I just found an old blog from my 3rd ever triathlon back in 2006. It brought back some good memories and, before I start racing again this season, reminded me about the buzz of a race.

London Triathlon (1500m swim, 40km cycle, 10km run) - August 2006

Beep, beep, BEEP, BEEP... Oh my god it's early, 4am and time to get up for breakfast.
So tired.
Porridge, bananas and honey – the breakfast of Paula Radcliffe… the breakfast of champions (I hope).
Check the kit (again). It’s all there. Let's go.

05:10: Pull into London Excel car park (after only a couple of wrong turns at the diversion signs) - it's already getting busy. ID check, helmet check, put the bike on the rack, lay out the kit for a couple of quick, I hope, transitions. Another, last minute and hopefully final, toilet stop - nothing like a last minute panic to get the adrenalin flowing.

06:15: It's swim briefing time. 200+ under 29s huddled together in a corner (sweating buck...Read on..>

I don’t know about you, but my attitude to training seems to operate in upward or downward spirals. It’s easy to stay motivated in between races during the season but, once September comes along, it’s just too easy to get lazy, miss the odd session and go out for dinner and drinks instead. The evenings draw in, it gets cold and dark and I know the next session will hurt more because I missed the last one… I miss that one too… and so the downward spiral begins. Before I know it it’s the New Year and I’ve had a three month break.

It’s tough to break the cycle and to get the feeling of improvement again. I’m glad to say that after just a few weeks in 2012 I’m back on track. I’m surprised how quickly my fitness and weight are back to reasonable levels. The first few weeks in January were hard but the start to this year has seemed easier than before. A few things have helped get my mind in gear and motivated me to get off the sofa or out of bed even when it is cold and dark:Read on..>