FRIDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2008
I was swimming in the pool a couple of months back and got recognised – not for my super fast speed, this blog or even my bright pink (end of line bargain) swimmers but for my swim programme. A guy called, Craig, recognised the ‘Ange’ typing on the swim programme (they are good mates) and introduced himself to me.
Turns out Craig’s done Hawaii a few times and is going this year too; he’s ever so modest about it though, and when I ask him questions, it feels a bit like we are chatting about popping down the dairy for lollies or milk!
Here’s a sample of one of my first pool-side conversations with Craig:
“How’s your training going?” Craig asks.
“Ah, good – bad weather though eh?” I reply.
“I haven’t been out on the bike much” He says, “What about you?”
“I did a 200k last Wednesday “, I say (with sheepish grin!)
Craig gives a concerned look and says – “I haven’t been doing distances that long!”
I feel bad now on two levels. Is it good that I have had long rides or bad I’ve done long rides? So to hedge my bets I add – “It took all day though!” (Durhh!!)
“What about runs?” He asks.
I play safe and give a range “I’ve done a few 2 and 3hr ones” but I think - Is that good or bad?
I get another concerned look from Craig, who says “I haven’t been doing distances that long!”
I get De ja vu - Is it good that I have done long runs or bad?
Craig saves me by changing the topic, “I’ve been sick though”, he says.
I’d been sick too, but need to check if I should say more or less days than him so I ask “How long you had off?
“3 days or so” he replies.
“Oh!” I say “I’ve had 8 days off!” and I think is that good or bad?!
I move the topic onto the Kona Ironman and I ask “What will it be like?”
This question gets him grinning like a Cheshire cat and he leans towards me, arms balanced on the lane ropes, and he says, in hushed and confidential tones – “Oh! HOT! And windy! They have had 3 perfect years with very little wind – this is the year it’s gonna be bad…….Windy and hot” – he adds again for emphasis!
Hmmmm! Now it’s my turn to have a concerned look! I’ve just watched that DVD of the 2004 Ironman and his comment isn’t in the least bit reassuring!
Important lessons drawn from this experience - avoid the tiny tendency to compare and contrast training schedules, just concentrate on your own plan, and stop worrying about the weather – hot, cold, wind and rain - it’s something you cannot control!
I was swimming in the pool a couple of months back and got recognised – not for my super fast speed, this blog or even my bright pink (end of line bargain) swimmers but for my swim programme. A guy called, Craig, recognised the ‘Ange’ typing on the swim programme (they are good mates) and introduced himself to me.
Turns out Craig’s done Hawaii a few times and is going this year too; he’s ever so modest about it though, and when I ask him questions, it feels a bit like we are chatting about popping down the dairy for lollies or milk!
Here’s a sample of one of my first pool-side conversations with Craig:
“How’s your training going?” Craig asks.
“Ah, good – bad weather though eh?” I reply.
“I haven’t been out on the bike much” He says, “What about you?”
“I did a 200k last Wednesday “, I say (with sheepish grin!)
Craig gives a concerned look and says – “I haven’t been doing distances that long!”
I feel bad now on two levels. Is it good that I have had long rides or bad I’ve done long rides? So to hedge my bets I add – “It took all day though!” (Durhh!!)
“What about runs?” He asks.
I play safe and give a range “I’ve done a few 2 and 3hr ones” but I think - Is that good or bad?
I get another concerned look from Craig, who says “I haven’t been doing distances that long!”
I get De ja vu - Is it good that I have done long runs or bad?
Craig saves me by changing the topic, “I’ve been sick though”, he says.
I’d been sick too, but need to check if I should say more or less days than him so I ask “How long you had off?
“3 days or so” he replies.
“Oh!” I say “I’ve had 8 days off!” and I think is that good or bad?!
I move the topic onto the Kona Ironman and I ask “What will it be like?”
This question gets him grinning like a Cheshire cat and he leans towards me, arms balanced on the lane ropes, and he says, in hushed and confidential tones – “Oh! HOT! And windy! They have had 3 perfect years with very little wind – this is the year it’s gonna be bad…….Windy and hot” – he adds again for emphasis!
Hmmmm! Now it’s my turn to have a concerned look! I’ve just watched that DVD of the 2004 Ironman and his comment isn’t in the least bit reassuring!
Important lessons drawn from this experience - avoid the tiny tendency to compare and contrast training schedules, just concentrate on your own plan, and stop worrying about the weather – hot, cold, wind and rain - it’s something you cannot control!