Disappointment. Inspiration. Optimist. Or Plain Crazy?

Earlier today went swimming only the 2nd time this month. Suffered.
Even managed to get a cramp finishing just 40 lengths.

Haven’t run in 16 days. Hate myself.
Disappointed in myself.

There was just one big target for this year – to finish a standard (Olympic) distance triathlon. After working hard for 5.5 months towards it, I’d completely slacked in last month to go completely off course, laying all that work to waste1.

My main pre-triathlon target was the Thames swim from Hampton Court palace to Kingston bridge. The event happened a week ago. I didn’t even go close.

The Tri I had planned to do is on 8th September, the Diamond triathlon, at Dorney rowing lake. After the swim today, I came to grips with reality, and accepted defeat.

Between the cramp and giving up on the triathlon target, the day had turned gloomy.

After sulking a few hours, I chanced upon Alan’s race report from his first Ironman. He’s an Outlaw!

I’m inspired again. So inspired that I can’t sleep thanks to the adrenaline rush.

And I’m planning again.

Thinking of adding an early season open water swim event to the usual Tour of Flanders, and the planned Brighton marathon. Then planning to target a tri in May or June, instead of leaving it for later in the season. And if all goes well, training rest of the year for an ironman in 2015.

How does it sound – optimist, or just crazy?

Continue reading “Disappointment. Inspiration. Optimist. Or Plain Crazy?”

Disappointment. Inspiration. Optimist. Or Plain Crazy?

Cycling – 2011 Mileage, 2012 Targets

The year drew to a close while I was away in Tanzania, so never got to write my spurt of year end posts. This, is a short fill-in for one.

My total mileage in

  • 2010 : 2,266 km / 1,409 miles
  • 2011 : 3,796 km / 2,359 miles

Here’s the month-wise breakup:

Jan’11, I was just feeling the cold and being lazy. Nov & Dec were lost to walking / hiking in preparation for for the Kilimanjaro ascent (which I successfully did on 23rd Dec).

I missed my target of 3000 miles for the year by a big margin, still 2011 was a much better year for my cycling. Some of the milestones of 2011 were:

Finally, coming to plans for 2012. They are simple (and slightly repetitive):

  • 4000 miles of riding, all inclusive
  • More sportives (attended only 2 this year)
  • Lower HR
  • Better Climbing (subjective, but important)
  • 100 50mile+ rides
  • LEJOG / Cycling vacation in Lake District
  • Cycling vacation on the continent, preferably closer to the Alps
  • Get Rags a road bike and get her riding hills with me :)

Doable? Check back at end of year.

P.S.: While I missed my year end target of 3000 miles, Steve hit it with ease, finishing the year at 3,024 miles. His target, though, was 4000 miles. Good luck to him for 2012.

Cycling – 2011 Mileage, 2012 Targets