Well what a difference a week can make!
This time last week I was quite down following my performance at Blenheim. In hindsight despite a lot of work over the winter my preperation in recent weeks had been poor, and I was dissapointed not to post a competitive time.
In the week leading up to Windosr my preperation both mentally and physically was much better. I gave myself a kick up the arse and stayed off the beer for a whole week!! - In the previous week Marucs had displayed what correct preperation could achieve and whilst I wasn't expecting miracles in a week I felt more comfortable with the challenge ahead. The tri club won't have noticed but in the past month or so I have lost 10llbs which I have been hoping would make a difference in my speed an help to post a pb at windsor.
I love the windsor triathlon, it's my favourite event, over a distance that seems to suit me, and in the 4 years I have doing it the sun always shines. If you are going to arrange an event for the british summer - book it for the Windsor Triathlon weekend ... Guaranteed sunshine.
Race Day..
The day started early with a 4:00am alarm. I crept out of bed trying hard not to wake Caroline and Lewis and crept downstairs for more pre race breakfast of porride and a bannana. The next hour was spent checking, double checking, and triple checking kit against the handy race checklist Marcus had posted on the website. Caroline surfaced 10 minutes before we set off and lewis was carefully transferred from cot to car seat without any disruption.
The journey to Windsor was quiet and uneventful, and I spent most of the time walking the race through my head. I was in determined mood and promised myslef I would fiinish with nothing left in the tank. If that was not enough to post a PB and beat Marcus then I would be still be happy that I did my best.
We met up with Martin in the car park before the race. Fair play, he had left a 4:30AM driven down to Bristol to pick his young lady up and made it to Windsor just before us. Great support - Thanks Martin and I just hope you break your Tri virginity ASAP.
With plenty of time before the start I racked my bike and decided to chance the portable toilets onsite. I have to admit that this was a most unpleasant experience and it was as much as I could do not to be sick! I made the mistake of chancing it in bar foot. .... Not recommended.
Soon enough it was time to jump in the Thames and start the swim. This year it seemed to be murkier than ever and I wasn't looking forward to it. However, for the first time at Windsor I actually enjoyed the Swim. I did manage to walk 150-220m of it be hugging the far bank. perhaps it shouldn't be allowed but i was walking through the water faster than people were swimming. Bizarre. I reached the turn around bouy in good time and then got in the middle of the river and coasted down to the swim exit, trying to keeping my stroke long and relaxed.
After 28mins I was out of the water fighting to get out of my wetsuit and running to transition. T1 was uneventful and slow - i must get quicker here.
Out on the bike (my favourite discipline) I inititally felt some tightness in both of my hamstrings and at the time I wondered whether I had over done it when training with Martin over Cleeve Hill on Thursday. However, I soon got over it and got into a good rythm. On the bike to pass the time I play a sort of Cycling/Golf game where I count the number of people that overtake me againt the number I overtake. In the end I ended up at +2, a good result considering all the sexy carbon bike all around me. During the bike section as in all sections I felt myself thinking about how Marucs was getting on. My view at that point was that he would have been quicker in the swim, but by the time i got to drift road we would be level. Despite the temptation i decided to try and keep a bit back for the run as in previous years I had stuggled. I finished the bike in 1:16 - 2 minutes up on previous years which I was please with, this was despite being sent the wrong way by a policeman where I guess I lost 10 seconds or so.
T2 was a quick affair with my throwing my bike onto the rack and putting my shoes and visor on. I have learnt recently - particually on training runs with Marcus that I am not good when starting the run at a qucik pace, I need to build my heart rate up gradullay so i took it fairly easy until the start of the castle hill. I was feeling good but was expecting the wall to hit at any time. it didn't and I just felt myslef getting stronger and stronger, I can't explain why or how but it just felt that i could run forever. That's not to say that my heart was not jumping out of my chest as I crossed the finish line. I had put everything I had into it and finished in a very pleasing time of 2:28:54 a PB by almost 10mins and completley unexpected.
So next it's onto London and If I know Marcus he will be going all out to beat me once again. I wonder if we would both be as fast if we didnt have this competition between us!!
Monday, 15 June 2009
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Blenheim 2009
I guess you should never be dissapointed with a Tri finishing time. However, this is how I have felt since finishing the Blenheim Triathlon on Sunday. For many just being able to finish should be enough, but for me, 4 years into my taking part in Triathlons I feel I should be doing better. This is typical of me, I have always been very competitive and very hard on myself.
I guess my dissapointment is two fold. Firstly I am dissapointed that Marcus managed to beat me by 3mins or so. As Marcus has stated in his blog we have a friendly rivalry and like nothing better than getting one over each other in any event. At this point I should congratulate Marcus as he has clearly been training very hard and deserves his victory. Marcus - Well done. Secondly I am dissapointed that because I know I can do better. Althought my time was not bad by any standard I know with proper preperation I can be quicker than that.
To be honest my preperation has been poor, there are no shortcuts in Triathlon and to keep improving requires a greater effort each year. At Blenheim I basically got what my lifestyle and amount of training deserves.
