From Triathlotte to Ironlotte: Winter training - Going into battle with the elements...

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 6^th 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 9^th – 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 12^th 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 20^th 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 10^th.

My average week now consists…

Monday 7.15 am – 1hr weights session with James

Monday 5.30 pm – (starting feb 3^rd) 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