Tri Limits Half Ironman

Motivated as best I could considering a few recent ‘weaker performances’ lol, I was feeling decent and ready for the challenge that lay ahead. I found myself setting an alarm for 5:30am as I made my way to Tri Limits half Ironman race on Saturday.

I was the only triathlete heading from this neck of the woods so I was on my jack tod. I like my own company anyways so this wasn’t a bad thing haha! Signed in and racked the bike as usual, having a chat with some friends from the club and catching up with fellow competitors killed a bit of time while waiting on our start time.

The lake looked good, and I was keen to get going before the forecast rain would catch us out later in the day, the wind was building too which doesn’t please me much! But, 8:30am had come and we were in the water ready to go. Three, two, one, goooooo….. With a field of only about 50 people there wasn’t any wrestling during the swim, so it went fairly well and I was out of the water in around the top 10/12 swimmers.

Bike was next, I started easy to get myself settled into a rhythm which I managed within about the first five mile. It was a three lap course so we would have to take a bit of a head wind three times and try gaining back some pace with the tail wind going in the opposite direction. I was feeling good for sure and I managed to pass a few early on around mile twenty or thereabouts. My average was good too, I was cruising around 18mph against the wind and then 25+ mph with the wind. On my way into transition I checked and my overall average for the 56 miles and it was 20.0mph on the dot. Very very pleased with that for sure.

T2 was a tad slower than I’d of liked but there’s no point cryin’ over spilt milk as they say 🙂 The trainers were on and off I went hoping to hold around 8-8:30 min/mile pace. The first four mile went well, I was relaxed and felt decent considering the hard push on the bike. Mile five and six, I ran a little tense and my pace died a death at this point. I just needed to relax a bit more and trust my ability which shone through in the end. My fastest miles were the last two which gave me more confidence for Barcelona which is fast approaching. I finished the run with an average of 8:36 min/mile pace,  not the best but still bringing me in with an overall time of 5hrs 18minutes.

This was a great time for where I’m at in relation to my Ironman training plan, I also finished inside the top ten too, so that was another wee confidence boost for me, I’m slowly starting to turn the screw at the right time, let’s hope I peak bang on time for October the 4^th!

Aaron

THIS COULD BE THE MOST GLAMOUROUS TRI YET

Picture from Challenge Venice Facebook Page

How about this for a setting?!

A full distance triathlon in what is universally regarded as the world’s most beautiful city was today announced by CHALLENGEFAMILY with the launch of CHALLENGEVENICE, taking place on 5 June 2016.

Organisers say: “with the iconic Venetian skyline as a backdrop and a fast, flat course through the beautiful ‘Garden of Venice’ countryside, CHALLENGEVENICE is set to become one of the most memorable and spectacular races in the world.”

Centred round one of Europe’s largest urban parks, the Parco San Giuliano, the race starts with the 3.8km two-lap swim in the calm internal lagoon in front of Venice with an expected water temperature of around 22C while the air temperature is usually about 24C in June.

The first 20km of the bike course is through the Mestre area before heading out into the countryside…

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Vittorio Brumotti does it again!

Ok, so anyone into cycling, may it be road bikes, mtb, trials or anything in between, will be impressed by the talent this man has. Some of us struggle just to clip our feet out at the end of a road lol

take a look, great viewing,  Vittorio Brumotti does it again!

JONNY BROWNLEE’S SEASON WRECKED AFTER INJURY

Gutted to read this bad news for Jonny Brownlee…. the mans had little luck this year!

Bad news for Jonny Brownlee who has suffered an injury that will pretty much end his season and could put his chances of making the Rio Olympics triathlon team in jeopardy.

He broke the news on Twitter on Wednesday saying: “Back from St Moritz earlier than I hoped. Got a femoral stress fracture. Hope to be back for Chicago!”

Chicago is the Grand Final of this year’s series and takes place in September. So it’s going to be a long but hopefully painless recovery for the former world champion. Unfotunately this also means he’s likely to miss the Rio Olympics test event on 2nd August. However, we’d be very surprised if British Triathlon couldn’t find a way to squeeze the 2nd best triathlete in the country into the team.

On the Bro’s Facebook Jonny said:

“I’m obviously very disappointed. I raced really well in Auckland and the Gold Coast, and…

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Wisdom Wednesdays – Living on the Edge

London Triathlon

Turning Up The heat!

