Hard Work - 25 February 2007

Hard Work
Hello! Hope everyone has had a great weekend. So so for me, I wanted to get more work in but today hasn't been easy. Yesterday was great, had my first session with my new swim coach, Kirk. I am going to see him once a week for the next 2 months, I really need to get faster and more efficient to get out of that water in a decent time. Even in 1 lesson he got me on the right track and I felt faster.
I also did my longest run that I have done for a while. I hit Hyde Park, Green Park and a couple of laps of St James Park, then back and another lap of Kensington Gardens. Nice easy pace for 2 hours 15 mins, kept my heart rate in the high 140's. I have regularly been doing 2 hour runs but want to get up closer to 2 hours 30 and then onto 3 hours with in the next 6 weeks. I am finding it difficult to find the time to fit it in, but find that if I can get up early and do the run it doesn't eat into my weekend. Also did a weights session so went to bed really early last night. Let alone finding the time to train, I am sleeping loads. I have struggled for the last 2.5 years with having to get more sleep anyway so it is compounding at the moment. I used to survive on 5-6 hours a night, now I need 8-10, sometimes 12.
I had viral meningitis October 2004 and following on from that I had post viral chronic fatigue. I went from running marathons, I even did a 54 mile (85km) race, to at one point that I physically couldn't walk 50 metres without having to sit down and rest. My doctor told me on 17 March 2005 that I would never run again and that I had to learn to live with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. That was devastating news for me and me being me, I refused to believe her.
The first time I tried to run again was in April 2005 and I ran for 20 minutes. I ended up in bed for 6 days because I had physically wiped myself out. I didn't try again for another 6 weeks and I only had to spend 4 days in bed to recover so I knew it was only a matter of time before I could do it. :)
I persisted and I ran the Rome marathon on the 1 year anniversary of being told I would never run again. I crossed the line in 3.50 and had taken it really easy as I had injured my knee. I had trained, and was fit enough for a sub 3.30, but was stopping for 5 mins every 30 mins to walk and give my knee a rest. It was such an emotional race for me and one I will never forget. My Mum was brilliant and called me a few times to make sure I was OK, plus I had 5 friends out there who were dashing around the course to cheer me on inlcluding my brilliant flatmate Corinna who is doing her first marathon in April.
Unfortunately everything comes at a price and I ended up in bed for a week following the Rome race, but it didn't stop me running the London marathon 3 weeks after that. Predictably, I didn't have a great race as I wasn't able to train between Rome and London as I was still quite ill. I shouldn't have done the London race, but I refuse to back down. I managed another 3.50 but didn't have fun like I normally do in a marathon. I was in a lot of pain, was physically exhausted and vomited quite a lot during the race so I kept losing any nutrition and fluids I was taking on board. I finished and thats all that I needed to do, but it wasn't a happy day :(
So, the next challenge is IronmanUK. I found it very interesting listening to a sports psychologist a few weeks ago talking about positive affirmation and belief in yourself that you can complete ironman. I was sitting there thinking, wow, I am a step ahead because I already do that. I know I am mentally strong and if I put in the training, eat enough, get enough sleep I will do a time I can be proud of. Lesson for the day...hard work is the key. Have a great week! C x
PS have included one of my favourite Tough Guy pictures :)

Iron-Head Racing 20 February 2007

20 February 2007
13:02:30 o'clock GMT Feeling Happy
Iron-Head Racing
This is the link to the Tri club I have joined, Iron-Head Racing. Seem like a good bunch, all really into tri, what more could you ask for :) They also have a great forum on there to hook up with other triathletes for training.
http://www.ironheadracing.co.uk/

Roll up! Roll up! 20 February 2007

12:43:31 o'clock GMT Feeling Happy
Roll up! Roll up!
Rollers! What an experience! The rollers are a fab workout, but difficult to get used to. I say that after I took a chunk out of my elbow when I fell into the wardrobe trying to master them this morning. I only managed 30 quality minutes on them as I spent the other 30 trying to stay upright!
Rollers are basically 3 rollers on a frame that you put the back when in between the 2 that are closest together and the front wheel sits on the top of the 3rd one. I preferred these to a turbo trainer as you have to work on your balance as well which is preferable to me. See the picture and you will know what I mean :)
Getting a little concerned that most of the people I meet who have done Ironman UK, or know about triathlon, make that face where they draw breath in between their teeth. The look of horror on my face usually prompts a 'oh, but I'm sure you will be fine...'
Really enjoying the Ironman Talk podcasts, I am still catching up but they do this great top 5 tips which is very useful. Also makes a nice change to listening to music when walking or training.
The swim coach I contacted is now in touch and we are having our first session on Saturday which I am looking forward to. I know I could be moving through the water a lot more efficiently so I hope he can help sort that out :)
Smile on! C x

