I said I would so review I shall.

Note to self (and anyone reading), I said I would be positive about my achievements or some such nonsense, if I don’t sound super stoked about some part of the event, can we all just assume that I am being positive really?

Race 1:

Challenge Weymouth (the 1/2 version)

Times:

• Total - 6:21:25
• Swim - 48:27
• T1 - 06:15
• Bike -  3:16:29
• T2 - 02.24
• Run - 2:07:48

The Swim from hell.

Well, I think that really says all I want to say about the swim. It was bloody horrendous and just plain unpleasant. I have never swum in the sea for a race and have to admit I was kind of looking forward to it, just for the experience if nothing else, However the swell was unto 3-4 foot at times and sighting was a killer. In the end I was just happy to get out in one piece and be able to make amends on the bike. On a more positive note, my time was the same as last years and considering the  conditions I think that I count that as a win. It’s also important to note that it’s not just me saying that it was a rough swim, the Pros we not fans either, here is Nikki Bartlett's view of the swim.

So what did I learn? I need to look at what i am swimming in Lake, Sea, pool etc and make sure i have trained in it. i need to work on my sighting and finally i did to much breaststroke in this race and with a pace of 2.21/100m i really should have done better.

The ride

So the bike is where i saw the biggest improvement, not only was i quicker over all but i came off it feeling good. the ride it self was rolling with a few short sharp hills but noting that would offend. i kept and average speed of 27kph and cadence of 72rpm both of which are OK. i was hopping to average about 30kph but this was within my target range (2-2.15/km) so all was well.

Had a bit of fun racing a guy on a nice TT bike with a big ol’ disk on the back, he spanked me on the flats and descending ( i have to admit i’m a little upset about that but when it came to the climbs i out red him each time.

The main lessons from the bike were 1) get a TT bike, though avoid a big disk. 2)i work better at climbing out of the seat and attacking the climbs. in previous rides i have tried to get up the hills in a steady way, i think from now on i will just attack them and recover on the flat or descent. 3) i know i can go faster here.

The run

it was a flat and fast course so there is no excuse for a 2hour + run. I think I can go faster but i need to look at my tactics more and come up with a better fuelling plan as i seemed to struggle (this will include the bike leg as well). It was nice to come off the bike feeling good, which is a reflection of the training i have done looking at putting some serious suffering into the legs and still working.

So all in all what have i learnt in school today?

1. I did well, an hour and 20 knocked off heaver is a good day at the office
2. I need more structure to my training if i am subbing 6 hours and completing the big one.
3. Weight will make the difference
4. Physically i am in good shape so i need to maintain and build over the off season
5. Mentally i am feeling really strong and this is going to be key for next year.

Race 2

Lakeland Trails: Coniston 15km Challenge Just a quick look shows the climbing

Time - 1:26

It’s a nice route, starting at the old hall then a cinder path to a short road section. this is where is gets fun, there is about 4km of solid climbing to start this route. it does mean that negative splits are a given but it does take it out of you. once at the highest point there is a rolling section before you come back to the lake for the last 2km.

Ok, so I was feeling good and set off at a good pace (sub 5min/mile) i think that this turned out to be to fast or at least would hurt me later, i climbed well to the summit, bit of walking but only on the steepest points and this was planned rather than from suffering to much. once i hit the top things started to go wrong, i had totally fucked the fuelling up. once slice of toast is not enough to run a 15km on no matter how much reserve you have and so as the race progressed  really felt that i was dropping both the pace and the drive. the bit that worried me the most was the lack of kick when people past me on the final 2k, i normally would have tried to stick with them and fight for the places but i just couldn’t kick this time. Again i think this is due to the lack of food but a bit worrying that i lost energy and drive.

All in all two good races with a lot learnt form both. only two more to go this year before i get a break and then i have to hit the ground running (and swimming/biking)