Back to Racing - Just Too Well!

Last Friday I returned to racing at the Riyadh Triathletes Duathlon at Ranco Farm. The distance was 6.7k/24k/3.3k. After a break in the race series I was really looking forward to this race. Training had been consistent, if affected somewhat by niggling injuries - Achilles, hip, toe! I managed to finish second overall, with Gareth Gallagher taking the win by a big margin. He hammered the first run, maintaining 3:30 per k pace. Whilst I think in my old head that I should still be able to run at that pace, I clearly cannot! I maintained an even pace of 3:49 per k, quickly realizing that I could not match Gareth's pace. Once on the bike, I tried to close the gap on the hilly and technical course; however, Gareth simply rode away from us all. I didn't feel great on the bike and I am wondering if I should train differently. The second run was not far but it was getting seriously hot by then and I slipped outside 4:00 per k pace. This didn't please me at all as I had been consistent with my bike/run training. Oh well, keep the focus on enjoying the fact that I can still race. The Outlaw came and went in the UK and it was a fast day in Nottingham. Pete Norris and Matt Stephenson grabbed great times, with Matt bagging the age group record. I am starting to think that my chances of a sub-10 hour Ironman are all but gone. Training here in Saudi does not seem to bring the best out of me! I was back in the UK for a course a few weeks ago and visited the Congleton Park Run. I pushed hard for an 18:19 time, finishing 6th. Again, I really think I should be faster. Time to rethink what I want to achieve I think! some pics from the Du