Whether you think you can or think you can't - you are right. ~Henry Ford

Apologies for last week’s very rude re-launch. The logic behind it was once it’s on the Web you’ve got to do it haven’t you? Whilst it’s still in the head there are loads of excuses to bottle out.

Last Sunday was the Liverpool Marathon, the Chester Marathon and the Flintshire 10K. The plan this time last year was to do the Chester Marathon. The reality was I did nothing. The Helena Tipping (Wrexham) 10k was 8 weeks away a realistic goal but I know me and the least little excuse it’s “I can’t” or “I won’t”

I’ve been a member of Wrecsam Tri Club since I started my triathlon journey. I posted on the Forum asking for help to get me around. Emma, Queen of the Pirates sent me a text to say she was happy to help out, would write me a plan and was willing to meet up and kick my @rse if necessary.

I intend to run on Tuesday but when I got up it was blowing a hoolie. I don’t mind running in wind but a couple of months ago I ran in the wind. When I did the school run an hour later there was a tree blown down where I’d actually been running so it’s put me off a bit. Much as I hate treadmill running I headed off to the gym at lunch time to see my old friend Iain Davies-Moore and signed up for 6 months.

Wednesday I ran. Like I said I’ve faffed (can somebody please tell me how to spell this?) about since my disaster in the Divas in July 2010. I’ve probably run no more than a dozen times in the last 6 months and most of those runs were less than 2 miles. I left home with not much of a plan in my head then when I reached the end of our road I decided I had to bite the bullet and do one circuit of the Flintshire 10k (the race is 2) to give myself a benchmark of how much I’d have to do in 8 weeks. I took it really slowly but felt absolutely fantastic. I guess that’s the beauty of fresh legs.

Thursday I toddled off to the gym and did 40 minutes on the static bike. I obviously didn’t push hard enough because my legs felt fine. My back was absolutely killing though. I have an incredibly weak core. Then I tried to get off the bike and couldn’t. No mental pictures here. It was awful. When I eventually manoeuvred myself off I was walking like an egg bound duck which lasted pretty much the rest of the day.

The training plan arrived Thursday afternoon and thankfully scheduled a rest day for Friday.

Yesterday I dusted down the old hybrid and froze my bits off with a gentle 40 minutes around town.

Today I really struggled with the same circuit as Wednesday but took a minute and 15 seconds off so can’t complain.

Diet
For over a year I have had an undiagnosed stomach complaint. I was referred to a dietician who suggested a low FODMAP diet.

Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols
These are complex names for a collection of molecules found in food, that can be poorly absorbed by some people. When the molecules are poorly absorbed in the small intestine of the digestive tract, these molecules then continue along their journey along the digestive tract, arriving at the large intestine, where they act as a food source to the bacteria that live there normally. The bacteria then digest/ferment these FODMAPs and can cause symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include abdominal bloating and distension, excess wind (flatulence), abdominal pain, nausea, changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or a combination of both), and other gastro-intestinal symptoms.

For 8 weeks I had to avoid wheat, onions, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, beetroot, beans and a whole host of other things. It was surprisingly easy and my symptoms disappeared. I have gradually re-introduced everything except wheat and I feel fine.

On Wednesday there was a Groupon offer for “Celebrity Slim.” Whilst I would never go down the Lighter Life road I thought perhaps these shakes might give me the kick start I need.

So off I pop to Tesco to check the ingredients. They don’t do it it’s only available at certain pharmacies but as if by magic there were “Biggest Loser” shakes on offer at half price. Well it would have been rude to leave them. I’ve lost 9lbs. yes that’s right 9lbs. Unfortunately my “symptoms” have returned but it’s definitely given me the kick start I needed.

All in all a great week.