There's a first time for everything

I seem to be slacking in this writing malarkey as it has been almost 3 weeks again since my last post but I certainly haven't been slacking in the training and have maybe even upped the ante - only ever so slightly though!

Since the last post I have been back at the physio again for some more info and work on the ITB, after some bio-mechanical tests the result is to maybe try some new runners that have no support in them often referred to as cushioned or neutral. Fortunately I had a pair of such trainers in walked the Puma Faas 700, a light and comfy shoe with micro cell mesh over the toe for maximum air circulation.

So armed with a new pair of trainers and my knee having been in pretty good shape I set off for my usual 5.5k circuit. After the first 4:48 kilometer I thought I had, as usual, gone out too hard too soon, but that wasn't to be the case. As I continued to push on a 25min 5k was on the cards and sure as eggs is eggs by the time I got home and stopped the watch I had a new PB in the bag! So my first time in new neutral runners and a new PB - winner!

Post Pond Plunge

My next first time would come as I took the plunge - literally. Keen to move my swimming on and out into the open I managed to borrow a wetsuit and head out with the COLT training session at Waters Edge. A cold, murky pond with a few safety canoes and some oil drum buoys. Squeezed into my loan wetsuit and my new bright green swim cap on we attend the briefing then head out for my 1st lap with my guide. Wading out the water felt ok until it hit the thinner parts of the suit and it came flooding in - I won't say it was cold but it definitely wasn't warm! My guide was only on his 3rd session so I wasn't that far behind him with the experience. Eventually get out into the deeper parts to start swimming and I set of very steady, swimming feels easy but sinking my face in the cold, murky water is breathtaking and dis-orientating.

Testing out the swim cap

Trying to swim in a straight line is a damn sight harder than you think, every time I lift my head to spot the buoy I seem to be zig zagging my way down a straight line. First lap complete and I decide to take a breather and just bob about a bit before heading off again. I managed to complete 3 laps before feeling too cold and heading back in with the majority of the others. Back on dry land and I don't feel like I've been swimming, I genuinely thought I'd feel more tired from 'fighting' the wetsuit but it's buoyancy and flexibility all seem to aid the swimming. I enjoyed it so much I am now the proud owner of my very first wetsuit!!

Shiny new!

The 3rd and final first was the ride out in my shiny new SPD shoes. Being clipped in is a totally different feeling as you get power throughout the entire pedal revolution - something that took a little while to remember as I seemed to be only pushing and not pulling! Fortunately my first time in the shoes was with a new road cyclist so we were very steady! Not sure how I'll get on with them at the tri's and I may even revert to flat pedals again for those as trying to unstrap mid cycle is, well, interesting to say the least - my first attempt nearly put me through the kitchen window!! Whilst the knee seems OK in the new shoes I still think there may be some tweaking required on the angles of the cleats although these yellow cleats do allow some movement. 2 Rides in and I haven't had the embarrassment of forgetting to unclip yet so let's hope that may long continue!!

With the success of the new runners mentioned earlier I feel more confident in upping the frequency & distance of my runs per week now and as such managed to complete a 10k again. The knee was a little sore but no worse than after 5 or 6k - I, however, was totally flaffed! Whilst the 10k was a road run (I much prefer the trails and woods) I was pleased to have completed  the distance again as I am planning on entering a 10k for Movember with some of the Team Penguin contingent, it also bodes well for future tri races and moving up to standard distances! As if all this good news wasn't enough it was another PB too - Woo Hoo!!!