2018 - the return to Ironman Austria

The second half of the week was a bit quieter so able to get do training.  Thursday was WRR night, running with group 4 - still not ready to try group 3.  A large group headed off to run round Delapre Lake so more trail then road for the speed sessions.  The emphasis was on a series of 1minute, 2minute and 1.5minute fast sessions that were modified to fit in with the path where it was often narrow and poor running surface.  It was a good evening session in good running weather.  Total session time of 1hour 9'11" covering 7.23miles with an average HR of 143bpm. Friday was an easy run and swim day.  I didn't jump out of bed in the morning so I went for a run when I got home from work before swimming.  It was one of those slow runs with the emphasis on keeping the HR low.  I ran for 45'01" covering 4.16miles at a 10'46" per mile pace.  My average HR was 122bpm with 80% in Z1 so well on target.  I do not really enjoy these runs as they are ...

The week has not gone to plan, that is trainig and work, but never mind as I now ave the official photos from Austria - see Facebook. Monday was the normal Pilate's except we went into the larger studio to get some air-conditioning.  Not sure if it was the change of room but it felt harder with the easier option being taken more than I would like.  Still, it is supposed to be doing some good. Tuesday was a double session day although instead of the early morning run I stopped in bed a bit linger and went at lunchtime just after it had stopped raining.  I ran from Esporta as I thought it was going to be raining and I could go on the treadmill, however it stopped as I was driving there so I went for an open air run - much better.  I ran for 45'22" covering 4.89miles.  It was supposed to be an easy run with a low HR.  It felt like an easy run but the second half had some high HR readings so I gave run and ran comfortably.  The evening was a trip to Box...

A very different training weekend as it coincided with my birthday on Friday and the Ironman55 double celebration on Saturday.  I had the day off work on Friday so I had a lie-in and didn't go swimming until 7.30am although in reality I was awake earlier but forced myself to go later as it was my birthday.  I completed a drills progression session working on my stroke with sets of single arm, catch up and fist drills.  The first drills session for some time but part of my plan for the winter to improve my swimming - mind you that was my plan for last winter!  I swam for 57'06" covering 1840m in a series drill sets, mind you I still 'cheat' in the kicking sets using fins otherwise I would get nowhere. A planned gym session on Friday didn't happen as I was shopping and then went out for a birthday meal. The Saturday ride didn't happen, I was planning to go but the reality of getting ready for the party that night meant I had to go shopping and do tidying up ...

The heavy rain at 7pm wasn't promising but it had stopped by 7.30pm, good news. I arrived just in time as I had been trying to find my photograph as I was leaving the swim in Austria so I could buy my photos - I gave up as I couldn't find my picture - I will in future make sure I am wearing some thing distinctive on my wetsuit. The run was with Group 3 - thanks to Bob. Hill session in the pocket park tonight - different park to last week but the same idea of running between benches fast and slow.  I ran for 1hour 4'43" covering 6.26miles.  My average HR was 138bpm with HR levels across each zone. A good session. It will be a few more weeks before I train with group 3 - will try when I have returned from holiday

Headed out to join the club ride tonight - nice and bright if a little windy. I was cutting the time a bit tight to get the community centre for 6pm but it was OK with only a small group with Andrey, Steve and another.  We took a few minutes to decide where we were heading but set off towards Hartwell to follow the cycle route to Haversham and then headed towards the Newport Pagnell road.  When we reached the road, I turned back to Northampton and the others went the other way.  The ride had been faster than what I wanted to do, I was holding off the rear so I decided to cut the ride short and then I could ride home at my own pace. I rode for 1 hour 43'58" covering 29.99miles averaging 17.3mph - I told you it was faster then normal!  The height gain was 550m, my average cadence was 78rpm, with a high HR average of 146bpm.  The HR still had lots of spurious spikes although I was working harder tonight to keep up with the others.  I will have to work harder ...