The heat is finally turning up in more ways than one. Certainly the weather has decided to realise it is the summer at long last, but more importantly, I’ve gave myself a kick up the backside and fired myself into ironman mode.

My quote within the lads is, BIG MILES BIG RESULTS, for sure this isn’t necessarily true, but for the built phase it certainly is important.

On Thursday I was lucky enough to have some precious flexi time built up at work, and I used that wisely for some decent bike miles. I had some company which helped along the way as I made my way from the big smoke of Ballykelly to the well known Portrush and Portstewart coast line. Feeling decent on the way home even with a little head wind gave me some confidence in where I’m at regards to the training at the minute, I’m maybe not as far behind as I thought. A total of 55mile cycled with an ‘ok’ average of 16.1mph (I’m blaming my company for that) haha! I had a short brick session planned, so it was on with the trainers and down the road a bit to stretch the legs.

Friday was run time, and as I was in Manchester for the weekend I’d have some new areas to explore, running really has helped me find my bearings for when I’m living there permanently next month! I went east from the beautiful West Didsbury, through Chorlton, Firswood and on towards the famous Old Trafford, home of that hateful team in red, but sure!!! I must confess as I was running through Hulme I had to double check my strava just to make sure I was still on the planned route, I was thinking I was lost at one point, but when I saw the aquatics centre I knew where I was thankfully.  As I ran along Curry Mile it was a game of dodge the student, I must’ve hit it at a bad time lol, I was glad to see the end of Fallowfield for sure! My final stretch was back into West Didsbury and the heat was starting to get to me.

Still, I ended with a nice 8:27 min/mile average. I was content with that for what it is. I can tell you, the outdoor pool had its use at the end, my thighs and calves were burning! Of course I had to take a picture lol

With a few days rest and some fun while I was away, meant Monday was time to hit it hard again. I was on my ‘jack tod’ so I wasn’t even sure where I’d go or how far, but I headed in the direction of Campsie and on to Drumahoe. All nice and flat really, until I started the wee climb towards Claudy, Feeny, Dungiven and Drumsurn. I had 1,900ft of elevation gain in total, not too bad. From Drumsurn it was all downhill and flat for the last 10 mile, giving me a super 56.5miles and an average of 18.9mph. Very pleased with that, and I again went out for a short run straight off the bike, feeling fresh thankfully.

Tuesday was tempo run day, tough at the best of times, but even worse when the sun is baking at 25C. I went for a 20min cycle to warm up and then completed my 5 mile tempo at 7:20 min/mile pace. Again, I was pleased enough. Thanks to mum for the company as she cycled along, and enjoyed a cracking summers evening.

As I write this this morning, I’m just home from a great open water swim with some of my Tri Club mates. The water was calm and warm and I felt as good as I ever do in open water(so average really lol) At 800m in, my goggles snapped and I had to go without for another 800m. Shocking and I’ve no-one to blame but myself as I knew they were on their last legs! Anyways, as Big Merv said, at least I had an excuse for being at the back haha

I’ve a busy few days ahead, so lets hope the weather holds up, it makes such a difference without a rain coat!

Aaron

Causeway Coast Triathlon

   One of the most exciting races on the calendar is the Causeway Coast Olympic distance triathlon, which is held in Portrush. Perfect setting for a triathlon for sure, to go with it, we had little or no wind, and the sun was shining, everyone was in good form and ‘up for it’!

Sea swims can have many difficulties for us to deal with, but luckily for us, the waves didn’t punish us too much. The current did make it a little tough but nothing drastic thankfully. The toughest part as expected was the mass start, bodies everywhere which made the turn at the buoys interesting to say the least.

My swim was average enough which made me really go for it on the bike course. It took me a good 10 minutes to get into a decent rhythm though which had me frustrated. I eventually settled and on some sections of the course I was cruising at 28+mph. This was grand until the draggy climb up past the famous ‘Dunluce Castle’ which put an end to the great speeds. I worked really hard, and the overall average on the bike was 21.3mph. This was a great confidence booster for me, as I go into the more challenging stage of Ironman training when July begins.

