Everything hurts and WTF Garmin!

The end of my first build week is finished and am now mid way through the second.. I have nearly fallen asleep standing up at Chessington on a family day out, my Garmin after a half marathon is telling me I have been unproductive and I have never been so hungry and feel like I am getting fatter not fitter...

It is 19 weeks till Ironman Austria... I ran the Wokingham Half marathon on Sundaywith a friend and we ran at an even pace and my hip was fine, so that is a positive.

I have had last week off for the half term with the kids and I had the luxury of training in the day when I felt like it, but the real challenge has been this week and the other 19 of this plan as I am back at work.. and the planning and juggling begins... So far I have put together my plan and I have stuck to it, which with me is half the battle. The only thing I am finding is the days where I am training hard I am having a hard time sleeping at night, which then as you can imagine has a knock of effect for the next day both at work and for subsequent training.

I went to my first Masters swim session last week, which I found really positive, I am excited to get back in the pool more and see if any of what I learned has stuck. Swimming does not come easily to me, and it was only just over a year ago I learned to swim and part of that meant learning to be comfortable with putting my face in the water and not holding my nose. I envy those people who learned to swim when they were kids, it is such a technique based sport and to learn and hone that skill as an adult seems at times impossible. The harder I try to get faster the slower I get. I am trying to learn to relax, but then I get super speedy people in my lane and I panic at holding them up this results in my form going to sh*t and usually ending up with a sort shoulder from swimming wrong.

The bike fit I had from Nigel at Spokes of Bagshot, has been massively beneficial. I need to do another FTP test soon, but I feel that the change in position has meant that I am more efficient on the bike and there is definitely more power in my pedal stroke. I highly recommend this shop, the staff are so friendly and knowledgeable, nothing is too much and they make you feel at home. If you, like me, feel at times like your a complete Noob when you go into shops feeling like they are speaking a whole different language with chain rings, tubeless tyres and clipless shoes (which incidentally you actually clip into) and dread going to these types of shops for fear of sounding like you have all the gear and no idea... you don't need to worry as James and the staff here really are so kind and patient, and no I do not get paid to say this I was just really impressed with how I was treated from the moment I walked into this shop to the moment I left with a big smile on my face.

I am longing for the days where the weather isn't so rubbish and I can go out on the bike and start getting in the miles in on the bike on the open road, as much as I love running... and I Do love running.. it is where all this insanity started in the first place... but there is something liberating and beautiful about being out on my bike and the incredible places that it take me, also when I run I rarely take the time to appreciate what's around me as I'm usually fighting my own laboured breathing or staring at the ground so as to not fall on my face but on my bike I have discovered many amazing places that are so near by *also the cakes I find on my travels is a bonus* Carbs are important fuel for busy athletes after all right?

Its looking positive for Manchester Marathon I just need to keep reminding myself that it is just a stepping stone to a greater goal.. and not break myself!