2018 - the return to Ironman Austria

Well what a week.  A big, non-triathlon, race day on Saturday. The week started as it should do on my plan with a tri.somi swim squad - recovery swim, as Monday is the rest day!  It's Monday so it's drills, although this week Gavin had a twist, swim stroke play.  So a 2000m swim session in the bank, some work on my stroke and ready to head back into work after the Christmas break.  Only problem, the schools, college  and university are now back so a slow journey home, lots of traffic.  My evening was Yoga with Josie, only problem I'd forgotten it was an early start this week so I arrived 15 minutes late - not a calming start, straight into the more challenging poses.  Never mind, I had relaxed into my inner yogi by the end. I'm now into the pattern so Tuesday started with a spin class at Virgin.  An hour, including the add-on for extra warm-up and coll down.  I worked a bit harder than last week pushing into HR Z4 for a few minutes and ha...

My first week of my training plan from Gavin Prior, tri.somi for 2018 is now complete.  A funny week as it included New Years Day, a social ride with friends, so lets start with January 2nd. Tuesday 2nd January It was a shock as the alarm clock went off at 6am, time to get sorted and to the gym (Virgin Active, Collingtree, Northampton) for a spin class starting at 6.45am.  It's a regular class I attend, I never regard it as a hard class, I tend to focus on a gentle build of the HR up to low Z3.  I follow the instructions from the trainer, but keep full control of my intensity of work.  I try to arrive at least 5 minutes early so I can get started on a warm up early, and normally add-on at the end to reach an hour's workout - today I only completed 55 mins total.  It was a low energy class from the trainer, and only a few present - the New Year's rush didn't bring people to the class. I'm a regular runner with the Piddington - Salcey Forest group.  Duri...

I guess it's now getting serious.  So far my training has been more of the same, a mixture of swim, bike, run as well as S&C.  This is all about my base, but also about enjoying the end of the year, reviewing 2017, and getting ready to start the training proper! However, when it comes to my training, it is always complicated by multiple objectives.  My first such event is on the 13th January, the Country to Capital Ultra - 42.5 miles, mainly off road although 20 miles is on canal towpath.  This has meant that during December I have fitted in some long runs and back-to-back longer runs.  For example, a fantastic 20 mile run mainly off road from Yardley Hastings to Piddington on December 28th - very cold, with hard frozen ground, and bright sunshine. Bike rides have been more difficult, the weather conditions have not been good, snow, rain and ice on to many days.  I have spent some time on the spin bikes at the gym to compensate, in part. So what h...

 Setting the scene.  The house looked good, fresh snow falling, all quiet.  Nothing better than fresh snow to frame a scene.  What a weekend of running. Perhaps not in the training plan, but as I haven't got one yet, that's OK. The highlight today, Sunday, was the heavy overnight snow.  What an opportunity to get out and enjoy a run in fresh snow.  I headed out with Graham Tee at 9am and we covered over 10 miles, a bit of road, lots of off-road, including the canal bank.  Good loop from West Hunsbury, Collingtree and Blisworth before heading back home. And the day before, Saturday, heading out with the runandabun collective, for our regular Saturday 'winter' run.  The day started very cold -2C, bright sunshine and light winds.  We set off from Castle Ashby, headed across the fields to Cogenhoe, then along the Nene Way and back via Grendon.  The ground was frozen, the sun was warming, the wind sharp.  What did I gain fro...

As I think about 2018, I have decided I will try and start blogging again.  When I did my first Ironman in 2010 I wrote a blog most days - short and long.  Since then I have lost the habit, this is an attempt to document my preparations for 2018, not just for IM Austria but the whole season.  There are aspects that I have yet to decide, but the headlines are clear. My 'A' race is Ironman Austria on Sunday 1st July.  This will be my third visit to Klagenfurt.  Again I will be going with Cath, my wife, and many friends from Wootton Road Runners.  It should be a fantastic experience.  I have a few other events planned for the year.  I will start with an Ultra, my passion for running is not diminished and so early in the year on January 13th I will compete in the County to Capital 45, from Wendover to Paddington.  I have won my Age Group for the last 2 years so going back for a hat trick. I somehow have a place in the London Marathon on Apr...

The last time I updated my blog as when I got back from the 2010 New York Marathon.  I have decided to start updating it again on an occaisonal basis as I have today entered IM Lanzarote.  Mind you I have a few other dates to achieve first, the most important is my daughter's wedding on the 10th September.