Well what a month, 3 first and I'm still feeling fit.
2nd June - Sprint Triathlon completed
10th June - Dragon Ride - 80miles of tough hills
17th June - Llanelli 10k
28th June - Parc Bryn Bach - Aquathlon [750m swim followed by 5k]
Tonight event was a tough a lake swim, full of bloody weeds which ends up tangling your feet and putting you off your swim stroke. I won't be doing the next one.
Upon returning home, wash kit, have some tea, log on check e-mail. I hear the echo of the sound of email downloaded, as I flick through, guess what I find? its only confirmation of my entry in the Pembroke Olympic Triathlon!
Gulp....I couldn't cope with a 750m swim, how on earth am I going to swim 1500m! with time limit of 1 hour.
Okay don't panic, get a few more swim session build stamina, oh....theres only 8 day until the event.
Why oh why do I keep entering events thinking "yeah I can do that!"
So it's 1500m Swim, 43k bike , and 10k
Jubilant June could soon become Jaded July!
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
125km Dragon Ride Complete - Another 1st
Here's a quick summary of my Dragon Ride.
I arrived at Margam park at approx 8.30am, the car park had a buzz of quiet chatter amongst riders, many completing their last checks before they headed down to the start.
The start was well organised with riders self sorting themselves by their expected finishing time. We were set off in groups of approx 50 riders at a time.
I commenced my epic journey at 9.11am the plan was to complete the course within 6hr 30min, and keep to an average of 13 mph.
I was excited to finally be riding on what would be one of my longest riders, in my bag I had plenty of food, and gels to keep me going.
In my mind I'd split the ride into 3 phases. The first stage would include 25 miles out to Aberkenfig, then on towards Maesteg then on towards Neath.
This 1st phase went really well and I managed to keep my average speed to 16-18 mph.
The second phase of the ride would see us head from Neath, towards the Dulais Valley which is slow gradual climb, I passed the 1st feed station as I'd arranged to meet Amanda and the girls at the top of Coelbren for more food and drink.
At the top of Coelbren I was so pleased to see my family, it means so much to see them as their support really makes as difference. At this stage of the ride it was half way, and my split was approx 2hr 30m, 30min ahead of schedule, however the tough bit was still to come.
The 3rd phase would take towards Glynneath, up the infamous Rhigos bank which was the 1st of two long climbs of the dragon ride. the 1st climb would take me 40min to complete, climbing 917ft, covering 3.3 miles.
I was pleased to be over the top of Rhigos and heading towards Treorchy a fast 6 mile decent. At this stage I had covered 57 mile, and it marked the onset of two things extremely painful cramp which would last for the rest of the ride, and 2nd climb up.
This final climb almost forced me to retire from the ride, the cramp in my legs at times was unbearable, the climb to the top was 5 miles long, ascent of 1196 ft which took me 56 min to complete.
Before the decent to Cymmer I stopped at the last feed station for food, malt loaf, and the last of my gels.
It was all down hill from here, and I made it back to Margam Park in 6hr 25m 16s.
72 hours after the race I feel refreshed, and so pleased to have accomplished another 1st.
I arrived at Margam park at approx 8.30am, the car park had a buzz of quiet chatter amongst riders, many completing their last checks before they headed down to the start.
The start was well organised with riders self sorting themselves by their expected finishing time. We were set off in groups of approx 50 riders at a time.
I commenced my epic journey at 9.11am the plan was to complete the course within 6hr 30min, and keep to an average of 13 mph.
I was excited to finally be riding on what would be one of my longest riders, in my bag I had plenty of food, and gels to keep me going.
In my mind I'd split the ride into 3 phases. The first stage would include 25 miles out to Aberkenfig, then on towards Maesteg then on towards Neath.
This 1st phase went really well and I managed to keep my average speed to 16-18 mph.