19 February 2007
13:11:53 o'clock GMT
Ironman V's Ironwoman
Ironman or Ironwoman? Talk about a steep learning curve :) I have been doing lots of research and trying to cram all these new facts and figures and tips and hints into my head, although the one thing that always seems to stand out is that all of this information is geared towards men. What about us chicks? The books that I am reading, the magazine articles, all of them written by men for men. Women do ironman as well!! I do admit it is a male dominated sport, and there is definitely a gap in the market for women specific training without having to go all out and get a coach who tailors everything to your specific needs. It is the same problem I have with tri gear. I can't wear a general tri suit as clothing manufacturers have it in their heads that if you are a 10-12 (which I am), you have A or B cup breasts, so they offer this tiny little piece of material in the bodice and call it 'built in support'. It is sooooo difficult to get anything that fits well, I am a 32E and have to wear a sports bra and another layer to ensure I get adequate support which means that I end up being wet on top for the entire race, which is fine if it didn't chafe and leave ugly welts around my body. No amount of vaseline seems to help and I am unwilling to compromise on support. I like my breasts where they are and intend on keeping them there rather than around my ankles! That's my rant over for today :)So the last week....I hit 12 hours training. So pleased with myself. I was pretty tired, but I needed to do that mentally just to get it in my head that I can do it and also have a life. I want to ramp it up over the next 6 weeks to around 18 but do plan on doing 3 hard weeks and then 1 easy week. At the moment I am having Saturdays off as I really love just being able to stay in bed, read a book, wander off to a coffee shop to read the paper and just have a nice relaxing day. I know I am going to have to change that when I start doing 1 hour swim, 4 hour cycle and 1 hour run each day for 4 days running (current plan is to do that over easter). My parents are coming to visit in April/May so that is also going to be a challenge as we are away for 3 weeks with only the odd night here and there in London which is where I will have to focus on the bike.Yesterday I went out for 3.5 hours and covered 100km's. Happy with that result as the last time I covered thatdistance was when I was solo touring around Italy. For those of you who don't know, I was made redundant from my job a few years ago so packed a few things in some panniers, put my bike in a box and hit Milan airport. What resulted was 3 months of the most fantastic cycling all over Italy with lots of adventures. I covered 3000km's in that 3 months, and when I hit the road in between stopovers I would always do anywhere between 80-120km a day. I went out to France last summer to do the same thing but unfortunately BA baggage handlers ran over my beloved Claud (my touring bike) and crushed him, bending the frame beyond repair. I am still fighting with them for compensation.So biked yesterday, came home and went for a run to get used to that jelly feeling you get in your legs. My aim is to run the entire marathon at the end of the bike, so I figure I better get used to that feeling sooner rather than later :)
Have also found these fantastic podcasts. http://www.ironmantalk.com/Podcast.html 2 kiwi guys talking about ironman, they have both done ironman, 1 of them is a pro coach and the other is turning pro this year. Very entertaining podcasts.
Have a great dayCaro xx

Bringing the Baby Home 14 February 2007

14 February 2007
22:06:52 o'clock GMT Feeling Chillin'
Normann
This is an interview done with Normann Stadler last weekend at the triathlon I went to. I also went to a question / answer session with him. Wow. The guy is amazing :)
http://www.tri247.com/article_1623.html


17:40:29 o'clock GMT Feeling Ecstatic
Bringing the Baby Home
I have my new Baby!! I went to Sutton this morning to pick it up from Pearson Cycles. Those guys are fabulous, William in particular who spent about an hour with me last weekend and 2 hours today. I got him a nice bottle of red to say thanks for all his time. I love buying from places like Pearsons, they are the oldest bike shop in the UK and the 2 guys who have it now are the 5th generation. http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/index.html?action=68 gives the family history through the war and so on. Nice to see that places like that survive.
I took my bike out to Richmond park for a few hours to see how it went and I managed to hit 50km hour on the flat! I got into an aero position and just hammered it! So much fun! I was too scared to look down at the speedo coming down the hills :)
Off to the gym tonight for a weights session, and then home for an early night. Rock star lifestyle that I lead.
Went to see Underneath the Lintel last night, fabulous play and I would highly recommend it. 1 character played by Richard Schiff who plays Toby in the West Wing TV series. Really great play.
Bit of inspiration to get me to the gym ASAP... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gOF3obXbEQ&mode=related&search=
C x

