Taking Stock

Well, as normal the start of the season is coming one instant. Then all of a sudden it feels like ground rush, with the key races suddenly just round the corner. I always start running all manner of things through my head: my training has not been structured, i have missed key sessions, I don't have the endurance, I missed the speed work. . . . . And on it goes? But recently I stopped all this nonsense and just thought in simple terms. I have a training diary and a look at that revealed that I have probably had the most consistent training period over the last 6 months that I have ever had. True, I have not done any true speed work. But I don't need to as my focus is on Ironman racing. Plus my recent duathlon race yielded a 36:47 10k over an accurate course. Not bad and certainly showing that I have all the speed I need. So what about running strength and endurance? Well I have completed a number of 2 hour runs - no speed aim; just a plod to complete the time. Also I have completed a couple of runs of the TT bike. The biggest one being 52 miles averaging over 20mph followed by a 10 mile run at 7:38 mile pace. What about swimming? Compared to last year I am way ahead of where I was in 2013 - not difficult! But I have completed a few (only a few 3k plus swim sessions. To be honest, if I am going to miss a session, it is always the swimming. I am confident of swimming 6:20 for 400m and my last CSS actually produced a 6:08 swim. More work needed on the swim but I know I can get through an IM swim. How much productive time to commit to the swim training is always a quandary for me. I am where I am and it would take so much time in the water to get faster that it is just not worth it. Although my biking seems ok, I am not confident of being able to ride for 5 hours and produced a decent Ironman bike leg and feel 'fresh' to start the run. The answer? more specific long TT rides with key effort zones building the distance. I have time to get these done. . . . . Overall I am in a good place I think. The test will be the National Middle Distance Champs on 8 June as I take on the Grafman at Grafham Water, which is my old stomping ground near Huntingdon. I received a couple of pics from Triathlon England today from the National Duathlon Champs. Quite an artistic shot, I think!