Another IM under the belt. 5th in this one, IM Regensburg in Germany. They really get behind it here and it makes it a bit more enjoyable plus the weather is normally good.
It’s been a tough year and the 2 races I have done this year before this IM were shit to say the least, I’ve been struggling to get to some form of race fitness with the forced breaks. I really did not know how I would cope with a full IM. I was conservative during the race, if I felt I was struggling to keep up with guys I just let them go and stuck to my watts on the bike and just tried to pace myself on the marathon and finish strong.I was not keen on doing the IM shuffle for 20 odd km! I finished in 8.33 and ran 2.59 so I have to be happy with that.
The plan is to build on the race and keep the training consistent and hit Hawaii in good form, especially on the run. It is super hot there so to run anything under 3 hours is good, that’s the plan!

The Euro Champs in Spain was tough. I had a good swim and was not too far down on the leaders and was holding my own until about the 80km mark of the bike. The wheels came off basically and I blew. I went a bit too hard and paid the price. The last 40km was terrible and I limped home and then had to attempt to run 30km which I think I had convinced myself that I was not going to do. As a result I ended up doing the Ironman shuffle for most of it but at least I finished. Still lots of work to do up to Hawaii but I am getting much fitter and should do a lot better in my next IM race in Germany on the 1st of August.

In Vitoria, Spain for the ETU long course champs, 4/120/30. It’s a good course in a race friendly area, a couple of good guys racing. I like Spain so far, we are just south of San Sebastian in Basque country. The cycling in awesome here. I’m feeling better than I did before my last race having got a few more weeks of training in but there is still a lot of work to do. I’ll be happy with an improvement on my last race.
I’ll update the result as soon as I can.

What a tough day of racing. The Tri Grand Prix was last Sunday and I finished 17th. Not a good result at all but at least I was out racing and I can now build on this race. More work to do through swim, bike and run. I lost a lot of time on the bike. I could not keep up with anyone that went passed me, very annoying when that happens. Next up is the European champs in Spain where I hope to be a bit stronger, that’s on the 27th of June.

Just a quick update on racing, I am not doing Switzerland any more.  The trip would cost a small fortune, plus with the threat of airline strikes and volcanic ash. I have decided to race closer to home. I’ll be doing a new race called the Tri Grand prix. There are a few good athletes entered so I will be able to see what sort of shape I am in. Having only been swimming for 4 weeks I expect to be down on the swim but hope to put a decent performance in on the bike and run. I hope it does not rain!! At the moment we are going through a drought here in Jersey, they work that out by deciding that if it does not rain for more than 15 days it is a drought!!

Next race is Switzerland 70.3 in June and then IM Regensburg in early August. That should be a good lead up to Hawaii in October. Life will change in August with a new addition to the family. I’ll do a couple of shorter races in between. The main focus as with most IM athletes will be to get to Hawaii in good shape, both mentally and physically.

I am back into training after three weeks off. It’s all very easy to start. I was supposed to be doing IM Australia but I won’t be ready for that if I am to put in a decent performance plus it would take a while to recover from it if I weren’t 100% prepared. I think my next IM will be Austria in July if all goes to plan. Leading up to that the plan is to do a few half IM  and non drafting Olympic distance races . Yet to decide which ones. The main goal is to turn up at Kona in the best shape possible. I head off  to Mauritius for some warm weather training in a week so that will allow me to get some good training in.

I’m back in Jersey having had an op on my shoulder to remove a plate which I had put in when I broke my collar bone last June, feeling ok compared to when I had the plate put in. I had the plate removed because one of the screws had ruptured a vessel and had caused bleeding. The scar is quite big and uncomfortable, it feels like I have pins and needles around the scar. I hope to start training very lightly next week, no freestyle swimming, just kicking and easy cycling and running. Can’t wait to get back into it, revved up and looking forward to the year ahead.

I won’t be doing the 70.3 next weekend as I have to have an op on my collor bone, one of the screws has caused a mass to develop which is affecting my breathing and plate and mass have to be removed, I get that done today(11/1) in Stellenbosch as it is not safe to travel. Bit of a bummer, I am in good shape and was looking forward to racing. Hopefuly I will be back training within a couple of weeks, the only plus is I get back to Jersey to see the wife and dog! Missing them terribly.Ox out

In Stellenbosch with my wife for Tim Don’s wedding, training has gone ok, nothing to hectic this time of year. I went up to Zim before coming here which was interesting, not what it used to be, sad! Tim gets married tomorrow, looking forward to the party. Next race is South Africa 70.3 on the 17th of Jan. Looking forward to racing a half ironman, last one was back in May. I should be in ok shape as I am ticking over the training. Quite a few guys to train with here at the moment so can get pushed along in a few sessions and the weather is great.