Let's start again.......

12 months since my last update and it seems many people have misssed the ramblings of the Big Bearded Bloke. Amazing.

So let me bring you up to date-

'The Improbable Dream' is my personal journey to achieve a seemingly impossible dream;  According to doctors  I have poor lungs from too many years of smoking, I suffer from blocked airways due to a constant sinus affliction, and I naturally manufacture a low level of haemoglobin.This means I have a low level of oxygenation in my blood, a condition known as Mild Chronic Anaemia. Basically I run out of oxygen sooner and more often than most people.

According to the doctors this means I will always have low energy, I will become very tired completing simple daily tasks like housework and gardening, and I certainly wont be able to finish any endurance sporting events.

Hmmmm I have a different view. While obviously the thing about housework and gardening is true I refuse to let the condition stop me from completing endurance events. I know I wont be fast; in fact I will be very slow but I am determined to give it a go.My dream is simply to compete, and complete - regardless of how improbable it seems.

It’s a hard ask. Along with the oxygen issues, there's some other issues; I am not naturally strong nor am I naturally fast. And worse, I am not by nature overly competitve.

So I am never going to be up the front. Instead, I will live by the dictum 'compete and complete'.

This means  -

I will put the work in, I will work hard, I will train my body and my mind with determination and consistently, and I will thoroughly enjoy the whole thing by having a very positive mental approach and an upbeat attitude overall. Always.

It will be a challenging, difficult, fun, amazing and interesting journey. I can't wait. Bring on 2012.

The story of last year was not good. Although I had lots of goals I eventually achieved hardly any of them. I did manage to finish two half-marathons in slow times (bringing the total completed to 5) and I finished the100km Brisbane to the Gold Coast Bike Ride.

But many of the other goals went by the wayside for one reason or another.  At the last minute I pulled out of both the Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run and the Mt Cootha Fun Run after months of focused training, both times due to chest infections. It was frustrating. What a wooz I felt I was!

I also pulled out of the Bali Triathlon at the last minute because my swim wasn't strong enough and I pulled out of the Around the Bay bike ride to concentrate on my running (which then didn't work because of chest infections.) What a wooz!

Things had to change.

And they have. I've hired a personal trainer to help with my strength and my aerobic endurance ('Devil Woman'- I'll tell you about her later), joined a swimming club and  joined a local triathon club (Shark'sTri Club, Victoria Point; Go theSharks!!) I have set a number of goals for this year (see side bar) and I am really excited about the 2012 challenges. Training is underway.

Yep, The Improbably Dream is once again alive and well.

So is this blog. The journal is about what I have learnt and will learn along the way. I promise to write with as much honesty and insight as I can. I will talk about what I do but mainly speak about what I've learnt.  I hope its interesting.

There's a lot to do. In terms of ability the unfortunate truth us ;  I swim like a brick, ride like a clown and run like a girl. So I'd better stop typing and go train - the pool, the bike and my runners await.  Oh yeah! LET'S GO!

More later, journey on.....

James

The next page in the travel journal

I turned 53 last week. Its always the same - For me, birthdays trigger a period of self reflection and assessment.... you know, all the usual stuff - who am I? is this the life I want? am I 'living' or merely existing? Am I living a valuable life? Am I really enjoying my life?

I would probably prefer to avoid such deep introspection but after so many birthdays I know it is instinctive and there is no hope of stopping it.

This year I realised The Improbable Dream was adding a wonderful and fulfilling dimension to my life. It is rewarding and satisfying on a daily, weekly and an annual basis.

Yes, there are many days when I am dissappointed with my effort and my progress but overall, the realisation of the Dream provides me with a strong base of fulfilment and self respect. On a regular basis I am able to pat myself on the back, and say 'Well Done' - be it completing a stronger training session than previously or just overcoming my internal laziness and going out to train or pushing myself hard into the really uncomfortable anaerobic zone. Sometimes its just taking the time to reflect on a training session and looking for the lessons to learn. Whatever, there are many many times when I can, and do congratulate myself.

To continue my non-stop use of cliches from last year life is a journey. Its a series of little steps; a collection of individual harmonic notes in the 'opus' of our lives. Each step, each major note should be celebrated and enjoyed. Each one should be recognised as another beautiful step in the 'rich tapestry called life'

It took me a while to realise this. In the two months since my last post I have had some serious doubts as to whether or not I can achieve the Improbable Dream - am I too old? will I ever be fit enough? When am I going to be able to call myself 'fit'? Is it all worth it?

