what do you expect

“I'm afraid that sometimes you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win 'cause you'll play against you.” ― Dr. Seuss

Well last tri of the season is done and if I look at the final result I was 10 sec short of PB, so I should be happy. Funny thing is I am not. The last thing I wanted to be doing Sunday morning was wearing Lycra, my head was just not in the game. The good thing was I had a plan that I could stick to and figured once going I would get into it. The swim went to plan, steered clear of trouble swam in relaxed manner with no stress, this may have lead to a bit of slow time (14:21) but that was all right. 

So out of the water and into t1 and I my head was still not in the game and my mind was wondering all over the place. Plan on the bike was to ride hard, use almost all my legs and leave not to much in the tank. This only happened in spurts, ultimately I felt the ride went well but not to plan. It was a bit of a surprise to see I did (41:11). 

Considering the preparation I had done, I was flying and feeling really good physically but still my head was still not in the game. I just could not focus on getting the best out of myself and was feeling flat mentally. 

So out onto the run, I really wanted to run fast as looking at my watch I knew with the way I ahve been running it was possible to smash my PB, but I just could not at first. The first lap felt very slow, I was very frustrated with myself and a little flustered. At the turn two kids went flying past, I thought bugger it just do it and tried to go with them. The pace was to hot for me and they dropped me pretty quick, but it got me going. On the second lap I felt fast and got home in (21:25) not the (20:00) I wanted but not the worst 5k I have run either. 

So all up I just missed a PB so why the disappointment? When I finished I was not spent, I was not hurting and I had gone no where near my limit. I felt I had not done all that I could have on the day. Even worse Monday there was no stiffness, aches or soreness. 

It is funny to have a good result and not really be happy with the way I went. I guess I am expecting more from myself all the time.

It is also a bit of a strange way to finish of the season and what was a fantastic event, and it will be some months before I can try to put it right in Tri.

I guess all I can do is use it as motivation.

tri eve

"The storm starts, when the drops start dropping. 

When the drops stop dropping then the storm starts stopping." - Dr. Seuss

GC Tri tomorrow, I am really looking forward to it. In my mind I feel that my training has been poor leading in but am confident in my base of having a good result. All I can do now is prepare myself as best I can and get excited for what is the best tri in the Gatorade series. My age group has been split into two, so I am expecting big numbers and another crowded, violent swim. I will be trying to stay out of trouble and getting back on land in a timely and relaxed manner. On the bike the plan is to go as fast as possible for as long as possible, I am prepared to leave everything on the bike as this is the leg I want to see improvement in. How the run go depends on how the bike has gone. Hopefully I have enough legs to sub 20, if I do not, my bike better be quick.
This is the final Tri of the season so afterwards my focus can solely be on the GC Marathon and getting through a heap of work so I can enjoy the 42k.
Check back hopefully Sunday night or Monday morning to see how I have gone.

mob mentality

"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them." - Dr. Seuss

The other day 2 guys rode past me on recumbent bicycles and it got me thinking, are they kidding? Who buys a bike like that? Why do you buy a bike like that? It also got me wondering where you get a bike like that and if I get one do I automatically get to hang out with these 2 guys? Do they have to like me because I have one? Do I get to be a part of there group?

To me group dynamics are an amazing thing. I have always found it hard to find my place within groups. I spent 15 years within a group and was never quite sure where I fitted in but knew I was part of it. I always put it down to the group dynamics changing and me needing to change with them but I was always aware of how I felt about my position within the group. Group dynamics always change over time people come and go that is how it is, but you always perform at your best when you know where you fit, why you fit. At the same time complacency or acceptance of you position within a group can also lead to poor performance.


I find joining groups very daunting, and it is not something I do on a whim. But how long do you spend circling, deciding if you want to try to infiltrate a group and what if you get it wrong, can you make a clean get away? Then there is the "individuals" why do they join groups? Are they really individuals? Can an individual really be part of the group? Are the leaders of the group really part of the group? There is so much going on in groups yet we all want to be part of them.


We will all be a part of many groups in our lives, and in the most part will be thankful for the benefits that they provide.  I know that I would like to join a couple of more groups, I don't think I will be rushing out to get a recumbent bike, but being around like minded people is definitely good for you. I guess all I really need to do to get involved is remind myself that this group is full of people doing something that I to would like to do. They must be good people then.


p.s. I just noticed there is a lot of ? in this post so if you have any answers do not be afraid to leave them in the comments.
Come on join the group.

getting started again

It has been 2 weeks since I last published here.
I feel like I have been awake for that entire time. My sleeping pattern has really been thrown now that I am back studying again. With assignments due long hours at night are being dedicated to getting things done. And they are only just getting done. Assignment number 1, due to poor time management, lead to 3 hours sleep in 72 hours.  The big draw back is the body just can not function in the way that I want it to. I have had time to exercise but really my body has just not been up to it. So basically it has been a 2 week total absence of strenuous exercise . The main exercise in this period has been walking, and I have not even seriously considered strapping on the HR monitor at all. With only 19 days till the GC tri and still having the intention of running the GC marathon in 12-13 weeks time this break is starting to become a cause for concern. What is becoming harder is starting again, bad habits are so much easier to establish than the good ones. I will definitely be at the start line for the Tri so I have a goal. I do not want to perform at a level that i am not happy with so getting back into training has to happen. WILL HAPPEN.
Sleep seems to be the first thing i need to get a handle on. If the body is not rested the stress I want to place on it can not, and will not be possible.
And yes to those that are as observant as i would be I do see the irony of publishing this late at night when I should probably be in bed sleeping