Boxing Day Football…

I stopped playing football in late 2002. I was tired of having to train at specific times. I was tired of depending on teammate’s mood and motivation to train quality sessions. I wanted to be responsible for my own training, so I could train, when I felt like it, and train what I felt for. So I started to run more intensively. I had been running more seriously for a few years at that stage, but wanted to see, how fast I could get. And then I was simply just enjoying it. And if you are injury free, then running is just fantastic!

In the beginning I focused more on the short distances, and did runs from 5 km. to 21,1 km. But as many other runners have experienced, then a big running load, gives a higher risk of getting injuries. For me it has been knees and hips that have been the problem. I ran a marathon in 2004, but had to drop it in 2005 due to a very sore hip. At this point I felt like trying something new. My brother had tried spinning to get in shape after an injury. I was in the same position, and it didn’t take me many classes, before I was hooked. It was and still is so effective and quality training. And you decide, whether you wish to get something out the training - no one else. You can always experience a poor instructor, but there are always some instructor, who compiles a program, that can motivates you, and that makes you want to go deep. In late 2005 I went 3 weeks to Club La Santa with my brother. The objective was just to have fun and train hard. It wasn’t to do triathlon. But we did the duathlon and triathlon short distance races organized by Club La Santa, and it really turned a spark in both of us. I was mentally and physically hooked on triathlon! Unfortunately I was ill most of 2006, so I didn’t get much training in the book. But from early 2007 I could start training again, and the objective was to finish an Ironman in 2007 in sub 12 hours. In August 2007 I finished the last edition in Fredericia in 9:59 hours, without really pushing myself. New motivation – new objectives – new targets – triathlon is one hell of a sport!

I can’t really say that my training has been perfect since my first Ironman. But I am definitely improving in every sense. I am taking small steps to try and improve on the long perspective. Triathlon and Ironman is a tough sport. One of my main targets from doing this sport is too enjoy every session! That is not possible, but it must be the objective. I will not allow that training sessions becomes a duty. And for me it will never happen. I simply enjoy it too much. I have been training my entire life. And I will never stop. But the objectives can obviously change as you get older.

I may not be as enthusiastic as in my teenage years about football, but I am still passionate about my favorite club Manchester United. And when they loose, then it is not good for the rest of my day... Boxing Day Football from the Premier League is a tradition, which needs to be kept. I saw Man. United vs. Bolton at Old Trafford on Boxing Day in 2004, which ended with a 2-0 victory with Giggs and Scholes as the goal scorers. Since then I have tried to keep Boxing Day a “holy day” in regards to watching football on the tele. This year I will have time to follow all the matches :-) so looking forward to resting the rest of the day with some high quality and intensive matches.
Today I have done 1½ hours indoor cycling this morning. Then 45 minutes running with poles in the forest with some serious off road sections. That was good fun and great action. The weather is luckily better today than yesterday, where I came home from 1½ MTB with absolutely freezing fingers… Now that was not fun…

Have a look on the Boxing Day matches… Obviously the program calls for setting up two teles next to each other…

1.45pm Birmingham – Chelsea
2pm Fulham – Tottenham
4pm Man. City – Stoke
4pm Sunderland – Everton
6.30pm Liverpool – Wolverhampton
7pm Leicester – Sheffield United

From 23 degrees to minus 5 degrees… From running in the sun to running with poles in the snow… Life is good :-)

Sunday morning in Las Playitas… Tuesday morning in Denmark…

I didn’t really get back to some proper training routines before this weekend. First of all due to a recurring left knee problem, which I will hopefully get fixed by surgery on the 25th of January. I will probably write more about this, when it is nearer the date, but I will only be lying still for approx. 10 days, so it will be all right. Second of all then it is just tough to get back from two weeks in the sun and decent temperatures to snow and cold conditions. But have done 3 hours a day of very variable training since Saturday, so I should be back to some consistent training. The Christmas is coming up, and I expect to train 2½-3 hours per day the next week. I am not really that keen on Christmas foods, which is probably my luck, but I will still definitely eat way too much! But then it is nice to get outside and burn some calories and get a bit of freshness. Training is GOOD!
On Saturday I was introduced to “Pole Running” in my club SigmaTri. "Pole Running" is almost like Cross Country skiing all though without the skis… You are basically running in the forest with two poles using them as you would use them if you were cross country skiing. So you are also using the upper body and your swimming muscles. We are running flat, up and down sections, and especially on the very step uphill sections, it is very hard for your thighs as it is also difficult to get foothold on the slippery surface, which at the moment is snow. It is just great training! We also did it today, just me, my brother and Rasmus H. And after the morning swim I must admit that it was tougher. My arms are definitely sore now…
Merry Christmas, y’all :-) Don’t forget to get some training included in your Christmas schedule… ;-) If you are short on time on the Christmas days, then a short tempo run, perhaps including some fast intervals, is always better than nothing. And it makes you feel a lot better, both physically and mentally. And it may give you a break from your family... ;-)

