Day 1 = 20 length = knackered

Day 2 = Drills

Day 3 – 8 = 30 lengths – one sided breathing on every second stoke

Day 10 = 50 lengths = one sided breathing = feeling compfortable with the water and the distance

Day 11 = 75 lengths = one sided breathing = feel great = totally comfortable in the pool now and with the repetition of the stroke

Day 12 = 30 lengths = bi-lateral breathing = out of breath, but comfortable breathing every third stroke

Day 13 = 50 lengths = bi-lateral breathing = think I have cracked it!!!!

Day 14 = Thunderstorms – no pool work, but determined to carry on the good work when back in the UK

I have stayed at a friends (thanks Raymond and Karen) in order that I am close to the St Neots venue. It’s an early start and the mixed crowd of two groups (under 40 and over 40) are all ready to crack on with the race. It is a lot colder than it has been of late and the ‘optional’ wetsuit has seen NOBODY say yes to jumping in the river with just their trisuit on!!

I am once again nervous about the swim. Since returning from holiday two weeks ago I have only been on the pool twice – my new found confidence took a knock as the first pool session saw me only complete 3375 metres and I stopped – I just couldn’t get my stroke in. The second session was two days ago and I completed the race distance of 750 Metres, however I was in an empty pool, devoid of mud, weeds, fish and other competitors!

Raymond wishes me luck as I enter the water – I acclimatise myself and take a look beneath. I feel OK about the reeds and mud, I am surprised that itr doesn’t bother me. I swim a few yards and back again to stay warm and still feel OK. ‘I am going to get into my stroke fast, stay relaxed and won’t panic.

And we’re off – less that 100 metres in and I have the same scenario I had in my first triathlon, I swallow water, feel hesitant about all the people around me and struggle to control my breathing. Again I let the majority of the field pass and concentrate on trying to get into a rythem that just doesn’t come. Every 100 metres or so I resort to breast stroke and at 300metres I think about whether I could suffer the humiliation of a ‘Did not Finish’……no way – I dig in and make may way through 400, 500, 600 and 700 metres, with just 50 to go I see that I am about 6^th from the back….I don’t care – I have finished the swim.

Dizzy and belching I get to my bike and set off on the 25k course. It’s windy and a little hilly too. Only two people pass me from the over 40’s wave (they are on a FELT and a Cervelo), whilst I pick off about a dozen people before turning into the park to the second transition. It goes well and I am up and running in 1 minute and 27 seconds from the bike drop. I feel strong, but await the calf cramp that has dogged the last two runs off the bike (one at the Dorney Lake Maxifuel Duathlon an the other and the Eton Super Sprint Triathlon – also on Dorney Lake)…. It doesn’t come!!! The gel that I took on the bike in the final 10k of the leg seems to have paid off.

During the run I find that I am running quick (for me anyway) I pass several more competitors and finish with a 5k time of 21.22 seconds placed 80^th out of 156, with a finish time of 1 hour 30 minutes and 5 seconds.   

Onwards and upwards.

I stayed the night in a hotel the night before the event – I did this because I knew that as I was competing alone – if the alarm rang at home in my own bed, with a 90 minute drive in front of me I might well not have gone to the event!

I checked out at midday and drove the 6 miles to Dorney Lake. It was blowing an absolute gale. I parked the car and walked the 1km to the registration area to pick up my number, timing chip and ‘get myself in the mood!

I was wave 13, so not due to set off until 3.30pm – which gave me the chance to have a look around and watch some of the other waves go off. To say I was nervous is an understatement – I was petrified. I was pretty much unable to swim 16 or so weeks ago and I was soon to find myself in Dorney Lake with 50 or so other 35-39 year old men. What would happen if it all went wrong? I had only done the 400metres race distance in the pool (where it is serenely calm and I was in a lane by myself!) Could I drown, would everyone laugh at me if I had to descent to breast stroke or even backstroke!

I watched waves 10 and 11 go off – and it was with some relief that I noticed that in each wave 6 or 7 people struggled with the swim and did indeed revert to breast stroke to get around na d one or two did do backstroke. There were even a couple that had to lay on their back a signal for the canoe’s to come and give them a helping hand….I was pleased. Not that these poor souls needed help, but that the help would be there should I need it!!!!

All too quickly the call for ‘Males 35 – 39 – Wave 13 – to the swim start please’ came. I left my bike racked with my belongings covered in plastic bags (it was raining ans well as blowing a gale) and beleiguredly trudged to the waters edge. I looked upon the face of another guy – who looked at me in a way that said ‘I’m shitting myself here, how about you?’ I gave him a look that said ‘I know ust how you feel.

