So it may have been 4 weeks since my last post, but its not because nothing has been going on. Quite the opposite in fact which is partly the reason for this update being so delayed.
First of all, there have still been plenty of races going on, with last weekend being my only weekend off from some form of competitive action since my season started proper at the beginning of March and What a thankful rest it was. Yes I was chomping at the bit to get out there and do something while others were lining up and racing locally but I haad to reign it in. I have found that I don't do rest very well. Well, not 'rest' per say, I mean a break from racing due to the stacked schedule I have had thus far and the four 'A' races that I have to come over the coming weeks.
I had to completely detach myself away from any racing that was going on and concentrate on myself and the family, after all they are the ones who allow this all to happen. I've thanked them all before on a number of occasions, but I'm sure a lot of you will relate to this when I say, if it wasn't for them this truly would not all be possible. I am so lucky I have a wife who takes an active interest in my sport and the achievements, maybe this is because she has known me through my lowest time and seen the improvements that I have made to myself, my life, my body and my fitness in only a matter of a couple of years. Or maybe its just because she has no choice!!! I JOKE before you all go out and start burning your bras about that comment.
The weekend started grand with a nice forced two hour turbo session! Now this was due to be a long ride outside over the hills but unpredictable north east weather conditions put a stop to that, and with Charlotte away with Freya for a few hours, I cranked the thermostat up to over 25, brought the turbo in the living room and got stuck in to a bit of Bikram Turbo in preparation for Turkey.
First of all, there have still been plenty of races going on, with last weekend being my only weekend off from some form of competitive action since my season started proper at the beginning of March and What a thankful rest it was. Yes I was chomping at the bit to get out there and do something while others were lining up and racing locally but I haad to reign it in. I have found that I don't do rest very well. Well, not 'rest' per say, I mean a break from racing due to the stacked schedule I have had thus far and the four 'A' races that I have to come over the coming weeks.
I had to completely detach myself away from any racing that was going on and concentrate on myself and the family, after all they are the ones who allow this all to happen. I've thanked them all before on a number of occasions, but I'm sure a lot of you will relate to this when I say, if it wasn't for them this truly would not all be possible. I am so lucky I have a wife who takes an active interest in my sport and the achievements, maybe this is because she has known me through my lowest time and seen the improvements that I have made to myself, my life, my body and my fitness in only a matter of a couple of years. Or maybe its just because she has no choice!!! I JOKE before you all go out and start burning your bras about that comment.
The weekend started grand with a nice forced two hour turbo session! Now this was due to be a long ride outside over the hills but unpredictable north east weather conditions put a stop to that, and with Charlotte away with Freya for a few hours, I cranked the thermostat up to over 25, brought the turbo in the living room and got stuck in to a bit of Bikram Turbo in preparation for Turkey.
The weekend also saw the Coalfields Race Team gang venture out into the open water again at Hetton Pond for the second time this season. Aye it was pretty cold. It was pretty murky, and it was like a sea due to the bad weather we had had all that day. Fun though nonetheless, as always.
Race Update - My last race update was probably one of the most difficult in terms of having to relive the experience of racing through illness on a race that I was targeting to perform quite well in. I had been racing well all season so far and then sickness the night before Stockton meant that I shouldn't have raced but I did anyway. It was an experience to say the least. The following week saw me coming back to my usual self, lining up alongside a good friend from Liverpool Stuart Whitelaw and a large contingency of my Coalfields Race Team pals at the Durham Duathlon, who I must add, are all absolutely fantastic and the spirit that they are showing for the club, for racing, and for each other makes this truly a great team to be a part of. Having a sense of belonging and attachment, I strongly believe spurs each other on to bigger and better things. Success breeds success and that is a feeling that is being felt throughout our team, that's for sure.
A quick trail run to begin is not exactly my idea of a perfect course but it was fun, I was up near the front of the pack with the usual suspects, trying to stave off Elliot and keep Gary Wilson in my sights. I'd never raced this race before but had been told I would like it! Oh how very wrong you were ha ha, I was passed by Elliot early on during the bike leg and along with 1st place and Phil Addyman, they were not to be seen again. Undulating became ingrained in my head as a different definition from then on with me struggling with the hill at the back end of the course, but the choice of disc wheel was probably the right one when it came down to the return leg. I maintained 4th place throughout the run probably gaining but with to much to do to even consider being in contention for the podium fight.
