I know I have been neglecting my blog over the past couple of weeks but I've been busy with all sorts. Quite a lot of work, a bit of racing, too much wine, not enough training (especially swimming) and family losses.
I'll do this chronologically or it will turn into an dog's breakfast.
Race: On the 11th of November I ran the club 10km race in Leatherhead with about 70 keen Clapham Chasers all wearing the blue, green and white. This event has become the annual club race as it was the first race ever entered by a chaser some 7 years ago. Conditions were fantastic for running at 10 degrees C and bright autumn sunshine. It is a rather hilly course, basically up and down so I wasn't expecting a decent time as I haven't been running much and the fitness wasn't there due to excessive wine consumption and the justification that I am 'resting during the off season'.
Anyway..... long story short I ran a time I was really happy with (41.11) so I am on track for that sub 41:00 in 2013. The ultimate goal is a sub 40:00 10km but I am still a way off that one. It was a great day out as most of the Chasers took the organised bus there and back. Unfortunately Natale had to pull out due to a niggling injury but was there cheering us all on. That evening we had our annual awards dinner which was brilliant fun and really interesting to see some people with makeup on :-) Natale got a special award for outstanding contribution for kit and a couple of our mates won best veteran male and most improved woman triathletes. I didn't win shit!
Birthday: 12th of November, best day of the year of course as it is my birthday! We both woke up with a hangover which was kind of expected after the mixture of drinks.
Bike Fitting: After a superb birthday breakfast - that isn't a euphemism, we were off to the bike centre in Crystal Palace for my bike fitting. This was really interesting and good fun to see the mechanics of the human body on the bike and how everything works together; I know I'm a geek (see pics below). Two and a half hours later and a lot of turbo trainer work I had a road & triathlon setup completed with new saddle and new tri bars. Thanks to the lovely wife for the gift and the patience to sit there for nearly 3 hours. This was followed by a lovely dinner.
Death: On Sunday my dear old gran passed away :-( She had a bad fall last week and fractured her hip very badly. She went into hospital last week and passed away in her sleep on Sunday morning. She was a lovely warm & kind person and she is going to be missed. I loved you Gran Joan, you had a good innings.
Time to shake off the cold and get back on the bike and into the pool. We got a training plan to start!
