Blithfield Sprint Tri

Today was my nect sprint Tri. I certainly felt better on the bike and rub than I did during the Ashbourne Sprint Tri back in May! Must be the French Alps agreeing with me 8-). Butthe swim was dire. A timed 16:15 for 750m!! I've not been that slow for . . . . . can't remember! I didn't feel too bad in the water but I was slowwwwww. Oh well, do some more swimming and don't get hung up on it. I've never been competitive over the sprint distance but a good course and nice weather made for a good race. I actually finished 2nd in Cat but should really have raced the Standard Distance I think. I got held up on the bike quite badly. Being so slow in the swim I was passing cyclists ahead of me like crazy. However, cars were stuck amongst the slower cyclists and I won't overtake cars. So I got held up and the ride was a bit stop/start. But enough complaining. The run was ok averaging 3:59/k. Could do with some speed but felt strong. My transitions were bad but there was no way I would have caught the winner of my Cat. Onwards and upwards. I have a Sportive on 11 August and could do with a Standard Distance race soon. . . .

Next Race

Next Tri race is looming, with the PMA Racing Blithfield Stafford Triathlon kicking off on Sunday 21 Jul 19. I have entered the sprint distance,though there is a Standard Distance Option. I've stuck to the Sprint Distance to use the race as a sharpener before I start a 6 week strength endurance period. So what's been happening lately? Training has been constant, with the last week probably the biggest volume I have completed for years. I also races the DB Max mid-week 10 mile TT on Wed. As slow 24:29 was not great. However, I was crrying some fatigue and actually felt strong. A ride to and from the venue added extra miles and I was strong on the return ride. I have also re-joined Newcastle Tri Club (Staffs). NTC are a friendly bunch and I have joined their Sat long bike ride the last 2 weeks. I have missed this club ride training, which I always used to do when I was a St Ives CC member. Hopefu;;y, I can find some bike speed with these long rides as the base for bike training. I have also completed numerous rides on the TT bike. So I am hoping that the position is dialled in again. A couple of weeks ago we had the chance to take a holiday in our old Fav location, Annecy. Whilst there we had a pretty active holiday, with a couple of bike days in the hills. Julie had an ebike and was amazing; she is not a cyclist but we put in 40 mile days in the mountains. I think I have come out of this week with added strength and feeling good on the bike. Maybe the stress release of being there helped too!