Sidelined Again

Well it has been suggested that I am experiencing good season bad season syndrome. Actually, it is more like good season, no season, bad season. I will take that as long as next year holds to form and I have a good year as I move to the 50 - 54 age group. Since Cambridge Du and the Inter Services Du I have been trying to refocus and build the training again. The twisted ankle from the Hullavington race really did not help things and I had to take a break from running. But the real spanner in the works has been this sciatic problem affecting my glute and hamstring. I am running like a lame donkey at best and I cannot see my racing triathlon at a decent level for a while. I will attempt to race at the RAF Odiham Sprint Tri on 5 June but I will just focus on enjoying the event - my first tri since Almere Ironman back in Aug 2011!. I have managed to keep the bike training going, though no real mileage. To assess my bike fitness I entered the Stone 25 mile TT last weekend. It was a joy to go full gas on a dual carriageway but the wind was Outrageous, with a Gail wind taking me through the first 10 miles under 20 min. I had been tweaking my TT bike position and these pics show it is not too bad As for swimming, it is not going too badly - not great,but good enough to get by. Later. . .

Not Quite As Planned!

Since the Dambuster Du things have not exactly gone to plan. I had hoped to build into some form and be speedy for the Inter Services Du, which was held on 24 April 13. After the Dambuster freeze fest my training suffered from a combination of illness and missed sessions due to work. Hence, when the time came to race Cambridge Duathlon on 14 Apr I was not in great shape - and the result showed that fact. I was 6 min slower than 2011. True, it was windy but it was my running that was dire. I sort of blew up on the first run and clocked 28:32. In 2011 I ran 28:00 and was easing up. The second run was a pure sufferfest. I clocked 30:52, against 28:01 in 2011. I just could not run. Quite worrying really but the lack of run training may be all the problem is. And so to the Int Services Du last week. Well it was not a complete disaster like Cambridge was. The first run did not feel good and I was slow - the first time ever that I have been outside 17 min on that course, clocking 18:23. I felt stronger on the bike and, although slow at 30:12, I was the second fastest RAF bod. I actually felt better than I thought I would on the second run and managed to pull off an ok overall place - 15th I think. The worst part was putting my foot in a hole as I finished, face planting a metre from the line. A Navy chap zipped in front of me as I picked myself up and bagged the Vets 3rd place spot. I am not that bothered about that but I am concerned about my bad run form. And now, with a very sore and swollen ankle, running is again hampered. I am trying to regroup but need to be healthy! I managed to ride a local TT last night, which I really enjoyed and managed around 23:20; so my biking is not far away from where it needs to be. Just need to run more! Oh, and I am swimming ok. . . . ish! Some pics from Cambridge(looking unhappy) and the Int Serv Du (falling over!)