The Journey to Becoming British Champion 2015

So yesterday was the Sprint Distance Triathlon British Championships 2015, and this evening I’m stuck to the sofa with a meerkat grin – I am British Champion?!!! 

It’s been a very strange few months. Starting the year all my plans were in place and the training set. (I know organised or what!) Yet as I learnt years ago, it does not always go to plan – It’s not about how hard you fall but how you get back up.

To say I’ve hit many hurdles would not even scrape the surface. Moving to a new location and job was

tough and with nowhere to live for the first 6weeks I was driving a 4hour round trip on top of 10hour days. I was exhausted, I could fit in a run along the canal or a turbo session but it very quickly became about quality not quantity. And ensuring I had enough sleep to make the round trip each day. It was so hard not being able to train how I would like and most days I wanted to head south back to the old job, old life – but that would have been the easy option, the get out of jail free card. That’s just not my style; the best things in life don’t come easy and to now be surrounded by this amazing playground full of hills and much better facilities. I know it was a big jump on my own but a brilliant opportunity to better myself, an opportunity that offered again I would still jump at. 

 

As I started to settle the worst was far from over. Finding myself heading back into training and getting into a routine I was ready to hit it hard knowing that I still had 6 weeks till I would be at the start line in St Neots! That’s when injury struck, and not liking to do things by half I found myself with 3 injuries!!! Achilles, shin, loss of feeling in foot…………………..where to start?!! Not knowing the area didn’t make it easy to find a phyio. So on recommendation from Craig Lane and Paul I was Hull bound to see Kris Lecher. Kris who is an incredible runner, was amazing. It didn’t take him long to work out what was wrong and give me the treatment/programme to follow to get back to fitness. This coupled with the amazing KT tape which although sometimes I felt I wasn’t quite pulling of the multi-coloured patchwork look, meant I could get myself back into training.

So there I was 4 weeks to go, would I even make the start line? Well let’s be honest pulling out is just not me, I knew in myself that I had to make it! It’s part of my goal which I set myself at the end of last year. The goal to become British, European and World Champion in 2015, not starting the British Championships was not an option. I had to give it my all…..

So that is exactly what I did, food planned, session planned I hit the ground running and didn’t stop. Finding the best way to fit in the training around work was a massive breakthrough for me (that coupled with afternoon naps!!!) Mixing up last year’s training with what I had learnt about ensuring quality sessions – training smart!

I soon started to feel and see improvement, still not at my best I knew I was heading in the right direction.

A quick trip to Watch Paul compete out in Madrid at the European Duathlon (apparently the official bag carrier – ya right haha!!!) made me feel excited about the year ahead, It was strange to be a supporter for once, but brilliant be able to watch/shout/show my awful camera skills!! He had a brilliant result coming 12^th and being the 6^th Brit was massive improvement on last year, showing just how much the winter training has paid off. Still only getting stronger all the time, he totally smashed it! Also a massive well done to Craig who was also competing from my adoptive club Humber Triathletes.

Heading home I was excited, with 5days planned to be in the south I had been looking forward to it for weeks. It would be 5days of racing, training, sleeping and spending time with family/friends. With how much I had missed home and it now being over 2months since I had seen the crazy Siobhan – running/baking Friday had to be on the to do list.

I’ve never missed home like this before, being away had never bothered me, yet this time was different. Going for a Friday evening run with Siobhan felt brilliant – she is such a talented rower, so strong, just remember to believe in yourself, your body will do anything that your mind tells it to do.

The days spent training was brilliant it was like being back as a full time rower, days planned to ensure I had enough rest ready to kill the next session there were 2 key lessons:

1.       I used to think there were hills in the South – this is a lie!!! Having spent months in the Yorkshire hills (which are practically mountains!!) I realise just how lucky I am to get to push myself on difficult hills several times a week.

2.       The lakes in the South are much colder than the North! Having jumped in the 10.5 c southern lake, it was like heaven coming North and getting into 11c – practically bath temperature! Learnt my lesson this too when hanging up my wetsuit to dry I steered clear of the toilet seat – got a few funny looks trying to explain how I ended up in a heap in the bath last year!

I also completed my first cat race – what fun!! But so very tactical, being used to just pushing yourself constantly over a course – finding myself on the circuit was strange. And I learnt my lesson! Spending time on the front attacking as I was getting bored drafting at the back meant that there was not enough left in the tank for the sprint finish leaving me in 6^th. Still a brilliant experience and the first of many I’m sure!

Returning back to the North I knew my fitness was coming back and I was heading in the right direction although I now only had 1 week to go. The question was how much taper do I need……………..?!

