Getting back on the bike

This is a literal subject heading as my new bike is finally here!!!!
I'm so totally excited and desperate to get out and ride it but the weather and time is officially against me.

I'm slowly getting back to feeling more human and have gone out on my 'old' bike twice this week commuting to work but had to miss running club on Monday as I am still having breathing problems in cold weather. I am away this weekend seeing my mum and dad so I probably will eat more than I burn as always but that's the point of going home surely??? Next week I will hopefully get to ride my shiny, speedy new bike into work a couple of times and will be going to my running club on Monday and Wednesday evening.

The reason for this injection of exercise is I will be flying off to the very sunny state of Texas on Easter Sunday leaving my poor husband to fend for himself whilst I eat my 5 stone back on and meet up with old friends! I have registered with a gym in the town I'm staying in the vain hope I can actually get to it and do some form of exercise - I'm taking bets on this and the odds are stacked against me :)

So really my training schedule has literally been thrown at the wall. I'm seriously considering my ability to get to the Bristol 10K and not do myself an injury and the Wiggle Bike Ride in the Wye Valley which will almost certainly kill me.

Any messages of motivation or a reality check would be appreciated!!!!

Till next week X

Not again!!!!!!

After pressing publish on last weeks blog little did I know I had completely jinxed my weekend!!!!!

Having spent half and hour on the phone to my mum I started coughing and couldn't stop. I then woke up on Thursday feeling utterly awful and managed to drag my tired (as a result of coughing all night) and sick body through work. I picked up my husband up from work and on seeing me immediately cancelled our trip to Snowdon!!!! Nooooooo!!!!

I've got to say it wasn't a bad idea. Not only could I barely move throughout the weekend the weather in North Wales was hideous so I don't think we would have reached the summit even in a good state of body and mind.

This cold is a mean one..... Its all coughing and mucus and disgustingness and a general feeling of cruddiness. Having spent my long weekend in bed dosed up on cough medicine and lemsip I thought I should be fine to go running with my club on Monday night...... nope :( Although the girls did facebook me saying how unbelievably cold it was so I probably made the right choice although at the time I was extremely grumpy!!

I'm back at work now and inflicting my germs on the rest of my office with the least amount of moaning (ahem) but I'm afraid the training has suffered. I've literally done nothing for a week. We managed to get out for a walk on Sunday but I was so cold I could only manage 30 mins before wanting to go home again.

I've been doing a little research on this sickness thing and surprise surprise its not uncommon in beginners to sport. I think the term is 'over enthusiastic'! I've also got to get my diet in gear. Having been programmed with Weight Watchers for the past 2 years I am finding the propoints plan is not really intended for the over active and so I am not eating enough of the right foods before and after exercising. Another common problem which leads to sickness.

So my plan for the rest of this week is to rest. This will obviously help my knee and get me fit and fighting again. I've also developed an eating plan whilst training with lots of protein every day to keep me fighting all the bugs flying around at the moment.

So this week no running, no cycling and no swimming but lots of rest, fluids and eating healthy.

Bring on next week and hopefully I will be fighting fit by Monday.

On the sponsorship front I have reached my target!!!! Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me to take part in the Leonard Cheshire Disability Tri Together Triathlon. I would to now aim to double this and with plenty of time to do this in its achievable.

Any donation is appreciated  - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClaireMcLaren1


Till next time x

A productive week

This week has been very productive from a learning point of view.

I went along to the Triathlon show 2013 at Sandown Park on Sunday and attended a running workshop with The Running School. It sounds corny but it truly was an enlightening experience. Mike Antoniades ran the course and had us all running around a paddock for an hour, improving our technique. At first it seems a lot to process and run and the same time but since that workshop I have been actively trying to 'run correctly' and the difference is remarkable. My speed has increased but I am not fatiguing as quick.

The Running School are offering free bio mechanical analysis at the moment (which I have signed up to) so anyone new to running I would recommend this.

I also sat in on a seminar about running techniques and links to injuries. It was led by some researchers at the University of Oxford and the project is called Run 3D. It was a fascinating seminar but I was eager to volunteer as a guinea pig but alas they have enough!

All in all it was a great day out and I took home lots of freebies and advice. I also went to the Tri-Together stand and had a chat with the lovely people there. It was great to meet them and really helped me focus on my training this week.

The last week
Thursday - Cycle 10 miles
Friday - REST
Saturday - 5K (not quite parkrun as I overslept!)
Sunday - REST (with a bit of running at the workshop)
Monday - Cycle 10 miles, Running club (4 miles)
Tuesday - Cycle 10 miles
Wednesday - Cycle 10 miles, Interval training over 5K

I decided against entering the ballot for the ITU London Triathlon as its open water swimming and they advise participants to have a wet suit - I'm not quite there on this investment yet so maybe we might go along as a cheering squad instead!

