Thursday 28 August 2008
More Energy than you can shake a stick at.
I've been a regular user of Science in Sports (SiS) products for a while now. I like their "Go" electolyte powder, their engery bars and rate their "Rego" recovery drink.
When training for Ironman Switzerland I bough some Powerbar energy drink powder to familiarise myself with that product, but as I didn't like it, nor did I feel it worked for me I opted to go self sufficient and stick with SiS rather than use the event provided drink.
At the Tour of Wessex this year I tried and liked the Torq Pink Grapefruit drink. Having worked my way through a large tub of the stuff, which is really easy to measure out, I took delivery the week before last of another tub of grapefruit plus an assortment of 5 small tubes of their 5 different flavours.
Then yesterday I received even more energy products. When entering Ironman France a few weeks back I opted to recieve samples of InfinitNutrition products that will be available at Ironman France. I wasn't expecting them to arrive so quickly and I wasn't expecting the samples to include a tub of Bike specific drink comprising 6:1 carbs to protein, a tub of Run specific carb drink, a tub of their recovery drink and two bottles.
With 4 different manufacturers energy drink in my kitchen cupboards I feel I should be conducting comparison tests and writing up my results.
When training for Ironman Switzerland I bough some Powerbar energy drink powder to familiarise myself with that product, but as I didn't like it, nor did I feel it worked for me I opted to go self sufficient and stick with SiS rather than use the event provided drink.
At the Tour of Wessex this year I tried and liked the Torq Pink Grapefruit drink. Having worked my way through a large tub of the stuff, which is really easy to measure out, I took delivery the week before last of another tub of grapefruit plus an assortment of 5 small tubes of their 5 different flavours.
Then yesterday I received even more energy products. When entering Ironman France a few weeks back I opted to recieve samples of InfinitNutrition products that will be available at Ironman France. I wasn't expecting them to arrive so quickly and I wasn't expecting the samples to include a tub of Bike specific drink comprising 6:1 carbs to protein, a tub of Run specific carb drink, a tub of their recovery drink and two bottles.
With 4 different manufacturers energy drink in my kitchen cupboards I feel I should be conducting comparison tests and writing up my results.
New Goggles too..
... and they made a massive difference swimming in the lake last night. I could see the length of the lake, I'm sure that helped me swim straigher.
Tuesday 26 August 2008
New Sunglasses
Bought some new sunglasses today to replace the cycling pair I lost on Saturday.
It's amazing how much clearer everything appears when your lenses aren't scratched. Me thinks I ought to have replaced the other pair earlier, or perhaps taken more care of them in the two years I had them.
It's amazing how much clearer everything appears when your lenses aren't scratched. Me thinks I ought to have replaced the other pair earlier, or perhaps taken more care of them in the two years I had them.
Friday 22 August 2008
Wroxham 5k - 2008 number 3 - 20th August
Last week was my biggest week of training ahead of the UK Ironman ahead of what should have been a recovery week. Over the last two weeks I've covered over 500 miles in training (425 on the bike 78 running and 7 miles swimming). In the 5 days leading up to Wednesday's 5k I'd run 38 miles and the legs were feeling reluctant to move. I was convinced I shouldn't be running and shouldn't be going for a fast time. I asked if anyone needed pacing round in 25 minutes.
I ran my usual 2k warm up and the legs felt heavy but produced 8mpm, which was faster than I was expecting. Lined up for the start and suddenly felt light on my feet - guess it was the light weight cycling socks rather than blister resistant thick running socks I normally prefer. Legs still felt heavy and didn't want to risk injury. 4:10 for the first km, ran the second km chatting and watching the form of those around me. I know my style is far from perfect but a session recently with Neil Featherby had me looking at toe landers, circular leg actions, lopsided shoulders, backward leans and uneven arm swings. Second km was done in 4:00. Third km was the usual slower split that I've come to expect with the Wroxham course of 4:22. With just over 2km to go, and inspired by our Olympic success I went into overtake mode from the bend and clocked 3:56 and 3:55. Total time of 20:24. Whilst still 44seconds off a PB it is still my fastest 5k as a Vet (oh, okay 1st 5k as a Vet), my fastest 5k for 3 years and way faster than I had any right to run. So I'm a very happy bunny with that performance, very happy with my training in prep for the Ironman and very happy with how my body seems to be coping with the training. Not promising anything great for the Ironman just the finish but I'm sure I'll have fun getting round. Have I mentioned my just giving site of www.justgiving.com/roblines?