I went on the WRR Sunday run.  It felt cool to start with and plenty of cloud but it quickly warmed up with the sun coming out.  The run started from Spratton Road car park on the Brampton Railway line.  The first few miles were nearly flat with an opportunity for an easy paced run and a good opportunity to chat. The run up to Lamport was as ever a challenge up the hill but after that it got easier as it was on the flat or downhill.  The last 2 miles back along the railway line were ran at a fast pace, I felt good and just went with those running faster.  I ran for 1hour 36'04" covering 10.17miles at an average pace of 9'24" per mile but that also included the pauses for regrouping. Monday turned into a busy day with no time for a training session.  Monday evening was a WRR Race Committee meeting giving an opportunity to review where we are with the Blisworth 5m on Friday August 6th. I was up early on Tuesday for an easy swim.  The outside pool was c...

A busy Friday at work meant it was a bit of a rush so we didn't get our normal Friday pre-swim visit to Tesco. Swimming was quiet with only 7 people there, tattoo problems and holidays reducing numbers.  I shared a lane with Mark, we swam the same session but he was quicker.  I swam 2,000m in 58'09" including 200m warm up, 400m full stroke, then 2x200m, 6x100m, 6x50m, finishing with 100m coll down. I was up early Saturday, weather not to bad with some sun, cloud and light winds.  I joined the WRR group for the Hanslope, Deanshanger, Whittlebury loop.  The ride was mostly leisurely, with lots of chat about races planned and recent.  Jamie confirmed that he had entered IM Austria for 2011, looking for a better time as he will be not be recovering from a knee operation.  I was out for 2hours 17'40" covering 34.71miles averaging 15.4mph with an average HR of 136bpm.  It was a good ride, I felt good, the bike was working well.  I will have to put the ...

I have felt more tired this week than last week, perhaps the adrenalin rush has died down and normality is returning.  I have a training plan but I am not following it fully. I was up early on Tuesday for an easy swim.  I swam for 32'49" covering 1120m swimming 5x200m sets with full stroke, pull buoy and paddles.  It was more than enough after which I felt good to be able to stretch out in the pool - a lot better than the session on Friday.  I went and visited the venue for my daughter's wedding in the evening - it looks good, especially like that the whole site will be 'ours' for the weekend so no pressure on time even though the wedding ceremony will be at 11am as the registrar is already booked for other times. I was planning to go on the club bike ride on Wednesday but after an early start to go to London for the day and then relaxing on the train on the way home I decided not to bother and had a rest day. Thursday was to be a normal WRR session, exc...

The weekend gave an opportunity for a bike and run for pleasure not training for the IM or anything else for that matter.  The weather on Saturday morning was bright and sunny, just ideal for an easy ride and then someone suggested going via Weedon - a big hill for Northamptonshire on route so not so easy after all.  It was a larger WRR group with the return of the IM crew and others riding out as well. I was out for 2hours covering 30 miles with an average of 15mph.  It was a different ride as well on my Trek bike rather than the tri-bike, it felt different so I will be looking at some of the set up to ensure I get the best of both bikes. Saturday was a continuation of the IM celebration with a visit up town to get the IM tattoo sorted - a bit of faffing but once we had an appointment sorted it was a fun experience with the Emma, Jamie, Dave and Caroline - we all had different tattoos but on the same theme!  Then off to the Malt Shovel for a few beers in the e...

The year it took from my race entry to race day seemed to have rushed by.  The initial excitement of entry, the desire to do well but it was much more than I had done before, but when and how to start let alone finish my training.  This blog reflects some of that journey.  The last few days started with the flight to Klagenfurt - Ryanair did well, they got the bike there in one piece and on time.  Getting the bikes from the airport took 2 taxi's and some queue tactics. It wasn't long before all of us were at the hotel - Nicki and Phil, Emma and Steve, Cath and I - Anna and Jamie with Caroline and Dave were at the Nirvana site and we would catch up with them tomorrow. The hotel was good although some air conditioning would have been welcome. Friday was race registration day and familiarisation.  Frustrating queue for registration at many desks but soon over and then into the car with Nicki driving and Emma for a drive round the bike course.  It was good to...