I failed twice (or did I?)

I failed twice yesterday - and it wasn't even in things that I plan to fail - like muscle failure in weight training.

Failure #1

There is a really big hill near me (about 4 kms long) that I decided to tackle the other day. Thought I'd walk up it to see how hard it would be - then follow it around to Bowmans Park (Wildlife Reserve) and then run back (downhill). Went ok - round trip about 12 kms. So then I thought - wouldn't it be great to run to Bowman's Park the back way (dirt roads, all hills approx 4 kms), then continue on the bitumen road retracing the path I had walked/run the other day (all hills again). Estimated it would be about 10kms (and should I say again - ALL HILLS!)

Anyway - I thought I might try this as my long slow run for the week.

Set out at 6.00 am (weather forecast - 41C), ran the first 5 kms and then conked out! I made myself reach the top of a humungus hill before I stopped - but I have NEVER let myself stop on a run before. The problem was that I hadn't taken any water with me (dont normally need it for 10 kms) but the combination of the heat and the extra effort for the hills meant that my mouth/throat were so dry that I was unable to swallow. When I stopped and walked - I realised that I also felt light headed/headachey. I guess you really do need to listen to your body sometimes. So I walked then next 2 kms, and then ran the last 3 (mainly all downhill).

So I did do 10 kms over 1 hour 20 -- but I didn't run it all. FAIL FAIL FAIL

Here's where I ran - sorry the picture's a bit smaller than I thought

And here's a graph of my pace/speed, and elevation of my run (green line). And you can clearly see the section where I walked!

Failure #2

Went swimming. Yes swimming - something I can't do but want to be able to so that I can do a triathlon. Found a great website called Tri Swim Coach, with an e-book designed to help you achieve the swim leg of the triathlon. Got quite enthused about some of the drills and advice about breathing - so went to try it all out. FAILED - still cant swim a lap of the pool

OK I might be being a bit hard on myself - well I know I am - but I think its a good thing to not achieve your goals sometimes so that you really have something hard to aim for.

With the running thing - I will keep trying - hopefully each weekend - and with the help of Garmy I will be able to track my progress. My aim is that if I can run 10kms of hills in about 60 mins, I should be able to run the 12km C2B this year in 60 mins. We shall see.

Swimming - not really surprising that I haven't improved my swimming by reading a book - well after all - it takes PRACTICE not READING! When I think back to learning to run, I couldn't run for 60 secs without being out of breath - so the swimming dilemna is no different. I am going to have to endure the pain of regular practice of something that seems to hard in order to conquer it. Today I had another go and managed one full lap of the pool. Of course I was gasping for air at the end, but I managed to concentrate on relaxing my breathing (I tend to take a huge breath at the beginning and panic) and keeping my head well down. The drills were a little better - so maybe I'm making progress.

And by the way - I may not have achieved my goals - but at least I was out there trying - didn't see anyone out there giving it a go! Perserverence will win the day!