Monday, December 26, 2011

Boxing Day Run.....................

Running through the night again! Sometimes it is nice to run in the dark when it is nice and peaceful with little traffic on the roads. Running from 10pm until midnight practising the ultra endurance method of long distance running lays the foundations for a good long year. Its not for everyone but it is for the dedicated. Each day lasts for 24 hours so use it to the max........................

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Day Training

Christmas message from the race director of DECAMAN. The new venue is confirmed and the race is 95% on.............It may be christmas day but there is no time to rest. Tonight I will do a tough hill rep session on the bike where I will aim for maximum suffering. Its time to get serious. My heart rate will be pushed towards its maximum ceiling....................The aim of the session is OVERLOAD............

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

2012 The Year Of Super Endurance

This is the year! I have trained consistently over the past 8 years to lay the foundations for DECAMAN. Racing "Beyond Exhaustion" will be a brand new and challenging experience that will see me race over distances where few dare venture. It is the final piece in the jigsaw and during 2012 I will prepare by swimming, riding and running distances beyond the imagination...........Follow my preparation here where it will start with the WYE Valley 50 mile run in March............This programme of training is not for the faint hearted........................Invite others to follow at their peril......................."Anything Is Possible"............................................................

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Super Endurance Day

The aim of training through the tough winter months is to introduce an "Super Endurance Day" where one of the 3 disciplines of triathlon will selected and taken to the point of extreme! This will include upto 12 hour rides on the bike, ultra endurance runs beyond marathon and extended sessions in the pool!
Yesterdays bike route took in Sudbury-Braintree-Gt Dunmow-Haverhill-Bury (90 Miles). The first 100+ ride will take place over the next 2 weeks building towards 200 miles. Tomorrow I will run and run until I am suffering..........Less than 1 year to DECAMAN.........................Live it............................

Monday, October 17, 2011

Project 365 - A Year To Decaman

"Project 365" will start on Sunday 6th November 2011 that will mark 1 year to the 2012 Decaman Race! On 6th November I will run the "Rutland Marathon" 26.2 miles - at the end of Decaman I will run 10, 262 Miles, after swimming 24 miles and riding 1120 miles. Live The Dream.....................In 365 days I will cover distances that some people perceive as impossible...........Nothing is impossible!!! On 27th November 2011 I will run my 1st ultra - 38.4 miles cross country!!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

A Good Solid Week..............

In near perfect weather conditions it has been a memorable week! High bike mileage culminating in a great ride from Harlow - Bury today through some beautiful villages. 50 Miles in 2.41.04 Average HR 137 BPM and an average speed of 18.5 mph it is a delightfully undulating route. Tomorrow is is a tempo 10 mile run early afternoon with a steady 1 hour swim in the evening! It is all coming together nicely................

Friday, October 7, 2011

Consistency Is The Key!!

A good run yesterday for an hour with an average Heart Rate of 149 Beats Per Minute. Quite windy but I have learnt to embrace it and to use it as an effective resistance tool. After all its free!! Today its time to hit the bike for a couple of hours at a nice controlled steady rate and it will round off a good weeks training. Rest day tomorrow before back to the bike on sunday for a double session!!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The Distance Of Truth!! Anything Is Possible.......................

You just have to make it! There are "No Limits" just the ones that we put in place and we are the only people who can remove them. This mornings ride was a nice steady outing in cooler conditions that were pretty much spot on. A gentle 1 hour ride back home with an average HR of only 118 BPM it goes to show that training does pay dividends. Feeling sharp at the moment with a new 12 month programme due to begin in 4 weeks time! DECA is coming...........................................

Monday, October 3, 2011

Tough Double Session!! Running Through The Night..

After a couple of days rest Sunday started with a nice casual ride to work in glorious sunshine designed to warm up for the run home later at midnight. It has to be said that both sessions were fantastic in warm summer like conditions. What a mix of training, ride in the sun, running through the night. The run was a delight, average HR of 143 beats per minute it was pure endurance................Love it..................the dream goes on.............................

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Smashed It - Double Session Today

A day of totally contrasting rides! Up at 0330hrs this morning and a nice casual ride into work on the dark,quiet and misty roads as the sun was gently rising on the horizon. Very peaceful indeed with a loaded rucksack for resistance. At 5pm it was glorious sunshine and my plan was to attack the ride home. What an epic it was as I sat on 90% of Maximum Heart Rate. Perfect conditions Sudbury-Lavenham-Bury in 46 minutes. Sweat blinding me and at times traffic slowing me down it was just what cycling is all about! Aggression and passion! Live it....................Tomorrow a maximum run to finish the week before a rest on saturday! Sunday? Thats another story......just wait...................

