1st race of the year

Well I just realised it was a few weeks since my last update and since then I have mostly been trying to avoid slipping over on snow and ice.
I have since joined the Bannatynes gym at an extortionate amount of cash but needs must. It has a pool and my local is closing for refurb next month. The plus side is when its thrashing it down or snowing I can treadmill run ( another joy...not, its just so much slower and hotter than running on the road). I have also been to a few spinning classes. Jeez, they are hard. I also ran a bit over xmas along the frozen canal(4 inches thick the ice!) and did a 14miler one night incorporating the BRAT club run.
So I'm back in Peterborough working for a week or two and Breezy asked if I wanted a race with his local club Yaxley in the frostbite league.
It was 5 miles and a few hundred yards and mainly on grass fields(sodden) and farm tracks(muddy). Two steps forward one step back. The team wanted to get someone in the top ten and the eyes where focused on me...talk about peer pressure. So I set off in the pack and was counting the numbers ahead. At one point I was in 11th after about 3 miles but I latched onto the back of a BRJ runner who deflected the headwind for me and allowed me to draft him as we caught a small bunch and went through. I was in 6th with a 5m gap at 400m to go and found the energy to sprint from who knows where but it got me 5th place by 3 secs. Well done me. I was chuffed to bits as I thought I was out of shape. But then I've said that before haven't I?
Still not been out on the new bike.

Enjoying or Enduring the Turbo?

Due to the unpleasant cycling weather I have been partaking in a spot of indoor cycling which I am surprisingly beginning to feel indifferent about .
Previously I detested the torture machine and experienced some discomfort in the nether regions including numbness in the little General! But not deterred and spurred on by a reinforced vigor to beat my Ironman bike pb(4:51) next year, I have been enthused and almost excited by the prospect of spending time on the turbo.
I did a few runs whilst in Spalding in the lead up to Christmas. I used the Spalding Triathlon run route and because of the ice it was taking me between 4-6mins longer than in race mode.
Now I am back in Brum I am trying to get arse in saddle time. Turboman has recommended a training session that replicates a 2hr L2 ride. I'm not sure of that but the session feels OK and takes your mind of the fact you go nowhere fast. Warm up(10min) then 30sec all out followed by 4min steady for 6 reps then a warm down(10min). This has been taking 47min for those too inebriated to work it out. I've done it twice now but my legs don't feel like they are doing a 2hr ride. On the plus side though I am getting 120+ cadence on the effort part and 90+ on the steady part and getting an enjoyable 47min workout. Thanks Turboman.
Tomorrow is a run with a turbo session planned for the evening again. Snow is scheduled!!!!
Any other turbo sessions are gratefully received. Anything to take the mind away from the boredom.
:-)

a merry xmas to all

Well folks I will be without the world wide web for a few days so enjoy the Xmas period and dont overindulge.

I have just carried out my longest stint on the torture contraption helped out by watching the classic John Wayne film 'The Quiet Man'. Two hours of turbo is more than enough for anyone. If anyone has any tips on going long(on the turbo) i'd be grateful.

see ya'll next week

A new steed waiting to be ridden!

After years of abuse for riding my 'girls bike' Giant TCR i have finally passed it on to a friend and spent some hard earned cash on a new bike. The Giant originally cost me £1250 back in 2000/1 and in the end the only original components were the handlebars,frame and STI's. It was a great bike that fitted me and felt comfy for most of the time but, its time to stop reminiscing and move on. Its gone to a good home.

So whilst scouring Ebay, Wiggle, Cycling Weekly ads and Planet X i was looking for something around the £1000 mark. Not an extravagance when I was looking for a full carbon steed.

Daz almost had me with a Raleigh Avanti Carbon. A very nice bike with Shimano 105 but I couldn't get to see one in the flesh. Planet X was next up, good deals and good value but there is something about the road frames I just don't like. Then Daz suggested Halfords!!! Hello since when did Halfords and cycling extend their knowledge beyond spotty youths, bmx's and crap mountain(use the term loosely) bikes. When Chris Boardman is involved I guess.

A trip to Halfords to look at the bike was first on the agenda. In typical Halfords expectations they had to cut the U-lock of the demo model!

The black Team Carbon with SRAM Rival groupset with carbon STI's and Ritchey wheels looked good for a grand only I was after one of the 500 limited edition bikes. I cheekily asked if they did a Forces discount but alas no, but they did do a student discount. Bargain! I'm doing a Masters in Education and I thought I'd be getting 5% like Amazon offers. To my surprise it was 10%. WOW the bike for £900.

Well the bike arrived last week, No204, but weather has prevented any riding. Lets face it, it's white and carbon. Who wants to be cleaning off the road grit, salt and snow.

The bike weighs an allegedly 17.6lbs (medium frame) but there is room for improvement. A lighter saddle or carbon chainset might be on the upgrade list eventually. I've just added some Look Carbon Keo pedals which still has the 'on the road' weight sub-18lbs. I'm also waiting on a 24g white carbon bottle cage from Taiwan.

I cant wait for the first nice day to try it out. Til then its turbo, I'm getting used to the numbness, and running.

Have a great Xmas and New Year everyone. Train smart! Winter miles, summer smiles blah blah blah :-)

winters here, must be time for torture

hi all
I know ive been quiet bon here recently but with excuses and more excuses than I can think of, well, I've just really beeen busy.
But good news. I've started training again and with a plan in mind(yet to go to paper or screen).

