I've just arrived back in a grey, windy NE England from the warm, sunny beach of Alcudia, Mallorca. Packing to come home was quite demoralising, and I wondered whether it would really matter if I stayed on holiday for a few more days (or weeks?). Unfortunately money/ work and my daughters need to get back to school brought me back to reality!
Only 4 days ago, I was waking up to race morning of Ironman Mallorca 70.3. I was lucky enough to have travelled out with my husband (Paul) and daughter (Rhiannon). My plan had been to sneak out of our hotel on race morning, letting the others sleep until a more sensible hour. The plan didn't work, and Rhiannon was soon sitting down to breakfast with me. Before I left, her last comment was 'have a happy day' . . . . I thought about this comment on my walk towards the race start. During races, it's so easy to forget that we're doing this for pleasure and enjoyment. I kept reminding myself to relax and be happy during the race, and it see...Read on..>
Well, that was a nice surprise! Third Female in the ICAN Marbella triathlon overall finishing ahead of at least 3 pros, and earning prize money in the process!!
The race started just as the day dawned (literally! - glad I didn't pack my tinted goggles!). My open water swimming was pretty rusty, and my navigation around the course was not great. Despite this I felt comfortable at the exit of the swim and there were still plenty of bikes left in T1 as I left, so figured I'd swum OK. The bike had been billed as being flat, but in reality was far from it . . . . My Garmin measured 5000ft of ascent over the whole race (not sure if that is actually correct, but gives an idea!), so the gains I've made during hill sessions on the turbo really helped. I worked hard on maintaining my fluid and food intake on the bike, and felt OK heading into T2.
Onto the run, and I had little idea of my position. After about 200m of running I realised there was a mountain bike being ridden by...Read on..>
Last weeks long ride in the Northumberland hills was a suprise - 16 degrees, sunny and very little wind - felt like summer might be around the corner :-). Whilst enjoying the weather, I couldn't help thinking back to November / December 2010 when things were pretty different. Turbos in the garage were done with leggings and long sleeve top on, and digging a path through the snow from my front door to the garage was the warm up!
Luckerly it's not just the weather that has changed. Those turbo sessions were tough at the time, but looking back now, I know what a difference they have made to my cycling power. Hills seem so much easier this year compared to last, and seeing my husband cling to my back wheel for grim death during our rides together has been amusing - Last year it would have been me doing the clinging on! My running has also come on a lot - I can even say I'm looking forward to the run section of my races this year, rather than dreading it!
After pretty cons...Read on..>
Thought I'd use my first blog to introduce myself, since many of you won't know who on earth I am! . . . . Well, I live in Northumberland - about 30miles north of Newcastle, and have been coached by Fiona since September 2010. Due to my location, I haven't attended any of the swim sessions or coaching days in London, but did venture down south for the team triathlon event in Milton Keynes just 1 week into my coaching program.
During the 2010 season, I was planning my own training with the aim of completing my first Ironman in Nice. I had a surprise with a great performance for me in the Lisbon Triathlon in April, and then began wondering whether I'd be able to complete the ironman in under 12 hours . . . . . . . Lets just say it didn't work out as planned . . . . . A good swim and bike, but not enough fluids/ nutrition, led to a 26mile walk rather than run. I finished, but not quite as I'd hoped.
Looking towards the 2011 season, I know I'm much fitter than I was this...Read on..>
