I've not been posting anything for the last month due to work, work and more work ..oh and also a little embarrassment. I'm not sorry to say I don't like being beaten but I'm sorry to say I have. How I miss 2005 when I felt invincible. Well you're only as good as your last race.
So in the last month I have come 4th in the BRAT Aquathlon after an OK swim and a slowish run. I came 6th at the RAF Sprint Champs although I was 1st Vet (still not used to that term either!). And to cap it off I got overtaken on the bike by Daz and JC and I couldn't catch Brad. Well that never used to happen.Hey Ho back to the drawing board.
I have been catching up on my studying recently and maybe neglecting the bike mileage a little.
I have been picking up the training again ready for the IS race and the Relays which I'm racing with BRAT as a Vet (that term again).
I heard from Jase midweek and he told me of his soaking in our beautiful summer. On Thursday night I thought I'd go open water swimming at Bittell Reservoir and I took the scenic route(I got lost) when the skies opened and dropped an ocean on me. I considered riding home from swimming in my wetsuit but was worried about aqua planning and coming off the bike. The rain didn't stop all evening and I had to put on my wet kit to ride the 10 miles home. Nice! Good swim though. Did 2 x 1 km loops in a lovely warm lake.
I went out on a ride with the BRAT 'A' group yesterday for 50 miles but ended up as 60 miles and it was hard work. The first half was an average of 18 something mph and the final average was nearly 22mph. We were hammering a 5up TT along the A435 at nearly 40mph at one point. My legs were screaming 'PLEASE STOP!'
I've also entered IM Switzerland 2010 and considering IM Malaysia 2010 but I'm having trouble with their website trying to get all the necessary info..No scroll bar! any ideas? anyone been to KL or Langkawi and know of cheap accommodation?
Monday, 20 July 2009
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Do I have to get used to being overtaken?
A week ago in Bala I was thinking the season was over but this week at the Dambuster I was determined to give the run a try and maybe even finish the race. Test the achilles! Hmmm.
The swim didnt go to plan. Nige was too far right and some fish like person (DS) on the left with Mike Masters dropping in on my heels for the first few hundred yards before he and someone else overtook me. A steady T1 and out onto the bike assuming everyone except Mike was up the road. How wrong I was. Only DS up the road as I had left T1 in 2nd place on the road.I did see him on the 'Ripple' up ahead. Westy came past on the 'Ripple followed by one of the fast boys from the next wave. I tried to up the pace but there was no power and i was pushing at least 3 gears too light at IM pace...maybe slower. Jas and Mal overtook me but I did catch DS at 20miles. The saving grace was I did feel like I was getting into a rythym at 20miles. I'm just not used to being caught on the bike after years of 'being a biker'.
An easy T2 to avoid the cramps I've been getting sort of worked as I got cramp in my inner thigh(thats a new one!) but I decided to run it off and finish the race. With Jase Wakely ahead and Mal Rose just behind I had an incentive. Going across the Dam I expected to see some other RAF guys but only Westy was ahead after I caught Jase. Confused I was. Maybe it was oxygen debt. The run went well if not slower than I'm used to but I was pleased to finish and hold off Jase for third. I didnt know I was overtaken by a RAF person(DS) because he didnt have the kit. An inherent problem we seem to have every year with suppliers! Would I have held him off?? maybe/maybe not. I did 2:03 a few years ago then did an Ironman a week later. This time it was 2:12 with an early season Ironman.
As it is my legs are screaming for mercy despite a post race massage. I did go for a gentle cycle ride tonight to try and ease them ready for some work prior to the Sprint Champs. See you there. God this short stuff hurts!
The swim didnt go to plan. Nige was too far right and some fish like person (DS) on the left with Mike Masters dropping in on my heels for the first few hundred yards before he and someone else overtook me. A steady T1 and out onto the bike assuming everyone except Mike was up the road. How wrong I was. Only DS up the road as I had left T1 in 2nd place on the road.I did see him on the 'Ripple' up ahead. Westy came past on the 'Ripple followed by one of the fast boys from the next wave. I tried to up the pace but there was no power and i was pushing at least 3 gears too light at IM pace...maybe slower. Jas and Mal overtook me but I did catch DS at 20miles. The saving grace was I did feel like I was getting into a rythym at 20miles. I'm just not used to being caught on the bike after years of 'being a biker'.
An easy T2 to avoid the cramps I've been getting sort of worked as I got cramp in my inner thigh(thats a new one!) but I decided to run it off and finish the race. With Jase Wakely ahead and Mal Rose just behind I had an incentive. Going across the Dam I expected to see some other RAF guys but only Westy was ahead after I caught Jase. Confused I was. Maybe it was oxygen debt. The run went well if not slower than I'm used to but I was pleased to finish and hold off Jase for third. I didnt know I was overtaken by a RAF person(DS) because he didnt have the kit. An inherent problem we seem to have every year with suppliers! Would I have held him off?? maybe/maybe not. I did 2:03 a few years ago then did an Ironman a week later. This time it was 2:12 with an early season Ironman.