Eventually I realised the answers don't matter.

What matters is I enjoy 'being' an emerging distance athlete.  I enjoy how it feels, I enjoy the challenge it presents to my mind and my body, and I enjoy thinking about my various achievements.

So I am back on track and ready to get into this year's journeys. Soon I will write about my challenges for this year. One thing is for sure - They are challenging and 'improbable'.

But over-riding everything this year will be my attitude. This year I will REALLY celebrate my efforts, my successes and my failures. I will remember to really LIVE LIFE, to love the journey, to enjoy the various parts of my personal symphony.

So its a new year. Happy Birthday to my self and my dream. This year I will live large, train hard, achieve much...oh, and only drink GOOD coffee.

It's time to write the next page of the journey. As the cliche's say 'Bring it ooonnnnn!

More later, journey on....

James




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Sunday is my fun day

            
           "Sunday is my fun day, my 'I dont have to run' day..."

For me, the lyrics from the Bangles 1980 pop hit are only partially right-  Sunday is my fun day but that's because it is my run day. I look forward to Sunday every week - It's my day for either completing events or for doing a 'long' run or ride. Its my fun day.

I love the 'long' sessions. Yes, the weekday training sessions are good for improving my fitness and are tiring and satisfying, but its the Sunday long sessions that are fun. It's the day I find out how my endurance fitness is progressing and it's the day I'm reminded of how much I love going long.

2010 will be remembered as the year I also discovered I actually like doing 'events' on Sundays. I used to think the fun was in the training, and the events were just there to establish a fitness level. But not so. I like 'doing' events  - the anticipation, the preperation, the early morning starts in the dark, the social aspects of waiting at the start and during the event itself, the great feeling of finishing, and the after-glow of the following week and sometimes months. I've done quite a few events this year, and I've enjoyed all of them. Each one is a strong memory in my mind.

True, I've been dissappointed after each one - happy to have completed the challenge, dissappointed I wasn't competitive. Its now time to build a training plan that will make me competitive in 2011. This seems like a natural progression for the 'Improbable Dream' journey and its getting me excited. I'll tell you more later (when I work it out!!)

The last two Sundays have been 'event' days - the last for the year. A fortnight ago I rode the 'Brisbane to the Gold Coast' challenge. Despite a headwind, I rode strongly. I was happy with my riding technique- I used a high cadence, was strong up the hills, and needed only a few 'rests'. I wanted to be faster but was happy I felt strong the whole way.  Did the 100kms non stop in under four hours, an average of over 25kph which was good considering the headwind. I also haven't done much riding since Melbourne so I was happy with the results. I'm sure I will do better in my riding events next year.

Last Sunday I ran the 'Movember Mousdash' 10.5km Mt Coot-tha Challenge. I still can't run strongly up hills so I fast hiked up the hill and ran most of the rest. Finished in 1hr 16minutes which isn't too bad considering I did the 10km Bridge to Brisbane in 1hr 4min earlier in the year. Lots of people did it much faster - including people in my own age - but again  I learnt a lot, and I'm sure I will do better next year. Funny thing - I hiked past a lot of people who were supposedly 'running'. Bet they weren't happy! The other pleasing thing is the photos of the event show me running with good form - a lot different from the early  2010 photos.

For both events my average heart rate was in the 120-130 range, indicating my 'long' fitness is getting better.

These last two events have reinforced what I started to learn earlier in the year. They taught me how to compete, and they will help me to do better next time. I learnt there's a right mental attitude to approaching an event, to selecting the right pace during the event, to understanding how to address motivation, and in how to deal with the dissappointment of not doing as strong as expected. I haven't learnt how to do this, just what I need to do.

Soon, I will work out my events for next year, then train specifically for them. I will look forward to each event, and make sure I am prepared. I will look forward to my 'fun' event days in 2011.

And in the meantime, over the summer, I will enjoy my Sunday training days, my long days, my weekly 'fun days'. Yep, my 'I want to run day'.

More later, journey on

James

Back in the Saddle

The  'Brisbane to the Gold Coast' Bike Ride is on tomorrow morning. Originally scheduled for the weekend before Around the Bay, it was postponed due to terrible weather. (see my blog http://improbabledream.blogspot.com/2010/10/countdown-to-melbournes-210km-bike-ride.html )

Now re-scheduled for tomorrow, it will be only the second time I've been on a bike since The Bay. Hmmm could be a problem! When I got back from Melbourne I rested for a couple of days then started run training in preperation for the Mousdash 10km Fun Run up Mt Coot-tha next Sunday. I've been training reasonably hard with quite a few interval sessions, a few long runs (including one run up Mt Coot-tha last Sunday and a run up Anzac Hill in Alice Springs yesterday) so my overall fitness should be OK but I must be seriously short of cycle fitness.

