Monday 16th Jan
The legs feel tender after two consecutive runs the kind of tenderness I used to feel after long runs, a dull ache in the muscles as well as the usual sore joints. There are also some strange pains in my left shin and calf, which I suspect are due to compensation for the not-quite-right ankle. I know the aches will get better, but
is this really what I should be doing to my body?
A strange thought occurs
maybe triathlon isnt such a bad idea after all. The benefit would be that two-thirds of the training would be low-impact. Looking 10 years into the future, would I rather look back over 1,500 bone-crunching pavement plods (thats an optimistic 3 runs per week for 10 years, by the way) and the resulting permanently sore knees and hips, or 500 each of run, cycle and swim? Just think of that upper body definition
But what about the expense? Principally, a wetsuit and a bike. Well, a little research shows that the swim leg of many of the shorter events is pool-based, and so doesnt require suiting up. And a quick look at eBay reveals a number of old but serviceable racing bikes around the £50 mark not world class, but OK for a beginner, and theyve got to be better than my truly awful Halfords mountain bike (never buy a cheap bike for serious mileage, better to go for a decent bike second-hand but then thats obvious with hindsight).
Probably the event that my wife spotted was the
Royal Windsor Triathlon in June. Baby one month old - a definite no-no as far as spare time is concerned. Anything available before May? The
Thames Turbo looks ideal, despite being named after a commuter train. Its a "sprint" distance event - 400m pool swim / 21k bike / 5k run - in mid-April.
Could I cut the mustard? A look at last years results reveals approximate mid-pack times as follows:
Swim 10 mins sounds challenging for 16 lengths, but with some training might be achievable.
Cycle 41 mins thats averaging nearly 20 mph. When I used to commute by bike, I rarely got above 18 mph (on a mountain bike, admittedly). Gulp.
Run 24 mins at last, something I can manage. Well, unless Ive just swum 400m and cycled 13 miles.
Given that I could only realistically train each event once per week, it looks like I would struggle a bit. But hey, if running has taught me anything, its that growth comes out of struggle (on all levels from the muscular to the mental.) My local pool has a late session on Thursdays. Maybe Ill go and give it a tri
(Damn, nearly made it all the way through without a single "tri" pun!)
Tuesday 17th Jan
The legs feel a lot better today just the calf/shin thing still playing up. So the urgency to take up triathlon has diminished slightly. But I think Ill still go for a dip on Thursday if Im not too tired. Maybe a bike ride at the weekend on the rusty steed. Then decide which will be (probably) my only event of the foreseeable future:
Reading Half
or
Thames Turbo Tri?
Anyway, tonight its "speedwork", and again I am miscast in the "A" team. Tomorrow will bring a whole new set of aches and pains.
Wednesday 18th Jan
Disappointment #1: we lost 8-3 to the division leaders last night. We did field several new players, so there was a lack of cohesion initially, but we were outplayed, and I felt rather out of my depth. If Im honest, I suppose my real disappointment is that I didnt make a better impression on my new team-mates.
Disappointment #2: on Monday I took the train to work, something I do from time to time when my wife has the car for the day. Back in marathon days, I used to run the 1.5 miles from home to station and then 4 miles from station to work, both ways. These days I tend to cycle and take the tube. Which is what I did Monday morning, and then my wife picked me up in the evening. So the bike was left at the station for 36 hours, and I picked it up on the way back from football. Disappointingly, someone had taken the back light, and slashed the saddle and tyres. (I assume they slashed the tyres I couldnt find any holes, but I cant believe they let the tyres down and then put the dust caps back on.) Its unlikely that Ill get it sorted in time for a ride at the weekend.
Yes, I know that leaving the lights on the bike was pretty daft, but as mentioned before it is a real old heap, and Ive got rather blasé about security. At least I did lock it.
Disappointment #3: I am knackered. Ive had less than 6 hours sleep for each of the last three nights, which isnt enough for me. So the chances of going out for a late-night swim on Thursday are minimal.
Still, the best-laid plans of mice and men, and all that. Was Robert Burns a marathon runner I wonder?
Anyway, the ankle held up well again, just a bit stiff this morning. Along with my entire pelvic area. Apologies if that sounds rude. A couple of days rest are required, then hopefully some running will take place. It looks like the triathlon try-out is off for a while.
