Optician's report from the third training camp

http://www.opticianonline.net/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=2602

Work life balance

People are beginning to talk.

And I think I know why, here is a shot of me at my desk.

This week I decided to go for it and run to and from work. I live about 12 miles ( 19km) from work which makes it the ideal distance for one of Mario's endurance runs. I have cycled in for years but decided to cycle in, leave the bike here and run home, then run into work a couple of days later. Excellent training. The only trouble is my desk has ended up looking like the end of season sale at the sports shop.

BORN TO TRI....

The last Saturday I did a Triatlon, 1.8km swim + 60km bike + 12km run. Hard, very very hard, the start was at 16.30h, in Spain a crazy triatlon very famous, but funny, i could smile.... Almost an Ironman...

My experience:
Swim ok, very good, no fast but never stop, I finish not very tired, some annoyed...

Bike, all time quickly, in the beginning I improved a lot, but a lot of hills, and in 30 min i feel that the people go very fast also... I finish strong, but my legs some tired...

RUN: my good!! when I star the run, I look my legs two times, I feel that I have like astronaut´s feet. My legs were very heavys. The firts km were very hard for me. My heart is ok, but my legs can´t go more fast. For me run is the more comfortable, but not the saturday... in a few km my legs were better, but not ok. I did a great effort for finish...

Time: 3:22 h

When I finished I was very satisfied, very tired, I tried to do the last km more quickly for win positions. When I stop I thought, why not play I another sport more easy, like paddle??

And a friend tell me, the problem is that in 1-2 day you forget this and you will be thinking about the next race.... and yes, in only two hours, no days... incredible. Maybe we have Born to Tri... or for suffer... Curious pleasure.

Regards,

Pablo.

THE ONLY BONUS OF BEING SICK …………….

…..I MANAGED TO LOOSE 2KG! Can this only make the Monaco hills easier???? Back into the full swing of training, i did swim training in Heron lake on Sunday in my Sailfish wetsuit, i think i've managed to conquer the fear of swimming in open water - thanks sooo much to my Husband just swimming next to me gave me huge confidence.......... 1.8km later, i couldn't understand what i was affraid of!? Sooo excited to be back, Fiona.

How about this for a challenge.. The Irongorilla

People say doing an Ironman is mad but how about this?!! 1,000 people running through London all in Gorilla suits.

http://www.gorillas.org/_Gallery/Photos.aspx?AlbumID=9

The Surrey Slog

I took part in an off-road cross-country half marathon on Sunday called the Surrey slog. This was 13 and a bit miles through the rough hilly terrain of the Surrey Hills. I must have done well because they gave me a medal!

This sporting life

What a weekend for sports fans we have had in England.

There was the Tour de France in London and Kent, The British Grand Prix , Wimbledon finals and loads of cricket.

Of course the big event was a mammoth 4 times bike and run by me in the surrey countryside modelling the new Transitions Cocoon top.I even had my own audience.

I used the same cycle and the same run for each of the circuits. This confused the life out of one family who were cutting a huge hedge. When the guy saw me for a fourth time I thought he was going to fall off his ladder.

How are people finding running off the bike? The first two circuits were OK, third not bad but the fourth ouch!

Share your thoughts.

Pablo ( Picasso) ?

I send you the best face of Fiona in Monaco for the blog and the magazine…. That’s Ironman!! Or Ironwoman…. And she non stop…

An exciting swim

I went to the outdoor pool again last night and it was all very exciting. The weather in the UK at the moment is appalling, there have been floods, hail and thunder and lightning. When I arrived , through the floods, for my swim last night the pool couldn't open because there had been lightning in the area.
Apparently swimming pools have to be closed for 30 minutes after lightning has been heard in the area for safety reasons.
In the end we got in the pool and had a swim, after aboit 10 minutes the heavens opened and it started to hail really hard -- a most bizarre experience. It's great fun until you have to get out and change!

Ironman France

Here are some more pictures from the big night.

Why not post some of yours?

Something to cheer up Fiona

All praise to Mario

Fiona, If it is any consolation I went out for a couple of runs this weekend and a cycle on Saturday morning. It absolutely pi**ed down with rain. I did a hilly circuit around Leith Hill through the country lanes. there was one lane where the farmer takes the cattle out so I also has a cowshit shower --just to top it all off.

Get well soon.