Having gone to a few of Jonny Davis circuit classes I had decided that he would be the perfect person to have as a PT. Wanting to mix it up a bit and needed a hand to build my strength, I had my 1^st PT session booked for the Monday (yes the Monday before Brit Champs – nutter!!) I know I had just asked to be totally beasted! Push me as hard as you can and I will work my arse off……..And it didn’t disappoint. Finishing the session having learnt to box jump I was so excited to open 220 to see that box jumps was in there as a much do exercise! Hardly able to move that evening I could not wait till the next session, so much so that I decided to go again on Wednesday! It was even awesome! I loved every second of the session. It hurt so much with the combination of different exercises I left feeling like I had a brilliant work out. Something so satisfying about pushing your body to its limits and beyond, completing exercises and lifting weights that you didn’t think were possible! It was better than I could have imagined – must apologise for my endless amount of sweat though!!!

 

Yet leaving the gym I knew I needed to focus, with only 4 days to go, taper was now the key ensuring I allowed my body to recover, eat well, sleep well all of this would be key leading into the event. Taper although very short went well, wiggle did well out of it with the extra time on my hands! Even had time to make my sugar free coconut oil flapjacks!

Despite a bit of an eventful drive down to the British Championships we still managed to registered and drive around the bike course, although come halfway in all I could think about was tea and sleep!!  This meant I was so grateful when we hit Waitrose and stocked up on butternut squash couscous. Fuelling up in the hotel ready for the morning, I sorted my tri bag, pumped up my tyres and checked that the breaks weren’t left on – I was not going to make that mistake again! Then headed for some shut eye.

The morning felt strange first race of the season I think. The plan - go give it everything that I can at this point in time, push myself as hard as possible and see what the result says…..

So this is what I did, pushed myself though out!! And getting back into transition following a brown water fisty cuffs swim and the undulating bike course. I knew I still had my bike legs in me as I looked around there were no other bikes back yet!  The run was hard, but I had the determination to keep pushing forward and through to the end, never focusing on more than the next step.

Crossing the line I was empty, I knew I had given it everything every part of me hurt – a lot! Although I know I’m not at my best it has given me a brilliant bench mark to now go and improve upon. With the addition of British Champion title I’ve achieved goal 1 and am now finding myself back on track, more determined than ever.

There were many other brilliant results that day with many of the guys qualifying for Chicago, including Alice and Paul, 4 Months now to be at our best and go kick some butt!!!! 

So what’s next………..

I now get 2 months to get my head down and train hard ready for the Europeans, the goal to become champion. To do this I know I’m going to have to give it my all and train to improve upon the person I was the day before.

To mix it up a bit I’m going to be competing in Time Trails over the next couple of months. Including the Tour of Cambridgeshire where the first 25% get qualification for the UCI worlds in Belgium, followed by the national Time Trial Championships in Lincolnshire. Waiting for the latest member of the family to arrive – feel like a kid in the run up to Christmas!

I’m going to keep training with Jonny anything workout that leaves you feeling so sore, yet stronger at the same time could not be left out – plus it’s so much fun!! The variation of exercises and high intensity is perfect – I don’t have to think just get my head down and push the limits! Awesome PT! And the proof is in the pudding, following a totally mental high intensity arm session and a mental circuit class I’ve managed to swim my fastest 100m in 6months. My arms were screaming, yet felt so strong at the same time and you can’t argue with 10*100m off 1.25’s!

I’m very lucky to have had the support that I’ve had over the last few months. Paul my partner has been by my side through it all and helped to get me back on track. With our competitive spirit together we always find each other comparing sessions and pushing each other forward. He is a total nutter too, who has seen big improvements this year. Must bike faster – can’t have him getting away! Cant wait to be able to compete with him in Geneva and Chicago 😃

I also have the amazing role model the hardest working person I’ve ever met – he has taught me that you never give up and when it starts to hurt you just push harder. Hard work is always worth it in the end, I got my determined attitude from him!! Plus with that I have 5brilliant brothers and a nutty sister all of which are excelling it their own way whether that is in sport or academically. All working hard to be the best they can be and that is exactly what I’m going for, there is always something that you can improve upon and I plan to keep pushing the limits to become stronger, fitter and faster than yesterday………

I would also like to say thank you to TU Wheels, Torq Fitness and Royal Mail for the continued support which is helping to make this all possible. The the travel and equipment to be able to compete come at quite a cost and I'm currently looking for sponsors to in my run upto Europeans, Worlds and beyond. Any one interested in supporting my journey towards Europeans and Worlds this year can contact me through the online form on here.