The sun was baking us by now, and the atmosphere at transition and the beginning of the run was fantastic. I tried to keep a steady enough pace at around 7:45 min/mile for the 10K run, but the route had some tough sections and my 100% effort on the bike was starting to take effect! Alarm bells were ringing and I had to back right off, disappointed really, but looking at the bigger picture of Ironman is wayyyy more important. Getting an injury going down a section of steps, sand dunes and a flint stone path with 2 miles to go was ridiculous in my opinion.

Anyways, race done and dusted, handshakes, banter with club mates and my training buddies ‘the MAMILs’, pictures etc, and a quick dip in the sea to cool off felt unreal.

My finish time was 2hrs 29mins, a full seven minutes slower than last year, why? You might ask! Well, the difference being, at this stage last year, I was in my peak weeks of Ironman training, whereas this year I don’t intend peaking until that start line in Barcelona on Sunday the 4^th of October! 😉

Aaron

A Catch Up On My Triathlon Training!

To say I’ve neglected my blog is an understatement, so I’m going to try getting a complete round up of everything that’s been going on with me as regards to training and racing. Since I raced and blogged last time about Roe Valley Sprint Triathlon, I treated myself to some fancy new wheels. I contemplated this for ‘donkeys ages’ but never bit the bullet. I’m glad I finally have, they look soso good (that’s the main thing right)? Luckily they perform equally as good too which is an added bonus lol 🙂

Unfortunately not only my poor wee blog was suffering throughout the Month of May, my training was also taking a dip. I was again in Manchester for a few weeks, which has its pros and cons. I mean to train in the aquatics centre’s 50m pool was superb, my running was also fun, as it always is when in a new or different environment.

I managed to attend another parkrun in Platfields park along with another 600+ competitors, such an amazing atmosphere and set up they have there. Still a long was off my PB, but a decent 20mins 25seconds was achieved. The huge downfall was, I hadn’t got my beloved bike with me. Two weeks without it was tough, but I had no option really.

I also had some time in Scotland at the end of my Manc trip, luckily enough my brother in law Jake bought a bike recently, and I got some saddle time that weekend. The weather was fantastic, and both mornings it was great to shake of a hangover from the previous nights grape juice 😉 Still though, it just wasn’t my own Kuota, I knew I needed back to get stuck into my own regime, and I can assure you I made up for it when I got home.

It was the feeling of I need miles, miles and more miles, which I was happy to do. A few spins to Portrush and Portstewart were good. My cousin Sam went with me on one occasion, he near ruined me to be fair lol, that mans as fit as a butchers dog I can tell ye 🙂 Cheers lad, it was the kick start I needed again.

Next up was the City Of Derry Sprint Triathlon, a huge race, with many competitors and great sponsors with firmus energy. It was also a highly contested race within our MAMIL group too. Most of the lads were out to claim a few scalps and earn some braggin’ rights to go with it.

The tide in the river Foyle caught us out and made it a very tough swim, everyone’s times were slow and it was a battle field to say the least. I was annoyed but my open water swimming isn’t usually too hot at the best of times…oppppsssss

Onto the bike, in which I gave it all I had, clearly not enough though as I only managed 20.2 average mph or something. Anyways, onto the run, and that is all I will say on that matter, that’s how well I ran! It wasn’t a good race for me unfortunately, but that’s life. I still managed a decent result within the MAMILs, there’s just no catching Barry or Ciaran, who once again were the top two men home!

Next race up is the Causeway Coast Olympic distance, the first sea swim of the year, so I guess a few trips to benone for practise was needed.

The waves just give that added bit of difficulty, more exciting maybe? Race report and pics on that race later in the week.

Aaron

Fancy Doing A Tri At Night? Head To Bahrain!

CHALLENGE FAMILY  has announced it will break new ground in the triathlon world as the world’s largest half distance night triathlon will take place in Bahrain on 20 November 2015.

With the swim taking place as the sun sets over Bahrain’s spectacular skyline, the athletes will complete the bike and run in the dark along a well lit course. This unique format also allows all finishers to enjoy the festive night-time finish line celebrations normally reserved for longer distance races.

CHALLENGE BAHRAIN will also double as the grand final of the prestigious Nasser Bin Hamad Triple Crown which will see Daniela Ryf (SUI) and Terenzo Bozzone (NZL), race against the world’s best in a bid to become triathlon’s first instant millionaires.

The race is expected to attract the world’s top triathletes to an exciting new, fast flat course and large prize purse, as well as over 1,000 age group athletes…

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