As it is my legs are screaming for mercy despite a post race massage. I did go for a gentle cycle ride tonight to try and ease them ready for some work prior to the Sprint Champs. See you there. God this short stuff hurts!
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Bala middle distance swin amd bike
it's been ages since i wrote anything online because i've been busy writing assignment and there's no point writing if i'm not training.
I got back from the training camp and tweaked my right achilles and have spent the last few weeks trying to get over that.
Today was the National Champs in Bala where I had I got a silver in 2005. It's one of the hardest races I have completed but today I didn't even get that far.
I had a good swim coming in about 7th in the vets wave. No splits yet! The bike leg started ok but I was obviously not in the mood or frame of mind to do well. My plan was to work hard on the way out and expected a tail wind home. Going into the turn I saw Jase Wakeley and was probably a few mins up due to the 10 min gap in waves. After the turn I made a few places but then started to lose them rapidly for no reason. It felt like riding with the brakes on. The return journey over the mountain was awful. I was dying! I'm sure there was a guy with trainers on and no straps who over took me. Bloody awful is an understatement. I took T2 easy reflecting on the Brize Norton event and set off easy to test the achilles tendon. hmmmm
A steady jog around the lake gave plenty of thinking time. My hips were hurting and then back ache and then the dreaded cramp I always get at Bala. Add to that the achilles injury that seemed to feel like it was building in pressure and after only a mile and a half I stopped, turned around and walked a long walk of self shame. Save the success for another day is the way I'm thinking. Analysis over, shame banished, move on.
Try again next week then it's a long few months of proper assessment and treatment ready for an Ironman.
I got back from the training camp and tweaked my right achilles and have spent the last few weeks trying to get over that.
Today was the National Champs in Bala where I had I got a silver in 2005. It's one of the hardest races I have completed but today I didn't even get that far.
I had a good swim coming in about 7th in the vets wave. No splits yet! The bike leg started ok but I was obviously not in the mood or frame of mind to do well. My plan was to work hard on the way out and expected a tail wind home. Going into the turn I saw Jase Wakeley and was probably a few mins up due to the 10 min gap in waves. After the turn I made a few places but then started to lose them rapidly for no reason. It felt like riding with the brakes on. The return journey over the mountain was awful. I was dying! I'm sure there was a guy with trainers on and no straps who over took me. Bloody awful is an understatement. I took T2 easy reflecting on the Brize Norton event and set off easy to test the achilles tendon. hmmmm
A steady jog around the lake gave plenty of thinking time. My hips were hurting and then back ache and then the dreaded cramp I always get at Bala. Add to that the achilles injury that seemed to feel like it was building in pressure and after only a mile and a half I stopped, turned around and walked a long walk of self shame. Save the success for another day is the way I'm thinking. Analysis over, shame banished, move on.
Try again next week then it's a long few months of proper assessment and treatment ready for an Ironman.
Sunday, 24 May 2009
back from cramp
whilst watching the Grand Prix this morning in the kitchen with the doors open to the beautiful sunshine I contemplated my calf injury. To my suprise I could feel no pain. A little poke here and there and it seemed 90% back to normal so as soon as Jenson was splahing the bubbles about I put the trainers on and went for a 4 mile run. Initailly the right ankle was sore but this was just stiffness. The calf was fine. 27 1/2 mins later I was back in the house and happy to to back training. Theres still plenty of stretching to be done and the achilles pain(rt side) I think is due to rubbing caused by the heel support/achilles cutaway. New Saucony trainers are on the way.
I'm now contemplating the racing strategy for this season. I'm still short of miles and time to train. I still have loads of Open University study to do and it gets in the way of training. But... its great to be back racing and this year will be the base for the next. Bring it on!
I'm now contemplating the racing strategy for this season. I'm still short of miles and time to train. I still have loads of Open University study to do and it gets in the way of training. But... its great to be back racing and this year will be the base for the next. Bring it on!
Thursday, 21 May 2009
mini series tri disaster
you know when you're really looking forward to doing a race even though you know it's gonna hurt? Well the pain I have now is bloody different from the pain I was expecting.
On Monday night I ran with the BRAT's and after running to the session I covered about 13miles at a comfortable pace, chatting alll the way round about IMSA with Mark H. When i woke the next morning my right achilles was sore and my left shin. I put it down to running on tarmac and uneven surfaces.
I decided against the TT on Tuesday night as I had some bits to sort on the bikes as I was lending one to one of the novices for the mini tri the next day.