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Training In The Dark................

Today was a nice easy 5 mile run in glorious conditions with the "Bearded One" Tomorrow I will be up at 4am for an hour of hill repetitions in the dark and solitude where the focus will be solely to climb and climb again until the legs and lings are under extreme pressure! Friday will be a maximum run to really test the system.........................Suffering to develop...................

Monday, September 26, 2011

Endurance Monday

Running long provides the leg strength to add speed sessions. Tonight was a nice easy 10 miles with a low average Heart Rate of 139 BPM. Perfect temperature running at 8pm on a lovely evening sometimes training provides you with a wonderful feeling of satisfaction. That is my long run done for the week tomorrow it is back to the bike where I will look to raise the tempo.......................................

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Hills + Speed

Yesterday was all about hill running and tonight was all about speed on the bike! I have started to build a phase of improvement where I am running hard and fast and raising the level of intensity on the bike. There is no place to hide at the moment . Tomorrow is a hard fast run designed to put the body under pressure running at 90%+ of maximum HR.................................................

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Speed Is The Key

While building a nice endurance base I am now incorporating speedwork out on the road. The cross country season approaches which will be mixed up with some road races. The mix will be tempo rides on the bike in between nice fast runs all goverened by heart rate. Today I will ride twice and then run hard tomorrow. A fast 5 miles against the clock before riding twice again on friday. Training now is all recorded on polar where all my work and development can be closely monitored. Loving It...............

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Decaman 2012 - November 2012 Monterrrey Mexico

"All I can offer is blood,sweat,toil and tears" "When the pain becomes unbearable keep moving, never stop" Winston Churchill........This will be my theory in Mexico and will carry me through the tough times! Yesterday was a lovely 8 mile endurance based run, Sub 8 Minute Mile pace average Heart Rate 150 BPM. Tonight will be a tough 1 hour turbo session with a little bit of suffering thrown in! Tomorrow is another day..............................."Run silent"....................The building continues............The dream goes on.........................

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Start Of A long Training Phase!!

The next 16 weeks will now see me consolidating a good solid training back in all 3 disciplines. Plenty of endurance work mixed with technique and cross country racing through the winter months will provide me with the foundation to move up a phase in January. This initial 4 month period September-December is the Base Phase where I will strengthen my whole body in order to achieve a well balanced equilibriam. Yesterday was a nice 5 mile run at 85-90% of Max HR, today is a good easy 90 minute ride at a lower Average HR...............................Next Year is a different level of endurance and performance! Decaman will be mixing it with the big boys in the ultra world...............................Live it..........

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Portugal - Warm Weather Training Camp

Rest day today before a full week of warm weather marathon training. The emphasis will be on speed endurance with a balance of quality mileage mixed up with speed work! 29 degrees and sunshine forecast all week! Love it and live it.......................I am...............................

Friday, September 2, 2011

Red Hot Friday!!

I suffer to learn and running in the heat of the day makes life difficult sometimes! Being a natural blonde I am just lucky I am not ginger..............10 beautiful miles in 24 degrees is surely a runners paradise? The aim of today was to get in 10 steady miles before a day off tomorrow. Average HR sat at 157 BPM 85-90% of Max HR, a comfortable position to sit in. Maximum HR only hit 167 BPM so it proved to be a pretty steady outing. Tomorrow is rest and travel to Portugal where I will train in 28-29 degrees, the week will be strucutred and based around speed endurance......The dream goes on...........................

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Turbo 2 - Getting Scientific

In perfect turbo conditions in the glorious sunshine I completed a 1 hour session on the turbo trainer! Sticking strictly between 65-70% of Maximum Heart Rate the final outcome was Average HR 122 BPM with a low maximum of 134 BPM. The reason for this is a 10 mile tempo run awaits tomorrow. All my heart rate training is based upon the unique finding while working with the University of Essex Human Performance Unit in 2010. Priceless...............I decided today that I train too much inside my comfort zone! Start of a new training era.......................Time to suffer more often!!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Running Hard!!

