Rewarding ones self

I have been bit slack on updatig the blog over the last few days, simply because a) I have missed a few training sessions and b) the root cause of missing sessions, dam work!!!!  On Monday I worked until 12:30am then woke and at 5am to start work again.  Liza is in the same boat so we are both feeling a little worn out.  What better way to reward yourself and remind you why you choose to work long hours! Let's go shopping, and for those who know us, we won't be satisfied with a new dress from the mall, you will find us at the BMW showroom. 

So yes (sorry P), we have purchased a new 2012 series 1 beemer, similar to that pictured below.  I like to think of it as mine, as Liza got hers earlier in the year.  So now when I get down about working long hours I simply look at the car, smile and get back to it!  Yes we already had a 1 series, but it was blue and I needed one to match my black road bike hehe

Despite a couple of days off, I did get back on board with training today.  Liza and I went for an easy run this morning (as per my program).  First run for Liza since her marathon, I think today confirmed for her that she wont be entering another marathon anytime soon :)  I followed up todays session with a swim at Takapuna Beach this evening.  Since it is blowing a gail you would have thought we would have been better off surfing than swimming, but seems it was sheltered from the wind, an awesome swim with a bit of biff.  A smack round the head, but thats ok cos I gave my fair share :) Love it!!

Was just preparing for tomorrows ride in the morning, but wouln't you know it the roof rack size between a 1 series 2007 and a 1 series 2012 is out by millimetres in both width and length.  After an hour of frustration and before we scratched the new car we have given up.  Brah!!!!  Looks like I will be riding from home.

And its got heated seats! awesome after an ocean swim :)

Being a Jafa - Day 3

Takapuna Beach, Sunrise

Another beautiful weekend in paradise. Mum and Dad are in town, arrived Friday night. Mum is coming with us to the Coldplay concert!.

Saturday morning, sneaked away for the normal Brick session.  Take a look at the view, sunrise over a flat sea off Takapuna Beach.  Awesome! Approx 60 club members out this morning, practicing dolphin diving, running in and out of the water and drafting.  Its dam hard running in and out, much harder than just swimming.  We had a increasing number of spectators, we must have been a sight for those taking a stroll along the beach.

BRICK Transition

A quickish transition onto the bike, a couple of us headed out up East Coast Rd, up Albany Hill, along Lonely Track then back down East Coast.  Approx 90min ride.  Today I was determined to go for run off the bike, so headed out running towards Milford.  Luckily ended up running with someone, otherwise I would have stopped long before I did.  Anyway the plan was to complete all 3 disciplines but not be out all day, after all we do have guests.

Coldplay Concert

Coldplay concert, although forced to go due to the wedding vow promise "at least one rock concert per year".  I really enjoyed it. Well done Liza.

As we didn't get home until 1am, getting up early for a ride just didn't happen.  Buggar!.  But I did go for a run!!

I may be a Jafa

What a wonderful morning, blue skies, sun, no wind! Another Thursday bike with the Quay St riders.  Our course takes us along the waterfront and over a few hills.  But as you can see the view is awesome.  In the photo you can see the beach and in the distance Rangitoto.  OK it might not be the best photo, but they are there!!!.  I gotta say Im loving this Auckland life :)

In todays ride both I and camp mother (pictured in pink and white at the back) lead the group all the way round the nipple (he he) whilst they all drafted behind us, then as soon as we hit the hill, the buggars all took off and left us for dead.  Talk about feeling used! :)  The picture was taken at a complusory stop, which allows us naturally built for down hills to catchup.

Quay St Riders in St Heilers by the Beach, Rangitoto in the background

Feeling Good

I LOVE my Nespresso :)

Perhaps I have had to much coffee? Im feeling good, especially after the 130k ride on Sunday, 60min of running drills last night.  11.20pm to bed last night and then a 4.45am wake up for the 5.30 ride this morning with the Quay St guys.  And I still felt good during the ride ! And then just to top it off I have maintanined the same weight for the last week so can confirm I have dropped 5kg in the last 2/3 weeks, sweet!

So just gotta make it thru a full days work and swimming tonight, run tomorrow, bike and swim on Thursday and then a day off! Yay.

Feel like another coffee now .....

Hill repeats, Nice!

Determined to attend running group tonight, I pushed back when folks wanted to continue a meeting after it was scheduled to finish.  Was this a good move??