Wednesday was race day and I headed to BZN with a merry band of novice triathletes. I was still unsure about running but as the day went on and my achilles warmed up and I did some stretching I was hopeful but I would decide in T2.
The swim starts were altered so Brad, Westy, JC and myself could race together. Brad led the way in the pool followed by me, Westy and JC. I was pleased to be about 10m behind Brad and felt comfortable throughout the swim. Onto the bike I quickly overtook Brad and when on the main road got into a settled ride until a BMW overtook me then stopped by the parked car to allow an oncoming car to pass. With no room to get past I was halted in top gear. A heard a whoosh as Westy flew past. I quickly got back up to pace and chased Westy then overtook him only to be retaken about 5 mins later. He then started to pull away as I tried to limit the loss knowing my run was better than his. He probably had about 15-20 sec going into T2. This where the pain comes in..... as I got my feet out of the cycle shoes my left calf cramped with an intensity like I've never experienced. I racked the bike but could not bend my leg for fear of increasing the pain. And so my race ended in T2 trying to put on a run shoe with a straight leg. On the bright side I was saved from hurting my achilles any more. Well done to Westy who went on to post the fastest bike and win overall. And well done to my novice colleagues especially Amy who came 3rd.
A massage tonight did little to ease the pain. Anyone else ever had residual pain in the days following cramp?
On Monday night I ran with the BRAT's and after running to the session I covered about 13miles at a comfortable pace, chatting alll the way round about IMSA with Mark H. When i woke the next morning my right achilles was sore and my left shin. I put it down to running on tarmac and uneven surfaces.
I decided against the TT on Tuesday night as I had some bits to sort on the bikes as I was lending one to one of the novices for the mini tri the next day.
Wednesday was race day and I headed to BZN with a merry band of novice triathletes. I was still unsure about running but as the day went on and my achilles warmed up and I did some stretching I was hopeful but I would decide in T2.
The swim starts were altered so Brad, Westy, JC and myself could race together. Brad led the way in the pool followed by me, Westy and JC. I was pleased to be about 10m behind Brad and felt comfortable throughout the swim. Onto the bike I quickly overtook Brad and when on the main road got into a settled ride until a BMW overtook me then stopped by the parked car to allow an oncoming car to pass. With no room to get past I was halted in top gear. A heard a whoosh as Westy flew past. I quickly got back up to pace and chased Westy then overtook him only to be retaken about 5 mins later. He then started to pull away as I tried to limit the loss knowing my run was better than his. He probably had about 15-20 sec going into T2. This where the pain comes in..... as I got my feet out of the cycle shoes my left calf cramped with an intensity like I've never experienced. I racked the bike but could not bend my leg for fear of increasing the pain. And so my race ended in T2 trying to put on a run shoe with a straight leg. On the bright side I was saved from hurting my achilles any more. Well done to Westy who went on to post the fastest bike and win overall. And well done to my novice colleagues especially Amy who came 3rd.
A massage tonight did little to ease the pain. Anyone else ever had residual pain in the days following cramp?
Friday, 15 May 2009
Feeling fresh and good to go!!!!
I have'nt really done much since returning from Cyprus as Ive been trying to catch up on my Open University Science degree that is breaking me!!!!! Its immunology at the minute and its complicated. I believe I should have been a pro athlete with not much brain power and my only stress was to when I will eat again or get my next nap. But I'm not and the OU is self inflicted and I just have to manage my time a bit better.
I did go for a wonderful massage last night though and my legs feel great and light again without lumps in my muscles. Ive also been sleeping a lot better which helps. It has been a busy month after all.
Today is all about studying but I'm planning on running over the weekend just to test my calves out again and I'm planning another 10tt on Tuesday then the mini tri on Wednesday.
have a great weekend!
I did go for a wonderful massage last night though and my legs feel great and light again without lumps in my muscles. Ive also been sleeping a lot better which helps. It has been a busy month after all.
Today is all about studying but I'm planning on running over the weekend just to test my calves out again and I'm planning another 10tt on Tuesday then the mini tri on Wednesday.
have a great weekend!
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
10 mile TT bursts your lungs.
I have aquired this exotic beauty and tried it out tonight in the Warwickshire RC 10tt. It was windy and I felt the front end wobble a few times which was quite unnerving. I was told the course was worth a low 22 min but tonight with the wind I only managed a 23:49. and it hurt just as much as the TT the other week. The course is a two lap affair with a few turns and twists. The winning time was 22:30 by a rider who knocked out a 21:10 a few weeks ago. Sound promising. maybe i'll get under 22:30 sometime this year. I'm hoping to use this bike for the Brize Norton mini tri next week but it will need a little positional tweaking and I want to change the components from campag to shimano. I never liked campag!
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