The second phase of the ride would see us head from Neath, towards the Dulais Valley which is slow gradual climb, I passed the 1st feed station as I'd arranged to meet Amanda and the girls at the top of Coelbren for more food and drink.
At the top of Coelbren I was so pleased to see my family, it means so much to see them as their support really makes as difference. At this stage of the ride it was half way, and my split was approx 2hr 30m, 30min ahead of schedule, however the tough bit was still to come.
The 3rd phase would take towards Glynneath, up the infamous Rhigos bank which was the 1st of two long climbs of the dragon ride. the 1st climb would take me 40min to complete, climbing 917ft, covering 3.3 miles.
I was pleased to be over the top of Rhigos and heading towards Treorchy a fast 6 mile decent. At this stage I had covered 57 mile, and it marked the onset of two things extremely painful cramp which would last for the rest of the ride, and 2nd climb up.
This final climb almost forced me to retire from the ride, the cramp in my legs at times was unbearable, the climb to the top was 5 miles long, ascent of 1196 ft which took me 56 min to complete.
Before the decent to Cymmer I stopped at the last feed station for food, malt loaf, and the last of my gels.
It was all down hill from here, and I made it back to Margam Park in 6hr 25m 16s.
72 hours after the race I feel refreshed, and so pleased to have accomplished another 1st.
Sunday, 3 June 2012
It's now 24hrs since my first ever triathlon, and another 1st completed in this my year of 1st.
I couldn't have chosen a better tri than Brecon for my first triathlon. The event is geared towards newcomers to the sport, and it doesn't fail in anyway.
My overall time was 1hr 34m 45s
Swim: 400m +T1 - 11m 58s
Bike: 20k+T2 - 49m 32s
Run : 5k+T3 - 33m 15s
I'm now thinking of moving away from the pool swim to the more traditional sea swim with a mass start.
Just need to loose that belly, and I should start to clock much faster times.
Big thanks to my long suffering family and support crew, who cheered me all the way, thanks guys.
Next 1st will be next Sunday 10th June when I complete the 2012 Dragon Ride, 75 miles of some really steep hills in and around the Welsh valley's.
As they say in Wales, nos da
I couldn't have chosen a better tri than Brecon for my first triathlon. The event is geared towards newcomers to the sport, and it doesn't fail in anyway.
My overall time was 1hr 34m 45s
Swim: 400m +T1 - 11m 58s
Bike: 20k+T2 - 49m 32s
Run : 5k+T3 - 33m 15s
I'm now thinking of moving away from the pool swim to the more traditional sea swim with a mass start.
Just need to loose that belly, and I should start to clock much faster times.
Big thanks to my long suffering family and support crew, who cheered me all the way, thanks guys.
Next 1st will be next Sunday 10th June when I complete the 2012 Dragon Ride, 75 miles of some really steep hills in and around the Welsh valley's.
As they say in Wales, nos da
Friday, 1 June 2012
It's now 24 hours until I compete in my first ever Triathlon. At present I am feeling both excited and nervous.
With respects to progress in relation to training this has gone fairly well, although the amount of running has been limited to a few 5k's.
Last night I reviewed via Google street maps the cycle route and from what I can tell it looks a really good course.
Things that make me go ooooo, is the transition from Swim to Bike, I've never done this before, but I do know its faff putting socks on wet feet [despite drying them] so that should be fun.
Overall I would love to finish sub 1hr 30m but would easily settle knowing I gave it my all, and enjoyed the whole experience.
Race report to follow
Andrew
With respects to progress in relation to training this has gone fairly well, although the amount of running has been limited to a few 5k's.
Last night I reviewed via Google street maps the cycle route and from what I can tell it looks a really good course.
Things that make me go ooooo, is the transition from Swim to Bike, I've never done this before, but I do know its faff putting socks on wet feet [despite drying them] so that should be fun.
Overall I would love to finish sub 1hr 30m but would easily settle knowing I gave it my all, and enjoyed the whole experience.
Race report to follow
Andrew
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