A State of Devolution

tunney

2008 was a good year
2009 was a good year (bar the bus, the collarbone, the slashed leg etc)
2010 was a good year

In hindsight I should have heeded the advice of my coach and sat out any attempts of long distance racing in 2011. I drifted away from my coach towards the end of 2010 and Frankfurt was a disaster. I compounded the issue with Roth in 2012. Single focus years, long distance, nothing else on the calendar, nothing else mattered. And I did nothing. 10:45 or so in Frankfurt and 10:3x in Roth. You could say "not bad for no training", or more honestly what should be said is "why bother".

With the aid of yet more hindsight, 2010 was the beginning of this malaise. 2010 was an intensely focused year, everything about vanquishing the Austrian demons. Once I had dealt with them what was my motivation. I had lost touch with the healthy motivation of 2009.

July 2012, "Next year will be different, I will do IM Austria, the whole family will go and I will train hard and race well". Single focus year. End of February I realised I had done it again for the third year in a row. Rather than subjecting my family to months of moaning about the impending race, my lack of fitness and huge weight I binned Austria. It hit me hard binning it but it was the right thing to do.

I haven't had a clean diet (junk and alchohol) for the last few years but I went nuts since then. I'm weighing in at 12st 9 (race weight 10st 7, happy weight 11st). I've not done any training at all in 7 days. But for the first time since early 2010 I want to train.

So this year is going to be all about relearning good habits, good form and finding the grá again. I'm looking at a sprint in June, a sprint in July and an Olympic in August (probably DCT), plenty of aquathons and if I can find some good summer duathlons those too.

So introducing the all new whinge free, excuse free training log - A State of Devolution.

Dory Dory

He's BAAA-aack!! Best to you!

tunney

Plan for this week:

Planned swim time : 1:40
Planned swim dist : 4km
Planned bike time : 4:15
Planned bike dist : 100km
Planned run time : 2:45
Planned run dist : 33km
Planned total time : 8:40

What should be completely obvious is the absence of stupid unrealistic goals for where I am now - in life, fitness and mojo

And yes Dory I am back

Kurt Godel

Good to see this log, best of luck for 2013. For someone who seems to be able to pull 10:xx IM out of limited training, it'll be interesting to see how you get on training for shorter stuff.

Two questions; will you be working with any coaches? Second one (ignore if its too personal)- have you considered giving up alcohol altogether for the season?

tunney

I mentioned that in six days that I have done no training. However what I didn't mention was that in six days I have barely left the house. Wednesday I had to take off work to look after the kids as Glenda had a vomiting bug, Aoibhe had it too. Thursday the whole house was sick, Friday the same. Saturday, Sunday and today the kids were/are vomiting. So I've done nothing other than watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates. For those not familiar with it - it makes you want to fvck a brick through your telly.

Anyways today was meant to be a swim but the pool was closed. So I decided to do a run instead to get over that inital horrible hump of returning to training.

Short and easy was the plan.

For those that have done an Ironman, it felt like the 32nd km on the run. You can run but you know that at some stage soon everything is going to fall apart. HR in the 160s (high into 170s too) for slow and "easy".

Its a start!!!

Was happy with the kids getting better and thought we were on the mend, and then Eoin puked on me again. Easy to tell when she is on the mend, hard to tell when he is simply because he is alwasy happy. Happy right up to the moment he pukes and then happy and laughing again 2 seconds later. We once took him to the doctors because he stopped smiling - turns out he had a double ear infection, a chest infection and a strep throat. A happy happy chappy - must get it from his Mammy.

tunney

Kurt Godel wrote: »

Good to see this log, best of luck for 2013. For someone who seems to be able to pull 10:xx IM out of limited training, it'll be interesting to see how you get on training for shorter stuff.

I'd not expect much

Kurt Godel wrote: »

Two questions; will you be working with any coaches? Second one (ignore if its too personal)- have you considered giving up alcohol altogether for the season?

Some good questions.

Bugsy2000

[Quote=tunney;83722419. So I've done nothing other than watch Jake and the Neverland Pirates. For those not familiar with it - it makes you want to fvck a brick through your telly.
.
[/Quote]

Yo ho wey hey!

Oryx

Good luck with the new you. May he surpass the old you and the even older you.



as an aside, yesterday my (brand new) 910 fogged up. I thought of you, and I'm telling you in the hope that vindication makes you happy.

tunney

When I used to ride alot at weekends come Monday mornings a few things would happen.

1) I'd panic after about 5 minutes cycling to work that I had lost my SRM Powercontrol head unit.
2) Mid panic I'd start to coast while I figure out what happened to the head unit
3) I'd get launched off my saddle, plant my groin on the stem and after I dealt with the loss in control the pain would remind me that I was in fact cycling my fixed gear commuter to work and didn't have SRMs on it.

