Oh fab man…. we made it into The NYTimes…..

All over the place this autumn. But here’s the sticky on where and what I’ll be chatn’ ’bout in the next few months.

Art of the Snapshot 06.10.10 - 08.12.10 (10 weeks) Adult Ed Wednesday evening classes. 18:00 - 20:30 Central London

Photographers’ London 09.10.10 -06.11.10 (5 weeks) Adult Ed Saturday day classes. 11:00 - 17:00 Central London

The Saturday Club  One Saturday in September, October, November and December TBA. Chiswick, London

Learning to See in Photography 20.09.10 -  29.11.10(10 weeks) Adult Ed Monday evening classes 19:00 - 21:00 Clapham South, London

Photography Digital Intermediate Level 22.09.10 - 30.11.10 (10 weeks) Adult Ed Tuesday evening classes. 19:00 - 21:00 Clapham South, London

Photography Digital Beginners Level 24.09.10 - 02.12.10 (10 weeks) Adult Ed Thursday evening classes. 19:00 - 21:00 Clapham South, London

The workouts are now just part of lifestyle. The times are tapering off as I experiment with this current intermediate program. There are days I feel like superman and days I feel like this task seems too monumental to fit in with all the other responsibilities that are part of making a living. But the other day I came across this amazing quote that is now forged in my head and gets me through those tougher ones,

” When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me.” Erma Bombeck

Intermediate Training Level 19/20*

Monday > Run 90:00 minutes 3 x 5 minutes at race pace

Tuesday > Bike 75:00 min easy

Wednesday > Swim 60:00 minutes Open Water | Run 40 minutes

Thursday > Bike 90:00 | Brick 15 minutes+ 5 minutes @ 10k pace

Friday > Swim 60:00 minutes pool (focus on stroke delivery, catchment, breathing and hip roll) | Run 40 minutes 4×800 meters at 10k pace

Saturday > Bike 150 minutes (2 x 5 minutes @ 40k pace

Sunday > Swim 30:00 Open Water (recovery) | Run 70:00 minutes easy

*Each session is followed by 15 minutes of a stretching program.

***If you’re feelin’ a bit generous please head on to JustGiving website where I am raising money for The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. I am at 40% raised and hoping to make it 100% for the 2010 London Triathlon in August. Thank you.***

Running behind in this week’s update so I’ll have to keep this short. Building a business and training are not always an easy thing to do.

Last Sunday I went for it and did my own DIY 70.3 Ironman Triathlon. Nobody around me — just me and the elements of the day.  Began with the swim in a +2 C morning at 7:00 am and then it just went on for the day. I wanted to practice eating and racing and I report it was no easy task. It all began with gastrointestinal problems halfway across the lake. I had to swim back to the clubhouse otherwise the few open water swimmers who showed up would not have appreciated my gifts. 21 minutes into the swim I headed for the toilet instead of the finish line. Once I felt ready again I made my way back to the lake and began the day again. Swim done I headed for the bike.

The bike was alright … aside from 2 flats along the way. The tummy was “ok” and I downed two gels and pushed had two litres of sport drink along my ride. Bike down so I headed for the run.

As soon as I got into the run my side and stomach started to hurt. At first I knew it was really bad gas pains so I ran it out until I relieved myself. But soon the severe gas pains turned into a stitch in my right side. With 12 miles to still go, I  dug deep and ran the hilly terrain of the Chilterns and across farm fields through icy winds.  The run through a path in the middle of a 200 acre rapeseed crop felt like I was entering heaven. The sweet smell and colour was absolutely stunning. The stitch was still there but I was focused on getting this accomplished. 6 and a half hours later I arrived home. Not the best time I know — but given the day I was happy to cross the finish line of my first Ironman 70.3 distance to no crowds to applaud nor first aid stations to assist.

This week the tapering begins as I set my sights on Switzerland. I am really looking forward to this event now that I have this session done. I look forward to the colours and cheers that an Ironman event will bring. Some areas of concern will be flagged for me now as I am in the event - most important will be the right side stitch thingy. That will slow me down considerably. And flats. Oh I don’t want flats!!!!

So this week looks like this:

Intermediate Training Level 18/20*

Monday > REST

Tuesday > Bike 60:00 min easy

Wednesday > Swim 60:00 minutes Open Water | Run 45 minutes

Thursday > Bike 120:00 | Brick 15 minutes easy

Friday > Swim 60:00 minutes pool (focus on stroke delivery, catchment, breathing and hip roll) | Run 45 minutes 4×800 meters at race pace

Saturday > Bike 180 minutes (2 x 15 minutes @ race pace after a 1 hour warm up w/ 10 minutes rolling recovery | Brick 15 minutes

Sunday > Swim 40:00 Open Water (recovery) | Run 90:00 minutes 3 x 5 minutes at race pace

*Each session is followed by 15 minutes of a stretching program.

UPDATE

I took both Tuesday and Thursday off as I was feeling fluish. I made it to the lake on Wednesday morning  for a 6:30 am swim and the temp was +1C.  I did 70 minutes in the lake and it took my feet until 2:00 pm to feel warm again.  By Thursday I NEEDED the rest. Slept long, ate well and now Friday I feel much better.

***If you’re feelin’ a bit generous please head on to JustGiving website where I am raising money for The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. I am at 40% raised and hoping to make it 100% for the 2010 London Triathlon in August. Thank you.***