Tonights session was down at Milford Reserve, seems we were not the only ones with a similar idea, us and our 100 other closest mates.  First time I have been here, so decided to drive as nothing worse than getting lost when your running.  Quietly drove past coach who I saw striding along the road, grateful I was in a different car (a loaner from the car yard) so she wouldn't spy me. So felt super bad when she mentioned she was hoping Big G would pass by to give her a lift.  Buggar I could have stopped.  Oops!

Oh well, seems she got her revenge.  Started out with the normal warm up run and drills.  Entertaining for the neighbours, I expect.  Then a heap of hill repeats, started with three or four, but everytime we ran past, it would increase by another couple. In the end it was more five or six.  Finished with a final wee run and some core and stretching.

I was happy to head home :) Some work then bed ready for tomorrows 5.30am ride ...

In need of a Nana Nap

The famous Helensville toilet stop

Sitting on the couch enjoying a coffee from my Nespresso and cheese on crackers, well deserved I think given I just got home from a 130k+ ride with the NZ Cyclists.  Took 5.5 hours, with hills and head winds.

Learn't a big lesson today about going out to hard, and then crawling home buggared! I haven't 'bonked' which is great, means I took on board enough fluids and food.  But I definately feel tired.  In fact I reckon this is how Liza would have felt after her marathon. 

Always start and stop at a cafe :)

Camp mother was on fire today! she was still keeping up with the group in the final 10-20k, I was out back just trying to hang on. Well done you. I have been told since I managed this I will manage Round Taupo Cycle Challenge, although it is another 30k on top.  Makes you think about Ironman, for about 30sec I contemplated going for a run off the bike but then thought better of it.  In Ironman I need to bike 180k, then run off the bike for a full marathon.  According to the counter, it is getting close to 100 days until the big day.  I know the plan is to pick up the long distance training in the 3 months prior, but gosh I got a long way to go!

Todays route and stats

Riding Scenic Drive

Yay! my first ride on scenic drive done and dusted :) I must be getting used to them hills because Thursdays ride was enjoyable and the hills did not seem overwhelming!.  Thanks a million camp mother for escorting me.

Im not sure Im loving the numb feet thou, and Im thinking it wouldn't be so good to have numb feet for an up and coming 180k ride then expect to run for 42k.  With the wonders of google I have found that although common occurance for cyclists it is not something you should have to put up with.  Fortunately (I read) there are a number of steps a cyclist should take to remedy these numbness issues, including:

Shoe fit
A cycling shoe that is too tight increases the risk for numbness. This is particularly true of the shoe is tight around the ball of the foot. The tight shoe squeezes the ball of the foot to the point where inflammation occurs between your metatarsal heads (the joints that connect your toes to the rest of your foot, which are often referred to as the ball of your foot) and ultimately this inflammation causes poor blood circulation and eventual numbness. Cyclists experiencing numbness in their feet are encouraged to try a cycling shoe that provides more space in this area of the foot.  I got 2 pairs of shoes different sizes but get numb feet for both, so picking its not the shoe
 
Cleat placement
Cleats that are placed too far forward on your foot will increase the risk for numbness. The forward cleat placement causes more pressure directly on or in front of the ball of your foot, and this can cause inflammation and numbness in that area. If the fit of the shoe is not an issue, I recommend cyclists try to move the cleats rearward on their shoes. The more rearward placement distributes pressure further back on the foot and less pressure behind the toes. This can help restore circulation and feeling in the toes.  mmm maybe one to look into ?

Custom footbeds
A custom footbed or even off-the-shelf arch supports can distribute more pressure underneath the arch of your foot which takes pressure off the ball of your foot and toes. In addition to relieving ball of foot and toe numbness issues, a custom footbed also gives the best possible power transfer to the pedal and promotes best vertical alignment of the knee during the pedal stroke.  Again maybe something else to investigate ?

Cycling technique
Outside of shoe fit, cleat placement, or the need for custom footbeds/orthotics, cycling technique can play a role in causing or preventing foot numbness. Lower cycling cadences and excessive riding in hills are both culprits that tend to increase the likelihood of foot numbness problem to creep up. Yeah right!!! obviously this guy doesn't live in Auckland, seen a flat bit of road anyone ??

Details from my garmin