I ran my usual 2k warm up and the legs felt heavy but produced 8mpm, which was faster than I was expecting. Lined up for the start and suddenly felt light on my feet - guess it was the light weight cycling socks rather than blister resistant thick running socks I normally prefer. Legs still felt heavy and didn't want to risk injury. 4:10 for the first km, ran the second km chatting and watching the form of those around me. I know my style is far from perfect but a session recently with Neil Featherby had me looking at toe landers, circular leg actions, lopsided shoulders, backward leans and uneven arm swings. Second km was done in 4:00. Third km was the usual slower split that I've come to expect with the Wroxham course of 4:22. With just over 2km to go, and inspired by our Olympic success I went into overtake mode from the bend and clocked 3:56 and 3:55. Total time of 20:24. Whilst still 44seconds off a PB it is still my fastest 5k as a Vet (oh, okay 1st 5k as a Vet), my fastest 5k for 3 years and way faster than I had any right to run. So I'm a very happy bunny with that performance, very happy with my training in prep for the Ironman and very happy with how my body seems to be coping with the training. Not promising anything great for the Ironman just the finish but I'm sure I'll have fun getting round. Have I mentioned my just giving site of www.justgiving.com/roblines?
Tuesday 19 August 2008
Great back in Britain
Our atheletes out in the Beijing have been doing a sterling job of putting the Great back into Great Britain with a record haul of 16 gold medals, 9 silvers and 8 bronzes. Our biggest haul in 100 years and there are several days remaining.
A massive well done to the cyclists. Tim Brabents is through to the K1 sprint finals. "Come on Tim".
A massive well done to the cyclists. Tim Brabents is through to the K1 sprint finals. "Come on Tim".
Largest Lunchtime Ride Group
We had one of the largest ever lunchtime ride groups out today with appearances from two punctures Chilli, Julian, Ian Jones, Phil Smith and myself. I think we've once before rallyed 5 participants.
Sunday 17 August 2008
Last Long Run and Ride done now...
.... ahead of Ironman UK. Rode 114 miles yesterday and a very slow 18 miler today. That makes 221 miles cycling, 6 swimming and 38 running with 31 of those taking place in the last 48 hours - no wonder today's run was hard work and a test of will.
Have been able to pile on the miles these last two weeks and feeling pleased with the efforts. Total combined mileage for the two weeks being 515miles. Total for the year to date is now 5,940 miles as 108.7 swimming, 5,042.4 cycling and 789.4 running.
Just the taper to do now.
Have been able to pile on the miles these last two weeks and feeling pleased with the efforts. Total combined mileage for the two weeks being 515miles. Total for the year to date is now 5,940 miles as 108.7 swimming, 5,042.4 cycling and 789.4 running.
Just the taper to do now.
Thursday 14 August 2008
Consequence of Heavy Rain...
.... is that there is a lot of grit and dirt on the roads. I've had two punctures in two days, both slow ones. Inner tubes are now top of my shopping list.
Tuesday 12 August 2008
Heavy Rain..
... this morning meant I got soacked riding into work. Fortunately the rain had stopped before JT and I went for our lunchtime ride, however we did find lots of standing water, particularly in the fords and dips around Mulbarton. We came back with very wet feet.
Monday 11 August 2008
Last big week of training for Ironman UK
Today is the first day of my last big week of training for Ironman UK. It got off to a good start with my first swim at UEA since the pool reopened following refurbishments. That was followed up with a recovery run at lunchtime and I've now setup www.justgiving.com/roblines to raise funds for the Meningitis Trust.
Last week saw an impressive total mileage with 212 miles on the bike and 40 miles running. Long ride was 108 miles down to Aldeburgh. The long run yesterday was 22miles to my Mum's house for Sunday lunch. I was then given a lift home.
Last week saw an impressive total mileage with 212 miles on the bike and 40 miles running. Long ride was 108 miles down to Aldeburgh. The long run yesterday was 22miles to my Mum's house for Sunday lunch. I was then given a lift home.
Monday 4 August 2008
Tri-Anglia first to complete first UK Double Ironman
Went for an easy run lunchtime today and found it a little hard going. But I was part of the Tri-Anglia team that were first to complete the UK's first ever double ironman over the weekend. Watch www.tri-anglia.co.uk for a report, I aim to write one later today.
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