I started with a pootle on the bike last week which was glorious in the afternoon sun. No planned route just headed out to find some new roads and ended up back in Birmingham 1.5 hrs later. Happy days.So far.
The weekend was busy so not much happed then decided enough is enough and got the torture machine set up last night. An hour later at 100rpm and sweating buckets, despite having the windows wide open, I got off the wheeled attachment with numb testicles. Why does it do that? Is it only me or does every bloke get it??? Hey ho it felt good anyway. The ride not the lack of feeling in the nether regions.

Then this morning I got up and did an hours swim. To quote another accomplished swimmer in the pool " it is like a trout farm" avoiding the muppets who get up early to stand in the pool chatting to their friends they will probably see at work or have no concept of swimming in a straight line. GO FOR A COFFEE OR STAY IN BED and the pool is designed with black lines to make it easy to know where you are going! AAAAHHHHH
Anyway I just did a simple warm up and lots of drills.

Tonight I tried to tame the torture beast again. It still has the better of my delicate areas but after another hour I was heartened to keep trying until I can get a screw for my illuminators then its out on the tarmac.
No running yet. :-( still got a poorly foot. My heel is sore for no reason. See what the witch doctor says when I can get 5mins to go!


The swim was steady

winter break in Autumn

Wow i can't believe the last time i updated the blog. Since the relays I have done the Vitruvian although severe backache and tingling toes forced me to stop during the run. It shameful being seen walking in the race when your going in the right direction but walking back is worse!! the looks you get and the 'come on mate, keep going' comments don't really help. You want to tell everyone the reason you stopped is because you risk serious injury carrying on. Pay attention you young 'uns! Not finishing is starting become more frequent...well twice this year in two middle distance events. Not great!
But .... as I mentioned in a previous blog, you have to take away a positive. Well the positive is its now the end of the season and on reflection I have achieved so much on so little and its time to recuperate and build for next year. WOO HOO.
A quick summary of achievements - PB for half marathon (1:15) , 2nd in Ironman South Africa, 2:46 marathon in London, a course pb for a club 10TT , and a National Gold at the Club Relays with BRAT. Pretty damn good considering.
So my Infectious Diseases exam is in a few weeks then the training starts. Heres looking to a fantastic 2010!!!!

A good TT and a National Gold!

After doing OK in the BRAT midweek aquathlon last week I decided to use the 'Stealth' in a club TT whilst back in Lincolnshire for the evening. I had just finished rebuilding it with shimano parts(the only campag bit left is the chainset). I got some Planet X tribars from Breezy and set them quite narrow. I turned up for the Aslacksby 10 held at Bourne Wheelers(my old cycling club or one of anyway).
I didnt do much of a warm up but set off in the 39 ring....accidentally but an easy start all the same and was soon on the 53 heading downhill. Not long after I'm back on the 39 for an uphill. The 1st two miles are rolling then its pan flat till the last 200 metres. Most of the club were doing a 2up TT but I needed a solo as a marker. When I got over the hills and turned left I had the tailwind but twisty section through a few villages. I was catching a pair of riders before the last village turn but held back slightly not risking catching them on the junction. A quick glance at my watch told me I was on for a fast time but I still had 1-2 miles to go possibly into a bit of wind. The Stealth was fast and I felt really aero but my wrists were aching on the straight bars. I caught the ladies 2up TT team of a mother and daughter just before the last left to the finish. The mother was 71 years old! and she was on the front. I drifted out to apex the junction and another glance to the side and I saw a black helmet. Little did I know this was my minute man catching me. A downhill dash then the last uphill in 22 min 47 sec and a new course pb for me by 2 secs. I glanced over my shoulder on the line to see the minute man Ian Redding there. He did a 21:48 for a new course record.
I left the race feeling great as I have been lacking a bit of bike speed. It gave me confidence ready for the National Club Relay Triathlon Champs to be held at the weekend. I was going to be racing for Birmingham Running And Triathlon (BRAT) club as a Vet40.

So fast forward to Saturday at Holme Pierpoint. I was third man in the relay with Steve Cock the lead out man, Duncan Hough second and Mark Hirsch bringing up the rear.
The start was manic and Duncan hit the water in about 30th place. The RAF team with Mike Masters was already away swimming as was the BRAT A team. By the end of my swim lap we were ahead of BRAT A. Not sure were the RAF teams were. I had a good swim and was constantly overtaking. I just couldn't get past one swimmer at the end of the swim but I nailed him and a few others in the sprint along the slippery rubber matting. I handed over the chip to Mark then set off to get my bike and do some streching ready for the 15km TT. The bike legs felt fast and easy upto about 800m to go. A quick bike rack and hand over the chip again to Mark H then try to recover for the 5km run.
Just prior to setting off on the run I was bricking it. Our team was leadiung the Vets but I didn't know by how much. Its all or nothing in the run and a set off as fast as my little legs would go. I just had to dip over the mat to register the chip then set off up the grassy hill. I just kept counting steps to maintain a focus and kept the pace all along the back leg with the tailwind. I caught a few runners from my wave including a TFN guy. My confidence was building and my achilles heel was holding up. The last leg into the wind was tough and the straight goes on forever. I was just winding up for the sprint finish and got a big cheers from the BRAT supporters. How pleased was I to hand over to Mark. My job was done. My splits were 7:36/20:42/17:49 not bad when you think there is a little lost in the changeovers.
The big thing was getting Gold for the Vets40. I was the only member of the team beforehand without a gold medal at any national event. The BRAT club took six medals in all; 4 golds and 2 bronze. The young lads did the club proud taking a bronze against considerably older and bigger athletes.
The event was awesome with a fantastic astmosphere. Definately one of the most fun events I've ever done. This is a must do race and as a spectator event much better than the Hyde Park fiasco!
The Gold medal fits in well with my Silver at the Middle distance and World Bronze for Aquathlon and my Ironman 2nd place. Happy days