Memories, Motivation, Mojo and Body Markings!

I did it! Top inner forearm Outlaw reminder visible whilst cycling. I like it!

Summer is Going Going. . . . . . .

. . . . .Gone? Since the end of July any resemblance of warmth has all but gone. What is going on? August is meant to be hot; is it not?! I rode to work this morning in longs and layers. For a sun lover like myself this is not good at all. On the plus side it looks like my next posting will be to Saudi, where the sun shines endlessly! of course there are lots of other reasons to take this posting and we are looking forward to trying something new. There are, however, so many things to sort out. Effectively, we are emigrating. With my current job being mad busy, I could really do with some dedicated planning time to sort my life out. So what does a move to Saudi mean for my triathlon ambitions? Well, a master plot is brewing, which is exciting and ambitious. More details to follow shortly. Until then I am still milking my Outlaw result. I love wearing the Raceskin Jersey - it feels like I have won LeTour. . . . .almost!! As for races left this year I am running out of options. I am feeling strong and could do with a middle distance race to test the form. With a crazy work schedule this will not happen. So, it is a drive to race at the Bristish Du Champs on 11 Oct at Emberton Park. best I do some speed work!

Ironman Reflection

Nearly 3 weeks since the Outlaw Ironman - it seems longer! Reflecting on the build up and race fills me with inspiration in a way that previous events never have. I am eager to race another but i know that it will be a while before this is possible; mostly due to the fact that I may be off to Saudi for my next posting. hence I cannot enter any events (even if I had the money - which i don't!) I am actually feeling really strong and training pretty much full bore again. This is surprising as I was expecting to be fatigued for ages. Maybe I am fatigued but do not see it and would feel it if i actually raced. Thanks to Paul Bucknall for forwarding some more Outlaw pics - shown below. Now I have to consider this urge I have to get the Outlaw logo tattoo! Should I; or shouldn't I??

9Bar Ed Clancy Ride

It was 3 weeks ago that I heard that I had won a competition to join the 9Bar Team with sponsored athlete Ed Clancy to ride in the hills around Llangollen. This was a lottery type proze and my name, along with a few others, had been drawn for this excursion. The prize also included a post-ride meal at the White Waters Hotel with Q&A from Ed. A great opportunity for sure; however, I was mindful that this hilly ride would be just 6 days after the Outlaw Ironman Triathlon. Whilst I was on a high after the Outlaw race, my legs were shot. A test ride on the Friday before the evnt confirmed that I would struggle big time. Well, I would just have to suck it up as i could not forego the opportunity of riding with an Olympic Champ. Additionally, I have been trying to get on the 9Bar race team. So this would be a good chance to meet the team. I had the opportunity to bring a buddy also; so I invited my Ironman guru buddy Mat Stephenson. The morning started with terrible weather. The rain lashed down, as the forecast predicted. I had prepared for a wet ride and was my normal nervous self on the shimmering roads. Some of the lanes were narrow and muddy also; this added to my nervousness. I started off steady as I had expected my legs to object to pedalling again! But miraculously, I felt ok. Once I realised that the legs were working I opened up a bit on the hills and really enjoyed the riding. The rain stopped soon after and the sun even shone at times. Half way through the ride we were descending a wide sweeping road and one of the riders over-cooked a bend, crashing badly to miss an oncoming car. It was an ambulance job and subsequently I discovered that she suffered a pneumothrax and broken shoulder - ouch! But the ride went on and we met up at the hotel for a really nice meal. 9Bar really did put on a great event at their expense. This company is passionate about their product and sport/health in general. So thank you for a great day out.

Comparison. . . .

2011 2014