Today it was good news about the fractured thumb. No surgery required so to celebrate it was time to hit the road for a nice run. Total time out on the road was about an hour with a nice warm up and warm down with a 4 mile tempo run sandwiched in the middle. A lovely route in ideal conditions in 27 minutes 26 seconds. Maximum heart rate 174 BPM with an average heart rate of 163 BPM. Weight 10st 8lbs. Sub 7 minute miling will suffice at the moment and gives me something to work on...............Time for more speed work with a good turbo session on the bike tomorrow and a 10 mile tempo run on friday! Then off to Portugal for a quality weeks marathon training.........................Love it.................................

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

What A Difference A Day Makes.......................

After a days forced rest due to the thumb it was time to get back on the bike! A full on turbo session that really did fuel the fire!! Fracture clinic tomorrow to see the extent of the damage then a nice frisky run to keep the home fire burning. A weeks warm weather training in Portugal to look forward to on saturday!! When you get injured it is just a case of making adjustments..............Never Stop.................

Monday, August 29, 2011

Riding Through The Night - Painful

Another midnight ride that was pure enjoymant as I travelled the empty roads gliding along and finding it really easy. Unfortunately towards the end of the ride I misjudged a post. Fractured right thumb, dead leg and a slightly damaged training bike! Impact at 25mph there was only going to be one winner! Fracture clinic wednesday but these things are sent to test our resolve. I thought something was wrong when the end of my thumb was hanging off. The remainder of the ride home was quite emotional with 1 arm.......Pain is only temporary.....................................Push through the tough times.....

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Inside The Mind Of An Ultra distance Athlete

There is a certain mental approach required to want to suffer on a regular basis! The bike today was all about hills and pain and believe me it was made to be painful. Tomorrow I will join other runners to do an endurance 20, the longest run to date. Already clocking 100+ on the bike, 6000 metres in the water and 20 mile runs the foundations are laid to up the anti. From now on the mindset is simple! "Pain is inevitable - Suffering is optional" And it is my choice to suffer. Next year I will be "Unstoppable" DECAMAN 5th November 2012...............Bring It On...............................................

Friday, August 26, 2011

Back In The Water - Loving it!!

Something has to be said about swimming until 10pm on a friday evening. 100% dedication will bring success and taking short cuts results in mediocracy, a word that just does not exist. Gliding up and down tonight it was fantastic to be back in the water. 1 hour of complete satisfaction. This will be my minimum swim time building towards steady 6 hour endurance swims. Decaman is 24 miles so why moan about 1 hour..............................Believe To Achieve.................Tomorrow its the bike...................Sunday.............Run ...........................

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Start Of A New Phase!

The Next month will see a variety of specific phases. The next week will see me supporting Al Macpherson in his final preparation before Ultraman UK. 1:1 training, support, nutritional and UM racing advice. Following this I will set my own benchmarks during September. I will be going scientific and monitoring my body weight, Resting Heart Rate, Average Training Heart Rates and using all the specific measurements provided during feedback from the Human Performance Unit while lab testing sports performance drinks last year. The aim is to be at my peak for Decaman during 2012!! Tomorrow will be a 1 hour maximum effort swim...................Pure pain....................

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Back to it....................

After an overload week last week I decided to take a well earned break over the weekend to get the full benefit from the mileage. Refreshed I climbed back on the bike yesterday and how I loved it. A nice steady 1 hour tempo ride in glorious summer sunshine. It seemed so easy on fresh well rested legs today I will be riding through the night before a few hours rest and then back to pure endurance first thing in the morning! The next 2 weeks are going to all about mileage...................Love it!!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Swim/Bike/Run - Complete

Well like any triathlon, race or training it just has to finish with a run. In near perfect conditions I was joined by MC Hammer and The Bearded Norfolk Warrier for a meander around Alton Water. What a location for a nice easy relaxed run on a beautiful summers day! Average Heart Rate sitting pretty at 125 BPM and a maximum of 153 BPM chasing after a short stop it has to simply be the only way to finish 3 days of endurance!! The dream continues and tomorrow I return to the bike. Exactly where I want to be come rain or shine..............................

Thursday, August 18, 2011

No Frills Just A Nuts And Raisins Session!!

Resting Heart Rate this morning 44 BPM. If you have ever swam at The Jesus Green Pool it is a hardcore location that is ideal for a tough session. Changing facility is a posh cattle shed, the pool is tepid with plenty of floating debris. A good solid 2 hour session followed by a shower that turned my hands blue. The last hour of the session spent swimming in the rain! This really is a "Nuts &Raisins" venue only for the not so fussy. Twinned with Sennybridge and the river Swale...................Ideal.................

