Metallica previously but in the spirit of embracing all things 'norse' I recorded their appearance on Jools Holland Live and enjoyed it (however, now having researched the band a bit I realise they are from California not Scandinavia as I had thought - shows how little I know about music).

Eboue = Man of the Match

Just shows (again) how little I know about football. I have just finished listening to commentary of Arsenal beating Bolton 3-1 which featured the phrase 'Eboue as man of the match, Jimmy?' It also featured the phrase 'classic Walcott'. Superb victory, although I was a tad concerned towards the end when score was still 2-1 and Arsenal seemed to be strolling towards victory (or perhaps conceding an equaliser...)

10 minutes

Pushed myself on final stage of cycle home tonight, completing the section from turn off the Newquay road to my house in just over 10 minutes. Definitely can cycle faster/ sustain effort better and will attempt to record time over that section again over the next few weeks to see what improvement I can make.

Will not cycle tomorrow as busy day at work and need to get away sharpish for Godson's birthday. Must try and get a swim as well as a cycle in on Friday.

I am looking forward to Perranporth Triathlon on Sunday. Need to get focused over the next few days and get kit sorted etc (need to look back to list made for Newquay).

Confirmation on Norseman website earlier this week that 2009 entries open 1 November 2008; with details of prices etc being posted in the interim. Date of the event is set for 8 August 2009. Was reminded by Simon at weekend that 'good support crew are essential for Norseman': one of his friends has done the event. Was therefore a bit disconcerted when royzy suggested he might wave to me from a bus while I was on the cycle leg...

The Gallas in me

I would like to think (dream) of myself as carved from the Tony Adams mode of captains as I lead the 'B's' out in 5 aside football. However, last night I demonstrated once again I more Gallas than Adams.

Last night was the first two games of the new season. We played 'ok' in the first game but lost 4-0. Second game against one of the best teams we trailed 2-1 at half time, our goal being a superb strike by reluctant last minute debutant Jon, before we unravelled and nearly imploded... After 3-1 i was criticised by Nick, team mate, for following the ball and leaving men unmarked. I don't take criticism well - tending to sulk. I then attempted to dribble ball out of defence losing it to opponent who was one on one with keeper 4-1: I could almost hear Nick's 'tut'. Within 30 seconds, Nick attempted to dribble ball out of defence, with same result... 4-1. I expect Nick could hear me laugh inwardly - we were in danger of capitulating until Jon had words and we regrouped.

As well as being reminded of my ineffectiveness as a captain in an hour of need I realised later that I need to:

• STOP chasing the ball (team loses shape and opponents have 'free' man)
• THINK when I win possession and look up for team mates (last night on a number of occassions I saw that Jess had taken up an excellent position in front of goal after I had blasted the ball wide from inside my own half)
• THINK where my team mates are at all times (I have no natural 'spacial awareness') and look to offload quicker/ keep the ball in our possession

(I am obviously being grossly unfair to Gallas who has just scored to bring Arsenal back to 1-1 in Moscow...)

P.S. I am actually a Gallas fan (but this does not mean I would not prefer to have Tony's leadership qualities)

Theo: the pride of the pack

Wilf is a great sports fan and he persuaded me and Julie out to see England play Croatia on big screen at Great Western Hotel in Newquay after tea on Wednesday. The carrot for me was the promise that Theo Walcott, Arsenal, may be playing.

The place was packed (in stark contrast to the previous night) and we got a table with a side on view for first half. I had said to Wilf that Theo would score but I am not sure if I believed it!

Anyway, in keeping with the rest of the week (up to Thursday anyway) Theo scores 3 times and England play exceptionally well to win 4-1. The hoards of fans watching the game started chanting Theo's name and I felt proud (the word may seem strange, even bizarre but it is the closest word I can find to describe the emotion - I am sure other football fans must feel the same emotion when 'their team' players perform on a bigger stage...).

