Weymouth Middle Distance (70.3)

It has taken a while to post a report from Weymouth Middle Distance (70.3).

As I have said previously, I am playing catch up after my 8 marathons in 8 days in April. The 4 weeks after the '8' were taken up with family and stressing over Dad's serious option. I ticked over with a run each day but nothing too long. Also, this period was meant to be 'Tri Specific' as my Ironman was on July 13th.

Anyway, April was a wipe out and I started back in the pool and on the bike in May. Of course, as soon as I started swimming and cycling my back and calf problems re started; great!

I went to Weymouth with little prep, twitchy calfs and a very tight lower back. I had nothing to loose I guess??

I had a good group of friends at the race and we all met for dinner the night before the race. I have to say I was pretty nervous as I was unsure of the outcome of the race. My friends had all been dedicated to the Tri cause for 6 months plus. I was fit, yes! but not specifically fit for a triathlon. My swimming was way behind. Anyway, a quick run into the sea at 7.15am on Sunday morning and the race was under way. The water at Weymouth is very shallow until you get quite a long way out. So funny deciding if running would be quicker than swimming. 

The swim went quite quickly. It was definitely over distance, everyone commented but it was the same for all.

On the bike I started steady and then upped the pace. I felt very relaxed and was surprised at how good I felt. I just continually passed other waves and riders. I was making ground and feeling great. Into t2 I was in about 8th place. I was looking forward to the run; surely ALL those miles would show here? Nope!! I ran well but nowhere near as quick as I wanted. I think the bike took more out of me than I thought, plus the increased heat and sun started to press down. I pulled more places back and finished 3rd in my wave and on AG. 

It was a real result considering the prep. I was only about 15 minutes down on the previous year when I had won my AG and taken 6th overall. 

It was a great sign leading into my final 4 weeks prep for Austria.

Remaining races for 2008

Here are my remaining races for 2008.

June 8th - Weymouth Middle Distance

June 15th - Ironman UK 70.3

June 21st - Malvern Marathon

June 28th - Endurancelife Coastal, Lizard to Lands End

July 13th - Ironman Austria

August 9th/10th - Lakes 50m Trail Ultra

September 7th - Kent Coastal Marathon

September 20th/21st - Thames Path Ultra - Henley to Staines/ Staines to Henley

October 5th - Loch Ness Marathon

October 19th - Abingdon Marathon

October 25th - Beachy Head Marathon

November 8th - Endurancelife Coastal Series, stg 1, Poole

December 6th - Endurancelife Coastal Series, stg 2, Gowar, Swansea

iAmTri

Hi all, a new community has appeard on the web 

www.iamtri.com

Basically, it is 'Facebook' for triathletes. Great idea and I am sure it will generate many new friendships and groups. Go online and sign up, it only takes a few minutes.

My page can be found at: www.iamtri.com/profile/iancorless

See you all there !

Dean Karnazes - On a Mission

There are 21 California Missions. They stretch nearly 700 miles from Sonoma, just North of San Fransisco to San Diego. Each was built a day apart. This allowed travelers a convenient rest stop each night on a journey.

Dean decided to recreate this journey in just 10 days. Yep, he was going to run appx 60-70 miles per day. Why? well, he had to get to the San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon, so instead of taking a car or plane, he decided to run there.... 

He decided to travel two missions at a time followed by his parents in his mobile home, the 'Mothership'.

This guy just goes on to inspire with his challenges.

The Rock n Roll Marathon was on the 31st of May, on June 8th, he heads out to the Gobi Dessert to run the 2nd leg of the 'Dessert Series'. He won the first one in April.

So, he ran 700 miles and a marathon in training - awesome !!!!