The oldest Newbie in town.

So, it’s been a few weeks since the last update in the “Tales from Wounded Knee.”

I definitely feel like I am over the hump of recovery from the knee surgery which is 9 weeks ago now.  My focus is now very much on trying to get some basic level of fitness back so that I can start in to my Ironman 32 week training plan with at least the ability to complete all the requirements of week 1 without being completely destroyed at the end of it.

Progress against this objective is decent, with the odd set-back, most of which have not been injury related but more to do with work interruptions and general business in life.

I’ve committed to at least two swim sessions per week and my Fish-like swim Buddy “Big-Ring” Pollard has been keeping me honest. (Don’t ask about the nickname – it’s not as bad as it sounds.)

We are keeping each other straight and ensuring that if we commit to training that we turn up – it’s also good to have someone to bounce off – and given both of our needs to hit the salad bar – bouncing off is pretty much what we do!

Swimming is coming back slowly but surely – I am trying to work on the technique side of things again early in the pre-season and the sessions the last couple of weeks from Coach Harkin have been really enjoyable.  Swimming? Enjoyable? I’ve lost the plot – what I really mean is that I didn’t completely hate it.  I can feel a bit of strength coming back – maybe not speed but a little bit more endurance.

Cycling has been very enjoyable and the really mild October was fantastic as it meant the Club Saturday runs have been in reasonable weather conditions and well supported with 8-12 of us out each week. It’s amazing how quickly I can feel improvements in the cycling.  On a flat or downhill I feel OK at holding my own at a steady pace.  As usual the hills are not my friend, and I know that the front loaded Camel Hump is not helping my power to weight ratio, hence the need to hit the salad bar more than the Tiki bar!  It is true that if you ride with people who are better than you then you will improve.

I’m relatively encouraged in the very early stages of my aim to become a better cyclist and earn the right to look good on my new Cervélo rather than someone who just stole it.  There are a lot of miles to go yet but the start is positive and I’m enjoying it.

Now, when it comes to running, this is my first love in terms of the Triathlon disciplines, and this time last year I was in really good shape after knocking out a Marathon PB in Dublin and had my sights set on a couple of Ultras and several other marathons over the next 6 months.  Roll forward 12 months and my sights are set somewhat differently.

Last Wednesday I did the Run in the Dark 10k at Stormont.  My goal for this was primarily to get through it feeling Ok and if that happens to be in the region of 55-60 minutes I’d consider this as a step forward.  

I’m glad to say that I managed a decent 53.57 for the 10K.  Not exactly blistering but not bad and well ahead of my estimated time. I felt pretty strong and was rarely passed on the second lap and managed a 90 second negative split.

It’s scary how the lack of running has destroyed my running fitness and where I was running 32 miles over Mountains just 7 months ago, I now have to work hard on a four mile flat run round the Tow path in Belfast. 

I just need to get it in my head that I’m on a long journey back and it may even be two years to get back to the sort of running shape I was in last year – but then again I need to also remember that I hopefully will enjoy less injuries now compared to when the big miles were going in. Give and take really.

On the whole it’s a very positive view for me as I’m back in all three sports, I’m enjoying them all and I can see improvement almost every time I go out.  In some ways it feels a bit like just starting out where improvement comes every time.  I must be the oldest newbie in town.

The big training plan for Ironman Frankfurt starts in just over one week’s time and I’m really looking forward to it but also I am beginning to remember what hard work it is and the commitment and motivation levels required to keep going through crap weather, tiredness, work requirements, family time and all the other things that life throws our way but that’s half the challenge and the fun.