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.
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.
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.
But most importantly I need to get my rest when I can. And I fully intend on doing that.