Xmas journey around Western Australia

If you look at me now I’m struggling a little to get back my fitness after fracturing my C7 and T1, you might think it is a bad year after an injury like that. But to be honest I’m still pretty happy from finally getting back to some solid results earlier this year. It did take 3 years to get them.

The swimming and running are going okay. My swim is where it was when I started to train for Mandurah, nothing fantastic, but it’s coming back. My hips have loosened up (always a problem after I have time off) and my run is starting to feel strong. I’ve completed one small speed session and it wasn’t too bad.

The bike is not feeling great and I’m yet to notice any improvement, which is frustrating. I have a bit of endurance with a few 75 – 90km rides completed, but most have ended with me struggling. Seeing average speed in the 20’s when you used to average 35kph on similar training rides is demoralising.

Over Christmas and New Year I will get to head to a few different areas, which will mean a lot of driving, but the chance to ride in some different places and hopefully see some improvement.

First stop – Port Gregory

Famous for it's Pink salt lake

 

528km north of Perth on the coral coast and about 50km north of Horricks beach, where I had a training camp before Ironman WA last year. So a return to port Gregory road… last time it was windy, hot, undulating and dead roads. After a week I didn’t want to get back on my bike, so it should be fun!

Christmas day forecast 41 degrees….

Feeling very average at the end of 180km in Sept last year

 

Second stop – Margret River

Port Gregory is a family reunion for Ange’s family, Margret River is to catch up with my family. My brother Chris is racing at Melbourne IM in March, so I’ll be introducing him to Sues Road and hopefully a few more km in the legs for me.

Third and Final stop – Albany

I’ll be heading down to Albany to help Commentate at the inaugural Albany Half Triathlon. This is my favorite spot in WA and I was looking forward to racing there. After the accident, I was still keen to see this race become a success and I get to help out and try something new. No shark jokes, I promise.

Will definitely squeeze in a ride out to Two Peoples Bay, awesome spot!

Train safe, have a Merry Christmas everyone and thanks for the support.

Mike

PS and all I want for Christmas is two years injury free – Stay away cars!