Tuesday 8 September 2009
Ginger Racing Machine
Next outing's the Hever Tri on 27th Sept where the competition is more down to earth: that boy next door, another one of those pesky runners. Bring it on Ben - just go easy on an old man ...
Wednesday 13 May 2009
Ejector Seat Malfunction
Friday 27 February 2009
Pamper Shock
Run Fishy Run
Six months off running nursing a dodgy achilles. No more.
I'm running again: slow, heavy and not far but running. I'd love to say I've used the downtime to perfect my swimming technique and cycling speed; wrong. Since August 2008 I have simply perfected my pie line.
First target of the season: Thames Turbo II on May 4th; overall time target of 1:08 including a 20 minute 5k. Hang in there Achilles.
Wednesday 1 October 2008
Ginger Racing Machine
Friday 5 September 2008
Finest Steak and Ale
Friday 15 August 2008
London Triathlon 2008
31 minutes. Wobble out of the water as the blood rushes to my feet and stumble out of the wetsuit. Into Excel and find my bike, “D2 end left” it’s on the back of my hand. Helmet, specs, shoes, number belt, go. Clatter out of transition on carbon soles, staying upright – just.
40k on closed roads with the second lap going all the way to Westminster; a dream time trial, until a hearty westerly slaps me in the face and sends my heart rate up to an unsustainable 173bpm. I pass a bloke unwrapping a silver foil packed picnic on his top-tube; very funny, he’s clearly planning on a long day in the saddle. Turn at
I’ve done 1:07 on the bike and no one’s overtaken me but its disappointing to be back at transition so soon because I know what’s coming. Skid back to my spot, dump the bike, running shoes on, breathe deep; this bit’s going to hurt.
For 2k I have only a vague
sensation of movement; someone has taken my legs in the confusion of transition? It’s not until a quarter of the way through that feeling returns and I appear to be going well. My target time is fifty minutes but I know my swim was slow so I’ve got some catching up to do. I spot friends and family jumping up and down at 5k and suddenly there’s more in the tank. 7.5k comes up quickly and then I’m trying to hang on to every runner that comes past to drag me home. The last kilometre is like the top of Alpe d’Huez after La Marmotte and my body just wants to stop. The line finally arrives and I’ve run 10k in 43 minutes.
I’ve completed my first Olympic distance triathlon in 2 hours 28 minutes 51 seconds. The relief, satisfaction and sense of achievement are immense. Only now do I sit down and cry.