Ironman!

Back from IM Regensburg in one piece having ran a 13:23:09. Not overly happy with the swim nor the run but delighted with a PB for the bike in atrocious weather conditions as well. Transition times dreadful as I was shattered after the swim having to go sub 45 mins for the last 2km and having hammered the bike had nothing left in the tank at T2 for the run.

Splits:

Swim: 1:16:46
T1: 11.26
Bike: 6:33:20
T2: 10:25
Run: 5:11.12

Total: 13:23:09

Rank 1566

Div pos: 272

So, what's next: Outlaw 2012?

Number 487

Well the number is confirmed and it's all downhill from here. Too late to panic and too late to worry!

Roll on IM number 2!!!

To be honest, I can't wait!!!!! Regensburg here I come.

Mo-jo returns just in time

3km OW weedy swim yesterday and a 2.30 hour run today means that the IM Rengensburg is on. Lots of cycling still to do but with a bit of retail therapy (new Mavic wheels) it means that the bike is now flying.

Can't say the same about the rider.

Better wash that Pirate gear and start bulk buying SIS gels.

Short update - huge wobble

No time to really write this blog as often as I wish - so events like the Lieden Half marathon a few weeks ago don't get mentioned although my time of 1:42 was pretty good considering I was only there for the fun and not trying sooo. In fact I was secretly delighted.

However the training it must be said is now getting me down. I have lost my mo--jo. Frankly I am not sure I can carry on with the 11-14 hours a week I need to in order to get the start line in IM Regensburg even though it is only 10 weeks away.

Anyone who knows me well is aware that I did the first IM for a reason - I had a great deal of frustration in me, it was 100% theraputic (I have been on BBC radio discussing this a few of times) and the finish line of IM Switzerland was actually the beginning of my new life - away from the rubbish that someone threw at me. A way of kick starting my life at 46 and a way of making new, exciting friends who I could trust, who supported me and frankly who cared for me.

And it worked - I have that now and as well as two lovely daughters who are so beautiful, supportive and loving and as well I have a special person who means a great deal to me.

So why am I pushing myself so hard is a question that I am now asking. I don't need to do it. Possibly something to do with the tough sportive yesterday making me rethink (those bloody hills!). I am not sure. But why not just do a few Oly distances or 70.3's? or even just stick to maras/sportives etc.....isn't one IM enough?

So a weekend away from sport - and a decision to be made - IM or no IM (well, IM or 70.3)

Steven Rooks Classic 2011 - the clue is in the name

When I entered this sportive classic held yesterday, no one told me that Steven Rooks was a Dutch ex TdF rider who had won a number of mountain stages. Had I known this I might not have been so surprised to ride the rather hilly Steven Rooks Classic in Holland/Belgium yesterday. I have never been up and down more climbs in the my life in one ride. Every gear used and every hill conquered.

So 119km done. Watch said 5:24, so including the breaks we took for re fuelling probably completed the test in around 4:55. Polar ride time said 4:46 but I was late at one stage to turn it on.

Great day, lovely weather and ready to do it again next year.

Half Ironman done - in a weekend

Quite unplanned but started off with a swim Friday before work. Every intention of doing 60 lengths turned into 80 in 53 mins. T1 lasted until Saturday morning when I decided rather than rest before the Leiden Half marathon (which was planned) I would join the TTL's for a 100km cycle round most of Holland. In the end cycled 98km in 3.30. T2 lasted until this morning when I went out and ran Leiden half marathon in 1:42:54

So feet up, glass of wine and pondering a good weekend's training.

Getting there.....century week

Up to 160 lengths this week (Monday 100) and 7 hours plus cycling (100km today). As well as 2 hours plus running.

Training not as smooth as 2009 but nevermind - legs feel it, shoulders feel it and so does my brain but if I carry on at this pace I reckon I stand a great chance of making the start. This week will probably do just over 12 hours in total.

Signed up for Half marathon in a few weeks. See if I can get clsoe to a PB

OMG! Dutch hills do exist!

That will teach me. Last night went bike training with TTL and we went hill training. It consisted of finding an MTB circuit and going up and down it three times. Had a mechanical problem up the first impossible gradient and the back wheel locked. Lovely.

Then we found a motorway pedestrian flyover and went up and down that 3 times. See how inventive these Dutch guys are!

Bike making wierd noise so will sort that out today. Probably doesn't like hills........

Reading Half 2011 - last minute change of tactic

Tried a different tactic on Sunday at the Reading Half - no specific training, longest run since New York was 1:20 and went to the start line hoping for a 1:45 ish time to show some form for IM. But really even that was going to be a good one I thought.

But on the start line I decided to change tact as I was standing next to the 1:40 pace guy. I wondered how far I could keep up with him.........*note to self - if you do this next year it might be an idea to train a bit harder first?*

Well I kept up with him until about 17 km after which he went off into the distance and I ended up with a time of 1:41:31 which was ONE second slower than my Reading 2010 time.

Splits:

5km - 23:27
10km - 46:42
15km - 1:11:18
20km - 1:35:58

Dutch hills

No such thing as a Dutch hill but we have the wind here to compensate for cyclists who wish to pretend that they are going up hill and was it windy yesterday! Cycled 2 hours and was in the lowest gear for about 15km - great practice but very tiring.

Slipped in a rather lethargic 60 lengths this morning.

Gradually coming together

Gradually being the operative word.

Back in pool and up to 50 lengths with no reaction so that gets a tick. Running is OKish with no real long runs done but plenty of hour- hour and a half runs in place. Cycling as always taking back seat as it is still so cold here. Just can't get the motivation to get out and cycle 2 hours in 4 -5 degrees and in the wind. Still turboing but that has to be the world's most boring exercise. It even makes running on a treadmill seem fun.....

Reading Half in 3 weeks so looking for a 1:45 to show I am in some sort of shape before I really crack the cycling.

Slowly, slowly..................

Up to 12 lengths in the pool now and reckon on adding 4 more per week until I get pain in the shoulder, at which point I will have to stop. At this this rate I will be doing the IM distance in about 35 weeks which is no good as IM is in 30. So there has to come a point where I just stay in the pool and keep going maybe adding 5 lengths per session? wow...frustrating stuff.

Have decided it really is new bike time once I have swam 40 lengths in a reasonable time. Dilemma between a Cube Agree and a Kuota Khama. Sorry Colnago but you are just too pricey v value for money at the moment.

Back in the pool - just 20 mins but felt great!

5 minutes slow front crawl followed by an even slower 10 mins breaststroke.

3.8km seems a long way off............but good to be back and got a nice welcome from the TTL guys after nearly a year's absence!