Only 12months since my 1st triathlon!!

Todays blog has to really be about my mate Vlad Shatrov's effort in Hawaii! Today (well in Aus) was the Hawaiin IronMan race, and if you remember he has been training for that for really the past 18months or so, firstly qualifying at first go in Port Mac in April this year, and then training through winter to be able to finish the race today. He left Sydney on Monday morning, giving himself a few days to climatise (sure he would have liked more), but with his new 2XU shop, thats all the time he had to give. I think he could not done much more in terms of preparation, and you can see from the races leading up to this, how much he had done...2 x half marathon PB's and top placings were awesome! anyway, I dont have his report, and I will post that in next weeks blog, and I dont want to steal his thunder, but he finished in a little over 10hours, in very hot (+35 degrees) conditions, so its truly a great achievement for someone who has had some much else to deal with in the lead up to this race. Once he publishes his report, I will link it to mine, because it will be worth reading to try and understand how tough that race is. So, well done Vlad mate....a truly awesome effort mate, inspirational and an example of how with hard work and the right support, stretch goals are achievable....I look forward to having a few beers with you to celebrate your achievement!

Onto my past week now, it was a pretty tough one, but once again, very enjoyable. I did a huge brick session on Wednesday morning (70mins on the Turbo followed by a 6km run off the bike). The run felt so good, and I ran them at pretty much sub 4min pace, so was chuft. On Thursday morning, I had a 100min run, so I drove into work, headed off to centennial park for a few laps. The set also had a bunch of sprints in the middle so it was good. I ended up running 22kms at a pretty decent pace and keeping my HR low, so I was pleased. I felt good, although pretty fatigued in the afternoon. I swam again Frtiday morning with my wetsuit to continue the strenghtening and getting used to using it, before runnning 17km with Jason on Saturday morning. we spoke for most of the run

Today was the Maitland Mid Distance triathlon race which I had not done before, and was really excited as it was the 1ast one of the new season...the distances were 1.5km swim, 55km ride and 12km run. I felt pretty confident of finishing in around 3 to 3.5hours. I came out of the swim first overall (which I was surprised and chuft with), but only came out of transition in 3rd I think because I could not get the wetsuit off :-( (going to have to practice that..any advice anyone?), got absolutely hammered on the bike, I reckon 30 odd people passed me, probably more, and then ran the 12 odd kms at 4mnin pace, so was reallyt chuft with that. I felt pretty strong throughout the run, and in terms of the swim and run, I feel I will be able to hold that pace for the Half Iron Man in 3 weeks, however, no way on the bike! I averaged around the 35km/hr mark for the 55km, still got bludgeoned and was quite tired, so will not be able to hold that speed for 90km. Still, a good hit out, and thoroughly enjoyable. The race was realy well organised, a great turn out, and the course was pretty good to, the swim in a river, the run and ride through farmland, and pretty flat so it was a great race, I certainly enjoyed it.

So, all up this week :

Swim : 2.5hours (8kms)
Cycle : 3hours TT + 1.45hours (55km at race today)
Run : 5hours (62km)
Total : 12.15hours (or there abouts)

SO a pretty decent week, another enjoyable one to. I am pretty knackered, but it will be a drop in the ocean to how those guys who just finished the Hawaiin Man, they will be 100% satisfied, but pretty physically buggered.....and will be for the next few days to!

once again, well done Vlad on your effort mate, real,ly pleased for you!!