Daz Does Tri

Due to niggles & general CBAness to run, my first tri of the season was to be the Grafman. It's a great race for me because it's so local and I know the roads and terrain well. Last season I went pretty well finishing 5th in AG, this year I was really interested to see if concentration almost all my time on biking would make a big difference. Swimming has gone well considering I've only really been swimming twice a week and running was going to be the big mystery although I was hoping I could depend on my background a bit. Well, having done sod all running in the past 3 months I didn't really have much of a choice!

FINALLY, is all I can say in relation to the blog title. For anyone that knows me, the bike was such a massive disappointment last year and that rolled into the start of the year in the same fashion! My last blog post mentioned racing the Ely 25 at the start of Feb. Ouch the race was horrific. Hitting the first turn ay 8 miles or so in 21 mph avge was bad. My 5 min man passing me before 15 miles was very bad. Getting off my bike in 1.07:40 was the worst I've ever felt on what was effectively as much a float day you'll ever get in the start of Feb. However, I didn't tear up the wall planner like so many others have when results have gone bad. I knew the plan was good and it would take MORE dedication not doing something else to find the right result. What Ely really taught me was there really is no point trying to be competitive at Triathlon if I can't be in the top few on the bike. I can't swim quick enough and as much as I think I'm a handy runner even the B...

I think the thing that I've taken most from January is - BLOODY HELL IT'S COLD !!! I have to be brutally honest and say that I have had enough of this. There have been rides and runs that I've been frozen to the bone and even walking from kitchen to the garage to do a turbo has left my hypothermic!

Happy new year to both my blog followers! Had a cracking 2 week break to Dubai with the fam Preston for my 40th and over crimbo. Stayed in Atlantis on the palm and it was an incredible place. Obviously ate and drank like a king and did a grand total of about an hours floating in the sea exercise wise. A break was definately needed but as usual my hard earned fitness had all but dissapeared by the time I got back.

2014 is rapidly drawing to a close with a nice 2 week break from training. It's been an interesting year for sure. To be honest there have been no huge results, couple of dissapointing ones but mainly I've filed most races in the 'job done' box. Last weekend was my last race of the year, our clubs Ashman TT (which was postponed from summer). After forgetting my bike shoes and having to drive home to get them I managed all of 200m warm up before I was off (6 mins after getting bike out of the car)! My race finished with a puncture on lap 2 but in all honesty it was not going to make a big difference to the outcome of the race. Got to say it sums up my year on the bike really. I've just not got it right. Not trained hard enough and not done the right training. If I'm honest I just don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. I get the basics but not purely concentrating on the bike means I am not making the most of my time. I have no idea what sort o...

Where to begin with this one!! Pre-race form has been great. Absolutely no worries with fitness, no niggles or illness, travelled well, slept well and felt relaxed. Paguera itself turned out to be a lovely place. Bike reccy of 2nd half of the course the day before the race gave the impression of a fast and fair course. Obviously I didn't see the long drag up to Es Capdella but I'd heard it was surprisingly comfortable. Probably only pre-race mistake I made was not running any of the run course, however it was advertised as pancake flat #hmmmm To be fair I never run the course but it would have been handy here on reflection as would a set of last years results! Race day

Last week had potential to go massively wobbly on the training front. A beer up on Wednesday evening, swimming club trials for oldest son on Thursday, all day at Lego Land Saturday and son's 7th birthday party on Sunday along with the usual noise and I must admit I was worried the last big week was going to be interrupted. Monday Rest Day. Well needed after 22 days solid training and only the 2nd zero carded for September (a record I think)! Actually felt good after this, starting to feel a big leggy with things picking up and sleep / nutrition has not been great and something to start addressing!