Zero content fitness regime

My regime this week has seen 0 cycles, 0 runs and 0 swims.

Not best preparation for Norseman or even 100 mile cycle ride on Sunday.

Need to get 'stuff' together for cycle ride, including:

• Bike service/ check brakes etc
• Spare inner tubes
• Camel back/ water bottles
• Energy bars
• Gels
• Directions
• Print map
• Read instructions...

(Note to self: Interestingly, I have forgotten 'good disciplines' re cycling to work, recording exercise done and recording money spent over the last 2 weeks - resulting in no/ little exercise and excessive cash spend!)

Hopefully, I can pass this test...

Need for balance

Wry smile on my face when my nephew expressed his anxiety over the bike ride this morning - as I was feeling anxious as well!

Whilst nephew had remembered how tired he was after the last time we had been out with Si I was recalling my embarrassment over the number of times I had to get off and walk.

Anyway, nephew felt so fresh after today's ride that he said he wanted to go round again - not sure how much this buzz was from 'chocoholic milkshake' he had at our coffee stop... Nephew was able to follow Si down and around all the paths and even took the lead through part of our water ride - the Gannel was at a reasonably full tide and at one point we had no choice but to go through the water.

Si set me a challenge at the conclusion of the ride 'more cycling, less walking' next time - a challenge I must rise to as I appreciate that more confidence/ balance on the bike would be a great assist in improving my downhill cycling.

(Used the excuse in my mind today that I had to go into work today or was it that I had a 100 mile cycle to do the following weekend... If only there were prizes for self delusion...)

Front row seats

Went to see Plymouth Raiders play basketball on Sunday with Julie, royzy and nephew. Superb entertainment despite Plymouth losing: never recovering from first quarter where the Cheshire Jets scored with nearly every shot, quickly getting a 20 point lead.

We were on the front row and royzy even caught the ball as it came towards him during the warm up. I couldn't help thinking that it had come towards me it would have hit me in the face before I had reacted so well done royzy on quick reflexes. Well done to royzy and Julie as well for correctly identifying the key man for Cheshire, Virgil.

P.S. Plymouth Raiders obviously found form for today's game beating one of their rivals for a top four place 96-67.

Par excellence

Started the day with a lovely if cold (forgot my gloves!) sea swim at Fistral - surf was clean and quite large and I swam for c 45 minutes.

After picking up nephew, he, Julie and I went to play 'golf' at Hollywell Bay in glorious sunshine: often gazing over to the rocks off the beach (pictured).

I was much more 'mature' than I had been previously (Wilf take note) and inspired by a late Arsenal comeback (which I followed on my mobile) I played quite well over the last 3 - 4 holes. I felt so pleased with myself I sat down and watched the Masters over the next 2 evenings: cheering on Tiger.

A good friday

Finished work miserable on Thursday as I had realised towards the end of the day that I was going to have to go in on bank holiday Monday - which I had hoped to avoid (whilst pleased to be busy I was keen to have some time off).

My misery soon dissipated on Friday when I had a very enjoyable cycle out to Godrevy in the Easter sun shine.

Foundations on sand

Woke up one morning this long weekend with the thought that my sporting/ fitness foundations were not exactly solid; well not solid enough for the Norseman or even the 'easier' events I have entered beforehand.

Need to get a regime in place.

57th out of 167

Title is my result from Saturday's coastal 1/2 marathon. I am pleased.

But this does also show how fast the people who do the 3 Peaks Race must be... (as my pace was slower than that required to make the first cut-off for that event)

Serious thinking: Sensible decision

Have pulled out of 3 Peaks Race.

Maybe next year I will be 'man enough'

'A mans race...'

I have just spent the last 1 hour looking at the Three Peaks Race route and specifically cut off times and just come to (almost) a decision to pull out. I appreciate I should have checked this earlier bu the cut off times are TIGHT: the first one is 2 hours 10 minutes for 18.14 km (11 miles), which is a quicker pace than I ran the 1/2 marathon yesterday...

Need to do some serious thinking!

Slower than average...

Earlier I was on Endurance Life website looking at future events and stumbled on section which has average finish times for events. I noted that average for men (in 2008) on Cornish Coastal 1/2 marathon was 2:26:26.

My time was 2:26:46... Must try harder!

9.6 for dismount

Sea swimming this morning at Fistral beach. Lovely clean surf and a reasonable size for the surfers, Si included, at 4 feet plus. My swim outback was one I would dream of for Perranporth triathlon, with surf breaking to my right and left - but a clear path directly in front of me (*).

As I got out back I watched as Si caught a wave and swept down out of sight before reappearing on the lip and diving high off the board into the water behind the wave. Dive looked technically superb.

I swam for between 30-45 minutes and felt afterwards that I should have done more. Went for a 1/2 mile jog on the beach to loosen up/ try out aching limbs and sore ankle.

(Julie has a programme, Countryfile, that featured something called Gill Scrambling that looks fun and is now talking about mountain rescue and Julie for some reason felt I should pay attention to with 3 Peaks Race in mind...)

* = I have had one such Perranporth triathlon swim so wishing for another would be greedy - although I got to grips with understanding rips etc I could probably pick out clearer routes out back: a task for the summer with Si and Steve's help)

Only the lady and vegetarian sausage spoiled a near perfect day

Really enjoyed the 1/2 marathon yesterday. Felt strong up until the end and pleased with myself for pushing myself (I.e., running faster than my usual steady plod) and for finishing within my target time - 2 hours 30. Ache today and had to hold the bannister coming the stairs this morning as felt doddery on legs - ankles and calf's particularly sore. Can not let Julie know level of discomfort otherwise she will talk me out of 3 Peaks Race (25/4).

Julie came with me yesterday and walked the 10km route and saw how beautiful the scenery is at Cape Cornwall. Went after to Sennen for a bite to eat - disappointing - and I let the lady on the table next to me get right under my skin as she was giving her world view to the 2 girls in her charge... But soon forgotten.

Congragulations to Endurance Life for organising such a super event.