Nice Day For A Swim!

Yesterday was all about the bike, today is all about open water swimming! DECAMAN starts with a 24 mile pool swim, mentally and physically very demanding start to the race. Today will see me start my preparation with a nice steady 2 hour swim in an open air pool, ideal venue that will eventualy see me doing weekly 6 hour endurance swims. Tomorrow, well thats just another day........its all about the art of running........................Be inspired!!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Perfect Wednesday!!

With near perfect weather conditions and a complete day to do what you love most of all it has to be the perfect day? 100 miles of steady riding building a good training base for next year. Out with big Al Mac as he winds down for the first Ultraman UK event and then linking up with club cyclists it was a perfect mix. Sometimes life is so good......................Lands End To John O Groats non stop in April is such an exciting prospect.............Just can't wait.......................

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Life In Chains...............................

We live are life in chains, mostly governed by time. We live by appointments, meetings, pressure from work, family and other unavoidable scenarios. When I train I choose the time, the distance and the venue. I go out on the open road and I am free. No one can dictate the pace, duration or intensity. For once I call the shots. If I choose to suffer it is because I want to learn about myself, I want to push the limits of human endurance. Training time is thinking time. Tomorrow I will ride all day! Why? Simply because I can.......................................................................Live it..................

Monday, August 15, 2011

3 Days Of Pure Endurance......................

Double header over and now its time for Swim-Bike-Run, 3 days of pure endurance! Tomorrow will be a 8-10 km pool swim, wednesday 100-120 miles on the bike and then thursday I will run until I can run no more.................Pushing the limits and ideal conditioning in all 3 disciplines.............Smash it.........Live It and Love Your Sport!!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Start Of A Tough Phase............

Another double header on the bike starting this afternoon when I will just ride. Next week I will be teaming up with Al Mac as he carries out his final preparation for UMUK. Next week will see us complete a 8km swim - 120 mile bike and a nice tempo 10 mile run! No time to rest and if you sleep too long you might just miss something................Endurance is the key to success. Build now for success later......................The Dream Goes On..............

Saturday, August 13, 2011

From Dark To Day.......................

There is something magical about riding in darkness and watching the world wake up. 0400 and clear open roads, in the distance the sky is orange gently turning blue as the world awakes! The roads are silent and open, not another locomotive to be seen or heard. The wheels turn and sweat drips from my forehead. I am alone, gliding silently, only my dreams to keep me company! after being awake for 22 hours and completing my second training session in 12 hours I think "Do I want To Be On The Bike Again"? The answer is simple! "Of Course I Do" "I LOVE IT"...............Push on.............fatigue is only a state of mind.................................

Thursday, August 11, 2011

My Job Is To Inspire Others....

Someone asked me if my job interferes with my training and racing? My answer is simple! My job is to race and train and to hopefully inspire others. My other pastime pays for me to train and race some of the best endurance athletes in the world. This week will see me training twice a day, to up the anti and to create overload to improve. Tomorrow will involve 3 sessions...............................Live It..........

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

One Man One Bike One Dream!

Decaman is my dream! We all have them and we may sometimes play them over in our minds. Personally I am always seeking out new challenges to continue the exploration and adventure into unchartered territory. To push the limits of human endurance and move beyond physical exhaustion to the other side! What is waiting there for me I want to find out. To continue the journey at any cost............Today I will run long and I will run free................................

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Its All In The Hills..............

Today I aim to suffer. On Sundays some people like to go long! One of my favourite sessions of the week is hill training because I like to suffer. The next 2 days are all about overload. This afternoon I will hit my favourite climb and complete a 1 hour session. Tomorrow I will run a 10 mile time trial to see where I am with speed. Then it is back to pure endurance................................Live it................

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

White Line Fever!

I had one of those runs this morning. Endless amounts of energy and a desire to suffer at the mercy of speed. Conditions were near perfect with clear skies and an unusually hot humid temperature. The decision was made to go for it. It felt strange at times because fatigue never arrived so arriving home at exactly 3am I was calmly satisfied that I need to run further...............The time has arrived to push on and push on I will............."Its Time To Suffer".........I am ready!!

Normal Is Boring...

I am drawn To Extremes, moderation bores me, I constantly seek challenges and adventure that loom on the outer edges. The path of least resistence is a route I will never take! If I can inspire one person to train then my job is done!! Anything is possible, you just have to make it............

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

The Lorries Rumble on.........

