Trying to keep going
Again on my to-do list for at least a month here is an update for my reader with the high and lows of the last few months.
Downs
In June I caught Covid after I think a training session at work with 80 people in the same room. I was only bad for a couple of days so I am relieved that there are no long term consequences that I know about.
We had a few events arranged at the beginning of June and I was able to re-stage the Callow Run which was very successful. But all the arrangements hit into my training plan and I am a long way behind my targets especially my yearly planned cycle mileage. To make up, I did a long ride one Sunday morning but planned it badly and ended up doing 15 miles into the wind. Exhausting. I have even set up an account on the trainer to try and add miles.
However in the last couple of weeks I have tried to catch up again in three ways.
Kayaking
My friend and best man Rob Furneaux died in December last year having suffered from motor neurone disease. I decided that I should do something to commemorate our friendship and hopefully raise some money for charity.
The result is paddle4rob. I am planning to kayak from the Barbican in Plymouth to his home village of Bere Ferrers in Devon where his friends (Team Rob) have organised a memorial bench. The paddle will take place on the 19th August (what would have been his 67th birthday).
Swimming
At the beginning of July we went away to the Lake District to stay at a wonderful hotel called Another Place. They offered a range of outdoor pursuits including kayaking and I started my P4R training on Ullswater.
They offered an endless pool analysis but I couldn’t fit this in. Instead I took advantage of an activity to swim across Ullswater. This was very well organised by Colin who has organised many long-distance swims, including Swim Serpentine where I achieved my London Classics medal. As the only participant I was able to breaststroke which helped as the wind was causing a minor swell.
The trouble with breaststroke is recording the swim accurately. Strava recorded the time on my Apple Watch but not the distance. Apple workouts recorded the distance but not the time. Frustrating! But you can see the route from my Strava page with the return crossing taking just over 40 minutes.
The other positive was that Colin was able to take some pictures from the boat. Halfway back he told me to stop and float to absorb the views – that was a really great moment taking in the outstanding views of Ullswater and the surrounding mountains.
Cycling
As we were away my annual mileage fell well behind schedule. I have decided that I shall need to focus on cycling and to try and complete a century ride in October and shall embark on a training plan when the weather cools a bit. I did a non-stop 43 mile ride on Sunday and felt OK even though it was very hot.
Golf
This has really suffered as a result of everything else that has taken my time. I have only played twice in the last two months and as a result things are erratic. I played with Angus last Friday and had 3 pars (1, 15 16) but equally two 10s and an 11 on the 18th where I ping-ponged across the green. But we decided that we would both play regularly so that I could at least get an official handicap. In the meantime, I shall try and practice my short game and putting at home.
So in summary, still a lot happening – as I try to do what I can while I can,
Keep plodding
Alistair