| All about CJBrown |
CJBrown
Joined: 08 Sep 2005
Location: North London
Website: 
Occupation: Financial Risk Analyst
Interests: Competitive (Masters) swimming, triathlon, running, surfing, snowboarding, alternative music
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Wed Oct 15, 2014 9:43 am CJBrown
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Lemme see, since I was last here: new job, new marital status, and much water under the bridge.
Been a sparse time for sports, only did the World Masters Swim Champs in 2012 and a few local races (swimming & running), but hoping to limp back to some kind of fitness for 2015. Did my first 5K in ages on my birthday last weekend, and now back to nearly daily training. Lesson I always forget - never stop training, it is really bad for me.
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Training blog ... not updated very often these days 
Crawling back to training ...
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Wed May 19, 2010 11:08 pm CJBrown
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Thanks to the people who said hello to the last update. Funny how soon things come around when you are fixated on new job, wedding plans, etc.
But anyway, in 3.5 weeks I'm doing Windsor. Mostly I get the swim as a free pass, and I did a 6 mi run last weekend. But I'd better get on the bike soon. I feel very silly that it is so close to a race I've been dying to do for 3 yrs, and I'm so badly prepared. But rather than pull out, I think I'll treat this one as a learning exercise. And put this one down to experience. Ho hum. Idiot.
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Training blog ... not updated very often these days
Crawling back to training ...
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Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:48 am CJBrown
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Its been a bad 18 months or so. Been very ill with stomach problems, capped by losing 20 kgs (84 to 64) in the last 4 months. Easing back to running - have to carry a lot less weight now - but the swimming is very tough, as a chunk of the weight I've lost is upper body muscle.
I'm enjoying the Finsbury Park parkruns - getting a timed run in every week helps to keep you focused.
On the horizon are Windsor Oly in June and the World Masters Swim Champs in August (Gothenberg). Not looking for great results in either, due to on-going health problems, but just getting there is a step-up from last year.
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Training blog ... not updated very often these days
Crawling back to training ...
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Quick Update - Results from Worlds, Oz
Fri May 09, 2008 5:52 pm CJBrown
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Had a good time at the FINA World Masters in Perth, Oz. I only got back into the pool in Mid-Jan, but in the 400 & 800 I clocked the second fastest times I've done since coming out of retirement, only bettered 2 years ago when I was unemployed, getting lots of training and rest and coming off of 8 months of training. Was rather rusty in the 3K O/W, but managed to get my drafting sorted out nicely and finished in under 45 mins, my fastest avg. speed O/W swim to date. Would have had another 20 sec off that if my sighting had been better in the last 500m.
Results:
200 FC: 2:22.4 - slowish time, but wasn't focused on this - 26th
400 FC: 5:00.6 - good time, second time I've missed 5 min by < 1 sec - 20th
800 FC: 10:37.7 - good time but felt terrible during it - 22nd
3K OW: 44:35 - very happy with that, no O/W prep at all - 23rd
All-in-all, great results and I'm looking forwards to the GB Nats in June. Training solo is working, at least for now.
Kicking off the running training this weekend, as have a 10K quite soon, and have been missing it. Quite a few good runners at work too, so hopefully do more events this summer. Going to ease into weights work too, as I need to bulk up a fair bit.
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Training blog ... not updated very often these days
Crawling back to training ...
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Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:38 pm CJBrown
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Beginning to get back into something of a routine with training. With the big swim meet now 5 weeks away I'm doing a minimal amount of running, just once or twice a week for 5-10K at an easy pace, whilst the swim sessions have been dialed up to 4-5K+. Training less with the Masters Squad and more on my own, as I can focus on long sets of FC at a steady pace. Having the best pool in the Square Mile right next to work, where "busy" means 2 per lane, really helps. Last night was a long swim; tonight, if studying allows, will be shorter but faster. Takes a real mental effort to do the distance FC training solo, but I'm getting my head around it. A handfull of medals at the Welsh Open was also a nice motivator, silverware still gives me a buzz even after all these years.
Wore my Longest Day 2006 swim cap in the pool last night. Happy memories.
And have signed up for first running events of the year - second half of the summer Regents Park 10K series. Really looking forwards to those, something to focus on post-April.
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Training blog ... not updated very often these days
Crawling back to training ...
