Youch!!!!!!!!

It's half term week so I have decided to take the kids and the dog off to Kent to visit my big sister. Unfortunately I am minus my credit card as this had also gone AWOL with my phone, but unlike my phone it never reappeared.

We had a great week in the south, despite the weather being rubbish. Lots of outdoor pursuits, but unfortunately there was a small car incident. No it wasn't an accident, but some very costly brake pads, discs and a new caliber (which is really expensive) was required. But of course minus my credit card it started to prove quite difficult to pay, especially as they wouldn't take payment over the phone. So the end result was I had to be bailed out by my brother in law, who had to drive to my rescue. Life really is never simple!!

Whilst away I only managed 1 run. Although it was a decent 9 miles approx (quite hilly), I arrived back and my Achilles in the other ankle to the previous damaged one started to play up. This is a first for me and a scary one as I know it affects a lot of runners and it is not good ailment. So I am officially not running for a week or so, hopefully it will calm down.

I eventually departed Kent Friday morning and a whole 7 1/2hrs late I arrived back in the North East, all I am saying is that is a very long drive with three kids and a dog on your own.

However I still managed to make yoga. Which as always was awesome. So here as promised in my last entry is the video clip of us all being demonstrated by Jambo how to do the splits, because they really are so easy!!!!

Check out what else Jambo can do!

www.jambotruong.com

So as you can imagine it really didn't happen for most of us, but I must say we were all amazed actually how far we got down, there really is hope for me to do the splits yet. Could this be my next party trick?

From last weekend up to this weekend I have had a really good week on the bike. I have managed two indoor time trials(20mins & 40mins), a couple of 40 mile rides and then a 60miler. However unfortunately I haven't managed to drop the cake stop yet, do you think they will have a little cake stand on the ironman? Maybe I could request one!!

Also I have squeezed in  a couple of swim sessions, one being an early morning one. I just can't believe how busy the pool was at 6.30am. I think it is a sign race season really isn't that far away.

Emotional Training

Emotions. We all have them, it may be even true to say that they control our decision, our speech and most definitely our feelings, they are our feelings. How we feel internally can be hard to control, but what many of us are good at controlling is what is seen on the outside. How we want to be perceived, which in many cases is strong and I suppose invincible.

Currently at the moment I feel like a highly overcharged emotional being and most of my training at the moment is emotional training. But what I can't decide is, is all training emotional training? Do we just funnel what energy is being generated from our emotions into expandable energy in the form of movement? Is it our emotions that create different types of training i.e.  happy, aggressive, sociable, powerful training etc. And is it our emotions that gives some people the focus they need to train competitively?

I suppose I should just be thankful that I have the desire and will to want to train in emotional times and that I have the ability to use these emotions, what ever they maybe in a healthy, constructive way. Many people don't have this ability/gift if it can be called that or maybe it is they just don't want to.

So now that I have aired my emotional views, lets get back to training and what a busy week it has been.

The week started with a netball match, which we lost, arghhhhhh! I don't think we were outplayed the problem seemed to be that their shooters and their goal defence were giants. Also during this match I went over on my ankle. I really didn't think anything of it till later that night when I investigated it and was greeted with this sight.

slightly swollen ankle bone

As it wasn't sore and my movement seemed fine I made tri club in the week, luckily it was just a swim and bike session.

Recently I have been running weekly with a friend, but due to my ankle I really felt I shouldn't participate this week. But not one to let a friend down I came up with the great idea of scootering and putting the now not so swollen ankle on the scooter. It was great fun, however I don't know if Andrea is in agreement, because I made her do sprint intervals and lots of them while I just shouted words of encouragement, from my speedy set of wheels.



I wonder who had it the easiest?

 Back to netball and with my ankle heavily strapped we had our second match of the week. This proved to be more successful with us winning 23 to 14. However I must say they were the roughest team we have ever played. Its amazing how much contact can go on in a non contact sport. In the last quarter I was well and truly taken out, not very pleasant at all.

Finally yet another fantastic yoga class, it was all about doing the splits and Jambo did a fantastic demo which I filmed so I could share it with you all. But unfortunately it will have to wait till next week, due to a small phone incident occurring, and my phone going AWOL for 24 hours, but happy to say we are reunited once again, PHEW!!