I have had a few changes in my life this year which have meant that I have had to change my normal training routine and frequency, and in reality what with working a reasonable commute away, and wanting to spend time with Lewis, my only training oppurtunities are very early in the morning. Adding to that I must also admit that I have over indulged recently in the food and drink department.No excuses though .... I just haven't got out there and done it. I've talked the talk but havn't walked the walk. I know it's pathetic and there are more important things in life, but I feel quite depressed about it all, and it's getting to me.
On the lead up to Blenheim I realised this I was underprepared and just didn't feel good at any stage in the race. It was a real struggle and I didn't enjoy it as much as previous races.
This Sunday is my favourite race of the year at Windsor. I have competed in this race for the last 3 years and have enjoyed each one whilst managing to improve my times year on year. This year is a bit unknown. I am looking forward to it, and will as always be as competitive as possible, but in my heart of heart I don't feel in PB shape. Time will tell I guess.
I guess I must learn to cope with additional time constraints better, and find a way of juggling my interests with work, tavel and family commitments. Either that or I must win the lottery!
My problem is I just can't enjoy completing the races, my character dictates that i must be competitive, otherwise I might as well not take part.
In summary Stoddart.... get your arse in gear!
I guess my dissapointment is two fold. Firstly I am dissapointed that Marcus managed to beat me by 3mins or so. As Marcus has stated in his blog we have a friendly rivalry and like nothing better than getting one over each other in any event. At this point I should congratulate Marcus as he has clearly been training very hard and deserves his victory. Marcus - Well done. Secondly I am dissapointed that because I know I can do better. Althought my time was not bad by any standard I know with proper preperation I can be quicker than that.
To be honest my preperation has been poor, there are no shortcuts in Triathlon and to keep improving requires a greater effort each year. At Blenheim I basically got what my lifestyle and amount of training deserves.
I have had a few changes in my life this year which have meant that I have had to change my normal training routine and frequency, and in reality what with working a reasonable commute away, and wanting to spend time with Lewis, my only training oppurtunities are very early in the morning. Adding to that I must also admit that I have over indulged recently in the food and drink department.No excuses though .... I just haven't got out there and done it. I've talked the talk but havn't walked the walk. I know it's pathetic and there are more important things in life, but I feel quite depressed about it all, and it's getting to me.
On the lead up to Blenheim I realised this I was underprepared and just didn't feel good at any stage in the race. It was a real struggle and I didn't enjoy it as much as previous races.
This Sunday is my favourite race of the year at Windsor. I have competed in this race for the last 3 years and have enjoyed each one whilst managing to improve my times year on year. This year is a bit unknown. I am looking forward to it, and will as always be as competitive as possible, but in my heart of heart I don't feel in PB shape. Time will tell I guess.
I guess I must learn to cope with additional time constraints better, and find a way of juggling my interests with work, tavel and family commitments. Either that or I must win the lottery!
My problem is I just can't enjoy completing the races, my character dictates that i must be competitive, otherwise I might as well not take part.
In summary Stoddart.... get your arse in gear!
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Keeping up with the Jones's
Ok - So everyone else in the Shurdington Tri Club is blogging on here, and to be fair I am not keeping up with mine on tritalk - so lets give this a tri.
A quick introduction to me.....
I am a frustrated Triathlete(not sure what qualifies me to say the word Triathlete) but in the little spare time I have I am either training, thinking about training, or planning the next crazy challenge. I have been taking part in Triathlons for about 4 years now, and have steadily seen my times improve. I guess at some stage age will get the better of me and I will plateau, but for now I am enjoying the improvements and dreaming constantly of better things.
My strongest discipline is the bike, and therefore like most amateurs the one I seem to spend the most time doing, followed by running and then lastly my nemisis... the swim. Most of the year I maintain a general level of fitness and then normally up the training with 8 weeks to go to an event to include swimming and running. Perhaps not the best way to do it but it works for me, and helps to keep SOME of the beer belly at bay. I have major respect for those (especially the amateurs) who maintain high levels of training all year round. I just can't do it.
Recently a number of like minded friends have friends have set up a triathlon club and to be fair to the webmaster he has done a great job in creating a site which could become a great waste of time.
Anyway it's short and sweet for now, but will return with my training updates and general observations on life in due course. For the time being I am off to bed in order to try and get my backside to the pool before work tomorrow.
A quick introduction to me.....
I am a frustrated Triathlete(not sure what qualifies me to say the word Triathlete) but in the little spare time I have I am either training, thinking about training, or planning the next crazy challenge. I have been taking part in Triathlons for about 4 years now, and have steadily seen my times improve. I guess at some stage age will get the better of me and I will plateau, but for now I am enjoying the improvements and dreaming constantly of better things.
My strongest discipline is the bike, and therefore like most amateurs the one I seem to spend the most time doing, followed by running and then lastly my nemisis... the swim. Most of the year I maintain a general level of fitness and then normally up the training with 8 weeks to go to an event to include swimming and running. Perhaps not the best way to do it but it works for me, and helps to keep SOME of the beer belly at bay. I have major respect for those (especially the amateurs) who maintain high levels of training all year round. I just can't do it.
Recently a number of like minded friends have friends have set up a triathlon club and to be fair to the webmaster he has done a great job in creating a site which could become a great waste of time.
Anyway it's short and sweet for now, but will return with my training updates and general observations on life in due course. For the time being I am off to bed in order to try and get my backside to the pool before work tomorrow.
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