Swimming in the Olympic Pool is a pleasure

It is in general not often that I swim in a 50 metres pool. But when I am also doing it out in the open air, and most of the time in the sun, and in addition to that usually has my own lane, then it really is a pleasure. All though I sometimes have a hard time believing that the pool is heated, but I am pretty much alone in this view, so it may just be me. When I put my tri suit on, as well as my speed suit, then it is none the less not a problem, not even for me.
Today was also my last day of cycling. Tomorrow the weather most likely will include raining conditions and add that to the increasingly wind, then I will use my last full vacation day on Las Playitas. I rode 112,5 km. and 2.000 metres of elevation height. Was out for 4½ hours, and took a longer break today, which included some chocolate cake... Not bad at all ;-)

I will mainly run and swim the last two days, and probably do some core training. I will also do some combined spinning and running, which I plan to do very intensively to get my pulse up, and to get some speed and action in the training. But I look forward to a couple of easy days, so I will also just relaxed and get the maximum value out of the last days before arriving in Denmark Sunday evening.

Another sunny day in Fuerteventura

The weather the last 3-4 days has been great. The wind has settled down a bit, and the sun has been shining and there hasn't been many skies. Great stuff. It really hightens the quality in every sense.
Today I went out early. Had planned a 3 hour bike ride, but got ecxited and did almost 4½ hours, which equalled around 120 km. and over 2.000 elevation meters. Very nice ride. From Playitas I went south towards Las Hermotas and then rode north to Pajara. This part has some tough long uphill sections. Not very steep, but it just keep rising gradually, and it is always a head wind. Took its toll out of my legs today. From Pajara I rode up the climb to Betancuria. It lies down in a valley, so there is a climb from both sides. I went all the way down to the other side, then up the first climb, then down to Betancuria village, then a hilly section to the next climb, before the downhill part to Pajara. This is definitely my favourite part of the island, and it is a great place to ride some climbs without being disturbed by traffic. And there are some great views.
Did a 35 min. swim in the afternoon, but was cramping up in my thighs. It was hot today, and hadn't gotten enough salt. But still a great swim in the sun. Nice and hot and managed to dry off in the sun today without getting cold. Happy Days :-)

Riding with Team Saxo Bank

Started Tuesday with a very nice and enjoyable bike ride of 3½ hours trying to get as much climbing as possible. Also had a break in Betancuria with the objective to purchase some local aloe vera for my sun burned hands... Turned out to be a bit of a "tourist trap" and went home towards Playitas 50 Euros short... But the salesman was nice...
Finished it off with a quick 45 min. swim. No running today, but is hoping for tomorrow. Bruised my hip the other night going to the bathroom. Unfortunately on the way back I forgot the bed was on the left side and not down the stairs...
I started today with a 40 min. swim, but had to go up and take a warm bath, as I was freezing yet again. It is a bit colder in the morning, so tomorrow I plan to swim, when the sun is at it heighest.
At 10am I met up with Rasmus Henning and Team Saxo Bank. Was out riding with them for 4½ hours, all though quite a few went home after 2 hours. It was the easiest and most relaxed ride I have ever been on. They are really taken it easy at this time of the year. I personally prefer shorter, more effective training sessions with an higher intensity. I have learned that this philosophy works for me, both physically as well as mentally. So the next days I will ride approx. 3 hours trying to get as much elevation height as possible. Saturday seems to turn into a poor day for cycling as the weather takes a turn for the poor, so better get the maximum profit out of the two next days.

Cyclists as "Men in Black"... Or just "Man" as in triathlete...

