ups and downs!

Yet again it seems that I wrote an update a couple of weeks ago, only to realise it’s actually been a couple of months. After a good winter of training, everything has gone a bit pear shaped. I’d had a winter injury free, which was obviously tempting fate. I’d been completely long runs holding very respectable pace and was hoping for a sub 1:30 at the Fleet half marathon at the very least. Obviously that didn’t go to plan otherwise I would not be sharing this woeful tale. I was looking on target until 6 miles, when I started have stomach issues. I can only blame my step mum’s cooking and eating late the night before, for the loo stops. From then on, my legs and brain were not on the same wave length. Despite wanting to run fast, my legs were having none of it. About 10 miles in I started getting ITB and knee pain, so eased back the pace completely, so be able to recover quickly and put in a quality week of training afterwards. I finished only just in front of an Army captain, running in full kit with 20lb pack. From then onwards I seem to have niggle after niggle. Maybe I headed back into running too quickly, maybe not enough stretching or massage, new shoes or maybe even the fact I was taking almost an illegal amount of painkillers as I’d just had my braces tightened, but a couple of weeks later I then developed shin pain. So I’ve now had a couple of week of training, free from running as that seems to have done the trick. Yesterday I managed my first run in 3 weeks, 20 minutes, so slow I was almost walking! But with no repercussions.

So unfortunately I had to pull out of today’s Marshman Triathlon. I raced and won the Marshman Plus event last year – as it’s only an hour away, it seemed like an ideal season opener back in January and a good way to gauge my fitness, ready for the build to Ironman Wales. Plus for a local event it was well organised. My Quintana Roo CD 0.1 did get a punishing today though with my first open 25 Mile TT for two years. Last year I didn’t do any time trialling and felt I lacked the bike speed, I considered my strength. So at least a drop in run volume is allowing me to concentrate on my biking for a bit. Today wasn’t pretty. I left my power tap unit in the kitchen, so rode blind and spectacularly blew up in the last couple of miles. Despite this and a change of course due to road works, rubbish road surface and lots slippery wet roundabouts from early morning down pours, I came ridiculously close to setting a new PB for the distance. My coach also thinks it is now warm enough for sea swimming – I’ll beg to differ. First sea swim is set for tomorrow night. Personally I’m hoping that the wind picks up and we have 10 feet of chop. I’m never really a fan of sea swimming in the murky waters in the UK, especially not when it’s frigging cold.

Other things that have been happening – I’m well into my first master’s degree module. After a slow start with essay writing I seemed to have been able to dig out some study skills that were hidden after completing my undergraduate degree 7 years ago. Sometime I wonder why I even though doing a part time master’s alongside full time working (including 1 hour each way commute) and Ironman training was sensible. But it’s working out, I just have to be strict with myself after weekend training and knuckle down to work. Probably more importantly, more exciting and I’ll get in trouble for not putting this at the top. I got engaged!! Simon asked me out of the blue on his Birthday – no excuses to forget the date! So mostly despite the lows and stresses over the past couple of months I’ve been walking around with a big smile on my face and a glittery ring on my finger. No date set yet, likely to be next summer, but I’ve already been banned by my family from getting married in Hawaii though. And it’ll come to no surprise to those that know my fiancé Simon, from The Tri Store in Eastbourne that he’s hoping to be able to wear shorts!

New season, New Blog!

Firstly I can't quite believe it's been two months since my last post. Since that post I'm now back to a little bit of running. I am on the mend. I'm also starting the season under a new coach - exciting.

It seems right to start a new blog. As journey to Kona isn't appropriate anymore. Getting back to Ironman Hawaii remains a goal, but will not be going back this year, due to qualification and lack of money!!

So new blog - http://sarahlovelock.blogspot.com/

Thanks

Sarah x x x

On the mend!

Medal made by one of my patients, to make up for not achieving my goals in Kona. Love it!!

Gammy Leg!!!!

Been to see Doctor, been ultrasounded and x-rayed.

Result - confirmed stress fracture and the wearing of this lovely Aircast splint for the next couple of weeks on doctors orders.

I was hoping it wasn't a stress fracture, but my Physio suspicions told me it was, I was just in denial.

As a Physiotherapist shouldn't have even started running the marathon. But as a Ironman competitor - Glad I gave it my all, even through hobbled the majority of the marathon and walked the last 14 miles!!!

Plans to qualify for 2010, are already in progress, and I'm not even going to running for another 6 - 10 weeks.

Aloha!

Apologies for my slackness. While away I didn't even attempt to find a computer. Hawaii was amazing - hot humid and windy like everyone says, but also very magical and full of energy - even out in the middle of the lava fields! Simon and I had an awesome time both pre and post race both on the Big Island and on Oahu.

I had not run since my shin pain had started and had given myself lots of physio treatment in the proceeding weeks. It had not got a lot better, but i was hopefully that it would by race day.

Arrived late on Thursday, 9 days before the race. Stepping off the plane, hit by the heat and humidity and almost immediately started sweating. The condo we rented was perfect - beautiful, relaxing and quite. Just out of town but less than a mile from the swim start. Dean and Sherrie's website Kona Hula Girl says Aloha, welcome to paradise. And it most definitely was.

In the week prior to the race, relaxed on the beach, relaxed in the condo, relaxed in the coffee shops. Nothing strenuous. We did hire a car for a few days and drove the bike course and also go to the volcano. Built myself a luck stone pyramid, for good luck along the Queen K Highway.

