Gutted.com

Hi Folks,

Sorry that I have not updated my blog for a couple of weeks, after the decision not to race Ironman Wales this year I have been so disappointed that I have just not had it in me until now.

Hopefully this news will not come as a shock to my regular readers, most will know that I have been in quite a bit of pain while training, especially on the bike. I want to pay the Ironman Wales bike course the respect it deserves and if I am taking pain relief after 10 mile on the bike a jump up and down after 112 miles would see me make a similar noise to a half full tube of Smarties (Other confectionery are available).

I was also worried about the fact that the pain was getting worse as the days progressed. The problem was also spreading and muscles in my forearm, bicep, tricep and deltoid were also suffering, possibly where they were compensating for the injury. In hindsight maybe I should have called it off earlier, I had trained so hard though, really felt like I was doing well that I did not want to admit that my dream was over for another year. One friend even shed a tear knowing how much I want it. Even yesterday I said to the wife 'Shall I take my bike down and use it as a training day?'

Its behind me now.....or it will be on the 17th September. Both the wife and I will be in Tenby cheers on friends come the big day. It will be hard to watch but it will also be nice to cheer my fellow club members and friends to finish line.

So at the moment I am swimming once a week, a very easy session concentrating on technique so that its a physio session and that no further damage is caused. No cycling what so ever (My elbow was even hurting during a spinning class!) and running when ever the mood takes me..........the latter is due to change though.

Mrs Taming Tenby has entered us both into the Cardiff Half in 6 weeks and then the Gloucester Marathon in January (Incentive not to over indulge at Xmas). Its good to have something to train for and the thought of getting 'Chicked' by the wife will keep me going........thanks love x x x

So Excited I Could Wee! (Or is it just an age thing?)

Well.....well, well, well oh well. Big day today for two reasons, firstly because about an hour ago I got to plug my fundraising efforts for the RNLI on 96.4FM The Wave, South Wales Number 1 radio station. Badger and Emma do a great job of hosting the breakfast program and I often find myself in fits of laughter (Badger & Emma reading 50 Shades of Grey in different stylies is hysterical!) but there was no laughter this morning, not from me anyway. Even though I am use to speaking in front of large groups and briefing High Ranking Military staff for some reason I was very very nervous and while on air, all I could hear in my ear was the stream of text messages arriving. Most are not printable here but did make me giggle. Anyway, I hope I achieved the aim which was to plug my cause, my sponsors and get details of how people can sponsor me out there....... time will tell how effective the latter was. A mahoosive thank you to Amanda and Andrew Gilbert for making it happen and Badger and Emma for putting up with my mumblings.

Even the car air fresheners failed to take the odour away!

Secondly my cast finally comes off today (yeyyyyy!). Really hoping after the x-ray that is does not need to go back on, training for the big day is hard enough as it is. If it does I will not give up though, just means I will have to be more imaginative when it comes to training. Better to tri and fail than never tri at all (See what I did there. Clever No?)

Not too sure what to expect my arm to look like and I am wondering whether to warn the Nurse that something(s) may jump out at her once she has cut it off. It's now so bad that when in the car with Mrs Taming Tenby I have to hang my arm out of the window, this helps to stop the windows from steaming up and allow other passengers to breath.

So here ends Part one of this blog.........of to the Hospital :-/

Part two.......

They were waiting for me! 'Ahhh Robert' the receptionist in the fracture clinic cried, 'We were wondering when you would turn up......what's this you have been running with your arm in plaster!!' Think the only person in the Hospital not to have listened to The Wave that morning was the Dr himself..........Doh!!

Off came the plaster and I am pleased to report that there was no re-enactment similar to the scene in 'Aliens' where some horrid creature bursts through the skin, indeed there was no creepy crawlies or dead things, in fact it was quite clean.......WHITE CLEAN! Pasty White clean, Pasty White clean and skinny! (Thank god for teenagers and fake tan!!)

Matthew

Confirmation received that the plaster would not go back on it was then off to North Dock to meet a fellow CELTIC TRI club member Matthew Anderson and get my toes wet. Pleased to report that the swim went well with only slight pain. Think this was caused because of the wrists stiffness through lack of use as its getting better and better as the day goes on. 1000meters was far enough for my first swim back, especially as it was a wetsuit swim. From experience the muscles around the shoulders and arms get use to swimming again pretty quickly so I feel quite relaxed about this part of my training. Only main problem today was trying to swim in a straight line, again this will be down to a weak left arm. Plan is to have another dip first thing tomorrow morning.

