Full Contact Swimming, A&E, and a New Punishment

Whoa Whoa!

Alright! Chill out! I know you've been worried, I should have called, I'm sorry. It's been three weeks since my last blog which breaks my promise of a blog every week. So, as we are all aware, this calls for punishment.

As it happens I am unable to train this week after injuring my right foot during the Blandford Bridges 10k. Considering that less than a month ago I could run less than 5k, I was happy with my time of 53min 09sec. Although the constant pounding of the hard ground through my old trainers knocked my foot black and blue! It resulted in my wife and I spending four or five hours in A&E to ensure nothing was broken. Luckily it was nothing more than tissue damage and I'm a big woos.

"Shut up and get with the punishment!"

Alright, calm down! My point is that I'm able to do little more than sit and flinch occasionally so technically I'm already being punished. However, doctors advised to rest it for 10 to 14 days. Naturally the doctors were exaggerating and I am sure that 7 days rest is more than enough for my super foot!

Therefore, from Sunday 4th of July I am going to go training for at least an hour every day for six days. To keep the punishment relevant to the crime I will also blog every day to keep you up to date with exactly what happens.

Having run this idea passed some of my friends I have received criticism that rather than being a punishment this is almost an award to me. Whilst it is true that I love to train and push myself hard, I am always conscious of taking tactical rest days to ensure that I can apply 110% to each session. By the end of six days training without a rest day I will be physically and emotionally *"%$£^!

Let me explain:

Sunday and Tuesday will be swimming with the Cardiff Triathlon club who, as nice as they are, can only be described as nutters! Not only do they all have lumps and bumps that would make an armadillo proud, but they practice what I like to call 'Full Contact Swimming'. To simulate an open water race random people are selected to act as 'disruptor's'. The disruptor's job is to effect everyone else by grabbing their legs, pulling on their shoulders, literally swimming over the top of them and generally 'disrupting'. They continue to disrupt through the session whilst the coach screams commands for sprint laps, head high swimming, endurance 1500m strides etc etc. Add to this the 10 mile round trip on my bike and I'm ready to sleep well.

Monday and Thursday will involve three hours of karate. With the worlds looming ahead, and a grading with Chief Instructor Dave Hazard in September, the intensity of training has been 'up-ed' significantly. It is becoming a frequent site for people to faint or drop out on the verge of being sick (awesome!), and lets not forget Sensei Banfields love of hitting me!

Wednesday and Friday require something to fill my lack of running whilst I save for new shoes. Hmmmmmm... Oh, Wait! I normally cycle 10miles and run up to six miles... So.... By Joves, I think I've got it! A 16 mile cycle!!! (Dear God what am I saying!?). Yes, yes that's it, it's perfect, it's beautifully simplistic! IT'S PAIN ON WHEELS!
Let us not forget that I am still incredibly junior at this whole 'blogging' phenomenomenom, and struggle to put each blog together in less than an hour. That's excluding my food and training diaries that I still keep. Ooh! That's something I will add to my blogs from my next blog on Sunday. Of course, it is my lists of food and drink that keep you coming back for more really!

Sweet, so I'm all set for a week of pain and misery and you're all set for some amusing reads.

Don't forget the little fellow below:

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