These days when I cycle to work I take a short cut across the slip road onto the Northbound M1 near the Port Tunnel exit in Santry. It can be busy and sometimes requires clipping out and waiting for traffic to pass. This morning I forgot how to clip out and found myself in a bit of a bind on the slip road. Thankfully I managed an emergency track stand and then when it was safe cycling on a few metres and remembered how to clip out.

tunney

Years ago when Nike discontinued the Zoom Elite 4 I went looking for a replacement shoe. A shop recommended a Mizuno Elixir as a replacement. Its a lovely shoe, comfy and light. As its nowhere near the Elite in feel (high high ramp ) I no longer take advice from that shop, occasionally I still shop there though. Anyways the shoe has REALLY long laces. So long that I have to two bows in them. Silly long.

Anyways the kids are still sick and Aoibhes biggest fear when sick is "being alone" so she slept in the bed with Glenda. I was given a chair bed to sleep on as I dared not venture into Eoins room - a light sleeper and sick and if he saw or hear me I was fecked for the night, and I cannot fit in Aoibhes bed in her room. I think when this chair bed was bought it was bought with the intention of projection an illusion of hospitality. "Oh come stay with us, we have a chair bed" could be said. However given the impossibility of sleeping on it its unlikely the offer would be taken up twice.

Perhaps it was because of this complete lack of sleep that I failed to notice during a lunch run that one of the bows on my right shoe had come undone, and why I failed to notice my left foot getting tangled in it. Nothing beats a solid face plant on concrete by the sea front.

BTH

tunney wrote: »

Perhaps it was because of this complete lack of sleep that I failed to notice during a lunch run that one of the bows on my right shoe had come undone, and why I failed to notice my left foot getting tangled in it. Nothing beats a solid face plant on concrete by the sea front.

I did this in my very first triathlon. No one told me you were supposed to cut off the excess elastic lace. So embarrassing.

shotgunmcos

Do ye not just put lock laces on all your runners? who is taking bets on how long this log can stay in a neutral mood ?

tunney

shotgunmcos wrote: »

Do ye not just put lock laces on all your runners? who is taking bets on how long this log can stay in a neutral mood ?

I don't like lock laces except on the shoes I use as slippers around the house.

I use Grippers on two pairs and like them but I don't like lock laces as I find they stretch as I run and the foot moves and isn't stable thereby placing more strain on the tfl and itb in order to stabilise the leg.

As for the mood, who knows!

tunney

Lunch run along the sea front. Didn't cream myself but did get smoked. Easy run with pieces with bambatta. Max HR 196bpm, max SPM 118. Fun!

tunney

It was shaping up to be a great day. 24 hours vomit free house. Slept in my own bed last night. Chatted to a good friend that I've not heard from in a bit last night. (End of DCT for me but cannot beat a wedding of a good friend). Nice run at lunch..... then "fun" in work and kids sick. Not vomiting, in pain which way worse. Was actually looking forward to tonights turbo but hey - life! *might* still get it done but not leaving a child rolling in pain who wants Daddy for a turbo!!!

Anyways, I can feel the love building!!!!

El Director

I enjoyed reading the OP I think this is a good idea and a good way to go. Short course racing is fun and is not as time consuming. It will be great to see yet another boardie at some of these races. Best of luck to you

tunney

Came up with a great idea to get things going - Adventure Racing. I've decided to target Gaelforce West this year!!! Exciting times.

catweazle

I am surprised you are willing to fork out for the daylight robbery charges from Gaelforce

Oryx

tunney wrote: »

Came up with a great idea to get things going - Messing. I've decided to target Gaelforce West this year!!! Exciting times.

fyp

Which you richly deserve, and Im sure, expected.

tunney

catweazle wrote: »

I am surprised you are willing to fork out for the daylight robbery charges from Gaelforce

Quality is worth paying for. Maybe one or two of the WAR races to get ready first though.

BTH

tunney wrote: »

Quality is worth paying for. Maybe one or two of the WAR races to get ready first though.

Now I know you're taking the piss.:pac::pac::pac::pac:

griffin100

BTH wrote: »

Now I know you're taking the piss.:pac::pac::pac::pac:

He heard that there were Haribo in the goody bags

tunney

All joking aside....

Kids at doctors today, severe stomach pains. Doctor said very bad bug going around - the initial stages match what we had. The doctors own kids had it, final bit is stomach cramps for a few days.

Poor tots.

Thought I was on a chair bed last night. Man marked the kids though, in a bed with Aoibhe who just couldn't sleep. Meant couldn't bog off at 6am for a swim though, if she woke up sick on her tod.......

Slight set back. In the scale of things doesn't matter. No pressure means no guilt! I'm not taking things seriously so that good. (Although not pi$$ing about enough to do adventure races)

tunney

This is to confirm that we have received the cancellation of your registration for the event listed below. You may click on the link below to view your detailed registration record.