One area that now concerns me is getting back out on the roads. This has nothing to do with a fear of a further fall, its more to do with the vibration that the road will cause and how my arm will cope with it. I am currently in two minds......carry on training on the turbo for another week or just crack on and give it a go. Just know the more I think about it the call of 'Take me out to play' coming from the garage will get louder and louder.

One last thing before I go and change the rear wheel on my bike (Ok, Ok.......its just in case!). Make sure you revisit this page again.......may have some good news for all the readers.

I'm BACK!!!!

Tick Tock

There is an old saying that time and tide stand still for no man. How right they are, it only seems like yesterday I posted on FB that its 100 days until I will be stood on North Beach, Tenby. In a blink of an eye 12 days have past and I am sure the remaining days will fly by just as quick.

Training is still going well but the frustration of not being able to go for a swim or get out on the bike is immense. I dread to think what I would be like if I could not run or have a session on the turbo, without doubt the bookies would have paid out on Mrs Taming Tenby killing me ages ago (At present its still odds on!). Anyway I already have swimming gear in the boot of my car and the minute its off I will be getting my toes wet.

Eight days until I am free of the cast (And Mrs Taming Tenby is free of me). Think the nurses will be amazed just how smelly its become and I feel a little like Tom Hanks in the film Castaway as my best friend is now a chopstick! (Knitting needles are terribly hard to come by these days). So much talc and sweat have been absorbed by the cast that I am pretty sure it now has its own mini biosystem. Proof of this was when Charlie (The chopstick) and I were involved in eliminating an itch, both of us were really not expecting something to tumble out onto the floor. I must admit that it would not have been so troubling if it hadn't sprouted legs and scurried away.

I have hatched a plan in order to reach my fundraising target. Not all of these ides can be revealed yet but I am sure that with the help of family, friends and my very kind Corporate sponsors I will reach my target. If you would like to support my efforts and my more importantly my nominated charity you can do any of the following:

Shirt printed by Dorian's Heel bar. Swansea. Thanks Jon and Den

• Sponsor me Directly by visiting my donation page.... Click here
• Buy a Lucky Lifeboat Station from me for £2 and if your station gets picked you win £50!!!
• Suggest to your boss that he/she could advertise their business cheaply. In return I will ensure I 'Plug' the company name as often as possible (I have some cracking opportunities lined up!) and add their logo to my race apparel. My Sponsor me page contains my contact details for further information.
• Or pop into Dorians heel bar and place a donation in the RNLI box.

Two new additions to my Taming Tenby recommends page. The first is Dirty Green Trainers Sports Photography who have been added for their great photography and amazing value for money. Order your photos from them for just £10 and they send you a digital copy of every image taken of you from over the recent long course weekend. I only did the Half Marathon and had Ten photos! some friends who also Swam on the Friday and cycled on the Saturday have 40+ images which really does represent amazing value for money.

Where's (the) Wally?

Tri and Enter events are also very worthy additions. They put on some first class races, the next one being the Mumbles Triathlon this weekend (Saturday 23rd June 0700). What makes them worthy? Tri and Enter go out of their way to make sure that every athlete from Newbie to Pro enjoys the experience, hold events in some fantastic locations and appreciate for some its not a race but an experience or challenge, only too willing to answer any question or point people in the right direction. All Marshals at Tri and Enter events are volunteers, are well briefed and as such they are far more interested in the days events. As I have previously been sent the wrong way, been shouted at in foreign tongues and been on the end of blank vacant stares during events organised by other companies, its great to have people who want to be there (The bottle of wine, packed lunch and T-Shirt ease the burden of volunteering!). If you want to try your hand at marshalling, taking part in an event or are interested in a corporate event why not drop them a line here. Fancy joining me marshalling this weekend? Its the next best thing to Racing!

Until next time,

Taming Tenby.