The sponsorship is still coming in thick and fast and I now only have £30 to go to reach my target so all donations are very much appreciated - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClaireMcLaren1. Its for such a great cause and I promise to post 'knackered Claire' photos after the event as a treat to all who sponsored me.

This weekend I am off to Snowdon and depending on the weather (which currently doesn't look too good) we will hopefully climb this peak as part of our 3 peaks in a year challenge!! Fingers crossed the weather is clear otherwise I'll be down a copper mine!!

News on the knee front is.....it still hurts :( I've got a follow up appointment with my physio next week but it would be good to get an idea on what the cause of the pain is. I have been taking things easy on all runs this week but its not right.

Anyways that's enough from me. Hope you all have a fab weekend...... till next week x

A week of some firsts......and hopefully some lasts

This week has seen a few firsts for me;

1. Ran my first ParkRun session in Bristol on Saturday which was fantastic but absolutely knackering! I stopped twice but for only 10 seconds as the volunteers around the route really spur you on! I managed a not so embarrassing time of 32:08 for 5K so my goal is to get this under 30 minutes before Easter. It was such a good atmosphere though and I felt really proud to have actually completing the course.
2. Ran my first 4 miles with my local running group which was amazing! It really is the highlight of my week running with these ladies and we all support and encourage each other along the way
3. Cycled into work every day this week - clocking up a not so shabby 50 miles on the bike

I love trying new things at the moment and pushing my limits so hopefully there will be more of these in the coming weeks.

This week
Monday - Cycle 10 miles, Running club (4 miles...YAY!)

Tuesday - Cycle 10 miles
Wednesday - Cycle 10 miles, Run 5K
Thursday - Cycle 10 miles, Swim 400m
Friday - Cycle 10 miles, Pilates

I'm going back to run my local ParkRun on Saturday but no cycling this weekend as I am away visiting family (seems a bit rude to disappear for a couple of hours!)

Cycling
No new bike as yet but having clocked up 40 miles so far (another 10 tomorrow) I am feeling pretty good!

Swimming
Bit of a disappointing week on the swimming front. For some reason my membership card to the local triathlon club was not ready and so I was unable to participate in the swimming session on Wednesday morning. I did take full advantage of this and stay in bed a little longer though!! I'm off to my local swimming pool tonight for 400m and will be timing myself.

Running
I'm really seeing an improvement week on week with the running but had a bit of an issue with my left knee after the ParkRun on Saturday. It was fine during the run itself but throughout the day my knee started to feel a bit peculiar. It wasn't painful but uncomfortable. It was like there was a bag of air surrounding my entire knee restricting any movement. It was more uncomfortable after long periods of sitting or going up and down stairs. It did subside on Sunday so I continued with training on Monday night and Wednesday lunchtime running 4 miles and 5K but it was definitely not improving (but also not getting any worse) so I booked an appointment with my chiropractor (its worrying when you have one on speed dial) and saw him last night. 

After re-mobilizing my knee he gave me some exercises and told me it was a common complaint in new runners and will go in time (it was a more technical explanation but that's the gist!). This mornings cycle to work was a breeze so I will keep the exercises going and hopefully all will be well.

I've had an email from London 2012 about the ITU London Triathlon which has an open category for anyone to participate in. It takes place on 15th September and I am seriously considering entering the ballot. There is no guaranteed places and places are confirmed on 6th March. Anyone wishing to enter please go to this site http://london.triathlon.org/news/article/Open_Age_Group_Race_Ballot_Entry/

I am really tempted but the entry fee is a bit steep at £89 (Sprint option) so I am deliberating at the moment. The other possible issue is that the Tri-Together Triathlon is on 1st September so I'm wondering if they are too close together???

I've also booked in for the Tri-Together training session on 11th May so it will be so good to meet up with people participating and to learn all about what to expect on the day.

On the Tri-Together Triathlon my sponsorship is going great guns off line. Having found an ideal location in my office to put my sponsorship form (next to the cakes!) people have been sponsoring me like mad!! I'm on £50 off my original target but I obviously want to exceed this to get as much money for Leonard Cheshire Disability as possible.

Anyone who would like to sponsor me please go to my Virgin Money Giving site - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClaireMcLaren1

Anyone wishing to participate in the Tri-Together Triathlon or find out a bit more about Leonard Cheshire Disability please go to - http://www.lcdisability.org/?lid=15807

As always I hope everyone is having a great week. Till next time x

Re-focused and feeling fab!

After feeling like death warmed up last week I have made a complete recovery and have started back on the training plan. I haven't gone 'full steam ahead' though as I don't want to end up poorly sick again :( It was all about ensuring I did enough but had sufficient rest days.

