24 September 2010

Went for a short 6km run this morning. Took it easy as im in the last
stretch to the marathon. Went to fetch my race number from Cape Town.
2 days to go. Getting nervous now.

I believe ive done enough training, only time will tell. I must just
pace myself correctly over the first 10km.

5 Septebmer 2010

Its been a while since my last post. I have kept up my training
schedule slowly building the miles each week. I signed up for the
comrades on Wednesday Morning. Now I must just ensure my training
gets me to the event next year.

3 weeks to go till my first marathon. The race is the Cape Town
marathon, on the 26 September. So far my training has gone well.
I managed to do a 30km run yesterday in 2 hours 45 . My run consisted
of some steep and long hills. Ending with Ou Kaapse Weg which is a
10km mountain pass, with about 7 km of gradula climbs and 3 km of
down hill. I finished weel so am confident that I have the ability
to complete the 42km marathon.

I will now taper my training over the next 2 weeks to ensure that I
am ready for the marathon. Havent thought about what time I will be
happy with. Right now I just want to finish without too much pain.

3 August 2010

Another grey cold day in Dublin. Managed to get in another
7.5km run this evening. 43mins. Ran along the grand canal again
as well as around Marion squar.

Went and had a guiness at the Temple bar after my run

2 August 2010

Cant believe were in August allready. another 28 days till
my birthday, whopee. Didnt do any sports yesterday. wanted
to rather rest and prepare for the long flight to Dublin.
And yes it was long. Flight problems delayed my flights by
2 hours, which resulted in me barely making my connecting flight
to Dublin. Heathrow security sux. Finger prints / photos /
questions and I wasnt even staying in their country.

Anywhoo , managed to do a 44 min run tonight in Dublin. Ran
along the grand canal, then down passed Lansdowne Road (Rugby
stadium) and back passed Marion square. Garmin say 7.5km.
I need to do at least 20km on saturday. Hopefully wont get too
lost in Dublin.

31 July 2010

Its been a bit of a boring week, mostly did treadmill running at the gym.
Managed to run a nice 20km run this morning. 1h: 45 min. This was my
first 20km without any stopping or walking.

I also managed to finally calibrate my garmin watch and foot pod. Its
been out by about 10%.

Off to Dublin tomorrow evening. Packed in my running shoes and clothes.

25 July 2010

1:h 30 min cycle ride this morning. Simple flat ride.
Managed to join a fairly biggish group of cyclist. Rode
to Simonstown along the coast. Weather was great, a little
cold to start but warmed up I can feel im slowly getting
fitter but theres still a lot of work to do.

24 July 2010

16km run this morning, 1h 21min, 2 minutes faster than last week.
been a busy week at work, managed to get in 3 x 40 minute sessions
at the gym. 26th September is the day Ive chosen for my first
marathon. This is the day of the Cape Town City Marathon. I believe
its one of the better marathons to do , especially for a novice.
No idea of what time to go for, just hoping to finish. I will need
to increase my long runs to over 20km in order to get closer to
the marathon distance.

19 July 2010

Monday Morning Rest Day, The start of another week. Its nice and cold outside,
at least its not raining. Managed to have a good 1hour 30 bicycle
ride yesterday. Included 2 hills to build up my strength and lung
capacity.

17 July 2010

Did a short 30 min run at the gym last night followed by 5 mins
of rowing and a few weights.

I finally managed to get in my 15km run this morning.It was a little
cold but manageable. The last part was quite tough with some very
steep uphills as well as steep downhills. I must measure the distance
some time, but im guessing its more towards the 16km mark. Time taken
1:23:03. I didnt stop once and felt good at the end. Ive never completed
a half marathon without stopping. If I can keep this up I definately think
I should be able to make the comrades next year.

Tomorrow is cycling day, weather permitting I would like to do a 2 hour ride

15 July 2010

Just got back from the gym.
5 min rowing.
45 min spinning.
Spinning instructor wasnt too bad though to be honest I count the
minutes till all spinning classes end. Spinning is a good cardio
workout.

14 July 2010 PM

Managed to get in a decent 40 minute road run this evening. Its
not really fun running in winter, though running on the road
beats the gym hands down.

