Kick-starting the year..

Here I go again with another blog!

Why?

I really don't give a damn if anyone else reads it or not. But it does seem to help me record training and thoughts/ideas...and it encourages me to plan my training better and reflect on it more - and the fact that it might be being read helps me to stick to the training!

My new goal is another long term one:

Wensleydale Triathlon August 2010

So far, I'm not as committed to it as to last year's big event, Helvellyn Triathlon Sep 09 - I haven't actually entered it yet, and the exact date is not burned into my brain! My entry to Helvellyn last year was done on the day of entries opening. I'm less terrified this year...but I also know it is a harder event than Helvellyn. The road bike leg is both longer (42 or 48 miles - not quite sure), and with more 25% gradient sections (4); the run is also longer - 12 mile fell run I think. Part of the reason for starting a blog is to try and motivate myself to get going more seriously again...it's hard to get motivated again after Helvellyn was such a big goal for so long - 3 years. I am also working longer hours at a job that is physically draining - I'm finding training in the evening really tough. And getting any balance between work, training, singing (my other major hobby), and spending time with my 2 boys - let alone all the endless tedious domestic stuff - is proving very difficult. Not to mention still wanting to be in a relationship! I do keep trying!

I'm doing the blog as 'An Everyday Cyclist Challenge' on Cycloclub - an online cycling club which I've been subscribed to for a few years now. Blogs would never have occurred to me if this challenge hadn't started up just as I was about to enter Helvellyn last year - so I thought, why not? It's been very valuable to me, as being a skint beginner i really needed advice on how to exercise and nutrition - I was fed up of everyone telling me different things. I don't even know for sure how effective cycloclub related info is - as I've never really done anything else! But it's clear and makes sense. I haven't had any adverse effects. I haven't had any injuries. I've succeeded in making it through some tough events. However, I'm not at all fast - so not the greatest advert! It does give me a way of structuring training though. I don't end to use their more formal training plans and 'bootcamps' - mainly because I usually drift when I try. I do however aim to do a major core-training session each week, a spin-bike session (on the turbo trainer) every week (now I have a computer that can cope with the online on demand training), and usually an abs/stretch session. And follow the nutrition advice - or some of it - in both an on-going way and for events. Part of the usefulness lately is that it allows me to train at home - saving time travelling to and from venues and being there for the boys..not to mention being able to train during the awful weather we've had lately.

I ought to actually record some training so far...but will have to try and get round to it tomorrow now as I'm falling asleep and want to watch Andy Murray tomorrow morning!