Race Update - My last race update was probably one of the most difficult in terms of having to relive the experience of racing through illness on a race that I was targeting to perform quite well in. I had been racing well all season so far and then sickness the night before Stockton meant that I shouldn't have raced but I did anyway. It was an experience to say the least. The following week saw me coming back to my usual self, lining up alongside a good friend from Liverpool Stuart Whitelaw and a large contingency of my Coalfields Race Team pals at the Durham Duathlon, who I must add, are all absolutely fantastic and the spirit that they are showing for the club, for racing, and for each other makes this truly a great team to be a part of. Having a sense of belonging and attachment, I strongly believe spurs each other on to bigger and better things. Success breeds success and that is a feeling that is being felt throughout our team, that's for sure.
A quick trail run to begin is not exactly my idea of a perfect course but it was fun, I was up near the front of the pack with the usual suspects, trying to stave off Elliot and keep Gary Wilson in my sights. I'd never raced this race before but had been told I would like it! Oh how very wrong you were ha ha, I was passed by Elliot early on during the bike leg and along with 1st place and Phil Addyman, they were not to be seen again. Undulating became ingrained in my head as a different definition from then on with me struggling with the hill at the back end of the course, but the choice of disc wheel was probably the right one when it came down to the return leg. I maintained 4th place throughout the run probably gaining but with to much to do to even consider being in contention for the podium fight.
Following Durham, Darlington Rotary Tri was the first triathlon of the season for most of the North East beginning with a pool sprint swim a fast, 2lap, out and back bike course and fast flat run all on closed roads. This was going to be a great test as to where I am currently at going into my season proper. Training had all been going well and had not been altered due to staying away with work quite a bit. I managed to continue on through and remain consistent. I was taking no risks on the bike route this time, on a discipline that is probably my strongest of the three, I was aiming to get this one just right. Driving the course the week before allowed me to understand it in great detail knowing where the pot holes were and any difficult corners to contend with. But it wasn't the bike where my great advantages lay this time round but team mates again on the swim and run. Being a pool swim we were staggered starting and approaching my turn for final 100m, Jenn Batey was just pushing off the wall to start. I was knack erred and starting to die but managed to get onto her feet and push on through until the end of the swim. This could have been a hugely influential outcome on the race result by the end. After a very strong bike leg recording the fastest split, it was out on the run. I started off later than him but in the distance I could see another team mate Michael Lavender. He hasn't been well recently but raced on through like me two weeks ago, but for me it was still like a carrot being dangled in front of my nose. I ran strong, I caught him and as I went past encouraged to stay with me, but I was strong even managing a sprint finish. 1st place, ahead of the young racing snakes on the talent squad was an awesome result and a beautiful trophy to go with it.
Then finally, 2 weeks ago Cleveland Sprint. Another race and another podium. 3rd place this time, I struggled in the swim lining up alongside James Wilson. I always say to myself to swim my own swim but I can't help it, I went off to hard, I faded and as we were in the final wave setting off, I came out of the water with no one behind me only the field ahead to attack. I got into my rhythm on the bike and let my legs do the work. It was hard, I caught all my wave, only just getting to James at T2. This proved to much for me, I'd worked so hard I had nothing. I tried to stay with him which I did for all of a mile I'd say then it was a matter of doing all I could to the finish. Damage limitation. I was overtaken with about 800 to go and couldn't hang on but knew I had raced well. Another strong field stacked with Coalfields Athletes was great to see.
Now for my A game. This is what I've been training for. The coming weeks see me travelling to Grendon Lakes this weekend for a 2014 euro champ qualifier, next weekend is the National sprint champs and London world champs qualifier in Nottingham before flying out to the Euros in Turkey.
Now for my A game. This is what I've been training for. The coming weeks see me travelling to Grendon Lakes this weekend for a 2014 euro champ qualifier, next weekend is the National sprint champs and London world champs qualifier in Nottingham before flying out to the Euros in Turkey.
On my return we have the North East Relay champs followed by and other crack at world champ qualification on the Great Orme in Llandudno. It's going to be hectic, it's going to be fast, the swimming is certainly going to be furious but I'm ready for it. I'm feeling strong and I've been going well. Mentally I need to be in the zone.
But most importantly I need to get my rest when I can. And I fully intend on doing that.
But most importantly I need to get my rest when I can. And I fully intend on doing that.