Healing in time..?

I went for a swim test this morning to see if I can do the Bassenthwaite Tri. The rib is better than last week; however I think that 1500m in open water has come a week too early. Given how well I ran on tuesday this is a bit of a bummer to put it mildly as its the third event I have missed this year due to injury. Next year, with luck, I will be focussing on some good races as the main goal of next summer, as it stands, will be the Tibet trek with Gill. The Garburn Pass half-marathon will certainly be on the agenda as at least one big road bike challenge.

This week has been a semi-rest week training wise as I crack on with doing some stuff around the flat and trying to decide a little as to which directions to go re accomodation and other things...however, the sun is out and I think a little trip to the Whinlatter with video camera is in order....

The rewards for determination...

"Character", Coach Ilg once wrote, "is what you are when no-one is around". This was a mantra I repeated to me as I slogged up the final climb of High Pike towards the summit (in the photo). I made sure that I ran every step - although I suspect some of the very steep sections after the quarry track it was probably faster to walk! 26 mins of torture from the gate over the Fellside car-park to the summit. I was REALLY pleased to have run all the way and was VERY pleased indeed when I finished the run and discovered I had taken 1hr 27minutes - totally destroying my personal best.

On a serious note, it does seem that I was fitter than I thought although it must be said that this was the first time I had done the circuit in summer conditions (although it's probably best in deep winter when frozen solid!!!)

With luck I may get the leak in the roof fixed tomorrow as well; the downside is that it will stop me from swimming in the morning - will have to go thurs to decide whether I can do the Tri or not....

Trying to prioritise...

despite the fact that I don't start work until the 1st September it seems that there is still so much to do....

as well as trying to train for the Atlas trip in October - and I still feel worried about whether I am going to fit enough for day after day of long rides - I am trying to sort the flat out and do some painting, as it is getting valued on Friday. This is good as it will at least give some information as to where I am and allow me to review my options in the next two weeks when I am cat-minding for Gill when she is in Turkey.

The rib is still giving me a lot of cause for concern in that it is getting no better at all - or at least seems not to be. It does hurt a bit less when I sneeze though which is good...

Anyway, did the Tour of Skiddaw on Friday (or at least my 34km version of it) and got round in under 2 1/2 hours which was quite encouraging. I do still feel quite tired climbing however, although I do seem to be able to recover quite fast after the climbs which is encouraging; and I descended better than I have on this route before. This was probably down the new wider tyres I have fitted on Marvin which I will use in Morocco.

Saturday was more a chill out day, with a lie-in and then doing some painting at the flat and listening to the football - groan- on the radio. I rode back to Gill's on the road bike; who I am really going to use a lot more of next year when the Morocco trip is done..

Sunday saw the last training walk for Gill before she goes to Turkey to climb Mt. Arrat (amongst other things). So, we used both cars and decided to go over Cross Fell and its satellite peaks before descending to Dufton where lots of food and beer would be had in the Stag Inn. This plan went very well for the first part of the walk...up Cross Fell, over Little Dun and Great Dun Fells (the latter with the utter disfigurements on top that make one yearn for gunpowder) and onto to Knock Old Man. However from there things went a little awry and we found ourselves descending into Knock not Dufton...oops. The upshot was a 1 mile road jog for me in walking boots to get the car...however I could say hand on heart the Chocolate Fudge Cake for pudding had been earned!!

Back on the road bike for the second time in two days. Having checked out some of the Bassenthwaite Tri cycle route (although I still have no idea if I will be doing it yet); I managed a quick hour of so today in glorious weather.

As well as being shattered as did not sleep at all well last night and having some painting to do I deliberately took it fairly easy today as am hoping to do a big mountain bike ride tomorrow; over Helvelyn.

At least the flat is starting to resemble the end of the ceasefire in Kabul now; with some painting being done and things been chucked or moved to shelves...

Preparing for a triathlon..

it does probably help to read the website some time; which is when you discover that the swim is not 750m as I thought but actually 1500m - oh dear. I am going to have to get some serious swim training in - starting with the open water session this weekend with Stuart and the Tri club.

My serious goal for this race will be to avoid coming last -I am going quite well on the bike and hopefully that will be enough to be overhaul some people and hang on during the run. The other goal is not to damage myself too much with the run - even 25mins on the treadmill at the gym caused an aching in the ribs; although I was able to keep a good speed without much trouble which is good.

Am going to recce the 40km cycle route for the Tri in a minute. I am not going to use Tri bars although will probably my fancy deep set front wheel for this one (in the race itself at least..).

Am a little sick of having these little constant niggles really - would be nice to go to Morocco injury free.

Have made a video of a descent off Cross Fell - can be found here: http://www.vimeo.com/5937401

The art of resting..

Coach Steve Ilg always stresses the importance of rest. After 4 or 5 days off with the rib injury and being away last weekend I am trying to get back in the swing of training.

On a wet Saturday morning I begin to see that humans have a lot to learn from cats...especially in the art of resting. After all, if there is nothing to do; do nothing!!

This was one of the views yesterday in the Lakes. Gill and I (the boys decided not to come in the end!!) climbed Grizedale Pike having ascended via Coledale Hause. This was a different means of ascent than I had done before and was very enjoyable. A nice 4 hour round with views over most of the Lakes.

Saturday was a bit different as I attempted a run of around 7 miles or so - including a couple of trips up the hill that links Temple Sowerby to Culgaith. The knee did start to hurt a bit at the end - and ached a bit yesterday as well. I have been, to be honest, a bit lax on my excercises recently and this was a bit of a wake up call - need to get back to them.

Friday was less good in that I felt really tired after the double session on thurs and made it about 1/2 way up Cross Fell before a 3 min 30 descent nearly involving me going into the air again! Managed to hold it this time and have some great footage which will probably make its way onto Vimeo at some stage too. However the lack of fitness is really concerning with the Morocco trip looming and the rib is still causing me concern. I seem to be able to do most things on it (although I can't rock-climb) yet it is still painful first thing and I am probably taking it a bit easier than I would like trying to subconciously protect it. It also hinders Yoga which is not good either....