It has been a tough start to the year.

The twentieth of January was the alleged date for Blue Monday this year. Sure, it’s a nonsense, but that was the point that I gave in and had to spend several days in bed. Everybody seems to have been suffering with coughs and colds this winter. I got one way back in November that has just not lifted off my lungs. Combined with intermittent nerve pain related to the pelvis problem, it’s been hard to concentrate and apply myself to anything, let alone training. A few days off helped, a little.

I managed one gentle long ride with Duncan and Cam into the South Downs, which was good fun, though made it clear that I’m still not completely comfortable sitting on the bike. 🙁

On the running front, I have been going shorter and slower to avoid stressing lungs, but have tried giving my legs something to think about by adding bursts and hill climbs short enough that the lack of Oxygen coming in doesn’t matter until afterwards. 🙂

Not exactly the start to the year I was hoping for!

As a result, I haven’t felt like entering any races for 2014 yet. I’ve almost decided I’ll make Nottingham Triathlon my season ‘A’ race as it would present a direct comparison with my performance last year, and is again an opportunity to qualify for the GB Age-Group Team. Alan Cole suggests competition for qualifying places in the Nottingham Triathlon will be particularly fierce, but never mind. Before then, I’ve put some repeat races from the last two years in my calendar – and a few new ones – but I haven’t selected which to enter yet.

At the end of January I headed up to Low Hall Garth, Little Langdale for our annual OB Ramblers meet. I’m taking it easy on the fells, and it’s a good chance to get some headspace!

Finally, here’s the comparison between this month’s training, last month, and this month last year.

(Figures in parentheses include hill walking! Plenty of work for quads and calves, but not very aerobic.)