Nothing Great Is Easy

The last seven days have been full of ups and downs (Especially Sunday but I will talk about that later). The night of my last post (Wednesday) I donned my trainers and headed out for a 6/7 mile trot. Three mile into a hilly run I felt a dull throb originating from my lower calf area, initially I carried on thinking that it may go but it persisted. Rather than push it and possibley do more damage I phoned Mrs Taming Tenby to come and pick me up......gutted and worried that it would spoil my training plan.

Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevated (Think the 'C' would be better off standing for curry!) as soon as I got home, even recruited my 8 year old son Jack to use a rolling pin on the area to massage it (Don't knock it till you've tried it). After a good nights sleep it was still tight but not that sore, further rest and stretching was required so decided it was best to have a couple of days off.

Jack

I was really looking forward to the Friday, we had booked accommodation in Tenby for the start of the Activity Wales Events organised Long Course Weekend. The weekend is kicked off with a race for the kids (Otherwise known as 'Taffletes'!) followed then by the big boys and girls having a 2.4 mile swim on Tenby's iconic North beach, a 112 mile bike ride on Saturday through the picturesque county of Pembrokeshire, finely concluding on Sunday with a Marathon. You will all be pleased to hear at this stage that shorter distances are available for each event and as my planned swim and bike ride were cancelled due to my arm being in plaster I signed up for the half marathon...sore calf and all.

Mike and Tara before realising how
cold the water is!

Although it was frustrating not being able to take part in Friday and Saturdays activities I still had loads of fun spectating, joining the other supporters, locals and tourists alike, in cheering the Athletes taking part. Both of these days I had work done on my injury by Sue, from Bodyworks Soft Tissue Therapy and at £10 for 20mins was exceptional value. If it were not for he healing feet (Read about her here) I doubt if I would have made the start line on Sunday.

The Half Marathon started at Noon with the athletes 'holding pen' being Pembroke castle, not a bad location eh! We were led out by a drum band prior to the start which really got the adrenaline pumping, couple this with athletes doing the full marathon running past and we were all raring to go. The first Six miles went well and were completed in 56mins, good going for me considering it was far more 'undulating' than I expected (I refer you back to the title). It was shortly after this point however that my calf tightened and turned the remaining miles into a walk/run/yomp. The support from the people of Pembs was incredible along the route and for this they must be commended. Many were sat at the end of their driveways, pubs and street corners, tea in hand (Some cruel souls lifted stronger beverages!) cheering and clapping as you ran past, kids wanting 'high fives' and really getting into the spirit of things.

Nothing could have prepared me for the final leg into Tenby however. For the last 600 yards or so the crowd were three deep lining the streets, cheering every finisher as if he/she were the first home. The Party atmosphere heavy in the air, rounds of applause coupled with words of encouragement erased any pain as I crossed the line. Still amazed now as I expect all who travelled to Tenby still are.

The weekend has inspired me to add another 'Tab' or page if you like, to my blog. This will contain links to organisations other than my sponsors, ones who deliver a first class service or product and come with a Taming Tenby recommendation.

The first of these to be added are Bodyworks for putting the customer first, I felt my treatment on both occasions ran over the allotted time but continued until all that could be done to my injury was done.

Secondly Activity Wales Events for a first class weekend and yet another well organised, well planned event. One that with the continued support of the Pembs community will no doubt expand, bringing tourists flocking to this area of natural beauty in order to witness first hand, the outstanding Pembrokeshire welcome.

Why?

My injury is still precluding an early return to work and the elbow has been very sore. Hoping this is where the bone is knitting together and its just weak. Still unable to use a knife and fork at the same time but my grip is getting stronger. Eating in public can be a little embarrassing, especially when you're asking your 8 year old to cut your food up for you!!!


Its been a good week training wise, my running continues to improve and I have been mixing long slow plods with short quick sprints. Still plodding away on the turbo trainer but it would be great to get out on the roads. Sadly, and just to be on the safe side, I phoned Mrs Taming Tenby to pick me up last night. At the 3 mile mark I pulled up after feeling a slight pull in my lower right calf muscle, iced it the minute I got home and after a good going over with a rolling pin its not too bad today. Although I stretched prior to running I think I now need to incorporate a more dynamic approach to this very important part of my training.

Julie making it look easy!