Went to same bar on Friday to see Wigan Warriors play Bradford Bulls in Super League play off and I told Wilf, big Rugby League fan, that Wigan would win. Assisted by some dubious TV Ref decisions they duly did. (Wilf, I did genuinely used to 'support' Wigan after spending three years 'up North' - admittedly they were 'the team' at the time and my girlfriend's father at the time was a lifelong fan).

Not a superb week fthough or Norseman training, with only 2 cycles to and from work to show: must get more disciplined re car usage at work. Aim for 3 cycles, two sea swims (one of which tomorrow, hopefully) and 5-aside football next week, in lead up to Perranporth Triathlon on Sunday.

Into Rainbows

Mixed bag of a sea swim this morning at Fistral.

Felt good swimming from South to North Fistral, was concentrating on pulling the water forearms and felt good progress; although as I was swimming on my own difficult to gauge 'speed'. As I approached my destination on outward journey I got tilted by swell of forming wave so lifted head out of water to assess whether I had drifted towards shore - as I lifted head I caught sight of rainbow in the spray of the wave: beautiful. Tredded water for a while and looked at incoming waves, one of which was particularly spectacular from my vantage point, a six feet plus wall of glassy clear green/blue water which I ducked under.

Swim back not so good, specifically swim for shore which took for ever (against a rip?) and then when I did get inside wave line I got tumble turned once. Having not sighted Si, who had gone for surf, since we had got out back together I decided to swim back out, ducking calmly under one wave to rise and breath in water from wave following. Was pleased instinct was to spit out water!

Must practice swimming in through surf as well as out. Maybe Dean will have some tips for me in advance of Perranporth triathlon next weekend.

Simon off this week on a fantastic holiday for him combining cycling in the Alps (Simon is a big Tour De France fan) and driving fast; Simon and Sarah have booked sessions on Nurburgring.
Talking to Simon found out about BMX circuit at Blackwater, which Simon's son went to yesterday and had a superb time. Maybe take my nephew there in the next few weeks. Subsequently, found out the circuit has had t-shirts screen printed by Advertees and has video on You Tube http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ArjjuuelGxU

Training for Norseman (for me) and Austrian Ironman (for Simon and rest of Perranporth Ironman posse) starts soon...

'Today I mostly did swimming'

It was my birthday today. Super day on the sport/ exercise front with me getting in the sea twice and Arsenal winning 4-0.

First swim was at Fistral beach at 9am ish with Si and royzy; who were both in surfing. royzy showed his natural affinity for 'board sports' by making more progress on a surf board in one session than I had made in 2 years. Julie also joined us in sea, after walk round Pentire headland, before went for birthday breakfast. Second swim was at Perranporth, late afternoon. This time just me and me Julie. I used both swims to practise 'getting out back'; with Perranporth triathlon next weekend...

Among birthday gifts were two books on Norse legends. Hopefully these will help me create an affinity with Norway for Norseman next year. I also hope next time I am questioned about specifics on Norseman itself I can show a greater knowledge than responding to 'where does it start?' with 'in a fjord'!

P.S. As it is my birthday today, it was nice for Arsenal not only to win but to score 'one of the best goals ever' - I look forward to seeing it on Match of the Day later.

63rd out of 107 and pleased (not Murray)

The results from Newquay Triathlon have been posted on the internet (click here) and they show me finishing 63rd out of 107 finishers. I am happy with this.

I do appreciate this is not the 'Murray attitude', who, I was very pleased/ impressed to read, wanted to better a runner up in US Open and saw he needed more hard work to achieve this. I had however set myself goal of '3rd quartile' and I achieved that.

I shall aim for top 1/2 finish in Perranporth triathlon, something I am not sure I have achieved in 7 previous attempts. (On this basis I should really be out doing something this evening...)

Schedule for rest of week: cycle tomorrow and Friday, early morning run on Thursday and swim on Saturday and Sunday. (Must also get round to organising Coasteering on Saturday if this is going to happen!).