To me a new expression came to light in the Tour de France 2007, when it was known that Michael Rasmussen trained in a complete black outfit to not get recognized. I am also training in black. Am I hiding as well? No, not really. But it is enjoyable to be riding around the island or in Playitas and you can just see almost everyone turning their heads asking eachother... Who was that? Was it a pro cyclist? Well, not a Team Saxo Bank rider, as they are also at Playitas at the moment. Just a triathlete who enjoys his anonymity. And the short confidence boost feel of people thinking I may am a famous pro cyclist :-)
I have caught a little bit of sickness, which makes me feel freezing cold most of the time. So I am wearing a lot of clothes, even though the sun is shining. I don't have any fever or such, but just need to take care of myself, and there is no need to make this a longer permanent health status. It has and will not prevent me from training, but it caused me to take half a rest day today. Did a early morning swim of 45 min. and a easy cycling ride of 2 hours. And it will probably mean that I will try not to push myself too much the next few days and do shorter sessions. That will give me more time to other activities like relaxing and enjoying the sun :-) Go on, my son...
Yesterday I did a 3½ hours bike ride which included some good breaks, as I was not feeling great. Finished it off with a tempo 25 min. run and a 45 min. swim session in the afternoon. Hopefully a good nights sleep will make me feel better, so I can take advantage of the good training conditions. Next week it is back training in zero degrees... I am cold all ready.

2 hard hours on the bike... Then a cold Coke sitting down... Happy Days :-)

This is only my third time having my bike with me on training camp/vacation. And my favourite start to the day is for sure to get up early... Half an hour to get a wake... Then on the bike for two hours going hard... And then a well deserved Coke in a local bar. That is so relaxing and such a firm confirmation to why I love to train :-) And it is even better that I still have a few hours left of the bike. The adrenaline and motivation is skyhigh after such a start to the day.
Friday I started off early in the Olympic Pool with a quick 15 min. session with the snorkel. Need to use it a lot to get the maximum profit out of it. Afterwards I rode with the rest of the group for 3 easy hours. Finished the bike off with a 30 min. jog. In the afternoon it was time to another session in the pool of nearly an hour. I promise you my upper body muscles are damn hurting.
Today I went on the bike a bit too early. The sun does not go up before a little after 8am so I was half an hour too early so the ride started a bit cold. Did most of the same ride as on Friday, which is Playitas->La Lajita->Las Hermosas->Pajara->Tuineje->La Florida->Juan Gopar->Playitas. Did the Betancuria climb from the Pajara side once to hit the 3 hour mark.
In the afternoon it was time for some intensive training which first combined open water and beach running. Then it was the pool, spin bike and running combined with croos fit exercises making it six drills in total. It took two hours. It was short and intensive training.
I'll be in Playitas for another week. I plan to do bike-run sessions, so I'll finish every bike ride with an immediate run for minimum 30 min. And then an hour in the pool in the morning or before dinner. It is rare to have such good conditions as the 50 m. pool to train in so I will take full advantage of it. In just 9 days I'll be back in the same boring pools for the next many months...

Variable training...

It is still a bit too windy for my preference, but maybe I should just accept it. Can't change it anyway.
Started Wednesday with a 30 min. run and 30 min. core training. First time I did core training, and my stomach muscles (or lack of them...) are still sore.
Then it was off with the rest of the group on a 4 hour bike ride. Easy 1 hour spin until we reached the climb from Pajara to Betancuria. Then 2 hours up and down the climb. Did it 3½ times from one side and once from the other side. Then a fast return to Playitas in the side tail wind. You really need to focuse when riding 45 km/h in this sort of wind.
Finished the training day off in the pool. Was really cold and was shaking, but the coach did not give me any choice. I had to learn how to use a snorkel. My head is moving too much and is having a negative effect on the rest of my body, so I am going to my much out of the slim line. I almost learned it yesterday, and today I am nearly there. Did 35 minutes swimming with the snorkel, and it was all right. Need more practice, but it is having a effect all ready.
Today we also did a one hour swim in the ocean. Another great open water session with Henning. Afterwards it was time for a 40 minute run. When you get in behind or between the mountains and it is windstill, then it is really possible to feel the heat. Otherwise the wind is dominating.

Windy day at Playitas

Started the day early with a 40 min. run as the sun was coming up. Always a nice view. At 9:30 Rasmus Henning had a clinique in Open Water swimming. Very inspiring and motivating. He made it fun. Definitely took many good points away from it. I have never really done Open Water training sessions, but it should be a regularly part of my swim training as it can be fun and very profitable.
Right after the swim I went out on my bike hoping for a good ride. I was a bit worried about the wind and I was unfortunately right in my skepsis. It was really hard and when it came from the side, then it was very difficult to stay on the road. I could easily ride 45 km/h in the tail wind, even when it was a bit from the side, but when it was a head wind, or just a side head wind, then it was very hard to keep it over 25 km/h, and sometimes it went lower than 20 km/h on almost flat sections. Depressing and not great fun and as I wasn't really comfortable with the hard wind, then I called the ride short and only got 1:40hrs. But better than nothing and a learning experience today.
In the afternoon I had my swimming videofilmed. Haven't seen the results, but I am not desperate about it... Think I will look like crap...