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Don't want to tempt fate too much
Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:54 pm CJBrown
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Easing back into training again. 3 sessions with the masters squad and 6 sessions in the gym & pool on my own at the health centre next to work last week. Felt a bit of a twinge in my left knee after doing a couple of 5Ks on the treadmill at an easyish pace, so have backed off the running a bit (and avoiding breastroke kick in the pool) and have started on glucosamine. Seems to be working OK.
Its been hard getting back into training, with several false starts in the last 6 months. But I've tried to keep the swimming going at a low level rather than stop altogether, and thats been far better than previous times I've had extended breaks. Its coming together in the pool a bit these last few days, and this morning I clocked a 400m and 800m inside the World Masters Champs qualifying times. Was far from flat out too, so barring any mishaps I should qualify for my events (200m, 400m, 800m and 3K OW) in the next 6 weeks, ready for Perth in April.
I'm going to watch the running between now and the big meet. I was lucky to not end up with any injuries (just a few bruises) from an Xmas snow-boarding trip, so I'm going to give that a miss for the rest of the season too. Having £1000+ to blow on a new bike care of Ride-to-Work should keep me perked up tho'. Have to line up several late-season tri events as something to aim for, along with some longer runs in the autumn.
Nice to find there is another TTer training with the swim squad (savaloy). Should help me out a bit when I'm too lazy to write up the swim log for a few days 
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Training blog ... not updated very often these days
Crawling back to training ...
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Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:43 am CJBrown
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Swam the Brighton pier-to-pier on Sunday. Bit of an eye-opener, it was much harder than last year. I finished 48th in the men's race, compared to 17th last year, with a 32 min swim vs 21 mins last year. And last year was one of my worst races of the year, with me so badly hungover that I almost had to scratch halfway thru the race. (I'm off the sauce completely these days, which is a huge positive.) So, it was a bit of a pointer as to how much fitness I've lost, and how far I've got to go to get back to where I was last summer. Of course, last year I'd also done a lot of OW swimming, inc. TLD and the UK 3K Masters Champs. OW swimming takes a bit of getting used to after pool training.
In the pool this morning, as I'm aiming for 3-5 swim sessions/week for the next couple of months. Looking forwards to finishing my degree and getting back to work, as a fixing a schedule for the week will help with slotting in training for the bike and running.
6-7:30am, Swiss Cottage
0400 2x(100 FC, 50 BK, 50 Fly s/a) warm-up (late)
0800 8x100 25 BR pull, 75 FC pull @2:00
1500 6x(3x25 Fast @45s, 200 Easy @3:45, 75 Fast @1:30)
0400 400 FC drills
0300 6x50 FC kick @60s
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3400
Shorter session (cf 4-5K last 2 weeks), with a bit of speed work. Leading off Lane 3.
200s: 2:47, 52, 53, 56, 57, 57
75s: 52,53,53,55,53,55
Times OK for 75s, cf 1:08-1:10 100m pace from last autumn.
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Training blog ... not updated very often these days
Crawling back to training ...
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Goto page 1, 2, 3 ... 20, 21, 22 Next
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2008 planned meets and events |
Here we go again - time to get qualifying times for the big event, the FINA World Masters Swim Champs in Perth, Oz. Meet is in April, with qualifying times to be done by 23 March. I've several meets lined up, and I'm entering 200m, 400m and 800m if I make the grade, along with the 3K OW swim. Fewer events than last time, but the 100m and 50m aren't going to do anything for me - I don't place well in the UK in those, let alone against giant Aussies and Kiwis. Hoping for at least one Top 20 finish in the event tho', despite broken training.
After April, aim is to ramp up running and cycling for a crack at some Oly distance events later in the year.
Meets
Rotherham Open, Sheffiled Pond's Forge (50m)
Feb 10th
100m, 200m, 400m FC
Silver in the 400, qualifying times in all 3 (100, 200 and 400). The 400 was the best swim, 5:16, lot slower than 2 yrs ago but good first race back
Isle of Wight (25m pool)
Feb 23-24th
prob 1500m, 800m, 400m
Had to scratch, as g/f was moving into the flat she just bought
Welsh Open, Swansea (50m)
early March
prob 1500m, 800m, 400m plus several others (3 day meet)
Pretty good meet, took 2 golds, 3 silvers and a bronze. Best swim was the 800m, less than 10 sec behind my best time of 2 yrs ago in full time training, but only got bronze. Huge motivator for sticking with the distance training
World Masters Championships
Perth, Aus
18-26 April
200, 400, 800m FC; 3K O/W.
