Int Services Standard Triathlon Champs

It has taken a while for me to record this race. I even thought of not bothering. However, in years to come it will help me to remember to train wise and stay healthy. So, I made the trip to Cotswold Water Park for my first open water triathlon in nearly 2 years. My swimming had not been too bad in the pool but my last open water swim was at the Almere Iron distance race in August 2011. And it showed! Although I felt ok, I was woefully slow at 27:15. I was shocked to see how few bikes were left in transition and I knew that there was no way that I would challenge for a placing in the Vets category - a cat I won in 2011. I set off on the bike and pretty much red lined the first 5 miles. Not a great idea as I probably lost time overall. But a 1:00:03 split was up there with the faster rides of the day. I had taken it easy on some of the wet roads, so I was happy enough with my ride. I had no experience station from my run as I had lost heaps of training due to injury. I still felt disappointed with my time of 41:15. Oh well. Let's hope that I can get healthy for next year!

Buxton Triathlon

This is a late post but worth logging as the result at Buxton Tri was unexpected. I managed to string together a decent swim bike run combo, despite months of broken training periods due to injury (which still linger on). I was probably helped by the fast guys racing at the National Champs in Liverpool, but it was pleasing to get a tri completed - my first tri since Sep 2011! I can thoroughly recommend this race. It is very different to other races I have completed. The bike course is basically either up or down. But the scenery and unpredictable way you have to ride compared to a flatter more `normal` course make it fun. I even had to use a road bike, which is a first for me. Last week I managed to dip under 23 mins at the local club 10 mile TT With 22:59. So a course pb for me. It`s a good job there are some positives to take from this year!

25 Mile TT PB! How Come?

Quite how I bagged a 25 Mile TT Pb on 6 July is a mystery to me. But then, the numbers on the turbo were telling me that I was in ok shape on the bike. Even so, I did not expect a PB. My previous best was 55:49, set on the fast E2 course in Cambridgeshire in 2009. I had given up hope of ever beating that time. So a time of 55:26 was very pleasing. The course on the A50 from Belper to Uttoxeter and back seems to be fast. But it was a hot day, which suited me but not others. It was the first time that I had ridden this course and, to be honest, I did not ride it that well. It is not flat and I ended up pushing the hills and gasping for recovery on the flat and declines - not an efficient way to ride. I also came to a stand-still at the turn and, on reflection, I reckon I could have been challenging for a 54+ time if I had ridden differently.

The pic above is my getting out the saddle after the roundabout that takes you up the slip road to the A50. It's about a mile after the start and the picture reminds me that red lining it so soon is not a good idea! A good 25 mile TT is all about pacing! Next Sunday I am attempting the Buxton Sprint Triathlon. This will be my first Tri since Aug 2011! Sadly, I am still suffering with sciatica issues. I will get round but it will not be pretty or fast! Race report to follow!

Not Going Anywhere

Well there goes another 6 weeks of limping from injury to illness and back to injury. The season really is a wipe out. I had to withdraw from The Dambuster back in June due to a hip injury. Plus I till have the troublesome sciatica problem. I have done minimal running but although I am virtually pain free cycling, I reckon the bike is greatly contributing to this sciatica issue. So what to do? I have a 25 mile TT this Saturday and then Buxton Sprint Tri the following weekend. I aim to race these events to get something out of this year but only to experience the race feel again. I cannot expect any result. That said, the turbo tells me I am cycling ok. Plus I had a course pb on the Tean 10 mile TT the other week at 23:06. We'll see what happens on Saturday but I need to get rid of this stomach bug!

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!)

Racing Again!

Time has slipped by again; so a big update is due. Where do I start? Well Towards the middle of Feb I picked up a bug that I found difficult to shake off. As my first race became closer, it was becoming clear that I would not be fit to race come 16 Feb at the Althorp Duathlon. I had also made the the RAF Vets cross country team to race on 13 Feb. So after some quality training sessions it looked like the racing would have to be delayed. Not a happy chap. As it turned out the duathlon was delayed due to the bad weather that we have had. So I got a weeks' reprieve to recover. I made the start line on 2 March but it was Baltic. I was racing again after such a long time - well it felt like a long time to me. The first run was a bit of a shock as the pack seemed to shoot off into the distance. However, it was not long before the fast starters started to slow down. I pushed the middle 3k and then eased off slightly over the final 1k. I pretty much thrashed the bike from the off, which probably cost me some time actually and a more measured ride may have been faster! But I was passing guys, whilst vying with a friendly Cambridge Tri chap. I felt absolutely terrible when starting the second run. As it turned out, so was everyone else! I made a few places and emptied the tank to finish strong. I had to shoot off quickly but was surprised to find out that I had won my AG. Happy days. A Euro Qualification place too, though I am not taking it this year. Only a week later and it was another mega early start to get to Rutland Water for Dambuster Duathlon. This was a Standard Distance race and to be honest I struggled. Not sure if it was the cold or the distance. The first 10k run did not feel good and my time 37:10 was just too slow. I suppose my bike was ok at 1:09:37. But it needed to be quicker. The fastest bike of the day came from my AG at a crazy 1:01! This was ex-pro John Tanner. That is impressive cycling. My runs were quicker but his bike won the race for our AG. I ended up 5th. As I am at the top of my AG I can't complain. After I had left I found out that I was placed 3rd in the National Champs - 2 guys were not btf members. So that is a slightly hollow bronze but there you are. The pic below is the bronze I got in 2009 when I was new in the Age Group. So guess i sort of book ended the 45 - 49 Duathlon National Champs! Since that race I have taken an age to recover. The body is either struggling or I am still have some virus stuff going on - probably just old! Also, get this; I am swimming again and it feels ok! So there we are; updated! Next race should be Cambridge Duathlon if I can get a reserve place.