I've had a few races in the last few weeks, with the first being the State Olympic Distance Titles down in Mandurah. The lead up wasn't great with a few back issues disrupting training and I was going from racing to not racing almost daily. In the end it was a chance to race on the Mandurah 70.3 course and get some experience before the 70.3 in October.
I also picked up a Cervelo P2 two days before the race, kindly lent to me from Churchill Cycles until my new ride arrives. It was great to get aero again
Race day was in a word HOT!
The swim went ok, I was happy to be out in 23 minutes and feeling good. I had an aim of averaging 38kmp/h and managed to tick that. This was the opposite strategy to Champion Lakes race of white line fever on the bike!
The run is where the heat took it's toll as the run course is exposed to the sun most of the way. I picked up a few places on the run to come in 15th in 2hrs 8min. Nothing great, but a fun way to improve my fitness.
The next race was another Tri Events race down in Rockingham. This was the last race I did before fracturing my hip in 2008 and I hadn't raced it since. So I was quite looking forward to getting back to it as it was one of my favourites.
I had got some descent training in and again swam ok, progressing well and getting closer to the top guys. I've started training with Paul Newsome at SwimSmooth again and can feel the progress being made. The training has been more aerobic than last summer (which is my weakness in swimming), so I'm not swimming at my fastest, but handling the longer efforts with a little bit of comfort.
I came out of the water with Matt Burton and thought about pacing off him, but it was quickly dismissed as he is preparing for IM Melbourne. Got to pick my battles at the moment and he rode away. The Cervelo P2 felt pretty good and the run that followed showed some signs of coming together to finish in 8th.
All in all I happy with how everything is progressing. I can feel my fitness building and the weight is coming off too. Rehab wise I am also making gains. A big thanks to Rob Naish at Subiaco Sports Med as my neck is stronger and as a result there is much less pain while riding. Bit by bit it is coming together.
What's next
I'll be heading down to Manjimup and Pemberton at the end of the month for school visits and a triathlon clinic to promote Triathlon and the Karri Valley Triathlon with Rob Suriano and Ange. From there its off to the South Coast and the Albany Classic.
With missing three 70.3's / half ironmans over summer, I have been thinking about a winter season (and hoping for a mild winter). The local races are simply there to have a bit of fun, while I build and track my fitness.
The plan for my winter season
May - Busselton 70.3
Jun - Cairns 70.3
Aug - Philippines 70.3 (maybe MetaMan Half)
Then build into Ironman
Oct - Mandurah 70.3
Nov - Shepparton 70.3
Dec - Busselton Ironman
Jan - Albany Half Triathlon
So plenty to look forward to and plenty of hard work still to be done
Train Safe
Mikey
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