Training Log Archive: BrandNewMe

w1 D 3

Jogging about doing some errands

Back on planet vomit, with Bertie and Lucy. No sleep, B wanting constant cuddles, not much running going on.

After the triathlon I am considering what challenge to set for next year. I am tempted with some longer running, but after winging the laraig Ghru last year not very successfully I am not sure I have the body to ‘wing it’ on longer races. By body does tend to totally have a hissy fit after 15 miles. My left hip flexor is a total write off but I wonder if I can get my left glute to do anything more than 50%. Might try to see if I can get some time to do more.

Binning Wood trail race fun. Felt ok. Well rested (due to total lack of recent training).

I don’t really have much of a life during the week as Bertie thinks I am the superior parent when it comes to putting him to bed so Ray usually takes the older ones training and we stay at home.

But tonight was the interlopers AGM and although careless I decided B and I could get up to Charnwood via the running buggy, have an AGM and back. It was a long drag up. The buggy is a killer. Really heavy. B fell asleep early on in the run, and woke up at the end of the AGM, when we were having dinner, and vomited everywhere so I took him home. It was nice to get out of the house though.

Then got home to be thrown up on all night. Then Friday sorting out vomity laundry off no sleep. Joyful!

Well the triathlon was certainly memorable. Set off down to the Loch side, racked the bike and waited for the start.

We went into the deeper waters and set off. Apart from me. Who didn’t. All of a sudden I just could not breathe. It was part wet suit related and part panic, but oh shit. I looked back at the shore, and didn’t want to quit already but was properly freaking out.

Except not everyone had set off. A woman turned back to get me. She was super calm and super reassuring. And offered to go back with me while offering to also swim on with me. She’d done a few triathlons and was not bothered about her time. So we swam on together her talking to me while I got my shit together a bit.

By the first buoy she swam on (supposedly 200m in but actually more like 400m in). I just swam and swam, mainly on my back as too much water in my face would set me off, but I kept going. It was so far. I was last, but only as those near me were quitting left right and centre. The main problem with this is that they were towed in via safety kayaks, leaving not so many for me.

After a complete and utter eternity the end finally came. I’d been out over an hour, and last years slowest was 36 mins. Only later did it transpire that the measurements were out and instead of 1 k it was 2. Thank god that was over! Thank god!

Onto the bike, which was actually quite good fun and I was moving through well. I passed 1 person with a really quite slow transition and was picking off quite a few more. I got about 5 on the tricky bit. Running pushing a bike downhill was much quicker for me than anything else, and at that end of the field no one has skills so I was pleased to be moving through. I’d be interested in learning how to mtb properly, but have no time whatsoever so it isn’t going to happen anytime soon. People with skills would have enjoyed this.

Onto the run!

C • Bloody well done! 5

9k trail run with a nice hill was just what the doctor ordered. I wasn’t really racing but moving through and feeling good. So so chuffed to reach the finish.

Not sure I’d hurry back to do one again. Not sure Ray will let me. He seriously thought I’d drowned. Mind you if it had been 1k swim it might have been ok. So thankful for the lady that stopped in the swim. What a lovely person. I wouldn’t have done it without her. And I wouldn’t have done it without those that sponsored me. Without being sponsored there is NO WAY I’d have started. Still time to add some sponsorship! Thank you so much to all who have given money already. I’m really bowled over.

If anyone wants to do something different, id recommend Paul McGreal’s Durty Events https://durtyevents.com/, not least because he promised not to time me out on the swim. Phew!

Results. Keep scrolling down. In fact save yourself time and start at the bottom and scroll up. Looks like those that gave up on the swim weren’t even listed as a dnf. https://durtyevents.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09...

Running the short triathlon run with Amy.

Trying the technical few k of the mtb. I think I would be much quicker running and pushing.

AA the Bruntfield lines to the playpark, 45 mins there was not enough apparently but I prised Berties fingers off the swing one by one, then a spot of Greco-Roman wrestling to get him in the buggy. It was such a palaver that I got a thumbs up from a total stranger when I had managed it. He’s getting really strong.

Ray trying to teach me how to mtb. Panic training for: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Claire-Ward...

C • Panic Training 3

Trotettes Blackford fun

Ray goes to the pub on Monday night with friends but they decided to spend the night queuing to see the queen instead. Got there at 9, got home at 3:20am. So he was gutted when I joined the queue at 9:10 the next morning and was out by 10. Hahahaha. Most embarrassing bit was that in the queue I actually had to walk past my work. The closest I have been to the building for about a month. I resolved to improve and go in at some point this week.

Simon Wake Comrie Hill Relays

One of my favourite races of the year. Just such a lovely day out. Great running, lovely atmosphere, socialising with burgers and cake and the gorgeous Robin Tullie-Harding afterwards.

Leg 3 is the hardcore leg so I was pleased to be given it. A bit hairy at the top of the hill in thick thick mist. I was bloody glad to see the Marshalls. I had the map out and nearly hard to reach for my compass. Time reflected my not too hot fitness although I ran nearly every step of the long uphill so ok.

Meadowmill parkrun, as suggested by Sheila. It was the park run’s 100th race and I hadn’t done it before. 2 laps, and I stuck with Lucy for the first one then ran ahead. Caught the two women ahead, one of which was Mo M so was chuffed to finish ahead of her. Lucy just pipped Graham M too with a PB of 24:20. Ward victory.

Ray was walking with Bertie on his shoulders as he is injured. Just ducked under 40mins.

In other news: https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/78598-2/ Laurence’s massive running improvements this year got him a Scotland vest! So pleased for him. He’s worked out how to commit in races. I not have to teach him how to commit in orienteering terrain. Yes it’s a pile of nettles Laurence, but they won’t kill you, etc. I’ve yet to convince him.

C • Well done Laurence :-) 4

Still ill for some reason. Astley Ainsley, REH, Meggetland and back via canal and meadows. Had zero energy. Kept having to stop. The second half was less bad, but still not great.

Grantully. Blue

Wet and wonderful. Enjoyed the top of the hill. Made better by being the right side of the M16 pack. Map on my strava. Results on the FVO website.

A great second half of the inter area weekend. Lots of kids having a great time and making new friends while orienteering. Cheers the West team for fun times.

Buggy run up the Hermitage to Frans and back via morningside. Not been up to much as I think I have had Berties illness. Feeling a bit better tonight