It’s been a long time since my last triathlon post when I had to back out the London Tri because of illness. Well, what has happened since? I didn’t do a Time Trial in October but I have given the new bike a good runout on the new Cyclo Park at Gravesend a few times. Great track with plenty of bends. When it is fine, I go over on a weekday when there are very few using the track. I do 10 laps (about 15 miles) then do a 30 min run towards a country park. Hope to get there when the weather improves.
I have now joined the Sevenoaks Tri Club where I am also a swimming member, so have now left Maidstone SC. Great training with a coach and several evenings in the week to choose from. I still swim with my friend Len on a Tuesday.
I have given myself a strict winter training schedule and so far I am injury free. Since the weather got worse in December I moved my running onto the treadmill at the gym. I now visit once or twice a week and run a 5k normally and throw in some bike work and rowing. I had a Shuffle Ipod for Xmas and that is great to releive the boredom of the gym. I usually do a 1500m swim afterwards. I intend keeping off the roads as much as possible for a while to minimise the risk of injury and in particular avoid damage to my artificial knee.
I have been doing some turbo work over the past few weeks in my garage especially since the snow and ice has been around. I am using the TT bike to get used to it and also trying out my new aero helmet as that takes some getting used to as well. The iPod is great there as well. Not sure if neighbours agree as I burst into song!
So the training is going well so what are the plans for the year? Well, I am preparing for the Euros in June. I now have a GB tri suit with my name on it. Tried in the pool when nobody was around and it was fine to swim in. My first Triathlon is on April 28 is the Sevenoaks so might give it a go then. Might also try it at a couple of TTs in April before that. My flight is booked for Turkey I will go on Wed 12th, the race is on Friday and I return on Sunday. Really looking forward to being part of Team GB.
But what a year, we also have the World Championships in London from 12th – 15th July but I need to really up my game if I want to qualify. I have entered the Deva Standard in Chester on 2nd June but I was too late to get into the Dambuster in Rutland. However, they have just announced the 3rd qualifier. It will be in Liverpool so I will need to enter that if I stand a chance of qualifying. As it is in London on the Olympic course there will be great demand for places. I have also booked to do the LLandudno Sea Sprint. This is also a qualifier but for the Sprint. I am not as hopeful as this will also be very popular. However, as I have relations in N.Wales I haven’t seen for years Sue and I taking a few extra days to see them. Hopefully some will be along to watch as well.
So that’s the plan, I just hope all goes well. To be in Team GB in the worlds will be my greatest athletic moment. I have told Sue that due to pressure I am putting on my knee I would not continue with Tris after this year, so it’s now or never.
So I have record, I am going to do more regular blogs on my training and competition progress throughout the year.