Two weeks today!

Since last post not very much exciting stuff has happen, to write about.
Training going well and no serious injuries from fall off bike!
Received new Speedzoot, from Zoot USA. The new 2009 long legged version, which only the pro's have. Very excited! Tried out in Eastbourne sea last weekend. Managed a 20 min and 15 min swim. But took me two hours to warm up afterwards. Later found out water not even 17 degrees.
Started humidity/heat training in the bathroom, with wall paper steamer and heater last night - only did 20 mins and that felt hard going. Tonight is 45 minutes!!!
Two weeks today we fly, so that puts race day in 24 day!

Training on the sunshine coast - or not!

When the coach first suggested I did another week large week of training immediately after racing the world long course championships. I did question his logic, starting to think all the flying may be killing off brain cells. But he reassured me I'd be nice and rested prior to the worlds and it would be great timing for kona!


So crash week number 2.


Monday - easy run when we finally got home after getting very confused with french diversions. Decided to take a different route, see some sights, stop somewhere nice for early lunch as had plenty of time to spare. Diversions and Road closures everywhere -Travelled a zillion extra miles, missed ferry, had to wait 2 hours for the next!


Tuesday - Yoga, eating, sleeping, yoga, eating and massage- The rest day


Wednesday - 60 min swim with 400m efforts, 2.5 hour steady bike, 70 min run with last 10 mins tempo. Legs felt great! Must be Nocte and Green and Black's Hot Chocolate combo! And my cupboard full of Science in Sport Goodies that keep me going strong.


Thursday - 5 hour bike (wet and windy, came home looking like a drowned rat). I was riding through a couple of inches of water on one stretch of road. Looping past home about 4:20 into ride the heavens opened. Already very cold and wet, now my chain started squeeking. Tempted by the warmth of home, swapped tarmac for turbo for the last 40 mins. Treadmill run with steady efforts, recovery in the sauna between. Everyone in the gym must have thought i was a fruit loop. Again a very wet session - but this time sweaty wet, not rain wet! The aim, to get used to being in the heat, before i start exercising in my heat acclimatisation chamber! Bathroom, with wallpaper stripper running to create heat and humidity - are my instructions from the Dr Jamie Pringle.


Friday - 60 min swim, 3 hour bike (even wetter and windier- I recon i was carrying an extra 5kg of water just in my overshoes) What doesn't break me, will make me stronger! - apparently!

Forcast for the weekend dosen't look much better - rain and wind continues. On the positive side it's giving my killer sunburn from racing on sunday a chance to heal.

Busy week! watching the olympics!

Finally get around to adding a post this week. Been a busy week with work, training and Olympics highlights watching. It's now Saturday morning, just got in from an easy ride in the morning sun. Sitting here eating one of my many favourite breakfasts! Slice Banana and peanut butter on toast with freshly made coffee. Comes very close to bacon and banana on french toast with maple syrup - A Kiwi special!

Anyway since last post. Simon rode the National 12 Hour Time Trial. I was the support crew! It rained for the first 3 hours, but he was riding well and later the sun came out. New 100 mile PB and Ironman bike split (112 mile)PB on the way to clocking approximately 245miles in total. I think he enjoyed it. He couldn't quite face riding his bike till Thursday! I had fun. Dancing in my wellies on the side of the road! My present for supporting (and shouting allez allez allez!)all day a new fancy pants saddle!

My weeks been pretty uneventful - training, working, training, eating, watching Olympics on BBC iplayer (don't have a TV -Probably a good thing, or I'd be a couch potato). Repeat for 5 days.

Taper for long course has started - only 8 days till race day. I was feeling well till I had a little accident on my last long run. Nice evening, decided to do one of my favourite off road runs. Glare from low sun in between trees, blinded me - missed a tree root up ahead. trip. Face planted and rolled. My right and and elbow took the most of the impact. Had a little cry, gave myself a good talking too, picked myself up and finished my run. Thank goodness for the gel in my hip holster pocket - with burst (very sticky and messy) but saved my greater trochanter from some nasty soreness. Little chunks of skin are missing from my hands, thumb is very bruised and sore, elbow a bit tender on tri bars, shoulder and knee and grazed. No more off road running for me till after goal races.

