Author: thejiltedtriathlete

Marathon Ballots

My club has a London Marathon place going to ballot.

I am debating throwing my name into the hat.

Knowing my luck I’ll probably get it (in a cruel twist of fate and ridiculousness).

And if I did, I’d have to train for it. After saying I would never do a marathon.

Well.I’ve until the end of Sunday to decide if I;m going to throw my name in. I have, however, missed last nights and tonights run. I am off work tomorrow (job interview) so planning on running tomorrow morning and may use that time to contemplate life choices.

Maybe.

Maybe I have some run mojo. Ish.

Consistency is king

I feel like mission sub 30min 5k is back on. It’s been a long time coming but a few weeks out of the water and all my exercise consisting of running and strength training, I’m slowly seeing my park run time drop.

I know consistency is key to getting better – I talk about it a lot with the people I coach swimming too. Putting that into practice while in the stages where everything is hard – takes some doing.

Having a proper break from swimming and JUST running has been good for me. I’m nudging around the 31ish minute mark for my local parkrun and I am slowly finding myself enjoying running more – because I can feel myself getting fitter! Its always been something I find hard but it is genuinely easier to fit into my week at the moment compared to swimming.

All the events I have signed myself up for in the next four months are all running related, so maybe my running will see some good gains this winter. It’s the social side that is keeping me running and has kept the momentum. I’ve even managed some solo runs I mostly feel like I am in a good place – I just need to sort out the yoga habit and just be a bit stricter with myself!

I also want to get back in the pool – fingers crossed in the next few weeks I can fine tune the routine!

And maybe, before Christmas, manage a sub 30min 5k.

End of the Season Wins

Two fab Saturday’s on the trot!

Last Saturday was Sundowner Triathlon, a particularly local race which we did in relay – the olympic distance. My last swim event of the year – and it wasn’t without it’s issues but nonetheless, it was a grand day out, followed by a pub tea. Win all round really. Saw in the last club member on the race too (never fun being the last one in).

This Saturday (today) has been equally pretty good but for different reasons. You can definitely tell we are heading towards the end of triathlon/duathlon season as there were few club mates out in the rain at park run this morning.

Mission was to run the whole thing and I nearly did – 20/30s of waking on the fourth lap – I probably could have just slowed it down and run it but pace is definitely improving. I cant decide how much I enjoyed it but I can definitely state that I am enjoying knowing I am getting fitter so something, somewhere, is working. Sub 30 might actually happen – its been a while – so taking that as a win!

This week though, I have generally sacked off swimming. I swam Monday night but I know full well that my shoulder needs pounding out as it is so so tight. It’s going to have to wait until payday anyway and now my wetsuit is off away – might knock the swimming down to twice a week. The students are back at the uni pool which means less decent swim opportunities anyway and, well, I need a break in general and to reacquaint myself better with my trainers!

I might be finding my run mojo again, which is slightly concerning!

Unexpected joys

Annual leave – if only there was more of it. I genuinely think I could retire and not be bored. First day of annual leave has been filled, to be honest, with lots of odd jobs and getting caught up on some admin for my own business however, there was one unexpected joy.

I was in two minds about swimming this morning. My shoulder is a bit tender – think it is tightness but a message from a mate made me get up and go. It was the last Monday morning swim at my local lake so I went.

I had the whole lake to myself. Granted, it isn’t the most beautiful lake in Yorkshire however, a member’s swim is only £4 and there is lifeguard support. I’ve lost a bit of pace with my ow swimming in the last few years and 3 laps took longer than it should have but it’ll pan out eventually – I probably need to do some really focused strength work over winter. I did feel a bit guilty having essentially my own personal spotter this morning but what a joy! I am so glad I got up and went. Still think swimming is my favourite way to start a day in all honesty.

Coupled with changing my bedding, feeling productive and some lovely conversations – unexpected joys seem to come in many shapes and sizes.

Looks like I’m swimming OW tomorrow morning too – if only summer was longer. (Although my bank balance is looking forward to me going back to tutoring in the next few weeks!)

Unexpected peace

I am trying to get back into a writing habit – partly because I’ve been keeping a diary – this is usually a sign things aren’t right emotionally but I am writing in it less and less (good sign) and partly because I have a book in my head and getting into some form of writing practice might be good for me. Famous last words – September is not far away and that’s when work gets busy!

Onto the unexpected peace. It’s actually more contentment/feeling at peace. Yesterday I had the best park run time I’ve had in a long time. I felt strong. I AM feeling strong at the moment in general. Had a good afternoon with my Dad. Got some housework done last night (which I finished off today). This morning I went swimming and then out on the bike with one of my mates, who stayed for lunch. Pottered into town to by myself a tiramisu iced frappe latte thing. Had a bath and read.

The feeling of utter peace and just quiet that has been the result of not rushing around and doing nice things and not worrying – well. I am chilled. Not sure how long it will last. Think I might go do some yoga and have a very early night – by which I mean, go to bed and read until my eyes shut.

How long this feeling will last is anyones guess but I am just going to carry on embracing it as long as possible.

I love summer.

All Change

I am determined that I am going to keep up the blogging habit – even if it’s a bit old hat now and everyone has moved over to Tictok or whatever.

The origins of this blog came out of heartache and change- this year has had a portion of that and it’s been a reminder of what it can be like to be in a relationship (the utter calmness was next level). It also coincided with a bigger change in that I bought a house and was in process of moving in when I was dating.

Flying solo in my late 30s and I think I have managed to make this house a home. This doesn’t mean to say that I wish to stay forever singe – see previous comment!

