Zeusblog

“Pain is our friend”

That’s what is embroidered on the t-shirt of our swim coach, Paul Doyle. Apparently it’s the motto of his masters swim squad (Cally Masters). It made me laugh at 6am this morning. Actually he wasn’t too hard on us – but I still got in 4k before breakfast, which was plenty for me. I’ve now added “pain is my friend” to my list of motivational mantras, which are to be called upon and repeated in your head when working very hard in the pool, on the bike, or when I’m running and the urge to quit seems irresistible.

Others include the obvious, but effective, “I WILL NOT QUIT”, and Lance Armstrong’s “Suck it up” or “Pain is temporary, quitting is forever” or even “Is that all you got?” directed at a competitor or the pain itself (focussed boy Lance is!). And when I really need a kick up the backside, there’s always Winston Churchill to fall back on: “When you are going through hell, keep going”.

Works for me

Chalky

I had a swimming lesson from a world record holder this weekend. She holds multiple world masters records – including every distance for freestyle in her age group and the age group below hers. (Note for less acquatically-inclined readers: masters swimming is competing by age group.)

It’s probably no surprise that she’s faster than me. But it may surprise you to learn that she is 78. Yes, that’s right – 78 years old. Her name is Jane Asher, and no, she’s not the cake lady. She certainly doesn’t look like she’s in her 70s, and she is a very good coach – she even got me tumble-turning which is a feat no-one else has ever achieved. She was very inspiring.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the great explorer, is another great inspiration. He believes that the best way to combat the effects of age is to become more and more active. I think there’s a lot to be said for that approach, although I wouldn’t advocate going to the same extremes as Sir Ranulph, who completed 7 marathons in 7 days a couple of months after undergoing open-heart surgery!

And in the London marathon last year, I was passed on the Embankment by lots of men who looked old enough to be my dad – although to be fair I was passed by almost everybody on the Embankment; I really must learn to pace myself properly.

Whenever I see old people getting on and doing things that most people half their age couldn’t do, such as 86 year old guys doing audaxes (100km + cycle rides) or the competitor at the Tooting Bec triathlon a few years ago whose t-shirt read,”Cyril, 80 not out”, I’m inspired and realise that’s one of the reasons I do triathlons. (Others include the chance to wear skin-tight lycra and rubber )

Having written this, I really can’t be lazy and go to work on the tube today, so I’m off to get my trusty Brompton out now and pedal to work.

Chalky