Event: IRONMAN Austria 2013 (eng) 1096104

Who knew I could get money back!

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Should be a finders fee!

tunney

Winston Zealous Menu wrote: »

Should be a finders fee!

I'll give you money then Rumpelstiltskin

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

tunney wrote: »

I'll give you money then Rumpelstiltskin

A beer and a packet of haribo will suffice Makka Pakka.

tunney

Winston Zealous Menu wrote: »

A beer and a packet of haribo will suffice Makka Pakka.

Makka Pakka is Eoin (he answers to it and Aoibhe calls him it).

Makka Pakka Snr or something else.

tunney

Makka Pakka, or Makka the Cracka, went to sleep at 6 last night this morning.

Suffice it to say staying awake today is the best I can hope for.

Dory Dory

It's mighty quiet over here on this log. Should someone go check on Tunney to make sure he's not been taken out by a fatal case of Tunney-gastroenteritis?? (not a good day for Dory when she comes looking here for a pick-me-up.....)

tunney

Last week was either a good week, an okay week or a terrible week depending on the metrics and baseline being used. I'm going with a good week. I swam, cycled and ran and I enjoyed it all. Weather was a little shocking and being beside the sea front didn't help much. At one stage I was out of the saddle on the flat giving out socks at half ironman intensity going 10kph.

The bug that hit the house hard has faded. 24 hours since Eoin vomited last and before that both had been fine for a while. Now, as anyone with kids knows, comes the hard part - getting the kids back to a normal routine. Thankfully it's only three days to the best Easter since Jebus rose from the dead and a four day week (no idea why I think it's going to be so great but it is).

Plan for this week is the same as last week but with an extra swim. A coached one.

tunney

Club swim tonight. Hadn't checked the session plan. Wondered why people were grumpy. Found it then it was TT night. Thought to myself "emmmm sounds fun", sure sign the attitude is returning. Given is only swam once in about six weeks I though it best not to lead out the lane :-) Went third. Started with RPE steady and intended to build to hard. Figured I'd probably maintain times that way. I took my time, swan strong rather than fast and enjoyed. 1:26, 1:38, 1:38, 1:38. 6:20 ovThen the lane rope came out for some open water turns and starts practise. out for some open water turns and starts practise. Like real open water these are no place for manners or being timid. "Bull on" I say. So apologies for those I swam over, into and battered. It will toughen ye up :-)

sconhome

Its like a different Tunney.

Get a great sense of relaxation and enjoyment from reading the new you in this log. That is, you're the one enjoying & being relaxed.

Good stuff.

tunney

amphkingwest wrote: »

Its like a different Tunney.

Get a great sense of relaxation and enjoyment from reading the new you in this log. That is, you're the one enjoying & being relaxed.

Good stuff.

Shattered today so don't expect much cheer and happiness today. Neighbours (one house on the road that "is different") had a huge domestic, about ten people involved, kids crying, on the street, in the house, in the gardens. Police bailed in the lot. Feck all sleep for the road

tunney

Anyways....


Since last swim 400m TT (12/12/2012) I swam swam 29km. Dropped 31 seconds off TT time. (6:51-6:20) Nice return of over a second per km swam If only this trend would continue

tunney

Kurt Godel wrote: »

Two questions; will you be working with any coaches? Second one (ignore if its too personal)- have you considered giving up alcohol altogether for the season?

I meant to come back to these sooner.

On the second one. I am a firm believer in denial being counter productive. Firstly "lets have a glass of wine David". "No I cannot I'm an uber serious athlete and my body is a temple". "You're my husband, and a b0ll0cks, I hate you"
(Note not an actual example but have to be aware that denial of foods, drinks and activities can impact others)
Secondly. White Polar bears. I want you to not think of white Polar bears for 2 minutes. Oh really? You couldn't get 30 seconds.......
Thirdly. The odd glass of wine or pint is good - relaxation and not being too serious I find is key. The best race of my life (Lisbon half) I was relaxed and chilled, night before the race in the race hotel myself and a friend had a glass of wine each. All the other Irish gasped. He was first Irish, I was second. Relaxation, moderation, distraction all good.

That being said consumption of alcohol in the same fashion, quantities as a normal person is bad (okay Fran maybe a little more than normal person).

So the plan is to go back to how it was. Alcohol only when suggested by others or the night before a big race.

tunney

Clock goes forward.
Things get sunnier.
Bikes come out of storage.

"Us cyclists are cool aren't we? Those pesky motorists in their cars are a danger though? Right? We're green and proud".

And the other nine months of the year how the fvck do you get to work?

And then there is the god awful awareness on the road, no clue about positioning, signalling, not pulling into the path of fast moving traffic (i.e. other bikes). Sweaty t-shirts strewn around the office to dry. You cycled 10km to work, how the fvck did you break a sweat. The pointless commuter races that don't last even as long as a 16 year old bloke with a porn star.

