Here goes nothing

Having taught myself to swim in early 2010 i completed Hatfield Sprit Tri in July and decided Triathlon was the sport for me. As an individual i've never been one to do things by half and find jumping in at the deep end (literally!!) is the way forward in life. So one Olympic triathlon later and i decided it was time to get stuck in. Enter Ironman Switzerland and all the trial and tribulations that go with attempting to become an Ironman. My winter training has already posed some problems mainly that of swimming more than 400metres without a wetsuit and the fact i developed Planter fasciitis in my right foot and haven't been able to run more than 6 miles for the last four months!
With Spring on its way and the season getting underway i thought id Blog some of thats going on and how life goes as a Trainee Ironman. 49days until my first Triathlon of the season which is Lisbon International Tri in Portugal but they'll be a few discipline specific races thrown in before i would imagine....i will no doubt keep you posted.

12/13 March

Nothing too special this weekend due to prior social commitments. Started off running with the Metres to miles crew for a steady 8.5 miles then straight out on the bike for 90 minutes. You gotta love the banter on a steady 60 minute run, my name is now apparently Liam (dont ask!) Sunday was a steady 60km over to watch everyone race Retford half. The plan was to ride over, run the half and ride back before going out for Lunch....wouldn't you know it first time ever they sold out and didn't accept on the day entries. Don't they know who i am!! On a cold wet and windy day i was extactic that after id finished the sun came out for a glorious day. Wouldn't you know it.

14/15/16/17 March

Got some steady training in on Monday and Tuesday. Swam for an hour on Monday and couldn't help but notice the guys and girls steadily plodding away at breaststroke whilst having a chinwag in the Swim lane. Was't to bust so i cracked on with my session. Managed 45k steady ride after work before heading to the track with the M2M group to do a steady 2 mile warm up the 7mile@6.52 min mile then a 1.5mile bends and straight session. Easy session it was supposed to be. Suppose it wasn't to taxing.
Wednesday saw me taking an unscheduled day off, due to the fact i had a scan on my foot and have plantar fibroma!! No wonder its been hurting when i run.
Managed 3.2km in 59 minutes in the pool this afternoon, my longest ever swim. I f your following the blog then you realise in a race between me and a brick in a pool...the brick would win!! Oh and the breaststroke brigade were out again. A whole pool and two women decide they want to use the swim lane to have a gossip in. Get a grip females some of use would like to become an Ironman at some stage in the near future!
Then out for a steady hours run with the Mrs to get her ready for Steelman Distance. I must remember to do some housework!

Reality sets in

So day to day blogging is impossible. Trying to fit in life, training and work as well as keeping a daily blog is something that cant be done.
Having said that i spent a week in Mallorca since i last posted and got some decent training in. Clocking over 500km on the bike including a 96kph decent which is my fastest speed to date on a bike and also a near death experience being hit by a bus cornering a hairpin bend!!!.
One of my dislikes in the world is Coffee, so for some strange reason my Spanish managed to stretch to "Uno cafe americano por for vour " nice i can order straight black coffee! and on the last day i learn that tea is pronounces Te not rocket science! The swimming out there was just as good and managed to don the wetsuit a few times for a few laps of the bay. Its always nice to share the sea with migrating jelly fish! I d recommend Mallorca to anyone wanting to get away training for a while. Puerto Pollenca is ideally located for coastal or mountain rides.

Return home

So leaving a Triathletes paradise to come back home was hard work in itself, but back i came and straight in to the mundane action of a 2.4km pool swim surrounded by the blue rinse brigade insisting on swimming across my line. There should be some form of 'Ironman in Training' lane at all pools. Decided its time to shelve the road bike at put some miles in on the TT bike. Off to Lincoln i went..Hoping to get over there to run the 10km i arrived to a sea of 5500 people and decided against it. I must say i invested in a new Adamo seat and it works a dream. The first time i have ever rode 2hrs in aero position and got off feeling like im still a man!

To The Doctors

So for the last 6 months ive had a number of injuries to my right foot. From plantar fasciitis came a plantar fibroma. This has been in the heel of my foot causing loads of pain throughout my training, so much so that my 11hour goal time has dropped to just completing the event. Having seen 3 specialists and a surgeon Wednesday brought action!!! I had a needle full of cortisone injected in to my foot. Im off running and cycling till Sunday but will be back swimming tomorrow after a 48hr rest.
Giving the TLI cycling event a go on Sunday. Should be a laugh. Less than 3 weeks until Lisbon Half Ironman also. The season is well at truly at kick off time!

Who needs Quacks!

Showing total disregard for the doctors recommendation, which may or may not be a wise move. I decided i couldn't miss another gorgeous day without being on the bike. So out i went and rode an easy 3hours 20mins in the aero position on my TT bike. I have read numerous forums and message boards about the discussions if one should train on the TT bike over getting the miles in on the Roadie bike. Today my question was answered. For all those doing half iron distance or longer train in the aero position!! There is no substitute.
Having got home i was all ready to put on the running trainers but on closer inspection on my bruised/swollen foot i decided against it. Already pulled the docs pants down no need to insert as well!!!!

TLI Race

I raced in the Ray levers memorial TLI race on Sunday, 7 laps adding up to 33 miles in total. I was put in the scratch group to which my initial thoughts (as with anything) was in for a penny how hard can it be. It was only after the 7th guy laughed at me and wished me luck i seriously began to question this. "Its death on wheels" i was duly told by a guy in group 1. He was correct. The plan was a steady ride there race and a steady recovery ride home. The plan didn't come to fruition. It was all good up until the end of the steady ride there. Off we went in the scratch group straight in to a 50kph train. No easing in to it no steady progression. After 5 laps or 24 miles my legs gave up, my brain was screaming to catch the group but i just couldn't put in any more effort and bonked big time. Hey ho it was a great laugh and i got home and entered the entire series.Good times.

On a downer i had to can tonights run/swim as i did myself a mischief on my back at work. Hope its better for tomorrow.