Aberfeldy race day

Some funnies on distance on the big day: Swim: 2km (officially 1.9km), in 38'37" - very pleasing, in combat conditions, and a very chilly Loch Tay (12 deg C). Employed what can only politely be called autonomous heating in the loch - highly recommended!

Weather ok, but a bit of rain whilst swimming, so damp cycling gear. A quick gel in T1, then another on the bike as it was rubbing my leg. T1 about 5 minutes

Bike: 90.87km (officially 90km) in 3 hours 23'01" - average speed a very pleasing 26.9, especially with around 800m of ascent. Loved loved loved the ride down from the summit to Aberfeldy, watching the average speed recover everything I'd lost on the climb from Loch Rannoch. On the bike, drank two bottles of energy drink, ate half a banana and took on another water which I didn't touch, plus a total of 4 or five energy gels.

T2 - nicely organised with a handler to take the bike away. Time for a big swig of energy drink, and a quick gel. By the end of the bike leg, the sun was well out, and warming up. T2 around 3 1/2 minutes.

Run: 20.16km (officially 21.1km) in 2hr13'36"- average speed 6'38"/km with the first 2 km running at sub 6 minute kms, then run/walk/run, with lots of internal bargaining (you can walk up this bit if you run down the far side, or walk 50m then run 200m). Lots of aid stations, where I took on water and small amounts of energy drinks, and ate three gels en route.

Total time 6 hours 24' 20 seconds, 241st out of around 280, and 16th supervet out of 21. But comfortably beat my target of 412 minutes - mostly due to a better run than expected, although the bike beat my target by 7 minutes too.

Treadmill half marathon

In the gym, at a 1 degree incline, started at a steady 11km.hr, averaged 5'31"/km moving speed and held it pretty much there. Convinced myself that I've got a half marathon in my legs.

Chapel of Garioch 1/2 Marathon

Official time: 1hr 56'35", which is 58 seconds slower than last year. About 3 seconds per kilometre. What went wrong? Not sure yet, although I could have done with more longer runs beforehand.

I lumped my way all the way up Dubstone hill, and didn't stop at water stations (except the last one), this time, which means average moving speed was lower. Hmm

Gym session - half marathon recovery

A 2 km warm up at 10/11 km/hr and then 5km at 10/11/12 km/hr on the treadmill.

Captured by the Garmin as 2 and 4.84, but really 2 and 5.

Legs still a bit wobbly from half marathon, but on the mend.

Moray Half Marathon

Well, today was race day.

21.1 km in a sunny 17-18 degrees, from Gordonstoun via Lossiemouth to Elgin. Total time 1hr55'13" at a pace of 5'26"/km.

The first 5 miles to Lossie were nice, the middle 3 I can barely remember, but things were slowing down, and the last 5 were hard. After I was overtaken by a tele tubby with five miles to go, my legs really felt heavy and the pace seemed to slow dramatically (although the Garmin analysis shows a steady decline in pace, except for a burst over the last 10 minutes - or 2 km - which were mostly downhill or the finish).

Average heart rate 169 for the full race, with the peak at 178 at the finish

I went through 10km in 51'20", which was a PB, but the second half took a lot longer!

Half marathon official time: 1 hr 55' 37"

Making a pace of 5'29" per km. Well chuffed now to have beaten 5'30" for a half marathon.

Inverurie Half Marathon

Well, the day dawned bright and clear. And the half marathon went off fine. Obviously 21.1 km, and in a time of 1 hour, 55 minutes 51 seconds at an average pace of 5'31"/km.

This was better than I'd hoped - I was aiming for 5'40"/km or 2 hours, so I'm pretty pleased.

And the best thing is it means I've done this week's mileage already!

Long and wet

15.7km around Aberdeen on a slow, wet and windy day (about 2 deg C, windy, rainy). Deliberately went off slowly to maintain pace for half marathon (at Garioch) next week.

Speed generally ok, although glutes tight by the end. Good stretch, sauna and jacuzzi. Will loosen up again tomorrow.

Pace 5'50" per km on average, total distance for the week, 27.31km (despite a few days off travelling/with a cold).

Next week likely to be slow, as tapering for half marathon.