I also managed to beat the rain. Lets see what tomorrow brings
maybe I can manage another 40 minute run. Fingers Crossed

14 July 2010

Winter is definately here. The gym was packed last night , I
had to wait in line to get an available treadmill. Nevertheless
I still managed to put in my 40 minutes of running.

I was hoping to get in a road run this evening but its raining
cats and dogs. If this continues I may need to go to the gym
again.

11 July 2010

Well this weekend didnt turn out the way I hoped. Winter rains have
arrived in the Cape. I may still have gone for a run if it was just
drizzling, but that wasnt the case, it was bucketing down. decided
to rather take the day off and get an extra rest day.

Didnt have too much time this morning so I decided to rather go for a
run at the gym. Weather also wasnt too wonderful this morning.
Ended up doing another 40 minute treadmill run.

Lets see how the coming week pans out.

9 July 2010

Whohoo its friday. managed to fit in a quick 30min run at the gym.
Dont want to overdo it before my long run of tomorrow. weather
permitting i will be doing the 15km.

Tomorrows the start of the tri-nations. I believe the game is
early 9am. i hopefully will be back in time to see the game. I must
remember to setup the pvr just in case.

8 July 2010

I cant believe tomorrow is friday again. The days seem to be flying by.
Today was a wonderful sunny day in Cape Town. I seem to have picked up
a stomache bug. This howerver didnt stop me from going to the gym
tonight. My girls are loving the kids play area at the gym so they
beg me when I get home.

I managed to fit in a 40 minute run on the treadmills. I still prefer to be
on the road. A 40 minute run seems to go by so much quicker on the road.
but then again the gym has some nice sites as well :)

Ive allready planned Saturdays run. The weatherman however predicts 80% rain
for saturday and sunday. Seems its time to get out my rain jacket. Ive
planned to do a 15km run on Saturday. This will be my longest run in almost
a year. The route will be down to Kalk bay then back via Boyes drive.
This is a very scenic run with some very steep climbs.

7 July 2010

So Tuesdays training didn't pan out as expected. Instead we went to the
Cape Town Fan Walk. Last night was the semi final between Netherland
and Uruguay. The cape was definately owned by netherland last night.
Everything was orange.

Ended up walking about 5km in a crowd of orange spectators. Atmosphere
was awesome. At least i can say i was there.

My wife started her night shift stint tonight. Its been a while since she
last worked night shift so it will take a bit of getting used to. Took both
daughters to the gym with me. It was the first time Abigayl (youngest) had been
at the gym so wasnt sure how she would react. Ended up doing 35mins on the
treadmill with a 5min rowing session.

Abigayl was at home with the other kids in the play area. Tomorrow night
will be easier and I should be able to do a 40min run.

Time to put the girls to bed.

5 July 2010

Mondays are now officially my resting day. Was a bit of a hectic day at work.
Ive got so much to do but so little time to do it in. I cant complain though
as the days fly by.

Busy looking after my 2 daughters as my wife has a lady whose just gone into labour.
Thanks goodness for cartoons. Gives me a few minutes of relaxation.

The weather man predicts rain for tomorrow. If so it will be off to the gym for me.

4 July 2010

Its especially hard to train in winter. This year is different, Im motivated, not only
do I want to do the comrades marathon , but I also want to lose weight in the
process. Kill 2 birds with one stone as they say. To try an minimise my risk
of injury ive decided to do a bit of cross training where possible. This includes
cycling / spinning and some gym work.

Sundays are now officially my cycling days. I left the house just after 8 this
morning. 3 layers of clothes to combat the winter air. Long vest, cycling shirt
and arm warmers. Not too many cyclists on the road this time of the year.
I rode to Simons town, approximately 17km from my house. Returned via Boyes
drive. The beginning of boyes drive was exceptionally hard this morning.
My legs arent used to the cycling climbs yet.

Tomorrow is my rest day. Time to recover and get ready for the rest of the week.
The weather man has predicted rain for Tuesday and friday which is fine. Ive
planned to go for a 40 minute run on wednesday with tuesday thursday and friday
at the gym.

3 July 2010

Ran my first hour and 6 minute run today. Trying to stick to the rules and
only increase my distance by 10% every week. I'm naturally a competitive
person and want to go out as far and as fast as possible. This has been my
downfall in the past. This time im taking it slower as the Comrades isnt
a small run.