Only one thing to do. No point in worrying or regretting , I'll  just go for a cruisy cycle down the south Queensland coast and enjoy the experience of a beautiful Sunday morning with lots of like-minded fellow madmen and women. If I feel strong, I'll have a crack and if not, I'll take it easy.

I've done this ride before and I know the ride is well organised and the scenery sensational. The vibe from the other riders is good, there's always a nice feeling of fellowship and community in the air and it seems everyone is determined to get into what is a very special ride.

I'm going to do the same.

 At the moment, the weather is 'brilliant queensland spring sunshine' and everything points to a great day- good weather, scenery, organisation, company and most of all, a good attitude from me.

Actually, I think I'll go the whole hog - I will make the ride a 'smile every mile' day..... I'll 'Live Life, Laugh, Be Happy', I'll connect with others and  most of all, I'll enjoy the journey. Another day, another great experience in my journey to achieve The Improbable Dream.

Gonna be a heap of fun! Cant wait...

More late, journey on

James




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A review of my 'Around the Bay' adventure

Two weeks since Around the Bay In A Day (ATBIAD) so I'd better get the day documented. I need to move on to the next part of the journey but its important to record this milestone.

So here the bottom line- ATBIAD was interesting and challenging, part scary, part embarrassing, lots of fun, and full of lessons to learn. The weather for most if it was 'poor' at best, with rain, cold and headwinds; sometimes all three at once. There was also a lot of riders involved, with large pelotons often going past at quite surprising speeds.

So the event was a lot different from what I've been used to - It was uncomfortable, challenging and at times scary but I enjoyed it, and learnt from it.

Here's what happened (Its long! sorry.) -

I met Dr BiL before 0500 at Port Melbourne and we took off at a fast pace in the cold and the dark to our starting point. Already my heart rate was up from the speed and the excitement, and I was concerned I would blow myself out too early. I knew I could easily handle the 100ks or so of the first half so I wasn't overly concerned, just anxious about the long day ahead.

The fast, fun pace continuued as we joined up with other riders, and we rode through the dark, around Brighton, Beaumaris and the other beach suburbs. Not much talking, just a good fast ride as sun came up on a cold Sunday in Melbourne.

Just after Beaumaris the first big peloton of about 30 riders went past. Dressed as they were in smart BMW uniforms it was like being passed by a very British cavalry regiment from the 1800s. Impressive, structured, uniformed, intimidating, I was just glad they didn't have lances.

Through Frankston at sunrise and all going well, our group of 4 riding strongly. We stopped at a red light just near the Frankston Pub and the change in leg position gave me a strangling cramp in my left quad. Bugger - end of the group of 4.

A little while later I caught up and passed the other three enjoying a short break halfway up a hill. I didn't want to stop halfway up a hill so I yelled out 'see you at the top' and kept going, only to find the top was the first in a series of rolling hills.

Through Mornington I continued on my own, at my normal pace confident the others would catch me in no time. It actually took them a while to catch up and it was good to be back riding on my own, at my usual pace without the  distraction of others. I realised as I rode that I can't change my nature- I actually love being on my own, and facing my own challenges. I had enjoy the fast ride over the last couple of hours however, and I realised I needed to learn to ride with others- if for no other reason than it will make me faster. OK, so one lesson well learnt- join a cycling club near my home and learn to ride in a group. Will do.

From Mornington to the scheduled ferry crossing at Sorrento I faced a series of challenges, and frankly, I stuffed up. Dr BiL let the others go on ahead and he stayed with me to provide assistance, support and company. I was embarrassed at first to have him with me as I stumbled and fumbled but eventually I realised he was genuine when he said he was happy to ride with me. I also realised my previous cycling experience with others had coloured my view, and made me think I was a burden. Dr BiL didn't see it that way, and I benefited from his fellowship and company - in many ways.

The challenges weren't too hard, just annoying - A flat tyre (which BiL fixed) and some ongoing trouble with my shoe clips casused by mud I'd picked  up when changing the tyre. I also fell over at very slow speed in a rest stop when I was distracted, which was naturally very embarrassing! Poor Dr BiL.