Karen's sprint finish 

Good to see so many athletes from the club race the Brecon Sprint triathlon last weekend. So many in fact that an outsider would not have been blamed for mistaking Celtic as the home tri club. The constant threat of rain in the air failed to materialise and condition were ideal. With a constant ringing in my ears from the cow bells I had issued to the kids I watch with pride as fellow members hurtled past me. Its hard being sidelined, listening to tales of 'The steps of doom!' and who did what it is definitely second best to racing. Special mentions this week go to the Celtic tri ladies, many of whom overcame the course and completed their first race. Well done ladies, some fantastic efforts and more females that I need to worry about 'Chicking' me!


So to address the title of this latest update......Why? Why would I, or anyone for that matter, want to become an Ironman? Why would anyone want to spend months watching what they are eating and drinking? (I need to be more rigid with the latter!) Why would anyone want to get up at the crack of dawn, swim or beat the streets for an hour, then spend all day in work pretending that you feel fresh as a daisy when in fact all you want is your bed, to then get home and go out training again.

TJ 

You could most probably ask 100 Ironmen this very question, with each one returning a very different answer. My reasons are quite simple, first and foremost its the kudos, a couple of months of pain, a lifetimes with of bragging. Marathon runners are now two-a-penny, how many non Triathletes reading this know a marathon runner? Now how many know an Ironman? 




Secondly it will be the end of a journey, going from a 20+ stone smoker due for a knee operation, too unfit to run a single mile without stopping, to completing 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of cycling and 26.4 miles of running......all within 17 hours. 


Finally to go back to Brecon, let me introduce TJ our current club Chairman. If you ever needed inspiration to get up off the settee and be active today here it is, crossing the finish line to a chorus of 'Happy Birthday'. Hope I am doing simular when I am 60 years young!

Until next time..........

Show me the Money!

Hi Folks, welcome to my latest blog. Before my ramblings commence here are a couple of statistics for you. At the time of writing this my blog has been viewed 1451 times, 377 times this month alone (And there is still this blog left to go). My audience is mainly in the UK but I also have regular views form the United States, Russia, Germany, Spain, Holland, Latvia, Norway, Romania and Tunisia. I am delighted with the above and would like to thank you all for visiting this page. If you enjoy, please feel free to share using the link options at the bottom.

This blog was set up for two reasons, the first was to chronicle my journey to becoming an Ironman and secondly to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). At this point I refer you back to the statistics in the first section. These numbers have helped me in sourcing corporate support and it gives me great pleasure to announce that JCP Solicitors are officially on board and have made a very generous donation to the RNLI in support of my efforts. JCP Solicitors are based in Swansea but also have offices in Pembroke and Carmarthen, South Wales.


A leading sponsor of Swansea City Football Club, Wales Premiership Football Team, they have advised a number of high profile International Sportsmen. It is now very commendable that they now support one whose profile may not be of such grand status, one without a hope of winning but one that promises to give his all come the day. A big special thank you to Amy Seppman, JCP's Marketing Manager, for her help in making it happen. Please show your support by visiting my Sponsors page where a full description of services offered are available. Alternatively click here for a direct link to their website or visit their facebook page here.

Also onboard the good ship 'Taming Tenby' are Dorians Heal Bar. Established in 1964 by Mr Dorian Price, the business has thrived and become a cornerstone for a multitude of local sporting associations and clubs as well as the general public in the Swansea and Carmarthen communities. Dorian Heel Bars offer a boundless range of services. From key cutting and shoe repair, (most of which can be done while you wait), through to engraving, sport trophies and gifts. RNLI collection boxes are present in each shop with all donations going towards my total. Visit them on line by clicking here.


My injury still continues to frustrate; especially as we have experienced some perfect cycling and open water swimming weather in South Wales this last week. As such I have viewed friends Social Media status with envy as I read about long ride induced dodgy tan lines and blue flagged beach swims. Bit different to arm in a sling, sat on the turbo trainer, melting in the kitchen watching Jeremy Kyle and Loose Women sessions (Did I really just admit to watching them?!?!?). 


Its not all bad as I continue to run without pain and have increased my long run session to Nine miles. Really chuffed with this as it was done in the midday sun, on the hottest day this year. Only pain experienced was caused by running out of water with 2 miles left to go and hot spots on the soles of my feet brought on by my inability to tie my trainers tight enough due to injury (Still have to ask Ever Suffering wife to open Jars, bottles and tins for me, some cynics will say that this has always been the case!). Yesterdays investment in some elastic laces should alleviate the latter. 