Then we evtered the water. I knoew now that I should have spent some time in the open water with my wetsuit, I felt uncomfortable, restricted, tight chested and cold – as the race briefing began (with us all in the water) I realised that the cold had meant that I could feel my wedding ring itching to jump off my finger and find its way to the bottom of the lake – I signalled a marshall and asked her to keep it safe (which she kindly did) – I thought of say to her ‘If I don’t make it out of here alive, please tell my wife I love her’, but thought that might be a little melodramatic!

Then we were off….I swam for about 50 meters with a crowd of people in front, to the side and behind…then I swallowed some water, totally forgot how to breate, panicked and decided to let everone pass and swim my own pace and race. Dark thoughts clouded my judgement, I would swim only 25-50 metres and then default to breast stroke. The stupid thing is that breast stroke is harder to do than crawl in a wet suite in open water, but my mental state said ‘breast stroke will stop you drowning!’ – I didn’t care what people thought, there were 5 or 6 other guys in the near vicinity finding it equally difficult, so I certainly wasn’t alone – I’m sure we’d have all consoled one another had we been able to speak and float at the same time….I resolved to do whatever I needed to do to get to the finish line, doggy paddle if I had to. After 9 minutes and 22 seconds I entered the bike transition. I was light heated and really disoriented – I was belching, because of the water swallowed and my poor breathing, I didn’t much feel like getting on the bike and into the wind.

Still, I am no quitter so I got on the bike and started off on the 4 laps of the course. The bike leg was two polar opposites – direct headwind for half of it and full tail wind for the other half. The feeling of dread as you turned into the headwind for 2.5k verses the elation of being swept along by the tailwind for the other 2.5k was really quite odd. I finished the cycle in 39minutes and 13 seconds. This was slower than my last spin around Dorney, but the circuit was different and the weather conditions were much worse, so I wasn’t disappointed. Indeed, I passed several people on the bike that were much quicker in the water. So onto the run..

Once again I got cramp in my right calf – and rued the fact that I hadn’t located salt enriched drinks to refuel on the bike. A quick stretch and I was running it off again – I had, what I felt was a good run and and crossed the line with a finish time of 1 hour 17 minutes and 23 seconds, coming 297 out of 669 competitors….to say I was pleased would be wrong.. I was ecstatic – If I could get my transitions quicker, improve my swim technique and build stronger legs I could knock 10 minutes off that time! And I came in the top half of the field – brilliant!

At the end of the race as I was collecting my bike out of the transition area I came across the chap that had done up the back of my wetsuit. ‘How did you get on?’ he asked. As I spoke the words, I surprised myself with them ‘I loved it’ I told him……and I had. Despite the poor swim, crappy weather and my poor transitions, I absolutely loved it. I was now bitten by the triathlon bug – and although only May, I know already that I needed to think about how to improve for next years competition season.

Next on the agenda is the St. Neots Sprint Triathlon, in 4 weeks and The Tatton Park Olympic Triathlon in September, as well as the Jersey Marathon in October – better crack on with that training….thankfully I am off to Turkey for a 2 week holiday – where I intend to put in some serious time in the pool.

I was full of nervous anticipation as my friend, training partner and serious cyclist Olli Williams and I pulled into the car park. I wasn’t sure what to expect – having completed a number of road races under the BUPA banner, I was used to seeing 1000’s of competitors, large and small. So I was, initially, a little disappointed that I could count mybe 250 cars or so.

The disappointment soon changed to corncern about coming last, as I watched, what looked to me, like a seriously experienced set of individuals unload a plethora of amazing looking bikes and wheel them to the transition area.

Ollie and I wandered over placed our bikes on the racks and waited for the pre-race briefing to commence. “right everyone, 2 laps of the run course, 6 laps of the bike course ans another 2 laps of the run course to finish” WHAT – I had to count my laps!!! I struggle to concentrate enough on going in a straight line let alone counting! What if I got it wrong and got disqualied or accused of cheating – by now my nerves were beginning to effect my confidence.

We joined the crowd of 200 or so competitors at the start line for the first run. Everone seemed happy, jovial and friendly as they stretched waiting for the off. Bang, we’re off. Ollie was determined to beat me having lost twice to me in the Great south run and he set of at a pace which I tried in vain to keep up with, but his commitment to training immediately paid off and he stretch ahead of me within the first 3k. Although I felt strong enough tostay with him, I knew that I would pay for it on the bike and on the second run if I did, so I eased off to my own 5k pace and crossed into the transition zone at 20 minutes and 54 seconds.