Back outside

So first I must start with a huge apology as I did not post a blog last week, SORRY. I can honestly say I had writers block which is a new thing for me. Lets just hope it doesn't happen again!!

Training has been going well and I have finally got back outside on my bike. HEAVEN!! I had a short ride in the week, which just wetted my appetite to get out and have a decent ride. So this weekend I took off up the coast, the weather started pretty gloomy but thankfully cheered up by the afternoon.

Gloomy Alnmouth beach

Sunnyish Warkworth castle

It was just great to be back outside rather than stuck in the gym. I did just over 50 miles and my legs were still feeling good, which is reassuring. I swung by the gym on the way home and hit the steam room, which I must say was a great way to warm back up and stretch off.

Netball we had another win under our belts, it was a good game. However this week coming we have our hardest game to date to play, so lets see what happens?

Swimming is going well and the tumble turns seem to becoming along nicely. Especially as I have managed not to rugby scrum anyone recently underwater which must be a sure sign of improvement.

Yoga is starting to become another love of my life. I really am starting to notice the and feel the benefits from it. By the end of each class I always feel emotionally more balanced, stronger from the inside out, I would definitely make is a must in everyone's book,  even if you only try it the once.

Finally running, the sport I would love to love, but struggle to. Actually that is not strictly true, I am starting to love running as it really helps me focus my thoughts and when I have finished a run I always feel good and pleased that I have done it. But unlike the other two events (biking & Swimming), I am never that excited about starting it. Maybe that is how running is the main enjoyment is all at the end. I think I will definitely be seeing it that way by the end of the ironman.

Burns night success

Nooooooooooo! I am sick. I can't remember the last time I couldn't train, probably cause I normally do, however I am being sensible this time.  I Woke up Friday morning a little bit worse for wear from the previous nights antics in the town, but also with the start of a humdinger of a cold, so I am officially taking the weekend off to try and recover so I can get back to training fighting fit early next week.

But what a good week I had. The Burns night in aid of 'the clubs for young people' was a storming success. It looks like we raised £11,000, so I am chuffed  to bits with that. I felt like the night went really well and everyone seemed to have a great time, with plenty of Scottish dancing happening after they had all feasted on the Haggis.

The haggis being piped in

A few of the tables at the start of the night

Training for the week was mixed , due to being busy trying to juggle everything. However one day last week I decided not to use my car (apart from on the school run) and run everywhere. I must say I really quite enjoyed it. I had various stops at places to do things, but then would just run to the next place, I think I will defiantly do that again.

Tri club was good, with a nice 40 minute time trial after an hours swim, phew! Another achievement of the week was that I taught myself to tumble turn. It still needs some practice, as sometimes it can go horribly wrong, as someone in tri club found out when I accidentally dived bombed them on a turn, opps! Hey, but at least I am trying.

With no training happening over the weekend, the kids and I decided we would go and visit Wallington Hall as they have the best tree to climb, well of course I couldn't resist.

Burns Night here I come!

Where are the weeks going to? In 16 weeks I will race in my first sprint triathlon of the year and 12 weeks after that it will be the ironman. Wow, it really is approaching fast now.

So this week I consumed my first protein shake, ahhh! It is getting serious. Went with the banana flavour, I actually quite enjoy it. However prior to mixing it up after the training session I managed to spill some of the powder in my training bag, then managed to get it all over my face without realising, so walking out of the gym with white powder across my face, probably isn't the most healthy look to go far after a hard training session!! My training partner found it hilarious. Also in addition to the protein shake I have a waxy maize starch powder to mix up with juice, to be honest by the time I have drunk these two drinks, I am feeling pretty full, I think I preferred coming home and eating something.

Next Thursday it is the Charity night I organise with Nick Manson of Mansons (Residential Sales and Letting Consultants, in Jesmond), in aid of the clubs for young people. We have sold 14 tables (140 people), unfortunately we lost 2 tables this week. I think everything is organised and all that is left is to finalise the auction list, which I must say has some amazing prizes on. Got the invites printed and menus done, very happy with these.

The fantastic Finger Print Management did these for me.

