I awoke this morning to a dark cloudy Autumn day. I did have grand plans of going for a run, but all I wanted was a cuppa, and I have to admit, that's the only thing I accomplished. I did manage to feed the chickens, but only because my two cockerels were up before dawn deciding who could cockle doodle the loudest. There's something about this time of year which inspires more sleep and copious amounts of warm food. Something instinctual which warns, "run-no-must save your energy for the long winter ahead". I'm going to have to wrap some strong... Continue reading

This morning I was up and out on the bike by 6:30. It was dark and foggy and I was thinking to myself this is what crazy people do. It's just as well I know the route well and remember where all the potholes are. This particular route takes me up into the Malvern hills and as a consolation for the hill climb and the odd hour, I was blessed with the most stunning sunrise of deep fuchsia, filtered through the heavy fog and morning dew. Then I thought....this is what crazed people do and I was so glad to... Continue reading

Now I just need to find a club! Continue reading

My 14 year old son has now decided he wants to join in the fun. Yesterday, I took him out for his first ever ride on a road bike and clipless pedals. As it usually happens, he ended up sprawled across the road still attached to the bike. Apparently, despite his age, I'm still supposed to catch him when he falls. I have to say it brought back the day when we took his training wheels off. The difference here is that after 10 minutes of falling and getting back up, my son was riding miles ahead of me, and... Continue reading

We had a friend over for dinner e few nights ago. She has become a valuable resource in tri info along with every published magazine on the subject. According to her advice, I need to be able to complete in training double what I intend to do on race day. EEEK! Ok, so that's run 8 miles and cycle 20. I've got exactly 8 weeks today to accomplish this. Cycling 20 miles; I'm already there, no problem, however, I can only run about a mile now without spontaneously combusting. It's fairly obvious now as the math is simple; I need... Continue reading

I've got one of those knees which make strange creaky noises when I go up the stairs. Never been a hindrance, but now that I'm trying to run on it,it's voicing it's dismay in the form of a suspicious little pain. Oh no, I've only just started. In the past I ignored the mumbles from within, but, I think I'd better take care of this somewhat older model. I've decided to abandon the asphalt and hit the dirt. I have been warned against the threatening dangers of uneven ground, where every stone is a potentially fatal twist, but hey, you... Continue reading

My husband, sister in law and I have just entered ourselves in a November duathlon. We have 8 weeks to train. It's not an impressive race I'm sure by many standards (2mi.run/10mi.bike/2mi.run), but for us it's monumental and hopefully the beginning of something great. My husband and I have both been quite athletic in our younger days (yawn) and like most aging ex-athletes we have spent many a night over a drink in reminiscence of our glory days (yawn again). Well now we've finally realized how pathetic it would be to have this sad scene continue and we've done something... Continue reading