Summer cyclists, fvck off and die.

</rant>

Dory Dory

5:15 in the morning is way too early for me to read your posts. I get way too confused.

tunney

Dory Dory wrote: »

5:15 in the morning is way too early for me to read your posts. I get way too confused.

Cliff notes version:
* Don't get in my way
* Don't put your sweaty stuff on mine
* Don't wave at me if I don't know you

Dory Dory

tunney wrote: »

Cliff notes version:
* Don't get in my way
* Don't put your sweaty stuff on mine
* Don't wave at me if I don't know you

I was wondering if there were Cliff notes available but was afraid to ask.

tunney

Dory Dory wrote: »

I was wondering if there were Cliff notes available but was afraid to ask.

You're always allowed to ask!

Dory Dory

tunney wrote: »

You're always allowed to ask!

But am I allowed to wave?

tunney

So I've started to get a little more serious about things. Tracking everything I eat again (so much easier these days with barcode readers on smart phones), trying to shift some of the massive weight increase. (Tipped the scales are 12st 11 recently).

This year is all about having a laugh, yes I will place at the back of the pack but thats life. Not sure on the races though Athy anyways but after that not sure, having issues with scheduling (weddings).

More importantly I want to return to an approximation of my lifestyle of old. My wife wants me to return to the lifestyle of old (Was told during the week : "I want the lunatic Dave back who ran a marathon before work on Thursdays). I'm never going back there, that Dave is gone. This Dave has kids and wants to spend time with them. I'll sacrifice lots of things but not time with them.

But I want to get fit and fast again. This time I actually do.

Kurt Godel wrote: »

Two questions; will you be working with any coaches? Second one (ignore if its too personal)- have you considered giving up alcohol altogether for the season?

I addressed one of these questions but the other I didn't.
Will I be working with any coaches? Yes, yes I will. This week is week four back working with my old coach Rich Brady, aka Trimonkey. Rich is a full time performance development coach with the BTF. I worked with him for years, improved immensely, learnt alot and became really good friends with him. When I drifted out of being serious about the sport we parted ways. I approached him again a few weeks back and he agreed to take me back. No grand goals, nothing except relearn the habits I lost and have fun. Hopefully the time it takes to rebuild me will be much less than the time it took him to build me the first time!!

tunney

Right time to get back into this logging thingy.

Easy run with some fast pieces yesterday, nice run. Met @bambatta on the return leg.

Strength endurance turbo then in the evening. I say evening but I really mean night time as himself decided that he didn't want to sleep but wanted to play with Daddy until late.

Using the release candidate for Golden Cheetah for the ergs. Had been using the beta V3 for the last year or two. Its still the best turbo software out there I think, but definitely a few steps back in the UI. Not going to compare the results of the session to similar from 07/08/09 as I would cry.

Fingers crossed the weather holds for the weekend! Amstel Gold at the weekend, just need to figure out how to watch it now!

sconhome

tunney wrote: »

Right time to get back into this logging thingy.

Easy run with some fast pieces yesterday, nice run. Met @bambatta on the return leg.

Strength endurance turbo then in the evening. I say evening but I really mean night time as himself decided that he didn't want to sleep but wanted to play with Daddy until late.

Using the release candidate for Golden Cheetah for the ergs. Had been using the beta V3 for the last year or two. Its still the best turbo software out there I think, but definitely a few steps back in the UI. Not going to compare the results of the session to similar from 07/08/09 as I would cry.

Fingers crossed the weather holds for the weekend!

Like a 'good news, bad news' item I was thinking good stuff, fair play and then saw this:

tunney wrote: »

Amstel Gold at the weekend

and stuttered whilst reading, wondering why you would be drinking that rubbish.:)

BTH

amphkingwest wrote: »

Like a 'good news, bad news' item I was thinking good stuff, fair play and then saw this:


and stuttered whilst reading, wondering why you would be drinking that rubbish.:)

1 out of 10, and thats just out of pity.

Terrible effort.

tunney

Given he lives in the "West" where civilisation is yet to reach.

This is Amstel Gold :


But this too is Amstel Gold :



One is a sh1t beer, one is one of the classic bike races.

Given I am a wine type of guy these days which is more likely

BTH

Wine or whine??

sconhome

BTH wrote: »

Wine or whine??

SOOOO Obvious :rolleyes:

Not even worth a point!

Kurt Godel

I was googling 400m swim times last night and came across this from 2006, you've a consistant opinion regarding standards

How's training going?

tunney

Kurt Godel wrote: »

I was googling 400m swim times last night and came across this from 2006, you've a consistant opinion regarding standards

How's training going?

I'd probably be a little less harsh, 6:30 rather than 6:00 now

Training is going which is a start. Few hours on the bike this morning with Tango and JB this morning.