Onwards and upwards………………..

Life in the Fast Lane - Tough days only make you Stronger!

It’s been a strange couple month, life is totally different and as I start to settle into being a northerner there is no time to stand still. The race season is fast approaching and before I know it I will be pulling on the wetsuit – floating at the start line waiting for the GO….!

I can’t wait for the triathlon races to start again, it’s the thrill of pushing yourself to the  limits seeing how far you can go and what results I can produce that has kept the motivation and determination going throughout the cold dark winter months.

For the first few weeks the commute was hard travelling 2hours each way to get to work on top of 10 hour days I had to make the most of the little time I had - . Running from the office has taken me to some beautiful places with amazing views and loads of hills to train on! I would also be getting in the pool on the way home and spending hours on the turbo. I soon realised that it would be all about the quality not quantity as the rest and recovery had become even more important.

This didn’t last too long and as the light at the end of the tunnel appeared in terms of a local place to live and I started to settle into my new role at work it was time to head off for a week of cycling in Mallorca. My nutty partner had been there last year and gained so much from the weeks training so I was so very excited. The thought of spending everyday training and climbing the mountains reminded me of the times I spent on training camps back in my rowing days. Time not to think about anything apart from the training.

Out there we had brilliant weather – only one rain day and with Chris guiding us around different rides each day I pushed myself up each climb – they were all so much fun in their own ways! But the more challenging part for me was the descents but with the constant switch backs it was hard not to improve! I’m no expert but as I made my way day hitting 68kph I knew I had made a break though.

The other part with really helped push me forward was the competitive nature when put next to Paul we race!! And with him coming past me on a flat I only wanted to push forward and get the lead again. He’s always pushing me to improve and had been a definite help and reason why I feel I made massive gains over the week. There was a couple of sessions where we practiced for the 2UP with the through and off. We were flying on a bike we a very close and pushing each other forward and working together.

Coming back I’m starting to hit the training hard but can see that the hard month of travelling has made me much smarter with training/rest/recovery. I’m starting to ramp up for the race season so am introducing sprints and ensuring I get plenty of afternoon naps as well as increasing my protein intact and using compression wear. I’m finding all of this is helping me make the most of my training and with my times improving I’m feeling stronger. I’m not peaking yet and I don’t want too, with the main races not for another 4 months I’m very focused on my goals!

Joining the new gym was like finding heaven! On a recommendation I went to see the pure gym in town. 1^st note was finding the pile of bosu balls!!! 2^nd note was finding the huge mental frame work where I can play TRX! It’s just like a giant playground and open 24hours a day with loads of circuit sessions has meant building up the core and strength work fits in easily around work, recovery and the rest of training.

Finding routine again had been a challenge, with a new job nothing is simple! Yet slowly I feel like I’m starting to get there as I get use to the pool timetable – it’s no longer just turn up and go!! But spending my first day with my own lane I think I’m getting an understanding of the quite times now!

I’ve now done a couple of duathlon races, and I’ve decided I defiantly prefer to swimming even with the rounds of fisty cuffs which take place at the start!

The first was the Firemans 2up where I could not go any further that 20m apart from my partner Paul Clucas! Lucky he was there really! On a very challenging course which saw 6 k runs off road where you were either going up or down followed by a very winding hilly bike course, I saw myself pick up an injury within the first 2k of the run. Undeterred I wanted to finish and having picked out our main competitors I knew we were neck and neck coming off the first run onto the bike. A battle the whole way around but knowing that we had come off the bike first and had a good minute on our closest competitor helped me push on! Not sure just how far we won by but it felt great to have our first race together as a victory, an awesome start to the year and a brilliant way to brush off the cobwebs.  Jumping on the physio table straight after main all the difference too, he was brilliant and defiantly reduced the impact it could have had.

This meant I was still able to race at Clumber Park, with it not being a main event for me and after the week before I decided to use it as a training session. It was brilliant, I’m still not a duathlon fan, but running out of T1 with my bike and jumping on – I felt graceful! Well more than ever before! I even managed it in reverse coming into T2, didn’t go falling over nor did I run into anyone else! Plus as an added bonus I’ve now qualified for both the World and European Duathlon Championships. Should make for a very busy yet exciting 12 months.

I would also like to say a massive thank you to my sponsor TU Wheels. These are handbuild carbon wheels made in my new home county of Yorkshire. They really are a quality wheel, plus sound amazing as you ride along! Their website is (http://tuwheels.co.uk/)

Still I can't wait for the first triathlon of the season - a race should start with a swim!

Onwards and Upwards……………………..