With all the change, it’s been a bit of an odd year but I do feel more settled. Somethings are easier now I have my own space and coupled with the summer holidays and less tutoring, I have actually had time to do things I enjoy. It all kicks off again in September but we’ll worry about that when we get there.

I have found a routine, work is currently settled – though in the process of applying for another role (promotion would be nice). I have a swim routine and did Coniston End to End again but not as quickly as I know I am able to… Things are good and I am feeling grateful.

On the up coming to do list:

This week – back into swim/training routine. Last week went to pot as I was dog sitting. Work will be mixed as colleague is off all week and no idea who else will/won’t be in. Tutoring will be quiet. General life happenings. Lakes on Sunday for 1500m swim event in Windermere – should be a laugh but think I’m going to day trip it.

Longer term – few odds and sods to sort in the house, continue training, plan what September is going to look like (check diary!), try to blog and hopefully review some of the research I started during Covid on women’s time trialing and cycling. Before someone else writes the book! Oh and to stop buying bedding.

Trying to read more too. Ned Boulting’s recent book has been finished, managed to sneak in another book but I also have about 3 copies of Rouleur to catch up on. I think I could retire and still be busy!

Long time no blog

What’s been going on?! I’ve not blogged for a while – time to get back on it!

So it has been a LONG time since I wrote. Life has been busy. I was going to cancel my WordPress subscription and let the website go but then a couple of months ago the payment went out (misjudged that!). Thought I should maybe start blogging again? I’ve been keeping a diary again – that’s what heartbreak does to you! And it’s been a good reminder that I actually enjoy writing. Sixteen year old me would be having a field day at this….

So much has happened in the last year – can’t even remember the last time I put out a blog post? Definitely not the year!

I’ve bought a house! Admittedly with the help of Bank of Mum and Dad.

I’ve done the End to End Swim at Coniston again – honestly really should have blogged that whole experience after 4/5 years away from marathon swimming.

I’ve had a whirlwind romance – and well, still licking wounds and explains the dairy keeping. I appear to only write/keep a diary when I’m heartbroken or life is Not Good. Right bloke + wrong time = wrong relationship. Might write about it and my reflections. Might not.

So, it has been a long time since I wrote. Life is slowing settling into a routine, although summer holidays disrupt this in a good way, and hopefully I can find some time to share my ramblings with the world.

Next on the list – Epic Swim Windermere – 1500m thought- nothing mad!

Waving goodbye to Summer

Well it has been a rather mediocre summer really – the highlight being the two trips abroad cycling. Summer was late arriving and I feel I have wasted it a bit but on the plus side, I appear to be out of the funk I’ve been in for the last year or two.

I think a combination of factors has helped. I feel and am fitter than I have been for a while. More cycling will do that to you! A PB on the deadlift, my swim mojo coming back to life (slowly but surely….) and just generally being more active has lead me to actually ‘doing more’.

It’s been a long time coming. So in celebration of this new found enthusiasm for life – I’ve signed up to swim Coniston End to End again….

And apply for a new job.

I dislike winter and not enjoying the nights closing in, however hopefully there is enough enthusiasm to get me through to next spring…

Realisations

Its been an interesting couple of years. Lack of mojo, lack of energy and a lack of enthusiasm/feeling of excitement. Although it feels like a corner has been turned!

Positives

Trying new stuff without too much planning: In May, I took a step out of my comfort zone and coupled with one of my friends we took the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam with our bikes, with only hostels booked. It was fabulous. So much so, I am taking my bike on two trains and a ferry to meet the same friend in Calais to camp and cycling around North France with even less planning….

Bring. It. On.

(After a £450/500 bill on a bike that originally cost me £450….)

Saying no/re-evaluating what I do with my time: I am stepping down from the committee I’m on and it’s looking like I probably wont be coaching much, if at all, in the autumn, which I cant say I’m upset about.

Mission mortgage: Is all systems go. I am willing to do the OT hours at work, but have to say, a bit of a break from tutoring over the summer is a welcome rest – grown up stuff.

Swim swim swim: I WANT to swim. I have started swimming more regularly and I am tempted to have another go at Coniston end to end.

Cycling love: following on from the Netherland… I have finally bought a cycling computer (a Wahoo Bolt) and wanting to ride my bike more. Might even make the last TT race next week.

Negatives

Multisport races: Head is not in the game but I suspect that the cold and lack of OW swimming didn’t help. One aquabike booked – DNS’d it. No regrets but it was a cold day spectating!

My shoulder/back is not happy: Old niggle is back but coupled with a poor position at work i suspect. May need some more investigation.

Overall – more positives than negatives…. though the niggly back/shoulder is quite a major one atm…

Right – back to it

It’s been a while, and since a payment to WordPress has recently gone out of my account, I really should get back into writing a bit!

It’s been an odd 18 months really. I think i had over done the swimming and have barely swam in the last couple of years. Running has been a bit hit and miss. I’ve been cycling around the Netherlands too (I need to write a blog on this!).

Things are generally on the up though, in the general scheme of things. Work has settled into a routine and one of my Y11s has finished, finding some kind of balance is getting there and starting ‘Operation Buy a House’ has given me a new focus.

Fitness wise – I’m just trying to get plates spinning again but yesterday one of my mates and I did parkrun and considering i havent run for 4 weeks – I hadnt lost too much fitness but my calves are feeling it! I managed to swim twice last week and my sister has bought a bike. I’ll take these as wins.

Roll on summer (when it does actually arrive – maybe this week?!).