Looking forward to the bank holiday weekend - racing 25 mile TT on Sunday (borrow disc and have no power tap data vs Hed singer 60's and data)and marshaling (my first) at Ringmer Triathlon on Monday.

End of crash week and National 100 Mile Time Trial

Last Thursday was my last hard day of training. I think by the end of Thursday morning the lady that lives in the flat above must have thought I was going mad as I did a multiple brick session. 5km run, 20km bike, 5km run, 40km bike, 3km run. Really love this type of session. Maintaining the intensity thought out the session, without the mental fatigue that might occur otherwise. Gives me confidence that I might do okay in some duathlons, which I'd like to dip my toes into next year. Long pool swim in the evening rounded off my training week.

Friday as rest day - travelled to Stroud and stayed the night at one of Simon's school friends - Rachel and her two children. They were kind enough to let us crash on their floor to break up the journey to Llandovery, Wales. Venue of the National 100 Mile Time Trial.

In Llandovery we had booked a cute bed and breakfast, which was also a lovely coffee shop, to stay at.
http://www.penygawse.com/
Lynne and Allan the owner's were fantastic, even getting up early on Sunday morning to provide us with breakfast. Not just cereals and toast, but go faster for longer, scrambled eggs.

Feeling full, head off 1/2 mile down the road to race HQ. Simon also racing but starting almost 90 minutes after me, so had someone to organise me.

Race report - Race to my wattage plan. Very tough rolling course, some long drags and some steep sections also. But very Pretty! Had a very embarrassing moment at 60 miles in. Had hidden some bottles at the exit of a lay by. Car belonging to David Collard Berry of A3crg was parked right in front. Slowed down, but but not enough. Back wheel slid on some loose stone and I landed on my right lower back and bum, Ouchh! Moments of flustering. Made DCB's day i think as he had to rescue a lady in distress - pick me up, sort out my brakes and put me back on my bike. Shouts out to the A3crg ladies (and men) out in force supporting their riders and anyone else that happened to pass. Enjoyed the last 25 the most. At this point being passed by the really fast men - Prebble and the likes. Also had stuck with my wattage plan, and something left to pick up the pace in the last 25 miles and gave it my all. Finished in 9th place 4:43:53. Beat my previous PB by almost 1 minute, on a much tougher course, after a heavy training week. Pleased. Simon also had a good ride PB beaten by 51 seconds for a 4:22:08.

Now looking for a flat 100mile TT, to really compare my previous 100 mile Time to !!!

This weeks been a recovery week, good job as my right hip, both knees and left elbow are all very bruised and tender. Not quite sure how I landed to sustain that pattern of bruises.

Very excited as I've received the new Zoot 2009 Catalogue and been told to put together my wish list!! I'd recommend anyone looking for new training or racing kit takes at look at their products. Great fabrics, innovations, colours and styling. Very excited!! It' like putting your christmas list together!

Crash week - day 3

Two posts in one day! Yes forgot to post the one I wrote yesterday.

My day started early with meeting Yvette at 7am, for the 5 hour ride ahead of us. I'm a slightly stronger biker than Yvette (she kills me in the swim and run!). Yvette just finished 9th Pro Woman in Ironman France. Self inflicted pressure to ride strong and well was on. Praying that my legs would hold good and I'd have a better ride than yesterday.

Unfortunately my power tap stopped working an hour into the ride, unable to remember how to switch it to bike computer only, so rode on perceived exertion for the rest of the ride. We covered a lumpy 86 and bit miles. See map below. Rode out to Tunbridge wells - remembered why I don't often go that way. steep little lumps and rubbish road surface. Then across to East Grinstead - making the route up as I went along. The down through Ashdown forest, joining A22 to head back to the coast. My legs held good. Sat on the front all morning. Just kept taking in the carb's and drinking plenty.



Once home guess what Rego and a sleep. Now I have to go to the laundrette (sit with the Chav's, not making eye contact). Our washing machine is broken. Not good with all the training and kit I'm getting through this week. Then to the pool for a long-ish swim set!

