Well, it’s been a while since my last blog
– there has been a lot going on in the Woodcock household, including way too
much indulgence over Christmas that meant a whole world of suffering the first
week back in January.
There are now only 101 days to go until I
will be splashing into the Sea and starting my Ironman challenge…no pressure
then!
Over October and November I managed to keep
up a steady rate of training managing to fit in 4-5 sessions a week – mainly concentrating
on run and bike. I completed a few killer rides up into the Northumbrian
national park and got in some good climbing ready for the 2000ft monster, which
I will meet within the first 20k of Ironman Mallorca 70.3.
At the start of December I really started
to flag and picked up a nasty cold that saw me out of action for two weeks with
little or no energy - my motivation was starting to suffer.
Just as I was starting to get on the mend
we had some news that dad was going to have to be taken into hospital for an
operation on his tummy. Ironman training is important, but there is no
comparison when it comes to my dad in terms if priority. The operation was a
success and after an anxious week of visiting and saying our prayers every
night before bed, dad was discharged on Christmas Eve – literally the best
Christmas present I’ve ever had. He had been in a huge amount of pain, but as
always he showed Iron grit and determination to get himself out of bed and back
home for Christmas. The nurses were amazing and said that dad was a ‘model
patient’ – I could not praise them highly enough for how well they looked after
him.
Naturally with Jamie Oliver out of the
equation for cooking Christmas dinner, I took over the mantle with a bit of
help from mum, grandma Jean and the rest of the clan who mucked in when they arrived on Christmas day – it was crazy
busy running around and trying to fit in visits to see dad, but we got there in
the end. We had a lovely family Christmas with a full complement of guests –
dad requested that there would be no cutting corners – although we did manage
to forget the roast potatoes #epicfail
The rest of December was spent seeing
family and friends and trying to fit in a bit of training where possible. The
truth was that I needed some serious sleep after burning the candle at both
ends for about a fortnight. I listened to my body and I went into a kind of
hibernation – probably very lazy but boy did I feel better after a few long lie
ins….
January – Right here we go – this is it – I
am doing Ironman this year!! In just over 4 months I will be undertaking the
hardest challenge of my life to date.
I felt completely out of my depth and really
apprehensive about training/nutrition – the month off had made me feel
sluggish, doubtful and I just didn’t know where to start. I needed help to get
me out of my December hibernation.
Queue James Milburn – I needed someone who
was going to whip me into shape and force me to get into a routine of training
again. James had introduced himself to
me a few months ago when he was opening a new gym in Ponteland – I was happily
training on my own at the time, but this time round I really needed help.
The gauntlet was thrown down, and on Monday
6th January (first day back in work) I was up at 6.30 and training
by 7.15am with James. He took all of my measurements – weight, height and body
fat percentage. Then the indulgence of Christmas really hit home. It was time
to get serious, otherwise there was a chance I may get harpooned on the swim section
in May – just call me Shamou!
Needless to say I was suitably punished for
my sins with a grueling weights session, which resulted in nearly a week of
walking round like the tin man afterwards! I was given a new nutrition plan and
had to write a food diary to keep track of everything that was going into my
mouth.
The first three days were pretty tough, I
was hurting and all I wanted to do was eat comfort food – but equally I knew I
had to go with it. I had a splitting head from caffeine withdrawl and I was
really missing sweet treats. I resolved to get better prepared and I studied
the ‘food choices’ menu in depth…once I had the right ingredients I was able to
cook up a storm in the kitchen and by the end of the week, food was tasting
better and I didn’t feel like I was ‘dieting’ – without a doubt the nutrition
plan was making my body function better and I felt like I had more energy- it
was starting to work!
On Thursday 9th – I had my first
running club session from the gym with coach Joanne Brown. I was really slow
and still struggling with the after effects of tin man syndrome – but I was out
there and I was doing it. Joanne was really encouraging and kept me going and
so did the other girls – week by week I will get better – I just need to keep
going and pushing myself. The group is varied in ability and I would recommend
it to anyone who is starting out in running – I have always been a poor runner
but it doesn’t matter, getting outside is half the battle.
On Sunday 12th I did my first
brick session – for those non-triathletes amongst you, this is where you put a
bike and a run session together. It’s a key part of training as it makes your
legs used to the ‘jelly leg’ sensation of going from bike to run. I had about
16 weeks to IM 70.3 and I didn’t want to go out too hard too soon. I settled
with a 30mile bike and a 3 mile run. BOY did I feel it…every turn of the pedal
and step on the run was hard work…My back was killing and I wished I had not
eaten so many pies over Christmas. I had a lot of work to do.
Monday 20th at 7.15 – D day –
Time to see how I’ve done, have I really been working as hard as I think?!
YES!!! SUCCESS! I lost 3kg in my first two weeks and 2% boy fat! A great start
and the last week has been much less painful than the first. James’ training
regime and nutrition plan has dragged me out of the dark and onto the road to
IM again! What a boost, I now feel like I am heading in the right direction and
with James’ help I will be raring to go on May 10th.
My average week now consists…
Monday 7.15 am – 1hr weights session with
James
Monday 5.30 pm – (starting feb 3rd)
1hr running club with Joanne
Tuesday 7am – 1hr on the turbo trainer at
fast pace
Wednesday 5.30pm – 1hr weights with James
Thursday 7pm – 1 hr running club with
Joanne
Friday 7am – 1mile in the pool
Saturday am – long bike followed by long run
– building up week by week to 56mile bike and 13.1 mile run.
The last four weeks have been a tough
mental and physical battle - the weather
is not kind in the winter months and I have been out in some challenging
conditions – somehow that makes training more rewarding though. When I’m
sitting in front of the fire after a hard session I realize that half the
battle is just getting out there whatever the weather – something my teammates
at Tri-Northumberland know well. Some
true Ironmen and women amongst them.
WOW – That was a long one – For those of
you who are still awake ‘YOU FELL ASLEEEEEEEEP?!’ I am now feeling great after
nearly 4 weeks of training and I’m up to 36miles on the bike and 5.5miles on
the run already. I get measured again next week so fingers crossed I will have
shed some more lbs! I am feeling motivated again and dad is slowly getting his
strength back. He started his chemo again a few weeks ago and is giving that
nasty a good kicking again. I hope I can show the same grit and determination
as him when it comes to IM…I’ll give it a damn good shot.
For now I will bid you farewell and return
at the end of Feb for another update.
Thanks to James, Joanne, Mum, Dad and
Scotty for helping me get my motivation mojo back again.
If you can spare any pennies for either of
my two chosen charities I would be very grateful – my just giving is https://www.justgiving.com/teams/triathlotte
See you soon
Triathlotte
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| Winding hell ride. |
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| A nice crisp cold day in the Northumbrian national park. |
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| Not enjoying the weather. |
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| Hot after an hour on the turbo. |
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| Swimming my way down the side of the A1. |