Excellent time in Newquay Tri

I say excellent time but as yet I do not know where I finished or my finishing time, I will keep an eye on results section of votow website for posting of results.


What I do know is that had a excellent time. Swim was my best (in terms of finishing position) ever - the shortened course and intimidating but 'ok' surf suited me. I cycled well, in terms of concerted effort but was overtaken by a few people. Was overtaken by a few more in the run, where I felt a bit sluggish. But overall very pleased.

Was praised afterwards by Wilf and Joyce, Julie's parents, for efforts (and I suspect they were pleased just to see me finish after Perranporth triathlon 2004, the only other event they have seen me in, when I DNF. I know I was pleased to finish for that very reason!)

Si came down to start with spare pair of goggles (thanks again Si) as a rehearsal for him hopefully being support crew for Norseman 2009.

Got lots of things right in the event, transitions included. Aspects I need to work on most in advance of Perranporth Triathlon, in 2 weeks, are probably; swim technique (Perranporth triathlon likely to much longer swim), cycle stamina and run speed. Also need to stop retching before the event and whilst on cycle!

Enjoyed rest of the day in Newquay eating and soaking up the sun.

It would appear I had a better day than Lewis Hamilton who was 'robbed' of first position in Belgium Grand Prix: maybe my dad is right about a conspiracy against him... Good luck Lewis in the rest of the season.

Preparation is key

Two indications that preparation a bit wanting for Newquay triathlon:

1. Must have left my goggles on the roof of my car after sea swim this morning as I do not seem to be able to find them now and that was the last place I remember putting them... Shame as they were my favourite pair - have contacted Si and will borrow his


2. Also, realised (too late) that bike pump holder which I was going to swap onto my Giant for tomorrow is on royzy's bike which is in bike shop.

I think to need to list what I require for triathlon to assist with preparation for future events:

• Goggles


• Tri-suit


• Wetsuit


• Towel (small)


• Cycle shoes


• Bike, with pump and bottle holder


• Hat


• Shirt


• Bananas x2, energy bars x2, gel x3


• Spare inner tube, tyre levers, allen keys


• Running shoes + socks


• Bottles of drink (one water, one isotonic)


• Spare contact lens


• Number belt


• Soreen

(Listening to commentary on rain break in Murray v Nadal at the moment- I never would have picked Murray to be 2 sets up. Can not decide how I want this to finish but well done Murray so far, awesome).

Enjoyed my 'bobbing around' in surf swim this morning, actually felt pleased with little bit of front crawl I did. Looking forward (a bit apprehensively) to triathlon tomorrow. Must go and finish packing...

P.S. have exchanged emails with Norseman organisers and it appears details of registration may be posted on their website next week, with registration maybe opening on 1 November. (must keep my eye on Norseman website...)

Better late than never: focus on Newquay Tri?

Good things I did today re triathlon training:

1. Got battery for speedo on racing bike - had not worked for months if not year(s)
2. Got new inner tube in commuting bike
3. Fitted new inner tube in commuting bike ready for rainy cycle in tomorrow
4. Cycled to and from work for 2nd day this week
5. Started looking into pilates lessons/ sessions

Also, dawned on me today that I have a triathlon this weekend. I have talked about to Julie and others as recently as yesterday, in the context of going for a meal afterwards, but today I thought I should really start thinking about the event itself...

• 1500 m swim at Lusty Glaze (could be reasonable swell)
• 40km bike ride out to beyond St Columb and back
• 10km run along out to Watergate and back (past Lusty) to Newquay town centre and back

Must remember to take less choice of apparel for transition - I had so much gear in transition at St Ives earlier in year I could find anything! Target to push myself hard in swim/ front crawl and try and finish in 3rd quartile - this may not sound ambitious but for someone who finished one or two from last in St Ives swim and then only made up a few places it would be progress.