Crash week, so far!

Last week was a nice recovery week from Half Ironman race last weekend and some preparation for the week ahead - The Crash Week. A week off work to enjoy lots of riding, with some swimming and running thrown in for fun.

So Saturday 3.5 hour ride steady, then 60 min sea swim in the evening. Sunday was a easy 2 hour ride and an opportunity to clear my to do list, for the week ahead. Joined good friend Helen for a ride on Monday. We rode for almost 2 hours steady, prior to me venturing off along the A259 to do 3 x 8 min efforts at threshold - fun. Quick transition and 60 min at 75% off the bike. Home to Rego and a little nap. Joined Bodyworks xtc for sea swim in the evening. I say joined them. These talented youngsters were swimming in the same ocean as me! Probably swam twice as far and twice as fast as me! Didn't mind I had prepared myself mentally for that occurring.

Tuesday - Drizzling in the morning. So geared up for my 4 hour ride with knee warmers, arm warmers and gillet. With jacket in back pocket just in case it got heavier. After about 20 minutes the drizzle stopped and it warmed up. So my bike jersey pockets gradually became very full. Rode out to Rye. Mistake as had an increasing strong head wind home (well it felt that way - as I started flagging. Hungry, dehydrated and tired I arrived home after 4h 15 mins. Legs felt empty. Home to more Rego and another little sleep - Its all about the recovery - felt much better afterwards. Legs still very tired. Hoping a massage tonight will help them feel a little fresher for tomorrow. Arranged to ride with Yvette Grice for 5 hours tomorrow! Another sea swim this evening. Steady 45 minutes, with 2 x 10 mins at race pace. Not quite sure I achieved this as all my sea swims feel like hard work.

2 more hard days, then 2 easy days prior to National 100 mile Time Trial on Sunday. Not sure racing off the back of a training week was such a great idea.

My longest cold Bath to date!

Call me a freak! but I like (okay too strong - see and have experience the benefits of) Ice Baths after a hard training sessions, especially hard runs. On Sunday after two hours on the bike and 70 min running at half ironman race pace, in warm UK weather, my legs were roasting. So plunged myself into a cold bath. Decided to make good use of time and call my Dad and wish him a happy birthday (It being midday and leaving it any later would mean I was neglecting my daughter duties!) Talking away and distracted from the cold - last almost 25 mins. I'm sure my Dad already thinks my sporting activities are un - natural, for a twenty something female. That I should be going out and getting drunk every weekend! The Sunday am training, protein shakes in ice bath would just confirms it.

Finally got my arse in the sea - actually went in twice back to back on Saturday. I think my fear of sea swimming has resolved. Went in first with two Friends (Andy and Sue) as we were getting out another two (Jan and Kevin) were getting in so joined them. My bright yellow almost neon Zoot swim hat ensured I was seen amongst the waves.

Training been going well, not a lot of riding - see previous post if interested, but I think I've grossed a few people out. Sorry Todd! Todd's jumped on the blogging band wagon - http://toddleckie.blogspot.com/) I think we may be in competition for number of blogs, and amount of press coverage. Not that us Triathletes are the least bit competitive in nature! I think he may win having place 4th at U23 Worlds in Vancouver 2 weeks ago. Congrats again Leckie x

Did a monster swim set with friend and swim coach, Jan last Friday. You know it was hard when you lying in bed and your arm muscles are twitching spontaneously! Really lifted my confidence. Even the pure swimmers didn't want to join in the fun! Not that I swam fast, but fast and consistent for me! Jan's website has set details but main set 2 x 400m off 7 mins. 4 x 200m off 3:45. 8 x 100m off 1:45. Held 6:15 for 400m, 3:07 for 200m and 1:30/1:31's for 100m. Still slow relatively to good swimmers, but I'm improving on my weakest area. Even if progress is slower than I'd like.

Training been effected negatively my lack of sleep and stress at work - so decision made to take evening off training and sort ever mounting list of 'to do things' out. Clear my head and to do list.

Positively booked flights to Hawaii, this week!

