Updated eventually! Waht a few days

After the great swimming results, a curve ball from Dawn my coach and loosing motivation to train after a heavy few days I had to concentrate hard to get into a mind set of racing the Duathlon. Despite everything and the long trip down from RAF Coningsby to Hullavington the idyllic home of the Duathlon, I managed to have a good race and improve on last year despite the broken toe and lack of running over the past 3 weeks.

I managed to get a 18:46/27:36/9:58 56:20 44th Overall for the 5/20/2.5 (No women in Front and 21st in Cat)
Last year 19:00/ 32:40/ 10:30 and a few women in front....however the drugs tests were inconclusive and I still have my suspicions.

Then back to work Thursday for an all nighter meant that Friday was lost recovery and cleaning before trying out the Erox cell air full wetsuit in the lake kindly lent to me on Saturday Morning. A nice fit but a little loose around the waist so I think and agree with Saggers that a "M" would fit me better I'm just worried about the shoulders though. Despite the sizing a considerably faster suit which was comfortable on the shoulders and compatible for swimming despite sticking out like a sore thumb in the water. I look forward to giving the new girl a go and seeing if that can get me interested in a purchase. My only concern is the patch on the back seems to seep water and thickness is alot less allowing me to get cold quicker.....but then if I'm in the water longer than 21 mins on 1500 there will be something wrong. As I said an improvement on the Helix which may need to be adopted by someone soon.

The lake swims are filling quickly and with 15 on Saturday I can see a regular 20-30 every week in June-August. Let me know if you fancy joining us for a dip. Everyine is welcome.

Managed a 16k run Saturday afternoon at 13.5k/hr which still leaves my feet tingling around the toe but a lot better than a few weeks ago. Sunday was the clubs long ride to Skegness through the Wolds. When I last looked my coaching plan said 4hrs hilly on TT bike. So I did 4hrs hilly on Road but stuck it in the big one all the way....No changing. With the level and experience of riders I tootled along and enjoyed the ride the Gibralter point and then back into the head wind. Clocking in over 130k in the 6.5 hrs of riding.

Well that now leaves today at Mallory Park. My marker race! for the past 2 years I have entered this race and enjoyed the competition between me and others. Today was no exception. With the wind blustery and the intermittent rain just watching the juniors from the club made me wonder about racing. I was so cold and un-motivated until one of the young girls from the club finished the bike and wanted to quit as she was too cold. Not to disappoint! I decided with only 30 mins before my race and having not yet set up to run/ walk the 2k lap with her for company. As we finished the run she said she was looking forward to seeing the adults race as were all the other Juniors. I then quickly racked, unpacked and prepared to raced. I enjoy this closed road race just for the track side support , racing against Jonathon Riall the regional rep for Triathlon England was only an added incentive as we had a close race in 2008 which saw me pip him over the line in the last lap.

2009 was going to be close one again as the super slim JR, was eager to claim back some pride. With the swim cancelled as the water temp fell below 11 and the wind chill down to 6 in places we started with a 3k run. Loosing sight of him straight away as I raced in borrowed kit I soon overheated and fell down on my pace some 1:40 behind at T1 apparently. With the quick boys out and gone on the bike I soon joined them on the smooth tarmac racing around and chasing down the deficit. As the laps rolled down so did the time and soon he was within sight as I finished the 10 lap 20k bike loop as we crossed over on the pit lane 44 secs behind. As the distance increased the time decreased however after lap one I had crawled back 15 secs and looked like I was setting up a close finish. Only to see the gap between us stay the same for the remaining 2 laps. Leaving me 29 secs behind as I crossed the line in 1:08. Splits to follow shortly for the interested.

Great support from Pinky and his core stability coach, Judith and the Lincoln gang. A much better result than last year and despite the lack of swimming an enjoyable event I have pencilled in for May BH 2010.... fancy your chances JR with my swimming record and good form.