(Thinking about it, finishing would be progress with potentially big surf and Julie's Mum and Dad in attendance...)

P.S. getting impatient for Norseman 2009 entries to open!

No epiphany but food for thought

I had tasked myself at the weekend to arrive at attributes I must change to complete Norseman. I am still working on list but have realised I must incorporate the following targets in my winter training plan:

1. Learn to swim - target to get 1 mile time in pool down to sub-30 mins from c 40mins +


2. Drastically improve cycling speed - target to get average up from 13 mph to 16/17 mph


3. Improve core strength.

1 and 2 were reinforced in conversation with Gavin at weekend (see 'Love Lessons, Lewes's Lido and Latvian football'). Dean has kindly offered me a swim lesson at date TBC.

'Improve core strength' is a result of how I am feeling today - aching around my midriff - after football, an aching which Julie correctly diagnosed as resulting from lack of core strength. Pilates has been put forward as an 'exercise' to improve so may be taking this up over autumn.

Need to arrive at 'action plan' so that I can Putin focused effort over winter months. I think I need some structure/ an exercise regime...

The maths of me and playing football

I could have a go and creating some convoluted and clever formula to explain me and football but it can probably be summarised as:

• Me + 5'aside game = (Perceived) need to apologise.

After each game of 5' aside, including friendlies such as I played in last night, I feel the need to apologise to either my own team (for an error or series of errors or a 'complete howler') or to the opposition (for a foul or two). Basically, I am an 'effort player', I run round a lot with little in the way of finesse and/or vision. For example, last night I would my self in acres of space and time, with only the goalie to beat and found myself at a complete loss of what to do: the result I shot tamely straight at the goalie twice.

The final score in our game was 9-10: it was our 'B' vs 'A' so we did not feel too bad. I did miss a crucial challenge in the lead up to their winning goal. Re team performance, Captain Nick says we 'still chase the ball around too much' and he is undoubtedly right as he was to pick out Jess as 'best player'. Season starts next week.

Football maths I would like:

• I = Patrick Viera (in Arsenal days)

Love Lessons, Lewes's Lido and Latvia Football

Love

Went to wedding of Delia and Luke at the weekend: had a really good time and congratulations to the lovely couple. Thanks to all extended Bermingham family for hospitality extended to us and hope to keep in touch. Love to you all.

Lessons

Whilst at wedding received a few triathlon trips and a triathlon exchange challenge from Gavin. Gavin organised the Bath Triathlon this year - impressive. The exchange is for me to travel up to Bath and Gavin to come down to Perranporth triathlon in 2009; Gavin had planned to enter Perranporth triathlon this year until he sustained an injury. I will have to train pretty hard to stand any chance of beating Gavin even on home turf as he appeared pretty focused.

Gavin's top tip was to get swimming lessons - I should/ must speak to Dean or Simon about joining Perranporth Surf Life Saving Club sessions. Gavin also got me thinking about my cycling speed. (I am going to have work hard on speed and stamina for Norseman if I am going to get the 'black t-shirt')


Lewes's Lido.

I failed to cycle to work last Thursday - despite having declared that I would in last Wednesday's blog and got stuff ready that night - and I left my running shoes at home for our trip away. I did, however, get the opportunity to do some exercise whilst in Lewes.

Julie had read about lido in Lewes in 'Wild Swims' and once in Lewes we had a wander to search out 'the oldest outdoor pool in the country'. When we were close to where we felt the lido should be we were standing in front of what appeared to be a duck pond! Disappointment was etched on our faces until we realised that it was a duck pond and the lido, Pells Pool, was to our right. A fantastic facility we swam there on Friday (26 lengths) and again on Sunday (10 lengths but with some 'drills'). Felt really refreshed after both swims.

Latvia Football

Whilst at wedding, also discovered that two other guests, Ida and Satbir, were at Latvia's Euro 2004 game against Czech Republic that me, Julie, royzy and Tom were at. Small world... but lovely world at times.