Training Update

I have been a little quiet on my training post Ironman. It has not been a calculated decision. It is just the way things have worked out. I have races planned pre Christmas but all major targets are now in 2009.

Having said that, next week I have a 40 mile trail run and then two weeks later I have two days on the Thames Path covering 100km.

So, as you can expect, I have been doing lots of running. This week I have been training in Nice in the South of France. It was an intentional end to my training period post Ironman and before I start racing again.

It has been a really tough week. I have covered just under 300km in 8 days. Admittedly not all running but my intention was to put time 'on' my legs to prepare for the challenges ahead. Needless to say, the week is over and my legs are tired... very tired! 

Breaking the week down I have run every day and walked approximately 10 miles a day. My running breakdown has been as follows:

• Sunday 24th - 14.21 miles at 7m 42s pace
• Monday 25th - 8.2 miles at 7m 05s pace
• Tuesday 26th - 9.84 miles at 7m 52s pace
• Wednesday 27th - 13.62 miles at 8m 13s pace
• Thursday 28th - 6.33 miles at 7m 30s pace
• Friday 29th - 15.63 miles at 7m 59s pace
• Saturday 30th - 10.42 miles at 7m 30s pace
• Sunday 31st - 18.15 miles at 8m 30s pace

It has been a good week. But I can really feel the effects. It was intentional though. It has been plus 30 deg everyday and hydration has been really important. On my runs I was carrying a double Salomon bottle belt (1 litre of liquid). I have used 'Nuun' electrolyte tablets as they are the most efficient way to replace sodium. I have also used 'endurolytes' by Hammer. Again, really effective. Because the pace of my runs has been relatively easy I have not eaten too many calories whilst running. Just a Hammer Gel every 45 min or so... carbs have not been an issue.

This coming week I am going to really ease back and recover. I will run daily but only short distances. I will also get some pool time to help the overall recovery proccess.

Olympics

Are you loving the Olympics ? I am. It has been a fantastic week of sport. The opening ceremony was just so spectacular and the quality of action that has followed has been awesome. Nicole Cook finally gets a long overdue Gold. We get a silver in the ladies time trial and then we get a gold in the pool with one of the most exciting swim races ever! I say one of the most exciting as I now have 'the' most exciting. Yes, you have guessed it, the mens relay... I am not American but I was screaming at the TV for that finish. What a come back.... I am so pleased for Phelps. I want him to get those 8 golds. He has to rank as one of the most supreme athletes; ever!! 

He is up there with Lance Armstrong, Mohammed Ali and so on... to dominate a sport in such a way in 2008 is nothing short of miraculous. It's not only about his winning but his versatility in the pool. He literally has no weakness... He certainly will be around in 2012 for the next Olympics and he is talking of changing distances. I wonder how he would do in a Triathlon ?

DOUBLE IRONMAN

Life is a challenge. I remember when I stopped cycling and took up triathlon. I was daunted by the swim. But like in all things, if you apply yourself, dedicate the time, you improve and finally conquer your fears. An Olympic Triathlon progressed to a Half Ironman, a Half Ironman progressed to Ironman. An Ironman progressed to Ultra Running and 8 marathons in 8 days.

It's funny this year when I stood on the Ironman start line at Austria, I had no fear. No fear of the distance at all. I respected it, but didn't fear it. I knew that I would finish the race (barring accidents) it was just a case of what time?

What was different in 2008 was that I only applied myself to triathlon for 7 weeks. This spoke volumes to me. It was a risky strategy but based on knowledge of myself and what works for me in training. To go to Austria, produce a PB has left me secure in the knowledge that I now know what makes me tick in an endurance event.

As you will see from my previous post, I have already set an early 2009 target of running from London to Paris.

I have now taken the next logical step and entered DOUBLE IRONMAN UK for August 2009. Yes, a double!!! Distances are a 7.6k swim, 380km bike and a 84.4k run to be performed consecutively within a cut off time of 35 hours.

So, keep an eye on this blog. I am pretty sure I will have some interesting stories to tell over the coming months.

