Photos by Tony Powlett

Here are a collection of photos from the archives of my "Pops" aka Tony Powlett. These include images of the A14 and the Orwell bridge being constructed. There are plenty more where these came from. Enjoy.

Evening Easy 5 miles

Another nice run this evening. Starting to feel stronger and fitter. Still out of sync with my training plan though.  I needed to drop off a letter to my brothers house, so it was a functional run too. I'll have my rest day tomorrow before attacking the hill session. Plan says 10 x hill, so i'm thinking Constitution Hill 10 times. Should be interesting. Should be a challenge. Should be fun!

I like running, I do!

:-)
Evening Easy 5 by BJP1974 at Garmin Connect - Details

10 miles (Easy pace)

Today's run was a lot better. I knew I needed to run a lot longer than usual. Not having run since Thursday. I had planned to run yesterday but time had got away and it was also Isaacs (my son) 12th birthday.
My last run had made me quite miserable. I felt that I was not running for pleasure. I was just putting up the numbers, running the miles for the sake of it. This is not what I am about. I have never followed a training plan before. Now, three weeks into it, I can comfortably say that training plans are not for me. Not strict ones anyway. I think I need to allow myself the flexibility to move sessions around. For instance today should have been interval, but I really could not be dealing with that today. I just wanted to run. So, the 10 mile easy run which I should be doing later in the week, I moved to today..... and it was awesome.

Headed up Valley road and called in at Northgate Sports centre for some water. It was hot today, but I had chosen not to take water with me. My plan was to stop at Sports centres or even then Hospital if I needed to drink.
I continued down heath road to St Augustines, through Kings Way, Rands Way and along Nacton road. Then making my way back along the waterfront and home. 10.6 miles done.

My pacing felt fine. I could have gone on for another 5 miles. I feel that the 4 days away from running did me a lot of good. mentally and physically. I'm not sure which session I'll do tomorrow if any. My first though is to ride my bike. It's been too long.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/546233074# 

Day 10 Scheduled 8 mile Easy

Started with a 7.5 mile loop of Bramford and Sproughton with run up to work through town. I got my stretches done at work. This is definitely helping my recovery. I'm not sure the fried egg and ham roll I had once I got to work had any recovery properties, but it was delicious.

7.5m

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/537847060

After work Run home

1.5m

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/537847041

2 years on!

Post by Brian Powlett.

Day 7 of training plan.

I'll just start of by saying that I have deliberately moved my training updates to this blog. So by clicking on the link you have chosen to pay an interest in how my training is going. I like to post on Facebook/Twitter. I am not showing off or massaging my ego. This acts as a training diary for me to record where I am at right now. I've chosen to share it.

 I like running, cycling and triathlon.

You can read it or ignore it. If you rather I just reshared stuff from Buzzfeed or viral videos from youtube etc then i'm the wrong friend. I have a lot of friends who have a common interest in my chosen sport. Also I know some people have been inspired by some of the stuff I've posted about. Anyway, you get my point.... Thank you, Love ya! xxxx BJP

For the first time EVER! I have started and maintained a training plan. I have been running and cycling for around 5 years now, but have never committed to a plan. I have decided that I would give the Jaffa 12 week plan a go, in the build up to Ipswich half marathon. So far so good.

Today I was scheduled for 5 mile easy running. I still struggle to know what my paces are. My slow pace is ridiculously slow when compared to my race pace. I knew I wanted to be around the 10 minute miling. I also made sure the route I was running was quite flat. Yesterday, my 7 mile "Easy" run included park run and the run up to the park was a steady incline. Then the run afterward up to my work includes quite steep sections. All in all, I was struggling with my knees at work. I was not sure how they would feel today. But they were fine. A little sore at the start thats all. Garmin Data here.

Tomorrow is 12 x 400 meter intervals. But I have an appointment with the Physio in the morning to assess my knee pain. See what happens tomorrow.

Thanks for reading.

Day 5 and 6 of training plan.

Day 5 was a rest day. Quite frankly, my knees needed it. Took Ibuprofen. Had a beer. Watched football.

Day 6: Is 7 miles at easy pace. The plan is to run to ParkRun and back to work. Targeting 9 minute miling. After a week of glorious weather, today looks crappy and wet. Although, I do like running in the rain.

Update-

Just back from my run. Managed to make it to the park in time. My legs felt pretty heavy at the start but found a rhythm a mile. 

About 2 miles to park

5k park run

2 miles back up to work.

 Job done.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/534973730 Garmin connect data

Day 3 of training plan.

Day 3. Training plan says "4 miles, Fartlek". Being a newbie to training plans, I thought I'd better find out what that actually means. I found this in one of my old school training books. Nicely put I thought.

In essence it is variable speed, over variable terrain. Which sounds a lot like my normal runs anyway!

Day 2 of training plan.

Day2: Ipswich Jaffa Training plan says "rest day". So I'll take the opportunity to do some core and upper body work. Nothing too hard, just conditioning. Also, food shopping. Need to make sure we have the RIGHT food in the house. Currently tipping the scales at 191lb! No beer today.