By far the biggest drawback from having my arm in a cast is not the inability to swim or cycle, nor is it the ability to wash both my arm pits (Although if you stand on my right side you may disagree). The excellent weather witnessed this last week, coupled with my continued exertions, has meant I have perspired profusely when running or spinning. As such the fibre glass cast has become on occasions drenched with sweat. I have learnt that the use of a hair dryer pointed into the cast is excellent for sorting this out. A quick puff of talc on completion is then great for stopping any itching. It is not however advised, should any of you find yourself in the same predicament, to pour copious amounts of talc into the top of the cast prior to it drying. I did, and it was quickly followed a substance closely resembling porridge appearing from the other end. The smell of the cast is pretty horrific too and is only offset by the smell of talc for a short period, I am sure being banished to the spare bedroom is just one more sweaty run away.....it not all bad though as it does balance the poorly washed armpit out!..........time to get it changed maybe?


As the title of this posts suggests, the main reason for producing these diffuse and disconnected collection of words, is to encourage your support. You can do this by donating to the RNLI, further details of which can be found here.


Until next time Tri'ers!

Anything is Possible!

The title of this latest update is the Ironman motto, it's just one source of motivation, one tool out of many memories, images, items and mantras that I use when I cant be arsed or feel like calling it a day. This last week I have used most of them as I strive to discover the physical limitations enforced on me by my injury.

When the Doctor confirmed my breaks and slapped me in a cast I did think my dream was about to disappear.  It would have been easy then to call it a day, to put the dream on hold for another year. This is where motivational tools came in handy, they will be different for each person and what forces one person off the settee may force another on it.

In a bid to assist readers in finding their own motivation I thought I would share some of mine. The first comes in the form of this Ironman Wales sun visor, I bought it last year to wear on the Marathon section. As I missed the cut off I did not get to wear it and have vowed that I wont until the Marathon leg of this years race.

Second is the memory of Leighton Williams, a fellow club member passing me on the bike during of last years race, I was about 70miles through the 112mile bike leg and he was about to start the run, 40miles in front although we had started the day at the same time! When in passing I mentioned that I might miss the cut off he turned and 'whispered' words of encouragement like a seasoned Army drill instructor!! Many of these words can not be repeated in this forum but the scene, replayed in my mind, often fuels me when things are getting tough. I should also mention that Leighton went on to have a cracking race, even though he came off his bike and broke bones he continued, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the World Ironman Championship in Hawaii in the process. An Ironman in every definition of the word.

The last tool I will mention today can not be underrated, it is without doubt my greatest source of inspiration and motivation, Friends and Family. Without their support there would be no point in registering for such an event, since my accident I have been inundated with words of encouragement and promising ideas. Fellow Tri'ers have reassured me that there will be plenty of time to be race fit and my wife has been immense in planning the family Summer holiday around the forced adjustment to my training program. Without her support and patience I would be lost.

It’s surprising the things you learn about yourself when the use of a limb becomes restricted.

• I can run 6mile without pain.
• But I can't tie my trainer laces properly to go out running.
• I can make and butter a piece of toast.
• But I can't open a tin of beans to put on it.
• I can wash my Left armpit.
• But I can't wash my Right.
• I can sit upright on a spinning bike.
• But I can't lean on the bars.
• I can wash my car.
• But I can't drive it.

As you can see from the above, I can still do quite a bit of physical preparation for the race, the domestic side of life is very frustrating though. I am however being very careful that I don't do anything that will hinder my recovery as I really need to get back on the bike and out on the roads (I am also losing a fortune in allowances in work and want to get back as soon as I can). Its also made me spare a thought for the Guys and Gals returning from conflict abroad with permanent disabilities.

Finally a big shout out to my Brother in-law Paul Seppman, completing his first open water Triathlon last weekend in Llanelli. 6 months ago he was struggling to swim in a pool yet he finished the race in a very respectable time and smashed the swim leg. Not wanting to be outdone by her brother my truly amazing wife went one step further, not only pipping him across the finish line but by winning a spot on the podium (3rd fastest Female in the over 40 category). Well done Both, very proud of you.