This week
Monday - Running club
Tuesday - Rest
Wednesday - Cycle 10 miles
Thursday - Cycle 10 mile, Run 5k
Friday - Cycle 10 miles, Pilates
This weekend I am going to my local parkrun and doing my 5k and on Sunday instead of participating in the Chilly Duathlon I will be heading out for a longer bike ride.

Cycling
Bike news! - I have ordered my new road bike through the cycle to work scheme so I should hopefully be getting it next week or the week after. I went for a test ride last night and it felt like I was flying around Bradley Stoke. I honest won't know what's hit me when I start to use it. Its so light!!
Here it is - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.escape.rx.1.w/11868/56911/

Swimming
I've taken the 'plunge' and signed up to my first swimming session with BADtri (Bristol based Triathlon club) next week. I have to be poolside at 6:30am(!!!) which is going to be a struggle considering I am usually still in bed at that time but we will see how it goes!

Running
I am really enjoying running club and had a great run on Monday night with the girls. We managed to do just under 4 miles and I didn't feel too knackered afterwards. I did the same route at lunch yesterday and it did feel a bit more of a struggle but I think that was lack of food more than anything!!

I've been informed about a training session for beginners to triathlon that TriGirl are running. I am unfortunately (or fortunately) on holiday at the time of my local event but thought I would share it here as it looks like a great day with lots of useful information.
http://www.trigirl.co.uk/training/trigirl-training-days-2013/ 

Hope everyone has a fun and active weekend despite the chilly weather! Till next week x

Oh dear!

Well I'm a little late with my weekly update and here's why.....

From last weeks blog you will know I was suffering from a cold and hoping it was on its way out for a productive weekend. Well it got worse....much worse :( I was finally diagnosed with sinusitis and given antibiotics as they thought it had been in my system for over a week. I was old to rest, drink plenty of water and stay in the warm so as you can probably guess I did no training what so ever last week.

My amazing husband had booked a self catering apartment in Brighton from Thursday to Saturday as a valentines treat and so we did head on down South for some R&R which was lovely.

We had a massive spring clean of the house when we got home on Sunday which completely knackered me out so I know I'm not fully recovered yet.

I am going to take this week easy but I will be doing some training to make me feel a bit more alive.

Tonight I will be going to running club so very easy jogging and hopefully get a feel for actually moving again.

Till next week x

This week I have mostly................been snotty

Yes the dreaded winter cold has struck me this week but did I let it affect me? Did I hell!

Now this post was supposed to have been written in a zen like state after a 45 minute relaxing and stretching session of Pilates. Unfortunately I was faced with people who do not book a slot for the session and end up taking mine. Although I moaned to reception who very quickly went upstairs to see who the culprit was I was no longer in a 'happy place' and decided to make a quick exit before the annoyed 'just kicked out' person came and found me (I know I'm a complete chicken!)

Up until that point I've actually been pretty good;

Saturday - 5K interval running (jog to one lamp post, sprint to the next)
Sunday - Rest (and a nice walk around the zoo with my parents!)
Monday - Cycle 9 miles and Running club
Tuesday - Cycle 9 miles and Circuits (the beginning of the snottiness)
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - Cycle 9 miles and 2 mile run (in 20 minutes)
Friday - Cycle 9 miles and dance lesson

The only bits left out were a 20 mile bike ride on Sunday (as I had my parents visiting I thought this might be a bit rude!), a second session of circuits and the painful subject of Pilates :(

My diet was looking good until last night when I really couldn't be bothered to cook and I wanted to spend quality time with the husband. We ended up in Gourmet Burger and my mantra with that place is "If you are going to do something wrong, do it right". We pretty much ate the menu!!

I've also found the perfect bike for training and possibly commuting. As I couldn't get on with the drop handle bars I am opting for this one;

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/2013.giant.escape.rx.1.w/11868/56911/

Will be hopefully test riding this at the weekend to make 100% sure its right and then buying next week - gotta love the cycle to work scheme!

I'm really starting to see a difference with my running now as well. My breathing has greatly improved and I can go further without fatigue which is promising and motivating at the same time!

I'm in two minds whether to compete in the Chilly Duathlon in 2 weeks time. I don't think I'm quite at serious competing level, I don't want to come last and next weekend I am being whisked away for valentines so will probably get no training in then either plus I should have my new bike by then but hardly any practice.

On the swimming front I've been hopeless :( With the cold settling in I did not start with BADtri on Wednesday morning (still can't quite get my head around being poolside for a 6:30 start!). This weekend is looking more promising so I will hopefully get back in the pool on Sunday.

I'm going to leave this blog here but any aspiring triathletes out there please feel free to comment, feedback and post your progress here. It would be nice to know I'm not on my own out there........................

