Totton Triathlon

Another good week of training and now totally settled into my new job and making the most of all the wonderful facilities available. I have had a number of good swims this week and really enjoyed the open water session on Saturday with about 12 of us from Portsmouth Triathletes taking to the water at Eastney. New bouys had been deployed and after a gentle once round (Approx 800M) we then pratised group starts and pack swimming. On completion some of the group went out for a slow jog along Southsea front, the sun was shining and turned into a very enjoyable run with the pace picking quite dramatically, not ideal for me when i have a race the next day.
Anyway the rest of saturday was spent chilling out and getting ready for Totton. Another early Sunday Morning up at 0530hrs and off to Totton, I was in the last wave at 0800hrs so plenty of time to get set up and relax. The swim went according to plan with no major drama's and a really good T1, only a 400m swim and came passed the timing desk in 8 min 6 secs. The first part of the Bike was a nightmare my legs felt so heavy and I struggled to get and decent speed up. At around the 7 mile mark the blood had obviously started pumping normally and I found my rhythm and came back to transition in 52mins 15secs. Another decent transition (or would have been really good if I didn't have to go back for my running vest) and quickly out for the 6.2KM run, started with a long gradual incline that made finding the pace hard but after about 2KM I had and then someone put a FBH in my way. I gritted my teeth and got over the hill and once the legs recovered I managed to pick up the pace. After the turn around I found I still felt pretty good and enjoying the run into the finish line with a run time of 31 mins 31 secs for 4.2 miles (pretty good for me). Giving me a total of 1hr 31 mins 54 secs and putting me 60th out of 137.

Now in taper week for London nothing doing after wednesday night run. 3 Days of Yipeeeeeee.

Winchester Fast Twitch

Early start today for the Winchester Tri, 0630hrs in the car and off to Winchester for a 0815hrs start in the pool. Race was a 400m swim, 22 mile cycle and a 6 mile run. During the race I decided that the word undulating should be banished from the english dictionary, Winchester was hilly....very hilly, the swim was flat, but that was about it. Swim went well, 7 mins 24 secs then the long run to first transition and first cockup of the day, Its was a bit chilly so thought I would put a base layer on under my tri suit but dry top and wet body made it impossible so had to scrap that Idea and start pedalling. Bike was okay but I am rubbish on the hills and need to do some serious hill work to get that sorted, think the winter months will be spent on a turbo trainer on hill settings. Flew into T2 and was feeling really good but very hilly start to the run and it totally took it out of me, wasn't until at least the 3 mile point until I found my stride and started to make up some time and ended up completing the race in 2 hours 5 mins and 25 secs, not sure yet where that places me but middle of the field is my aim. Roll on next week and the Totton Tri.

Still Smiling.

back in the Swing of things

Had a really good training week this week with plenty of time in the pool at COLLINGWOOD and a half decent couple of runs. My numbers arrived for both the London Tri and this weekends Winchester, 3148 for London and 348 for Winchester. Rode the winchester cycle route on Wendesday, a touch hilly, probably discribed as undulating...my arse its bloody hilly. Had a big training day on Wednesday with early morning swim, just a timed 1.5km, with my new Aqua Sphere Seal XP Professional goggles (Thanks Brian and Josie for my birthday pressie, then drove to Winchester and once I found the Riverside Centre cycled the bike route (I think) well I did 33KM so as near as damn it. Got back home around 1600hrs and chilled until 1830hrs when I went up to Stubbington and joined the Stubbington Green Running and Athletics and joined them for a very nice 7.02km run. It was then home for tea and a warm bath and early to bed as I started my new Job at Collingwood on the Thursday Morning. Thursday was a rest day which was good as I was a bit stiff. Friday today and started with a cycle to work then a quick 20 mins in the pool 2 x 400 and 1 x 200 metres trying to get my time sorted for Sunday.

Well tomorrow is back to Eastney at 0900hrs for an open water session with Portsmouth Triathletes followed by a smally run, weather permitted I hope to cycle but the car is prepped just in case.

Will post again after the race on Sunday.

Fundraising going great with an extra £90 in the kitty this week. Thanks to all those who have supported me thus far.

Bad Run Day

The sun was out and all my chores were done, so what better than taking my nice new trainers out for a quick run. The couple of days I have had a pretty sore throat and thight chest so raising the heart rate and a bit of stressful breathing should have done the trick. It was my usual time trial of 4 mile on the flat, which is my progess marker, so timings on this run are pretty important to ensure I am maintaing my race pace. Unfortunately today my throat and breathing were causing more concern that I had hope and at about the 3 mile mark i ran out of flem and started borking.....not ideal. It was like swallowing a fly when your mouth is like sandpaper, hopefully I didn't put too many people off their drinks in the beer garden of the Golden Bowler in Stubbington. Anyway it meant I had to walk for 10 mins (on a four miler!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). There is always tomorrow and its 0900hrs at Southsea for a 1.5KM open water swim with Portsmouth Triathletes...can't wait.

Been a while

Sorry for not placing an update in a while, the first week back at work was pretty hectic, handover week and a million things to get sorted. Too many socials and rounded of the Northwoods Summer ball on the Friday....Thanks to Andy, Russ, Gaz and thier partners (our table)for making the evening very enjoyable.

Today was my first real day back at training, I even had to invest in a new pair of trainers so a trip to Alexanders Sports in Portsmouth and my old battered Nikes are destined for trainer heaven.

Cycled up to Collingwood and then did forty minutes in the Pool and cycled home. Only 21 days until I go to london so think I best step it up a gear. Keep checking and I will keep you posted.

Back from Hols

Back to reality today, landed at Gatwick at 0610 and in work for 0930hrs. Had a fantastic 10 days in Turkey managed to get plenty of time in the pool and the odd run. Weather was far too hot to go out running too often, in the high forties most days and not really cooling down in the evening. Anyway back in the real world once again and in my last week at PJHQ.

Planning on an early night tonight and catch up on some sleep big day golfing tomorrow.

Justgiving upto £219 so thanks to all for your support