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?

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.

£1,200 to Spinal Injuries Association

Following the £700 all you chaps donated on line through www.justgiving.com/roblines to the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) in support of them and my efforts in Ironman South Africa, I've just been able to post to SIA a further cheque for £500 from my employer. Grand total to the charity is £1,240.

Thank you

Running in PE

Now been in Port Elizabeth for a few days (some pictures already on the tri-anglia website) had a couple of rides, a couple of swims and a couple of runs.
This morning's run will be the last longer run at 8.3miles, on which we saw a baboon/monkey in the university grounds. Route we followed: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1763138
Now just a week to go to Ironman South Africa. Looking forward to it. It's going to be interesting. Not sure I'm looking forward to running 3 times the distance that we ran this morning.
Just like to say thank you to everyone who has helped in my training so far, and to everyone who has made a donation to SIA.

Photos and trip diary have been added to www.tri-anglia.co.uk

Ironman South Africa for SIA

Have now setup a Just-Giving page to raise funds for the Spinal Injuries Association by completing Ironman South Africa and had my first donation. Cheers Trev.

South Africa rather than New Zealand

Due to a number of reasons the group that had been planing on traveling to the other side of the world for the New Zealand Ironman had come done to just one. Me.
I've now entered Ironman South Africa instead. It is a whole load nearer. Takes me to a country that I've not been to and would like to go to. It's six weeks later, so I'm already up on my training and being the same day as the London Marathon it should be easy to find company for my long runs.
All I need to do is remove the ticker time to the left and work out which charity I'm going to be raising funds for in 2008.

My 21st next Thursday

I'll be giving blood next Thursday for the 21st time. Wondering how I should commemorate my 21st. Any suggestions? Answers on a post card please. Or via comments or email in this day and age.

AMR London to Paris 2007 Route 3 Photos

My photo's from the the Action Medical Research 2007 London to Paris ride can now be found on the web here.

Dame Kelly Holmes

Managed to meet Dame Kelly Holmes on Tuesday evening.
I congratulated her on her two Gold medals at the Athens Olympics and her work since at promoting sport.
I also thanked her for twice selecting me in a works "Inspiring through Sport Award". Was able to have a photo with her (though Dave Barkhouse has possibly been able to take one of the worse photo's of me ever). Even managed to get Dame Kelly to sign my Swiss Ironman Sponsorship form.
Guess I ought now read her new autobiography.

Sponsor ship total at £1,750

My fundraising total for Action Medical Research through doing Ironman Switzerland is coming along a pace. £681 already collected, a further £470 pledged and I should be able to get the maximum of £600 from my employer though their £+ scheme of matching staff fundraising efforts.
Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me.

Ironman Week 22 of 24

Into the taper now. All the big rides and runs are done and the mileage is starting to come down, though still maintaining the same intensity.
3 swims covering 5.3 miles, 74 on the bike and 35.4 miles running.
Takes the total for the year to 3,993 (very tempting to go back out on the bike for those additional 7 miles). Break down of the 3,993 is 87 swimming, 3,302 riding and 604 running.
Fund raising total for Action Medical Research is £1,075 of which £601 has already been donated with the remainder to collect upon successful completion of the Ironman - no pressure there then. I should then be able to get a further £600 from my employer taking the total well over £1,600.

Just over 4 weeks to go.

With just over 4 weeks to go to Ironman Switzerland. I'd like to say thanks to everyone that's sponsored me so far. I've collect £324 for Action Medical Research and have a further £184 worth of pledges (more if I get under 13 hours for the Ironman) which takes the total to £516. I'm then hoping to get work to match this which would take me to £1,032 against my target of £1,200.
Please help me reach this target by sponsoring me, either sign my sponsorship form if you see me in the flesh or online at http://www.action.org.uk/~robertlines.

Castle Ride

Did the Action Medical Research Castle Ride today. Great weather and a great ride. Elapsed time was faster than last year although ride time was slower but it was a different route.
Shatter now so will update later.

2007 Charity Fund Raising

As my legs are still sore today from Sunday's marathon I thought I'd plug my fund raising activities this year for Action Medical Research. I have also now set-up an online fundraising page to make it really easy for money to be paid to Action Medical Research due to my activities. Rob's AMR sponsorship page.
The big event for me this year is Ironman Switzerland and all the training that goes with that. The training includes the 5k Swimathon and the Bungay Marathon both are big events in their own rights. I'm also going to ride in Action Medical Research's Castle 100 and their London to Paris bike ride.
You can sponsor me for any of these events at the link above (which is www.action.org.uk/~robertlines).
If you'd rather make a donation to Marie Curie who are the main charity behind the swimathon that can be done at www.swimathon.org
I'm also involved in a massive project for a new club house and boat house for Norwich Canoe Club and Norwich Rowing Club that would create a sporting centre of excellence. More on that at a later point.