I am also making more of a conscious effort to drink more water. I downloaded an app which reminds me to drink and tracks how much I'm drinking. It is suggesting 3000ml a day! We'll have to see how that works out.

Today's workout will be powered by Paul Weller's Stanley Road album.

Update: session went well and I incorporated some sit ups too via the 200 sit ups app. (I do like an app) lol.

Day 1 of of Training plan.

Today is day 1 of #Ipswich half marathon 12 week training plan. #PB4BP I don't think I'll be able to make the Jaffa track session tonight. So I'll probably head to a park later. 1 mile warm up, 6x 800m of 2 min recoveries (need to check that with my coach @tomwake) 1 mile cool down. Followed by 2 pints of Heineken.

Brains... brains....BRAINS!

Over the last few months I have been having CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as a result of my cycling anxiety caused by a road accident in 2012. Initially I was not sure whether I wanted to have the treatment, but I am now glad I did.

I've been seeing a private psychologist at Nuffield Hospital, Ipswich. Thankfully this will be paid for through the insurers.

The advice I have recieved from my doctor has been fantastic. It has really opened my mind into how the brain works. For example. One of my bigger issues was being over sensitive, hyper aware of my position on the road. I would critically assess every single car that went past me. Too close. Too fast. Too aggressive. I would not ride too far from home. One of the tasks I was set was to focus on acknowledging the good drivers with the same enthusiasm as I would give to the bad drivers.... This worked for me. It highlighted to me that the majority of drivers were not trying to kill me. Obviously there are a lot of pricks out there. The ones who would rather use there car as a blocking device than let a cyclist get on his/her way. Heaven forbid their journey be delayed by 2 seconds.
Other psychological tools the doctor has given me, was at certain points during my ride, to acknowledge that I am safe. Doing this verbally or mentally at a junction in a road or just pulling over to the side of the road and take it in.

I know now that without the CBT sessions I would not be riding again. It was due to these sessions that I was able to go out on my first "real ride" on my road bike, since my wreck. This was a very significant turning point for me.

It has really made me happy that companies like The AA and Halfords have collaborated in a "Think Bikes" campaign. I have fitted the stickers to my car.... Because I do drive too.
I particularly liked the YouTube ad which came out too. Far better than the insensitive bollocks which Top Gear produced.

My brain is starting to heal and I have learned some new methods of dealing with my anxiety. One person's momentary lapse of judgement has cost me 2 years. I am not bitter. In fact I am thankful. Thankful to be alive and thankful that if just one person thinks more carefully about other road users (Not just cyclists) then the purpose of this post has been met.

Please read the articles I have linked in to this page.

http://road.cc/content/news/114228-family-dead-cyclist-release-hospital-photo-warning-drivers

http://road.cc/content/news/114288-video-australian-driver-hits-cyclist-behind

What's the rush pal???  

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

Last night I went to my regular Ipswich Jaffa running club track session. It was a 3 kilometer time trial. I was quite happy I managed to knock out 12 minute and twenty something second. But toward the end of that session my knee started to feel quite aggravated. Coupled with Achilles Tendonitis and a major lack of fitness.
 Anyway this morning I hit the google machine and managed to find some information about what is going on under my knees bone.
Turns out it is something called Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Soreness when sitting for long time. Can flare up with overexertion. I have added links to the articles which  I read.

I am still going to visit my doctor to check my self diagnosis is correct.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Patellofemoral-Pain.htm

http://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00007256-199928040-00003


http://saveyourself.ca/tutorials/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome.php

Legacy of a wreck.

July 8th 2012, at around 7.15 pm I was knocked of my road bike while out training for forthcoming triathlons. Over a year on and my bike has been restored to a ride worthy state. New forks, wheels, brakes, shifters, cables, bottle cages and handle bars. The bike is totally ready for action. I have even lent it to a close friend for her to use during her own first ever Triathlon. Problem is..... am I ready?

The 12th of July was a long time ago. So what's wrong?

I recently went for a psychological evaluation for part of my insurance/compensation claim. I have since received a copy of the doctor's report. It made for some very interesting reading. Some people have asked me if I "hammed it up" for the session with the doctor? I can tell you now. There is no way a reasonable person would be able to pull anything over the eyes of these trained professionals. The report was as much about my body language, eye contact and attitude, than anything else. He was very thorough in his questioning, bringing up some things from my medical records which caught me of guard. For example.

Pretty funny eh? As you can imagine. This took me by surprise BIG TIME! Apparently this was to see if I had any underlying anger management issues.... I don't.... I DON'T!!!!! ;-)

I  was also asked about my emotional state. I have always been more on the positive side. I mean I am very thankful that I didn't get seriously injured or worse. I have not had any real breakdowns. The closest i've come to "losing it" was the first time I saw this video to the Rudimental track- Waiting all night. It's opening sequence includes footage of a bike accident. The guy was a bit of a plum but no one deserves that.....