Then it was onto the bike – I was concentrating on ensuring that I had my helmet on before de-racking the bike, as I knew that this could lead me to be disqualified (as incidentally would any nudity, or so said the race instructions, I smiled to myself as I thought of the world nudist duathlon championships…..and just what a spectacle that might be if such an event existed!)

Ollie was always going to smash the bike leg – legs like tree trunks and 200k a week training would ensure that – so I stuck to the task of going round inn a reasonable time and trying not to get overtaken by anyone. I had had a good run,  ut soon found that there were some really strong cyclists in the fields on their super lean Felt’s, Cervelo’s, Cube’s and other seriously kitted out machines. However I held my own and although I was over taken by several whipps who flew by with a metallic ‘zzzvvvinggg’, I still maintained a steady pace throughout the bike and finished the 20k in 37minutes 49 seconds.

Now onto the run – I hadn’t practiced running off the bike – which was a mistake – as I reracked the bike and threw on my running shoes for the second time my legs felt like jelly, I was disoriented and out of puff. I soldiered on a ran out of the transition area, only to be yelled at. What had I done wrong…..Doh! I still had my cycle helmet on!!!!

Helmet happily replaced on the bike I started running. Got calf cramp in the first 100 meters and had to stop and stretch – (note to self, acquire some salt rich energy drink/gels to rebalance salt loss in future races)The cramp was a real pain in the …..well calf……which took me 500m to run off, but afterthat I felt really good – which was a surprise, but one I made good of – I went about picking off other competitiors in front of me one by one and at 2.5k into the second run I had overtaken 8 or 9 people. Ollie passed having turned at the quarter way mark in the opposite direction, so I knew I wouldn’t catch him, but I was running my own race now.

I crossed the line with an overall time of 1 hour 24 minutes and 56 seconds, meaning that with transitions my final 5 k had been 23minutes and 55 seconds.

I came 45^th out of a field of 81 and was really made up – Ollie came 21st and had the 12^th fastest bike leg at 32 minutes 43 seconds!!  

Training had definitely paid off an I felt OK at the end – more than that I was determined to imrove my splits and get quicker….More training ahead!!

Having spent 14 years in an office hunched over a desk I need his added help in getting me both race fit, and for post race reward massage.

I am particularly happy to have seen him today. That’s because it’s now three days since I ran the Hellrunner and for those that don’t know it, it’s a series of testing, 11 mile, cross-country events designed over hills, in bogs, through streams and forests and ‘into’ a variety of other ‘water features’! It’s cold, wet, muddy…..and a whole lot of fun. Pictured below my mate Mally (Top) and me (bottom). We both started the race with some amount of trepidation, Mally because of a gammy knee (although I’m not so sure about that based on how well he did) and me having had 8 pints, a curry and 5 hours sleep the night before!

However, as you can see we both seem to be enjoying ourselves. Mally is in the river run, and I am just completing the ’6 hills’ – both kind of speak for themselves! The hills are an absolute bastard, but offer a serious amount of enjoyment when you realise that you have done the last of them!  

I would recommend the series to anyone looking to do something a bit different early in the year, and it makes for a really good training run if you’re looking to build up to the London Marathon, whilst if your just strength training your legs you won’t go far wrong.

Added to that everyone was dead friendly and it was a really mixed crowd. From relative novices through to triathletes and everything in between. There was plenty of resources there too, ample toilets, refreshments, baggage storage and the obligatory goodie bag at the end. The only thing missing was a medal – although you do get a t-shirt as a ‘survivor’, a medal would have been nice!!!

So I came in 1365th, whilst Mally finished in 1449th with times of 2:27:15 and 2:32:39 respectively!

 Somehow I don’t think the winner (Robert Little) with a time of 1:16:46 will be all that concerned about us challenging him next year, but we both have a goal to go for and that will be to get into the  Top 1000th!

Next on the event calendar for me is the Reading Half Marathon - should be a doddle in comparison to this!! Actually…..I am quite looking forward to some road running now!

The Bad

Starting with the bad – in my last post I mentioned that i was looking forward to my swimming training. How wrong was I!! I misinterpreted the minimum swimming standard required for the drills. Swimfortri’s site said that you needed to be able to swim 400m. Now I can swim 400 metres, but only just and with a rest at 200 metres, so I really struggled. thankfully the coach was sympathetic and advised that I take some technique training and start from scratch. It was however little comfort to being the very worst in the class!!!!

