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. 1st note was finding the pile of bosu balls!!! 2nd 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.
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……………………..