4 PBs from 4 swims; the 400m and 800m were both second best times since coming out of retirement, the 3K was the fastest O/W swim (on avg 100m pace) I've done ever. Placings: 200=26th; 400=20th; 800=23rd; 3K=23rd. Very happy with results
Next up:
GB Swim Nationals: June
Regents Park 10K series: July onwards. |
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My Events and Results in 2006 |
I thought I'd really go for it in Tri this year, but I've now had second thoughts, and I'm going to be concentrating on the swimming - and why not, as I'm unlikely to get any podium finishes in AG Tri this year, but I might in swimming.
Jan:
28th-29th, London Region Masters:
50, 100, 200, 400m FC
200 BR, 200 IM
aiming for World Champs qualifying times in all the FC events
Results: Got the qualifying times I needed on all the freestyle events. Just outside on the 200 BR and 200 IM. Should now be on for 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 FC in the Worlds, plus the 3K o/w.
Feb:
12th, Wokingham Half-Marathon
after messing up Bedford, this will be my first 13 mile run
Results: Thank you South West trains. Another missed race. Great.
17th-18th, Isle of Wight Masters:
100, 200, 400, 800 FC
Results: Had to withdraw, as very, very sick with nasty cold/chest infection. Really gutted.
Mar:
3rd-5th, Welsh Open Masters Champs:
100, 200, 400, 1500 FC
My next big pop at 1500m - hoping to make up for last time
Results: Well, I was still sick for the meet - was on anti-biotics - but I did extremely well all-in-all. 10 events, 10 medals, inc. two golds - one in the relay, and one individual - the 400 Ind Medly. I was beaten into silver 4 times, three times in big events of mine - 1500 FC, 800 FC and 200 IM - all of which I was beaten by international swimmers, being the top UK person (the problem with Open meets). Very pleased with results, all things considered.
Jun:
Thinking about doing Windsor.
but only if I'm sure I can do it without messing myself up for the next weekend, which is ...
16th-18th, GB National Masters Champs:
tbd - but definitely the 1500 and 400 FC
Results: First National medal! 3rd in 800 Free, 4th in 1500 & 400 Free. 4 PBs out of 5 events; top meet and quality swims. Very encouraging.
25th, GB Masters Open Water 3K Champs:
Last minute entry to this one
Results: Fourther overall, third British swimmer and 2nd in the 35-39 age-group. 45:07 for the 3K, not a bad time for my first OW race.
Jul:
No longer thinking about IMCH - maybe next year
Aug:
3rd-11th, FINA World Masters Champs:
100, 200, 400, 800 FC; 3 Km O/W
No 1500 sadly - but (maybe) my first big O/W race
Ooops, forgot to update this! Placed 19th in the 3K event, and top 40 in the 800m. Not bad for my first World Champs |
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Weekly Training Scedule, Q3 2005 |
Monday:
am: Swimming, 6-7.30, TriLondon
afternoon: endurance spinning
eve: lectures
Tuesday:
am: Swimming, 6-7.30 CSC Masters
afternoon:
eve: bike or run
Wednesday:
day off
Thursday:
am: Swimming, 6-7.30 CSC Masters
afternoon: bike or run
eve: lectures
Friday:
am: Swimming, 6-7.30 CSC Masters
afternoon:
evening:
Saturday:
am: TriLondon running drills
next month: bike run/track
Sunday:
am: TriLondon Bike run
afternoon: Swim, 12-1 CSC Masters |
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CJ's Events 2005 |
Worthing Aquathlon 2
16 Aug 05
Clash of the Tritons
20 Aug 05
South Coast Sprint
3 Sep 05
Regents Park 10K
2 Oct 05
44:24
Nike 10K
16 Oct 05
44:22
Regents Park 10K
6 Nov 05
45:17 oops - thats what happens when you run with a serious hangover
Barnet Masters 1500 Free
26 Nov 05
Nike 5K, Crystal Palace
27 Nov 05
Regents Park 10K
4 Dec 05
Bedford Half Marathon
11 Dec 05 |
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