For those that need swim training however, I really recommend Swimfortri they have a variety of group course as well as 1-2-1 coaching if that’s what you want. So in order to progress I have booked ‘Learn to swim front crawl’ and ‘Develop front crawl’ - each is a 12 week course, one following the other – at the end of which I hope to be able to be able to comfortably swim 750m. We’ll see what happens – in the meantime I am in the pool 2 -3 times a week struggling my way to 400 metres each session, my view being that at least I can try to build up my stamina.

The Good

On the plus side I have been on the bike nearly every day – often twice (to and from work – 15k each way) so have clocked up between 100k -150k a week there, whilst at the same time I have also put in two 15k runs as well. the runs were comfortable and I didn’t really ache much afterwards either. I put this down to the bike work aiding my muscle strength and plenty of stretching before and afterwards. I’ve also got myself a muscle therapist that has spent time working with me to straighten out my body.Amazing how bad sitting at a desk all day every day is for your posture, and running position.

Hell Runner next week

Really looking forward to this one – 12 miles, rough terrain, hilly, boggy and downright horrible – but it will make a really pleasant change from the road. Check it out below.

Hell runner video

And this is what I could end up looking like!

However there was no exercise taken at the weekend, although I did work on my allotment, which could be roughly deemed as raising the heart rate – and if you’ve ever dug over a plot you’ll know what I mean!!

Took receipt of my wetsuite and swimming cap today! Very exciting – looking forward to my first swimming lesson on Thursday

Monday and Tuesday’s exercise and diet

Monday food

3 Weetabix and honey – 350 calories

3 bananas – 300 calories

2 cereal bars – 200 calories

5 teas/coffees – 250 calories

small curry with couscous – 500 calories

Total calories 1600

Monday exercise - 14 km on the bike

Tuesday food

3 Weetabix with honey – 350 calories

cereal bar – 100 calories

Tuna melt – 450 calories

Pasta with Serrano ham, tomatoes, garlic, onions and peppers – 600 calories

5 teas/coffees – 250 calories

1 small chocolate bar – 50 calories

1 satsuma – 50 calories

Total calories 1850

Tuesday exercise – 28k on the bike

I am very pleased with myself!!! Also been on the bike every day this week and the thighs and hamstrings are feeling good for it too!

Excercise today 

12 k on the bike

Food

3 Bananas     – 300 calories

Chicken breast, couscous, salad, 2 slices wholemeal bread – 350 calories

4 cups of tea/coffee – 240 calories

3 satsumas = 100 calories

Slice of caramel cake (boo) – 250 calories

handful of boiled sweets (boo) – 200 calories

Beans and tuna on toast = 600 calories

Total calories = 2040

This weekend I have 2 parties to go to – One a friend’s birthday, and one party being thrown by Crisis - a celebration for the volunteers (i was one) that supported the Crisis for christmas campaign. I wonder if I’ll manage to get myself out to do some running and swimming? I just hope that I avoid a handover!

Two slices of whloemeal toast – 250 calories, one banana – 100 calories, two chicken salad wraps with humous - 350 calories, 1 boiled egg – 90 calories, pasta and pesto with ham 450 calories

Excercise

14k bike in the morning

14k bike in the evening

Firstly I don’t swim that well – So I decided to invest in some swim training and booked myself a 12 week course via swimfortri. To go with the swimming I needed to by a Pull Buoy, swim paddles, training fins, goggles and a swimming cap!!

Next I realised that I would need a tri suit, so I bought a SKINS Tri400 sleeveless compression suite. After that I realised that I would a wet suite – the options were rent or buy. I decided to buy and went for a 2XU T:O (based on the buoyancy reviews and its 2 year warranty).

So that was the Swimming. Now to the running. Thankfully I have trainers that have done me well for a number of 5k – 10 milers so I am happy with them, however I thought that I should get a set of SKINS Tights and a SKINS long sleeve top - these are highly rated by everyone that I have talked to and again carry a good guarantee.

Now to the cycling – Already got the bike – a Cannondale Synapes which I love – so saved a bit there!

So I was kitted up for swimming, cycling and running – just needed a heart rate monitor to help me train efficiently – found a great Forerunner 405 second-hand – result!

So my total spend to date is:

Swim Training - £115, Pull Buoy – £8, Swim paddles – £6, Training fins – £15, Goggles – £5 swimming cap – £5, Tri Suite – £125, Wet suite – £110, Skins tights and top – £90, Forerunner 405 – £150. Entry to 6 events – £180

£809!

So – before you start your training – you might want to save up a little!!!!