Double ride day over it was a scorcher at lunchtime and then couldn't be more contrasting riding through the night. Perfect conditions for both rides, a cyclists dream! Riding at midnight, warm conditions and clear open roads, just the rumble of passing lorries breaking the silence! It is most definitely my favourite time to train. Tonight I will be running through the night again. It seems like a long road to Mexico but with 2 marathons already booked for November there will be no let up!!! "Endurance never sleeps" "It is in my blood"..............

Monday, August 1, 2011

The Only One Who Can Tell You "You Can't" Is You! And You Don't Have To Listen....

Today I will ride. How far dosen't matter, how fast dosen't matter. Tomorrow I will run through the night.........Nothing can stop me..............."The Bold Don't Live Forever But The Timid Don't Live At All"

Overload Time.............

The next few days will see two sessions a day completed with an emphasis on the bike tomorrow. Ride 1 will see a steady 50 miles followed by a fast hours ride at midnight! Day time and night time riding with a break in between..............Its time to push on before my second run through the night............."Adversity introduces a man to himself".......

Friday, July 29, 2011

Ultra Distance Racing!

Its not always about time. Distance is just a number and the barriers we put in place are created by us. The only way to remove them is to enter into a new world of adventure. This may involve a certain amount of pain and discomfort, sometimes tears, sometimes laughter. When we suffer we learn about ourselves, push the limits and boundaries to find out what you are truly capable of! Ultra distance racing is about a finish line! Love it and live it..................Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional..........live the dream...........I wake up every morning and think! How far can I go today, and how fast can I travel?

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Endurance Thursday - Riding Free!!

Today was all about being one with the bike and big AL Mac discussing Ultraman UK. We were designed for locomotion. 3 hours of pure endurance where you can free the mind and educate the body to perform at low intensity without a care in the world. Tomorrow will bring a double session with my first endurance swim in the morning followed by an endurance run in the afternoon.......Swim - Bike - Run............The Dream is alive...............

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Recovery Is Paramount!

After a days rest and recovery it is now back to it. I place a great importance on recovery at the end of the week. Unlike most people my week runs from Wednesday to Tuesday. I generally rest on a Tuesday so that I am fresh to start a new week. Little point in starting tired so I take a dedicated rest day. Today I will do a nice easy ride and build as the week develops!! Train long and train alone. Develop the body and mind together...............................

Monday, July 25, 2011

Running Silently Through The Night..............

1am in the morning, a well lit moon, stars shine in clear skies! There is something majestic and calming about running through the night. Darkness falls on the dimly lit road, lorries rumble by going about their business. Endurance sports are, by nature, polarizing, they can be all-consuming. Participants tend to be deeply devoted and fanatical. The simple qualities needed to excel in such sports. I train alone and don't really care what time of day. Distance is just a number by which we measure our progress. Arriving home at 3.30am this morning, sitting quietly on the step outside eating and drinking I pondered for a moment before going to bed. This is what I love........................Living The Dream................DECAMAN is my DESTINY. I have always known it.................

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Endurance Saturday

A nice steady 50 miles in nice but windy conditions. Bike time is thinking time! I need to train and live like a professional to be successful at DECA. Consistency and dedication, training week in, week out for the next 15 months. Pain may only last for 1 second, 1 minute, 1 hour, success lasts forever! Live The Dream.................Tomorrow I will run long.......how far? I haven't decided yet.........................

Friday, July 22, 2011

Easy Does It

A nice steady late evening ride that saw me riding until darkness. After a hard session yesterday it was time to ease back today for an hour. Didn't finish training until 9.30pm and I could smell the aroma of food as people enjoyed the evening! Jealous? Of course I was....................................Tomorrow is endurance day whatever the weather brings!!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Time To Suffer - Hill Repeats

Evening training session designed to maximise suffering and to overload the legs. A 1 hour session alternating seated and standing climbing in and out of the saddle. This is a short session where my heart rate will be elevated towards maximum. Intended to be uncomfortable.......................

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Most Sensible People Are Asleep

Up at 3.15am for breakfast before hitting the road out on the bike for a nice steady wake up ride before work. Distance means nothing anymore its all about endurance! Crazy world that few people get to see. I will be out on the road for 4am!!

The Journey Begins Today

Follow my daily training and preparation designed to give you an inside view of what is required to prepare for reputedly one of the toughest endurance races on the planet. This is truly hardcore and cannot be underestimated as it pushes me beyond my mental and physical limitations. Day 1 is tomorrow................