First post (First of many)

I can't believe it's already June. I've been saying I'll start a blog since the beginning of the year. Well finally got round to it. Hope to post updates regular about my training, racing and journey to the 2008 Hawaii Ironman World Championships.


I qualified for the 2008 Ironman World Championships at the Florida Ironman on 3rd November 2007. Wow that was some time ago now. Florida was my first attempt at the Ironman Distance (okay i lie, but New Zealand 06, doesn't count. As gale force wind halted my effort). I had a great race day with most things going to plan and training all coming together (thanks to coach, Brad!). Crossed the Line in 10:35. Placed 4th in my age group. Couldn't turn down the Kona spot. However, definitely can't afford it. But hey, plenty of working years ahead to pay off the credit card.

So why blog and bore or entertain people with my training, racing and crazy thought! As a way to reflect on my training and racing, the positive and negative aspects. To say a big thanks to my supporters - The Tri Store, in Eastbourne. Thanks Loz and Simon. Thank goodness they opened the store in Eastbourne. Without them I would have never entered into the crazy sport of Triathlon, met my current boyfriend (partner/ bike mechanic/ masseur/ dish washer - upper) Simon or still be living and working in Eastbourne. Also thanks to Ian at Jim Walker for sticky training tyres for my training wheels and racing tubs for my bling wheels. Thank you to Martin Branfoot at Zoot sports Europe (DJM Products) for kitting me out in fabulous racing kit and "I want" Accessories (Ultra Tempo race trainers, Zoot training bag, Speedzoot, visors, socks etc etc). Finally. Thank you to Science in Sport, for letting me join their womens Time Trial team giving me better access to their great range of sports nutrition.

I know it's June already so here's a quick run down of my year so far. Having had November off all structured training. December and January was all about easing back in and focusing on my running. February I ran a new Half Marathon PB at Tunbridge wells Half 1:33:39. (Simon and I won the couples prize. So Gourmet burgers for post race lunch and coffee and cakes, a cyclists staple.) Then beat it again at Hastings in March with a 1:32:37. Running on heavy legs from a weeks training Holiday in Spain. Started time trialling in March. Opened the season with a 2 up time trial, with the boyfriend. The idea being you alternate riding closely in front on one another, so you go really really fast. I let the team down. There wasn't much alternating and most of the time i was way off the back. Heavy weights session midweek before a time trial is not a good idea.

Cycling mileage picked up as the weather became warmer and I joined up with Science in Sport (SiS), to ride as part of the women's team. My training kit has grown, to include some fabulous black and white SiS team clothing. Unfortunately the red doesn't quite match the pink colour scheme of my bike. Thinking of starting a one women campaign to change the company logo from red to pink. Thanks to Helen Carter (SiS Team Mate and Exercise Physiologist) for helping me get my foot in the door. Check out Helen's website. http://www.helencarter.info/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Early morning and evening training to fit around full time work, and weekends spent doing either long rides or time trials. My focus for this block of training is the National 10 and 25 mile time trials. However, managed to sneak in my first triathlon of the year - East Grinstead Sprint on May 16th. A good opportunity to test early fitness and transition skills, which were a bit rusty. Pre-race preparation isn't a forte of mine. A loose cleat on my bike shoe meant my left foot was moving forwards and back. Not good for efficient power transfer. This almost beats my disastrous 50 mile time trial last year where I put right and left cleats on the wrong side, so I couldn't clip in. You'd think I'd learn. Loose cleats aside, posted fastest senior women's bike split and held in on the run to take 2nd place to Yvette Grice. Very happy with that result.

National 10 mile time trial. Rode on a borrowed disc wheel (Simon let me borrow his new Zipp sub 9 disc, even though he had been unwell and not yet ridden it - He still has a hold over me for that). So with that pressure and the fact this was my first real outing as a SiS gal, I had to go fast and do and PB. Rode 22:46. Finish in 25th Place. Very pleased. The SiS girls took the team prize Just missed being a counter by 20 seconds.

So just had a couple of easy weeks, building for the National 25 Mile TT, this weekend. Watch this Space.