Special delivery

A real, physical book arrived today - "marathon and half marathon" by sam murphy. The Independent on Sunday calls it "an essential purchase" and so does my marathon mate Kev, so I really had no choice but to buy it.

Phew!

After pulling my calf muscle 2 days ago while jogging, I went (well, limped) to the local indoor 50m pool today a little nervously, wondering if the nature of the strain was going to stop me swimming. You know, because it's kind of hard to simulate swimming without actually swimming.

Phew! All good. It was like I'd not pulled my calf muscle at all. Awesome! Banged out over a kilometre of non-stop freestyle in under 30 mins.

fyi I learnt bilateral breathing 3 years ago while training for the Rottnest Channel Swim, which really helps me to stay 'balanced' in the water. It also helps with swimming in a straight line if you're in open water.

I love to go really hard the last couple of lengths (to finish on a high) and so I switch to breathing every 2nd stroke so I can really suck in heaps of air. My last 2 lengths are always my fastest. Love it.

Chipping Away...

A long overdue update!

Since I last posted:

1. Boston Marathon bombings. Mad.
2. I have actually starting training! Running, swimming and cycling.
3. I pulled my right calf muscle this afternoon during a relatively light jog - quite badly it feels like. Should have stretched before, but normally don't have to if I haven't just rolled out of bed. But the good news is that:
1. I'm still 4.5 months away for the Sydney Marathon.
2. My 16 week training program doesn't start for a few of weeks (see more below).
3. I should be totally fine to cycle and swim until I can run again.
4. Have ordered a copy of "Marathon and Half Marathon: From Start to Finish" by Sam Murphy.
5. Am really enjoying using the Runtastic app on my smartphone to record my exercise sessions (and then some). Awesome features.
6. Worked out that I don't have the discipline to record everything I eat and drink every day into the MyFitnessPal app. But in the short time I was using it, it certainly reminded me how easy it is to add calories (mmmm, chocolate...), and how much you have to workout to burn those same calories off: LOADS! Why can't it be the other way around? Not fair!
7. Accessories? Oh yes.
1. Sennheiser PMX 685i SPORTS headphones for my birthday from my good lady wife. Thanks Em! And mighty comfy they are too - set and forget!
2. Got some new Speedo shorts for swimming. Mainly because my wife hates my admittedly one-size-too-small budgie smugglers. Maybe if I was still 20 something. Fair enough. My new ones are so figure-hugging that it feels like I'm naked, which was a little unnerving walking out poolside for the first time.
3. Talking of figure hugging, also today picked up a pair of long Puma running pants from a factory outlet. I think it's time to retire my old ones - the same ones that I travelled the world with, and helped me to climb a few mountains like Kilimanjaro and Pico Bolivar. Farewell my threadbare friends!

What's next?

1. Fix the calf. Cycle and swim more in the meantime.
2. I've finally decided on which marathon plan I'm going to (have to!) follow. I really wanted one that (apparently) fully integrates with my Runtastic app, and I'm assuming that the plans sold by Runtastic do that Dieter Baumann, I'm counting on you and your 16 week plan to run a marathon in < 4hr 30m. The program starts Monday June 3rd.