Till next week x

January update

January for me has been different to all others. I usually spend January huddled up under a warm blanket, taking the car to work and coming down with every cold doing the rounds but not this time......

Cycling
I've been cycling to work (when it hasn't snowed!) every day and have increased my ride home on a Wednesday to 10 miles (usually just over 4) to bring up the mileage. I've also downloaded the Strava app to log the miles I've achieved but due to my inability to remember to charge my iPhone over night has meant not all miles have been recorded!
I've also joined a local cycling club who go out every Sunday. My first outing was 20 miles to the lovely village of Piling .... well it might be lovely but I didn't actually make it there due to a broken spoke! The bike spent the reminder of Sunday in the workshop being fixed!
I've also been debating whether to invest in a road bike. I currently ride a Hybrid which is great for commuting but a bit too heavy for competing - Any suggestions on a good lightweight women's road bike with flat bars would be appreciated!

Running
I've been getting out a lunchtimes and clocking 2-3 miles at a steady pace. I find these are quite a good opportunity to do some interval training - lots of sprints and hills!
I've also joined a local women's running club and my first session was Monday night. It was fab! It also taught me some handy breathing techniques and where to put your arms (always a dilemma of mine!)

Swimming
This has kinda taken a back burner this month but I'm hoping to get out and practice with my husband this weekend. The problem with my swimming is the breathing. Apparently I swim like a mum?? Head out of water - can't get my hair wet sort of thing! But I have now invested in a fetching swimming cap and goggles so let the swimming commence!

Events entered
24th February - Chilly Duathlon (Castle Coombe)
5th May - Bristol 10K
19th May - Wye Valley Wiggle bike ride
1st September - Tri Together Triathlon

Other
If anyone would like to sponsor me for the Tri-Together Triathlon I would appreciate it. My sponsorship page can be found here - http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClaireMcLaren1 The event is in support of the Leonard Cheshire Disability. They support thousands of disabled people both in the UK and in more than 50 countries. They help people with physical impairments, learning difficulties and long-term health conditions, as well as their carers, friends and families.

Everyone needs a bit of motivation

Yes I've decided to become an amateur Triathlete! Strange thing to suddenly wake up and decide to do but here is a bit of background......

Two and a half years ago I was 5 stone heavier. Its hard to believe this now but this is how it all started.
My husband proposing to me didn't even trigger the need for change but some holiday photos did (see below). We were looking at some snaps from a recent trip to Madeira  Now anyone who hasn't been to Madeira - its pretty hot (in June anyway!) and very hilly so the photos of me were always ones where I looked knackered and red in the face! The thing I noticed the most was my size though.
I'd always been 'big boned' and just accepted the fact that dieting was too hard, I hated exercise and I was going to always be a 'curvy' lady.

After looking at those pictures I deleted most of them that featured me but I started to panic about our wedding photos. I didn't want to delete memories of what I hoped would be the best day of our lives. I wanted to show them to people and display them around our home without cringing every time I caught a glimpse.

At that moment with exactly a year to our wedding day I decided that only I could change me and the wedding was going to be my motivation. That evening I joined my first Weight Watchers meeting.

I'm not going to say it wasn't hard but in 10 months I had reached my goal of losing 4 stone. During this time I started to get more active. I'd always cycled to work but found it hard and tended to reach my destination very short of breath and in a bit of pain. Throughout those 10 months it definitely became much easier and I started looking at different routes in order to vary my distance and make things more challenging.

 Our wedding day was magical and everything I hoped it would be. Our wedding photos are a constant reminder of the day but also my achievement and they are in pride of place around our home.

Since getting married I floundered for a bit not really having a target to aim for. I didn't gain any weight but definitely found it harder and lacked motivation. Then the summer of 2012 hit. Not only did I turn 30 but London hosted the Olympic games. I've got to say I've never been more proud to say I'm British after that summer of sporting achievement and national pride.

One of the events struck a chord with me though - the triathlon. I love cycling and can swim but I have never run for anything in my life. Could I actually do this? I enlisted the help of a fantastic personal trainer and together we tackled everything I wanted. We worked on my core stability, resistance training and cardio including running on a treadmill! I won't say it was the scariest moment of my life but it definitely features high up there! Within a month I was waking up early on a Saturday to go for a run...............!!!!

Over 4 months I could feel and see myself changing into a lean athlete and I've got to say I've been bitten by the bug! 2013 will be a big year for me and so I wanted to share my journey with the world (well those who are a little interested!). Each week I will be blogging on what I've been up to, how I'm feeling and events I've entered.

Jonny and Alistair Brownlee are my inspiration - maybe my achievements and this blog might be yours?