BCTTT Forum

Right. So the more avid readers (all two of them, no doubt) may have noticed that I've kind of disappeared from this thread after Poland. Long story short, started with a longer-than-planned recovery, followed by a tough training week (3 tough fitness tests + 90 hilly kms in the beautiful Exmoor National Park + two days of surfing) that left my immune system knackered and led to two weeks of chesty cough and almost complete lack of training. Result: I went to France about 4kg heavier than I was in Poland and unfit like hell. And not necessarily keen on pushing myself back on track.

BUT - the week in Les Stables really turned things around. I think training with other people helped me massively - the mojo is back! I'm pretty sure part of it was down to what I would call machohism (damaging yourself to appear - to others - faster than you are in reality, despite the pain, which, as the classic would have us know, is only French bread), but a lot of it is down to encouragement & banter from the crew - so THANK YOU FOLKS!

Time to get myself organised again. Target - crack 5hrs at the Vit. Time: 7 weeks (incl. one week of taper, so realistically 6 weeks). Doable?

Work is busy these days too, so probably won't have time to keep a proper log of preparations as I did for PL, but hoping to find some time to share the progress every now and then. Wish me luck.

Just assumed you had been on an imperial stout fueled bender.

Jack Hughes wrote:Just assumed you had been on an imperial stout fueled bender.

That too. Left some for later as well.

Not unusual to have a dip in motivation after a big race. You will do very well to build to another peak for the Vit.

This isn't a criticism.

It is a very good race. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

I know a little hostelry nearby if you want to trying mixing your pre race routine up a little.


Penned in the finest quill from The Royal County.

Ade is spot on - after the big race most folks suffer from the What Next Syndrome. There is usually a lull after a good race and it does take about a 4 weeks to get over it. Some are different and can just carry on - I know I can't..

You might see me at the Vit. If I can get permission to return to cycling this week then I'll be there is some form. I'm currntly trying to learn to swim again...got 4 weeks to find it somewhere...the bike will be fine. Circa 2hrs 10-15mins but the run....jeez...that run.....it never seems to end.

LOL, I've always known there was going to be the Vit after, so no "What Next Syndrome" for me - but definitely a bit of a misplaced mojo in the first "back in training" weeks, exacerbated by the nasty cough that I couldn't shake off.

Last week's been pretty good for training, actually - especially yesterday felt nice and strong (http://www.strava.com/activities/168360839), legs seem to be coming back, slowly but surely.

S11 wrote:You might see me at the Vit. If I can get permission to return to cycling this week then I'll be there is some form. I'm currntly trying to learn to swim again...got 4 weeks to find it somewhere...the bike will be fine. Circa 2hrs 10-15mins but the run....jeez...that run.....it never seems to end.

That's great - looking forward to seeing you there; glad that tri is sneaking back into your life. I'll make sure I give you a pinch on the butt as I overtake you

You might not need to - I have to get out the swim first.....I haven't swum properly since August last year - and that is no joke. I've had three sessions back in the water in the past week and I'll need to spend a lot of time in the water to get ready. Then I have my knee to sort out - this is more of a jolly for me...a potential one last hurra to triathlon and to set me up for a tri season in NZ.

However...if I get onto the bike leg.....then we'll see!!

Solid training this week, crowned with a course recce ride/brick.

Thoughts:

- bike course full of false flats (or maybe it just felt like that today)
- the Rutland Ripple IS a bitch (admittedly I wasn't pushing it on the way down each of the hills to get momentum and gain ground on the next incline, but it'll be hard work, especially on the second lap)
- road surface generally very good (as UK road surfaces go)
- quite strong head wind on the northern part of the course (exposed, wonder if that's just today or if it's a regular thing)
- lovely southern part of the course - that's where I'll make up time lost on the Ripple
- run course very flat and very exposed - wind + sun
- water in lake green & murky, lots of mossy things floating around
- rocky bottom of the lake - will need to be super careful not to cut one's foot. Unless they prepare the entry/exit really well, with a pontoon or sth

Didn't feel great today - legs very tired and didn't have enough sleep last night, really knackered now.

Some silly thinking on my behalf lately.

70.3 Worlds are in Austria next year. As a result, most European 70.3 races have nearly double the qualifying spots up for grabs. Would need a sub-4:30 time to get there though.

Achievable?

Discuss.

I'll be the first to say no, not yet... Maybe in a couple years...






Does it make you wanna prove me wrong?