Bite off more than one can chew

The phrase "don't bite off more than you can chew" was first written in the 1877 book 'Western Wild' although it is widely believed that it had previously been used in regular conversation before being written. Regardless of where the phrase derived from we all do it at some point.

I have recently bitten off more than I can chew. Although I am more than confident in regards to my ability to complete a physically active endeavour I am worried about completing the 4km swim portion of the Ironman Canada. I am just not a very competent swimmer. I'm don't struggle with the aspect of being able to swim, but rather I am just not sure I can complete a 4km swim in an acceptable amount of time and I at the moment certainly can't do it with the freestyle stroke. Triathlon blogs unequivocally state that the breaststroke is too slow and too tiring to be considered an appropriate stroke for an Ironman.

The purpose of this blog is to journal my progression towards Ironman Canada 2014. I can't imagine it will be interesting to anyone other than myself, but I do feel it is an excellent way for me to track my progress and hopefully keep me in some way, shape or form more accountable to my training.

If you do decide to follow my progress I hope you enjoy it... If you don't that is just fine :)

Day 1 training: 45 minute pyramid bike training.
Weight: 200
Day 2 training: 50 minute tempo ride.
Weight: 201

Running

Never Too Late To Restart?

As you may or may not know I enjoy running. Despite the fact I dislike the term 'passionate' I am passionate about running. I've been long distance running for approximately 15 years, I've completed 11 full marathons and a number of other races. I would some day like to run a 3h10m marathon, but a lack of commitment and motivation have gotten in the way.

 I'm trying to make a number of small changes in my life that will allow me to take a genuine shot at attaining this goal. Some of these goals are running a half/full marathon clinic, running outdoors throughout the winter regularly, I work at a running store and I have become more motivated.

There are also a variety of hurdles if you will that are standing in my way. Some of these hurdles are lack of time, the half/full marathon clinic (please refer to time if you don't understand this dilemma) and I need to cut back on beer and red wine.

I think chronicling my running may be an extrinsic motivator when it comes to developing my commitment to 3:10 and I feel like writing more, so this is what this very outdated blog is going to do.

I have not posted on this blog n who knows how long and there are significant changes in my life since I last posted. The following are the bigger ones.. new girlfriend, new house, new country, new job, different group of friends and I am much older and not really that much wiser.

This has been a rather serious post, most will not be, but rather they will be cynical and hopefully somewhat humorous. They will also chronicle my running and some post will only be about a run. This may be boring to most of you (not that anyone is actually going to read this), but I don't care.

Running

December 7th, 2012
Time: 1:05
Distance: 13.5km
Conditions: cold, no wind and very slippery
Felt: Great, no fatigue or light headedness at the start of the run.

Things I Like

• No work on today so that I can write report cards.

Things I Don't Like

• Report card writing.

Oh the Frustration

Well its around 11P.M on the Monday evening of the Anzac Day long weekend. Spent primarily most of the weekend resting and relaxing around the house getting ready for what is to be a busy week at work. Today went for a 19Km run, did some cleaning, finished the book I was reading and went to bed early to start a new book. However, there has been a wrench thrown into the works, I can't sleep. This has been going on since about high school. As soon as Sunday night comes before the start of the week I struggle to sleep. Everyone says it is because I might be anxious for the upcoming week, but I'm not. I think its become a mental block that when I go to sleep before the start of a new week I fool myself into thinking I can't sleep.

Running has been going fairly well as of late, not great, but adequate. However, there is one small problem and I'm not sure there is much I can do about it. I am getting old, or at least my knees are reminding me that I am getting old. My first few strides of every run my left knee struggles to straighten and takes some time to have the proper hinge movement it is designed to have. At night after I have gone for a run and sometimes on nights I haven't I can feel the stiffness in them. I honestly do a decent job of taking care of myself and my body, but I'm starting to think that I may just have to start icing my knees when I get home.

Oh and for the record I am sitting here in sweatpants and a long sleeve shirt. This may not appear to be anything of consequence, but what it does mean is that summer is ending and winter is starting. The house is getting quite chilly at night and it is only a matter of time before having to turn on the single room heater designed to heat well one room, leaving the rest of the rooms in the house like an icebox.

Things I Like This Week

• It is Tuesday, which means it is one day closer to the weekend
• I have to stay late after school Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. One night for a meeting and two nights for parent teacher interviews. Oh wait this is to go in the following section
• The Blue Jays seem to have gotten off to a decent start this year and might not lose 100 games this year
• Roy Halladay is a very good pitcher

Things I Don't Like This Week

• See above