Simon did the underpants run - managed to run next to the legend that is Scott Tinely.

I wasn't nervous, just very excited to be in Kona to race in the Ironman World Championships. But come race morning, it was a different story and Simon had to cope with the nervous wreck I became. Once I got onto the pier 15 minutes before the start, I became relaxed and eager to start the day. Pro's off at 6:45. I then started making my way into the water for a short warm up and float. Swimming is normally my least favourite part of the Triathlon day. But I found myself really enjoying this one. Warm and clear blue water helps! The first 5 mins were hectic with a few punches and kicks received and dished out. But that's all part of the fun. I managed to find myself a good pair of not too kicky feet to sit on all the way to the turn boat. Where I was knocked into a few times and tangled up in the lane rope to the next buoy and lost my draft. Heading back, I managed to get myself in another good spot and arrived back at the pier in 1:09. Not fast on the grand scale, but fast for me!

Heading out onto the bike - I was so exited the crowds through town were amazing! Pele dished out a cruel day for us athletes. The 20 miles before the turn is rolling and known for being windy. Today the cross/head wind was blowing. Gusting at what felt like 100mph. On one uphill drag i was going about 8mph! Somehow I managed to get myself a drafting plenty. (Anyone who knows me, knows i hate riders who draft in races) so I'm very embarrassed about this! Served my plenty - which rather than 4 minutes, was actually closer to 5:30 mins due to incompetent of the race officials in the penalty tent. Back on the road, descending in the cross winds I made up some time, overtaking lots of people not happy in the wind. Some how at Kawaihai the tail wind, switched to a head wind and made the way back to town a bit of a slog. I was hoping to have good quicker on the bike in all honesty, but had felt heavy legged when working harder, so had eased back, so not to ruin my legs for the run.

2.4 mile swim, 122 mile bike completed, I skipped into Transition 2 feeling full of beans, still excited and riding the wave of excitement. Onto the run all well until about mile 2, started to feel my shin burning. Kept running, but pace slowed a bit. I started running as far as i could, the walking when it hurt too much. Eventually it became painful all the time. I ran up palini road - determined to do that. Couple of miles later 11/12 ish every time i landed on my right foot, i received a stabbing pain in my lower leg and my knee almost gave way. So I pretty much walked from there on in, for the rest of the marathon. I did keeping trying to run, but my hobbling only lasted about 50m each time, before almost tripping over my own feet and falling on the floor. Cross the finish line in 12:21:02!

So i didn't have the race i wanted to race. Everyone keeps telling me that Kona is a place were only a very few have their great race. But i feel upset still that injury prevent me, from seeing what i could do. The race was an amazing experience. When i finally accepted i was walking to the finish, i started to enjoy it again. As the sun set and people started to run with glow sticks on the run, I started cheering people just starting on the queen K as i was hobbling back into town. Even though i walked the last 13 miles, i still ran the last 400m and hobbled across the line - which felt so good.

Swim 1:09:43

Bike 6:06:59

Run 4:58:33

I've had a great season training and racing. Had lots of fun, made some good friends and had great performances along the way. I started the season hopping to place in the top 10 of my 25 - 29 age group, I was a long way off that on race day. But hopefully will get another shot! Probably not next year, but hopefully in 2010. At the moment I'm looking forward to being able to walk more than 10 minutes without limping, getting back to training and next season.

Thanks to everyone who gave me their best wishes and has supported me over the season. Especially Simon and Loz in the Tri store, Brad Goggin - coach, Pete - Science in Sport, for fueling me, Martin Bramfoot - DJM Products (Zoot and Bodyglide, for great tri clothing and preventing chaffing!).

Mahalo!

Two more sleeps!

Yes getting excited. Bike is sitting in bike box and rest of kit is packed. Last day at work tomorrow, then drive to my folks - Dad's taking us to the airport. You have to love Dad's!!

Feeling well and relaxed about racing in 11 days - am I counting! Except for dodgy calf, putting me out of running for last week. But trainings all done and in the bank. My fingers are crossed it gets better with rest, Simon's massages, acupuncture and lots of stretching.

If Gebrselassie can run a 2:03:59 Marathon, breaking his own world record having had a dodgy calf and not run for a week two weeks before Berlin - Anything is possible. That man's amazing he looked so relaxed running - Crazy!

Final big weekend - Taper from here on in!

So last weekend was my last race simulation brick. In the back of my head this session was important to do. Despite knowing I'd done lots of good training. It's funny how the brain works and can play silly games with your confidence.
10km run, 40km bike very hard, 10km run, 40km bike steady and 10km run - The runs getting faster each time. Wearing lots of layers and a hat! This was the session i was meant to do a few weeks ago when my seat post bolt sheared and I had to abort. Despite some people belief (KW, you know who you are), I had wanted to complete this session. The session went really well. But i must have looked a complete fool running along Eastbourne seafront in tights, long sleeve and woolly hat. Hopefully will pay off in Kona!

Nearly killed myself in DIY heat chamber last week. Humidity and temperature in bathroom (which i wasn't measuring- already had knuckle slapped by physiologist friend). was way too high. I now have a measuring device on loan from Olly Freemann and the subsequent session was not a near death experience.

Hopefully post once more before i fly on the 2nd.