The rest of the day was mainly smooth sailing. BiL and I rode together for some of the way and in  procession for most of the day- me behind, naturally. We faced the challenges of wind, rain, cold and rolling hills together. In the afternoon we got a tail wind and enjoyed a flat fast ride from Geelong back to Melboune, although we also had to find our way back on course after I got us lost for a short while. Poor Dr Bil.

We also stopped for a much needed hot coffee in Geelong that pepped us both up, me in particular; a good memory that will stay with me.

Riding over the Westgate Bridge into Melbourne was a blast, and an experience I will treasure. The view was awesome going up, and the downhill was super fast. What a hoot.

The ride through Melbourne was slow and annoying, stopping at a dozen or so traffic lights. Lots of riders, not much talking but plenty of camaradarie.

Coming down the finishing shute was exciting as everyone clapped and yelled. We looked, but didn't see our wives but when they found us in the finishing yard, they were more excited than us. Nice.

And as you can imagine, the dinner that night was very satisfying, and well deserved.I think we all felt quite close.

Another good day on my journey to become an endurance athlete. A long way to go, but a start.

And a great wayto get to know my Brother in Law. Thanks Dr BiL.

More later, journey on
James





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The BEST way to start the day

Have you ever noticed it's hard to have a bad day when you start with a damn good exercise session? For me there is nothing quite as good as an early morning bike ride, or an early run. Its an amazing way to start the day, its a spectacular way to see the world. and its fantastic for the soul.

No matter where I am I love the idea of seeing the sun come up while giving the body a bit of a flogging. Last week I ran around the small country town of Tara in Central Queensland on a foggy morning after rain, along the McIntrye river on the border town of Goondiwindi and through the outback town of Longreach. Good for the soul, good for getting the day under way.

After a week of travel, it was also nice to get in a really nice early run around my home town on Moreton Bay on a gorgeous spring Saturday morning. It was great. Good for the soul. Good way to start the day.

As my old mate used to say 'Wouldn't be dead for quids'. A funny saying that comes to mind whenever I get in a good, hard early exercise. It ALWAYS makes me feel great.

So my suggestion to anyone reading this....., I reckon  it really is worth it,  get out of bed and give it a go!

Enough lecturing......

More later, journey on
James




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Around the Bay in A Day - Success or Failure?

The mind is a strange thing. Its taken me over a week to figure out how I feel about completing 'The Bay' and I'm still not sure I know.

On one hand I feel very disapppointed with myself. I had vision of setting a cracking pace over the whole course, and triumphantly crossing the finish line feeling like a true endurance athlete. Instead I completed the course at a slow 22kph with a couple of rest stops along the way.

I also wanted to show my family how strong I am now. This didn't happen - it seems I'm not strong yet and there is still a lot to do before I can claim to be either strong, or an endurance athlete.

On the other hand, I feel quite pleased to have finished the 210kms - my longest ride to date. I'm also pleased I did it with an endurance mindset of being persistant, patient and within my plan. I finished the day with a lot of energy, and I was nowhere near exhausted which I guess means I could have gone harder and finished with a faster average. My average heart rate for the day was 122bpm so I rode it well within my target aerobic zone.

I'm pleased about the great memories of the day, and of the pleasure of riding with Dr BiL. I found out he is patient, helpful, genuine and good company. I also disovered he is one hell of a cyclist, with the aerobic ability to maintain a high cadence for hours on end.

I learnt to ride in cold, wet and windy conditions. The wind gusts from the side were hairy, the head winds were tough, and the cold stinging rain was uncomfortable and a little scary at times. But I survived and I now have the pleasure of knowing the ride was not easy.

I enjoyed the experience of hundreds of riders getting on and off a ferry, and the joy of a chicken and salad sandwich after a few hours of hard exercise. I enjoyed the views of historic Queenscliff, the quick ride from Geelong to Little River, the awesome views and fast descent of the Westgate Bridge and the frustrating stop/start of the ride into Melbourne through endless red traffic lights.

Lastly, I enjoyed the congratulations and the fun of sharing the result with all my friends.

So the mind is a funny thing. Should I feel dissappointed I didn't live up to a vague dream, or just enjoy the pleasure of reality?

Obviously the later, especially when #10 of my Training Philosophy (see Sidebar of this blog) is to always focus on my own efforts, and not compete with what others think or do.

But the mind is a strange thing, and my mind seems to be able to find creative ways to dissappoint myself.

That, in itself, is an important lesson from the day.

More later, journey on
James


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