OOPs I did it again

Whilst Brittany and I both probably share a panchant for gym slips, I don’t think that the pony tail popstress is keen on getting hypothermia on a bike! - Twice! It had all started so promisingly several hours earlier when I set out on the usual Coleraine, Castlerock, Benone circular route. I had Paddy Jack’s IPod (as my own had died a death) and despite confirming that Rap is indeed crap, I was motoring on rightly until the clouds turned ominously white when I was on the Seacoast Road. The clouds then started to dispense rain, then sleet, then snow, - not again! You try to work harder to keep yourself warmer but there was nothing I could do with my hands. This all seemed so eerily familiar. Soon the ground was completely white and I thought that road bike tyres don’t have an enormous amount of stopping power at the best of times never mind in the slithering slipping conditions. When I eventually made it home the Ringsend Road was like winter wonderland and young Mark saw his Dad in front of the sink, turning on the hot tap, with me being confronted with the choice between Agony and Ecstasy. The Ecstasy would be when my hands eventually resumed a human like temperature, the Agony would be putting my hands under the tap..... Oh! Hobson’s choice....

Thirty minutes later it had all seemed like just a bad dream but I am not quite sure if it’s ideal training for a hot summer Ironman.....



Anyway, here are the tips from The Healthy For Men magazine to help boost your immune system. As you know most of us don’t get over training injuries, we come down with coughs and colds and flu’s. Try this to insure that you don’t succumb.



1. Take plenty of Vitamin C. If your immune system is low you would be far better taking a good immune enhancing multi vitamin and mineral supplement.

2. Don’t under estimate the importance of a good night’s sleep. If you are having trouble nodding off, try camomile or fennel tea before bed or try valerian or a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow.

3. A cuppa i.e. even with honey and a few slices of ginger in hot water. This drink works like a mini detox – no need to go to that expensive Spa!

4. Love your gut, keep your gut healthy by limiting alcohol and sugary fatty foods and cut out wheat and yeast if you know you have an intolerance to it. Also get rid of stress as it can also damage the gut.

5. Use some system boosters like Echinacea and Astragalus while golden seal is also recommended to ease a sore throat.

6. Meditate, this also boosts your immunity. People who have two months of meditation training produce more antibodies in response to a flu vaccine than those who didn’t meditate.

7. Work well. If you are ill, don’t work! To speed up your recovery cut down on caffeine eat fresh unprocessed foods.

8. Drink lots of water.

9. Top up your zinc as this helps produce T cells that help to fight off infection.

10. Feel soup-er, chicken soup really does work, it’s easy on the digestion and boosts the immune system.



Once you are healthy you might want to consider some training on the Concept II. Sometimes it’s great to get another sport as well as Swim, Bike and Run. The classic distance is 2K and one indoor rowing Coach recommends that if you want to get a good 2K time then you want to sharpen your speed with shorter interval sessions including the classic 8 x 500 metres with 3 mins. rest between each one. Also recommended is 6 x 45 seconds with a minute’s rest between each one. It will build fitness endurance and power and there are two types of category available – heavyweight and lightweight, with lightweight being 75 Kgs. and under for men and 61.5 Kgs and under for woman.



Hands up those of you who like the Concept II or have one at home or do you use one regularly?



After being caught out in the snow again yesterday I was wishing I was on a Concept II...



Good luck with the training and don’t forget your Club’s Mountain Bike race on Saturday 7th March at 11.00a.m. and entries are being taken in the Cam from 10.30 a.m. Entry is £5.00 with all proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Relief and there will be some spot prizes...