I got a beaaauuutttiiiiifffffuuuulll bike! 11 February 2007

11 February 2007
18:07:27 o'clock GMT Feeling Happy
I got a beaaauuutttiiiiifffffuuuulll bike!
Yay!! Went to a Tri show yesterday and got a fab deal on a new 2007 road bike from Specialized. The guy from the shop was so helpful and is going to fit tri bars and so on. I get to pick it up on Wednesday. They also do free cycling coaching not far from me so I have joined that as well.
Yesterday was a very productive day, listened to lots of talks centered around ironman, nutrition, planning, sports psychology and swimming. It is quickly becoming apparent that these races are very targeted towards men, there is definetely a gap in the market there!
I met some great people yesterday who have done ironman before and they gave me lots of tips, especially around IMUK. They said the hills are draining, but I do have the advantage of being able to jump on a train and head out there to practise on them.
Had a fab bike session today, covered 35km in 57mins. Now if I can keep that up for 6 hours I will be very happy!! Also got in a great weights session. I am going to increase the amount of weights I am doing as this coach I was talking to said it far more important for women to be doing weights because men have an easier time building muscle, whereas us chicks have to really work at it.
I got called out as a volunteer in the ironman seminar yesterday to run through my plan, it quickly emerged that it needs tightening up! The other thing that won't be quite as easy is to lose a stone before August. I need to get under 9 stone to be as light as possible and maximise my efficiency.
It is quite frustrating that all the clothes made for triathletes assume that everyone is a C cup. It is virtually impossible to get a tri suit that fits me, and that is supportive. I have decided to make my own. I can't be the only women with this particular dilemma!
Have fun!
Cx

It's Snowing! 8th Feb 2007

08 February 2007
16:14:30 o'clock GMT
It's snowing! It is so lovely out there. I went for my long run this morning through the snow. Making sure I get my money's worth out of the x-country runners I got for Tough Guy! There were a few horses out in the snow, but not many people which is just so rare for London. It was hard to climb out of my nice warm bed, but it was worth it to get in a good 90 mins of running. I have uploaded some pictures I got on my phone.

I am testing out some mobile software for work so it even work related!Tuesday night I went to the football to see Australia play Denmark which was fab, but I totally blew my alcohol allowance out the window! It was worth it to see Jimmy Barnes sing the national anthem. It wasn't this version, but maybe he could do this next time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uIHsDznUzMI have been hitting the gym and pool twice a day to improve my swim and start building muscle. Tonight I am off to meet with the Tri group I have joined, so hoping for some good contacts and advice. One of the guys has already emailed out wanting guinea pigs for nutrition analysis as he is studying it at the moment. He is going to have his work cut out with me :)
Had lunch with a bunch of work people today, one of my friends is getting married in Austria in 2 weeks, classic line she comes out with. "The ceremony is going to be spoken in German, they could be reading me the KFC menu for all I know!" Loved it.
Have fun people!C x

Day 1 - Buying a bike - 04 February 2007

04 February 2007
23:40:00 o'clock GMT Hearing Snow Patrol
Day 1 - Buying a bike - Carolyn Hewett
I have decided to keep a blog to track the journey that I am going to be taking to get my butt over the finish line on 19 Aug 2007 at Sherborne Castle ironman. I am under no illusion that it is going to be a tough one, but I figure if I am going to give up my life (and booze) for 7 months than I want to win my age group.
Ironman is 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and a 42km (marathon) run. I hope that this blog will also be useful to my friends and family who are not going to see me for the next 7 months so I can train to survive this thing! :)
I have never done an ironman before, but I like to do crazy races, and this fits right into that category! Last weekend I completed Tough Guy and still have the bruises to prove it! Tough Guy is a 15km cross country run then 26 obstacles including one that is electrified, another that is on fire, you have to swim under a bridge, swim through a lake and lots of climbing and mud. See some video... http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=93275B762D7BDD44
I went bike shopping today for a new bike after my beloved Claud (previous bike I spent a lot of time on) was buried in France last summer after a disasterous accident with a plane (him not me). Man, there are so many bikes out there and you can end up spending so much money on a bike. I doubt I am going to get out of this for under £1k, but I figure it is an investment if I am going to be spending around 10+ hours a week on it. I went to 4 different bike shops and the good news is they all pretty much said the same thing. I did meet a former German cycling champion (cute as well!) who thought I should spend £2k on a bike! Not likely pal...anyway...I have ordered in a Trek and a Secialized so I can test the difference. Lets see what happens.
The ironic thing is you spend £1k and you don't even get pedals with that!! I am definitely negotiating free pedals and free shoes!!
Went running and swimming tonight. Ran for 45 then swam for 30 mins. Should have done more as I am in the first phase of my training where I am getting my body used todoing more exercise than normal. Up until now I have been running for around 4-6 hours a week but January was both lazy and fat so I have to drop some weight and pick up the pace.
I really hate swimming. It is my weakest leg so I know I have to work hard on it and I will. Lots of time in the yucky pool :) There are lots of old hairy men there who really don't help with the motivation to go to the pool.
Corinna (my wonderful flatmate) is making me watch a bizarre documentary on a woman who gave birth to a child that had 'solidified' and turned to stone in her abdomen after 50 years. gross. so gross.
On that note...I am going to bed. Gnight!