So what's wrong again? It turns out I have developed a form of Specific Phobia which is related to riding my road bike. I can ride my single speed (fixie), my hybrid and my commuter bikes, but I have issues with riding my race bike at pace. I have tried using it to ride to work, but I am still very nervous. I also seem to make excuses to avoid going riding. Too hot, too cold, looks like rain and there may be ice out. I can't pretend to understand this fully. I just know that my fear is irrational and unfounded. 

I hope to get back to it soon... tomorrow?

My Breaking Dawn Part 2

....I decided to say no to Aurora or rather remove myself from their options. I had worked a trial session with the chef there and he was nice enough, but I had an underlying discomfort with the place. I’m sure they’ll do well. Maybe it was more due to how I was feeling and what I actually wanted.
What did I want? I wanted to cook the food that I wanted. I wanted to return to being “Head Chef” somewhere. That is what i’m good at. To be honest the offers started coming in. It was nice to feel wanted and respected again. The pressure had been taken off me due to my redundancy package. I knew that so long as I found work by the new year I would be fine financially. My wife had been
awesome throughout and at no point did she panic. I guess this was one of those “Trust” moments you have in marriages. She trusted and believed in me. I had quite a few options. I was being offered business partnerships, shareholder options, head and sous chef positions.

So what have I decided to do?

The Greyhound Pub. This is owned by one of my best friends from my training days as a student at Suffolk College. He had heard about my situation. He needed a chef. Straight away I was excited about this. I would be in a kitchen, cooking the food I wanted (within reason :-) and more importantly having some fun with it. I know there are always issues with working with friends. I may look back on this blog in years to come with a frown, but I very much doubt it. Just down to the nature of our personalities our friendship has survived living together and drinking together. 

The pub itself has won Adnams pub of the year Award as well as other awards for food. Dan himself has won awards for his wheatsheaf* work :oD (He’s a bit shy about that fact) 

Dan and Me 1994? LOL

So from January 2012 I will be found there. Follow on twitter https://twitter.com/TheGreyhoundIps or follow me https://twitter.com/brix2tri. Let’s see where this journey takes me. If you are in Ipswich pop in and say hi.... also eat something.

My Breaking Dawn part 1

Did you hear the one about the chef who left the security of a good, steady job and took a gamble on a new career as a teacher? He got the job and really applied himself and was really happy with finally realising his academic potential. Becoming a qualified assessor, a respected and competent teacher and turning himself from a chef who could teach to a teacher who could cook....
.... He got shat on!

The long and short of it is. Back in July/August the alarm bells were starting to sound. The College where I was employed started to get a bit twitchy, as the numbers for the new term (September2012) enrolment were a lot lower than anticipated. This led to weeks of speculation as to what was going to happen. Rumours about mass sacking/redundancies etc. As the days, whittled away, we were put under pressure to quite literally go and find some students. To the extent of "cold calling" some students who may have enquired at some point.
September came, numbers were down. But we were told we were OK. A little tweak of the timetables had secured our futures.... so we thought.
November.... An Email came asking the three Instructors, which included me, to attend a meeting. In this meeting we were told our futures... Reapply for our jobs, an interview and so on. In my mind I felt I was always the least favourite to be successful, due to me being the "Newest" employee. With less than a year under my belt. I knew I was the easiest option for the College. The whole process took just under three weeks. Just days before my birthday I found out my fate.

The next stage was the college offering me "Re-deployment" within the college. My pay was to be protected for the next 12 months, but the Job they were offering me was in a LSA- Learning Support Assistant. With all respect to the role, I did not go to the college to be an assistant teacher. The reality of the situation is that the job would not have even been in the Catering department. So I could have been an assistant in motor-vehicle or Arts! I know NOTHING about either.

I took the last offered option which was paid garden leave- redundancy.

How did I feel?

To be honest. The moment I was told the news I was initially pissed off, then relieved. Pissed off that I was being laid off and that I had spent the last year trying to become this "Super-Teacher" and it coming to nothing. Relieved that the whole process was over and that it WAS me. I'm not sure how I would have felt if I had been selected over my other 2 colleagues  Especially as they had been vital points of reference to me over my training period. I really enjoyed my time as a teacher but I learned a lot about myself and I feel that my next employer will benefit most from this. I will miss a lot of my students and co-workers. But life goes on!

As I left the college on "Judgement Day" I already had my bag filled with copies of my CV. Ready to hand out to any restaurant or hotel I passed.

First stop was Aurora. This was very promising and did excite me but....... To be continued

The price of injury

Went to the doctors today. This was so they could check and evaluate my injuries from my accident in July. Took longer than I anticipated but hopefully will be worth while. Have been told  that the scars will remain and not fade much more due to the nature of the cuts.
The injuries have all but healed. The scars still itch like a bastard. My knees only give me discomfort when squatting. I think most of the damage is psychological. I still am quite nervous on the road when cycling and my confidence has been smashed. Really not sure how I will react if I ever get back on the saddle.

Still just hanging there in my garage the "Dirty Bike Carcass"

Next step is to wait and see what/how much the solicitor recommends putting in a claim for. Then we wait.
Still unsure what to do with any compensation too. The option of getting a new bike is nice but the second option of investing in a new business opportunity for 2013 also appeals.
Guess I will have to wait and see.