Two steps forward. One step back.

The season is well and truly started but I don't know if I'm going forward or back.

Yesterday I was in the pool for the first time in a few weeks. And it hurt. Badly. I was terrible. Technique was awful. My endurance non-existent. I quit a session early for the first time ever. I left with my tail firmly between my legs.

This hurt all the more because over the past few weeks I have been properly trying to get into my running. I have been getting at least two sessions in a week, squeezing them in at lunchtime My mileage has been increasing steadily. Unfortunately the speed isn't increasing at the same speed. But nonetheless I'm running consistently which is more than I was doing this time last year.

My cycling has been improving as well. At least three times a week I am cycling into work, so the legs are firmly turning and the body is getting back into decent shape.

And then the swimming debacle happened.

Finding a balance between all three disciplines isn't easy as life is flying by. But with only 4 weeks to my first race of the season I'll have to find the balance and get wet into the pool more often. Fast.

No time to be going backwards.

Why do triathletes shave their chests?

Triathletes are a funny bunch. Aero helmets I can understand. €5,000 on a bike. I understand.  Shaved legs. I kinda understand. Shaving your chest. Now this one is lost on me.

I've spoken before about the lingo of triathlon and it has taken me a few years to get my head around it and I am still learning.  Then there's the kit, the gear, the training aids. Garmin. Strava. GPS. Power meter.

All are seen as ways to improve and ways to get faster.

Last year I debated whether to get a TT, sorry time trial,  bike. My attempt to get better. I got faster but I also got passed by a lot of triathletes on regular bikes. I am getting better. There is always a sese that you have to be able to use the equipment to the best of your ability, and not come in at the back...all look. No substance! You can turn up for your first triathlon with all the gear but chances are it won't work. 

My newest debate in attempt to get better is the possible investment in an aero helmet. My next level of trying to get better.  I want to get faster. I am trying to train harder to get faster.  But I don't want to look like that guy who's spent money but is still crap.

I want to be faster. I want to be a better triathlete.  But I really don't want to look foolish.  So I'm currently looking at semi-aero helmets. It'll work while training as well as racing (I don't want to use the word 'competing' yet). So it will be another step. 

You can say looking well is important but backing that up with results in triathlon is key.

So this year is about upgrading my gear slightly and upgrading the results significantly. Last year the TT bike made sense. So this year I hope the (semi) aero helmet makes sense.

Each year I am learning more. Understanding what can help to make the small differences.  Maybe I am yet to fully learn, but quite how shaving you chest will make a difference is beyond me.

Back in the swing of things. Kinda.

Training - 1 pilates class. Result: sore.

Training - leg strengthening exercises. Result: sore and stiff.

Training - 2 runs. Result: sore and out of breath.

Training - 2 swims. Result: sore and distinct feeling of un-fitness (not even a word for it!)

This isn't easy.  I never expected it to be. I knew it would be hard work to get back
into shape. Race-ready shape (whatever that means). But my body is sore.

I knew it would would be sore. But it is almost the fear of stepping out of bed each morning and worrying about, not how sore will you be, but more how much of you is sore.

My swimming wasn't pretty; my cycling non-existent and my running...well I managed to keep running.  So that's something at least.

But it is a week when I managed to get more done than almost in total the previous month.  So at least that's something. I didn't try to kill myself.  And I'm back into the swing of things.  Kinda.

Now to string a few good weeks together...

Onwards and upwards. Or else!

It's been a while since on here and my blog procrastination has not been alone. The swimming was going well. The cycling was okay if only due to the commute to work and the running,  well the running just hasn't happened.

While due to other commitments over the past 6 weeks have reduced my time to train - I hate hearing myself make excuses - things are now reaching a crucial point in the season.

I did a nice bit of work over the winter but that may be all but gone. I really have to get my ass in gear. The sun (!) is up earlier and it is finally warmer.  So it is time to get back into shape for the season.  And properly push on.

5 national series races is the target with solid performances throughout. (I think it's too early in my career to take a podium position just yet.)

I may have less time to train than last year.  I just have to use my time more cleverly,  stop making excuses and get off my arse.

As they say actions speak louder than words.  So with pilates on Thursday and swimming on Friday morning,  its a start in the right direction.  We'll take it one week at a time. And hopefully it will mostly be upwards.