Below is a link for the official forum:

http://www.tritalk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=47120

NEW CHALLENGE AHEAD !!

The dust has settled on my Ironman. I have several good weeks of training in my legs and last week I clocked just under 90 miles. I have some relatively small targets pre- Christmas, however it is time I told you all of my new challenge for early 2009.... yes, if you can't work it out from the picture above, I plan to run from London to Paris concluding with the Paris Marathon.

Planning is still in it's early stages. Distances and format are to be clarified, however, one thing is for certain, I will start on March 28th/29th and conclude in Paris on April 5th with the 'official' Paris Marathon. We currently estimate the distance to be approximately 320 miles.

It seems to be the logical progression from my '8' earlier this year. This will take things to the next level and I can't wait.

I also want yhis challenge to be slightly different. As far as I can tell, no one has ever run the whole distance, therefore I plan to 'run' the channel crossing... yes, if I can get permission, i hope to put a treadmill on the ferry and run across. I have already approached Eurotunnel, nut due to safety regs it's not possible to run through. Shame !!

So, there you have it. The challenge is set. All I need to do know is plan for it and start getting the miles in....

Respect is due...

Claire Smith, you are a star !!

I got a telephone call in late January I think from my friend Claire. Claire did her first Ironman in 2007 at Sherborne. I spent the day supporting her... I have never seen anyone so scared before she entered the water. When she came out, she was freezing cold. I thought she had DNF'd in transition but she re-emerged after about 20mins of getting warm. On the bike she pulled through and then on the run she kept a consistent pace to finish in around 14hours 20min. It wasn't he fastest IM that day but it was quite moving and inspirational to watch. It had an effect on me. Some people really do have 'grit'.

So, back to the call in January. Claire announced to me that she had entered the 'Double Ironman' for August.

I wasn't very supportive as I felt that she stood a great risk of really injuring herself. I didn't doubt she could do it!! I knew she had the 'grit' to push.... but at what consequence to her health would doing a Double do?

We agreed to disagree. Once she made her mind up I obviously wanted her to do well, cross the line and be healthy. She got on with her training and in the latter stages we discussed some options to break the distance down. She adapted what we discussed and approached the Double with a strategy.

The Double took place over the weekend, the 2nd and 3rd. Claire crossed the line in around 32 hours 30mins. It;s not been confirmed yet. BUT she did it. I am so proud of her achievement. I haven't had chance to talk to her yet but it's going to be interesting to get the low down on a race I plan to do next year...

I have one regret. I was going to help crew for Claire during the night but due to family commitments, I couldn't go. I am really gutted about that. I wanted to be there.... Just so YOU know Claire, our thoughts where with you the whole time.

WELL DONE !!! AWESOME

Inspiration

Sport is such a great tool for motivation. It also promotes good health; physical and mental.

We all need heroes. They inspire us and motivate us to push ourselves to our own limits. Lance Armstrong has always stood high on a pedestal for me. What he achieved post cancer is nothing less than remarkable. However, before his cancer, we new he had talent. We new that he was destined for glory. Maybe not as a Tour winner but as a single day 'classics' rider. So his fame was expected. It just so happens he exceeded all our expectations....

However, 2007 and 2008 are going to stand out as 'key' years in Ironman History. Why? Chrissie Wellington.

Chrissie has stormed onto the Ironman scene as an unknown. She won her first Ironman in Malaysia. Her second race was on the holy ground of Kona; she won!!! Not bad, World Champion in your second race.....

This year she has won in Australia, then Germany (she would have broke the IM record had she not lapped up the glory on the finish straight) and now she has just won at the Alpe D'Huez Triathlon. Not only did she win the women's race but she was 2nd overall.... yep, she beat all the men. Fellow GB athlete, Stephen Bayliss lost 18 minutes to her. It must be one hell of a shock!!

So, Chrissie will head to Kona once again in October. Nothing is guaranteed in sport but barring injury, I can't see her loosing....

Watch the Chrissie Wellington space - a star in the making !!!