                        
I am now just looking forward to the night, if we raise over £10,000 I will be happy. Lets just hope everyone is in a generous mood, and have their dancing shoes at the ready for some good old Scottish dancing.

Again yet another good week training. Tri club, yoga, and 2 decent runs. We had yet another netball match with a  fantastic result, 37 - 21 to us. The whole team played an amazing game, it really came together. However I have decided once the winter league finishes I am going to give the summer league a miss so I can concentrate on my ironman training. I am really going to miss it but there is only so much I can do. I must say the girls are not happy, but I plan on coming to support them at matches, probably by bike so I hope the matches are a decent ride away.

Sunday I was up early once again for my marathon swim, however this week I had a new swim set. Ouch, it was tough, but despite swimming 224 lengths 5600m, I still managed to make it to the bike and do a 30 minute time trial, before chilling out with some yoga, I think I might sleep well tonight.

You are the only one to control your destiny!

My Cheerless Christmas made me realise how short life can be, and that you are the only one in control of your destiny. Life is what you make it and you are the one who can change it.

So I decided to get in touch with a local sports for disabled academy, to see if I can help them voluntary for the time being, with the intention of eventually making a career out of it. I have wanted to work in this field for as long as I can remember, but for whatever reasons have put it off.

So last Friday I sent an email to them selling myself and even risked mentioning I was training for an ironman ( this could of put me in the bracket of being a complete lunatic). But by Monday I had a reply saying when can I come down.
I am so excited..... and one successful meeting later, I am now just waiting for my CRB checks to be done, before I can start.
I can't tell you how good it feels to actually take control and pursue something that I have always wanted to do.

Training this week has been good. I have managed a couple of decent runs, tri club sessions have been as gruelling as ever, but I always enjoy them. We had our first netball practice of the year, so that was good to catch up with everyone. Friday night was yoga again which I absolutely loved, with handstands against the wall, it was brilliant. However I was devastated as Jambo did an amazing demo, but gave no prior warning so I didn't get a chance to video it, next time I will though. Sunday I managed to pull myself out of bed at 6.30am again, and swam 5000m (200 lengths) in 1hour 40 minutes, doing various drills ending with a 15 x 50m sprint sets, exhausting but I felt great for doing it.

The rest of the weekend I seemed to have spent baking, as our youngest turns three on Monday. However if you ask her she is turning 9.

Look at my beautiful make up!

So a big happy Birthday to Evie, aka the Tornado of the family.

Happy New Year, its the year of the Ironman......yeeha!

                                                 
Wow its the year of the Ironman. Well for me anyway, and a few other mental individuals( which include 17 from my triathlon club...... what is going on?) who probably need their heads checking for entering such an event. I have been told it is addictive, well we will see.

So my running has commenced again outside, now that all snow and ice has finally gone. I am loving being back out doors rather than in the gym. The training I have done on the running machine has definitely helped me increase my overall running speed, it is good to know that my training is starting to show some positive results outside, from all the work I have done inside.

Thursday night we had our first netball match of the year. Oh and what a good game 26 - 6 to us nothing like a good thrashing to start the year with. Must say our shooters played a blinder, can't wait for the next match now.
But look out girls looks like I am coaching the session this week, I promise to go easy........Yeah right!

Friday night I went to my first Yoga class with some friends, it was taken by the fabulous Jambo Troung, it was awesome. It was a beginners class, but must say it felt quite intense at times. You could really feel the muscles working, in the various stretches he had us performing. He kept telling us that this was all easy stuff, which I must say is slightly alarming as I definitely had the old leg wobble going on a few times.

Finally I have had a top weekend training with two early morning sessions. Saturday was a  fast paced run outside for 45 minutes, done during my daughters early morning swim session. Whilst Sunday I pulled myself out of bed at 6.30, so I was in the pool for 7am. I swam 4500m (180 lengths) in a decent time and 2 miles of that (128 lengths)  was with just my arms. I then went straight onto the bike, did a 20 minute time trial, followed by a 20 minute interval run and finally recovered by doing 20 minutes of my yoga stretches. I was bouncing when I finished, I can honestly say I am starting to really look forward to my first sprint triathlon.