Full dress rehearsal - SwimRun training

The weather has been glorious so I used the opportunity yesterday morning for a full dress rehearsal and SwimRun training along Brighton seafront - 3 swims (500m+) and 4 short runs (1-2K each in distance).

I went with my preferred SwimRun gear - specialist SwimRun wetsuit (long-sleeves), Swimrun socks and trainers, pull-buoy (attached to waist), paddles (my original pair), collapsible water bottle (in back zip compartment), swim goggles and hat. I wore my speedo jammers underneath my wetsuit, which fortunately haven't given me any rubbing to date. Finally my Garmin Fenix 6 to record my effort - if it is not on Strava it didn't happen!

On the day I need to take a couple of small extra items - whistle and bandage (I think), which can also go in my rear zip compartment. I am not going with the recommended (but not compulsory) swim float as they are relatively short swims and in a lake - a lot safer than the sea. Plus simply more to carry.

Working on 2mins for every 100m swimming I should be able to complete the 4K swim in 1 hour 20mins and run the 17K at around 5:40 pace, which is around 1:35 to 1:40. So my goal is to finish under 3 hours, 2 hours 40mins would be a great result (stretch challenge).

The tough part of the course is going to run 7 (7.2K) and run 8 (4K), plus swim 7 (1K). The rest of the runs and swims are relatively short - lots of transitions!

Anyway, I am finally getting my 'head in the game' (about time) and trying to visualise the race more, even though I have no experience of an actual SwimRun race.

So humid today - I am waiting to after dinner to go on a run around the town.

Onwards and upwards

What a wonderful morning!

Some times I take it for granted but my goodness I am a lucky boy - I live/work in a beautiful area...

This morning I cycled in (easy one - e-Brompton) from the South Downs to Brighton seafront. I stopped on the seafront as the weather was simply sublime - still, warm and bright. It was an opportunity to buy a nice coffee and sit on the beach for 5 mins simply to watch Brighton wake up - seeing people head for a sea dip, sitting on the beach jornalling, walking their dogs - warms the heart!

Another thing to celebrate is that my Achilles injury continues to improve and I have a decent week of exercise planned, especially since the great weather, I might even be ready for my upcoming races!

Have a fab day x

Some better news

So just back from my familiar 6km local loop and second run of the week. Finally the Achilles injury feels like it is on the mend. This morning I managed a sub 5min pace per km so hopefully I haven't lost too much speed (new carbon shoes help!)

I hope to increase the mileage over next fortnight with a short sharp taper to my SwimRun event at Bewl Water. I have to be careful not to overdo it as I will be back to square one and have no choice to pull out from the race.

In other news I treated myself to a beautiful Omega Seamaster, a watch I have always dreamed of. Don't worry my trusty Garmin Fenix 6 will still be my go to watch for training and day to day wear.

Update on injury and race preparation

I wish I had more to tell...

My race preparation isn't going to plan - my Achilles injury is taking longer to heal than on previous occasions (I am getting older!) so my running has pretty much stopped over last month. I have done a bit of open water swimming and some mixed cycling (road bike and e-bike) but not enough be anywhere near race fit and to generally keep the weight off.

Saying that, after a few false starts, I think I am finally on the mend and may be ready for a run this week - without pain would be good.

Lucy and I are just back from a lovely 3 days in the Lake District. We managed some lovely walks (bit of mist and rain) plus three open water swims in Derwent Water. My ankle was OK(ish) although I acquired a blister from the long walks to add to my collection.  My left shoulder also had a few twinges - what is happening to me!

I really do not want to pull out of either of my races - SwimRun in mid September or half-marathon in October but it is getting close. I don't mind a bit of 'winging it' but I need to be sensible and not do myself any long-term damage (further injuries).

Anyway let's hope I have better news over the coming days - in an ideal world the Achilles injury would be better, I would be able to get a few dummy runs in (checking out race equipment) and I would be 2 kilos lighter - here's hoping (dreaming)!

Achilles still causing me pain

I really enjoyed a nice cycle with Lucy on Saturday morning - 55km on the road bikes, one of my favourite routes that tooks us through Edburton, Fulking, Bramber, Botolphs, Shoreham and then to Hove, where we stopped for a coffee. Then back over the Downs and via Wickwoods, Langton Lane to home - sweet! Fortunately the wind was behind us along the coast.

On Sunday, I wanted to try out my new Asics Magic Speed 2 Eiken R carbon road shoes but was still a little wary of my Achilles niggles. The shoes were great and provided a lot of bounce (felt less effort) but it was probably still to early to run on the injury, despite all the strengthening exercises I have been doing over the last few weeks. Anyway, I returned home, loving the shoes but feeling I hadn't done myself any favours and likely delayed my recovery further.

So I plan to continue with the strengthening of my ankle and lay off the running for a little longer, although it is getting tighter what with my SwimRun event in September and half-marathon in October. Let's hope I get to the start line injury-free!

Nice sea swim

Yesterday I cycled into work on my wonderful little Brompton, powered by Swytch - always fun. It was also a beautiful morning so I stopped along Brighton seafront for a coffee on the beach before heading into the office - what a way to start the morning.

As the weather was so great (finally) I was determined to get in a sea swim at lunchtime. I went down with Speedos, paddles and pull-buoy and swam around the buoys to complete a 1K swim - the water was a little choppy and the current was certainly dragging me around a bit - much harder one way than the other. I am so lucky to have an opportunity to swim, on my door-step, as such.

Lucy came and met me after work so I didn't have the return commute but I have another opportunity to ride the Brompton when I have to drop the car off for a service on Friday. Otherwise, my Achilles niggles are still stopping my rub training. Really looking forward to trying my new Asics running shoes (with carbon 😀).

My eating / drinking on holiday and post-holiday were not so great so back to 84kg (was as low as 82kg a couple of weeks back). My target of 79kg seems a long way off again - need to get back on it.

Still unsure of my gear choice for the Bewl Water SwimRun - do I go pull-buoy or calf-guards - thinking more pull-buoy at the moment as calf-guards quite warm and uncomfortable to run in - decisions, decisions!

Running injury, cycling holiday and more new shoes!

It is has been a while since my last post...

About two and a half weeks ago after a long(ish) run and previous ankle niggles my Achilles Tendon issues came back to haunt me. So since then (July 20) my training has been scaled back.

I have been on a short holiday to Slovenia where we cycled for 3 days including a long climb (1,250m height), which I managed on a heavy rental bike - slow and steady in the granny gear.

I also got a few swims in at Lake Bled, which was beautiful. Although I have had some minor left shoulder twinges since then - I am falling apart!

Anyway, just back from my first run since the Achilles injury and it wasn't too bad. My legs were fresh and I ran in my short-distance Adidas (fast) trainers that are relatively new. It was only the last 200m I felt more pain, so stopped and walked.

I probably over did it and have put my recovery back further! Decided to order a pair of trusted 'Asics', albeit a carbon version. Let's hope they help.