The London Triathlon 2009
This is one of my favourite events, and holds some 'sentimental' value in that it marked my first foray into the world of Triathlon (I entered the sprint distance back in 2003). Like many others, it also marked a change in my lifestyle and general attitude towards what was achievable in life. I went on from my first race in 2003 to completing my first Ironman (2006) followed by the Etape du Tour and many other endurance events (including giving me the confidence to embark on a 25-day Arctic expedition, but that's another story).
Anyway - all dreamy reminiscence aside - I'm obviously passionate about this event, as the fact that I've done it every year since 2003, and talked a number of friends a family into entering over the years, might just testify.
Over those years I've read plenty of criticism about the London Triathlon, from the entry fee to the 'impersonal' nature some people seem to experience. While I can understand an event of this size (10,000 competitors over the weekend) and in this location (East London) isn't going to be every body's cup-of-tea, I think those factors just add to the enjoyment for me, the atmosphere, sense of occasion, the enthusiastic spectators (including those enjoying a beer or five in a pub garden edging the run course). Oh and how can I forget - a bike course that loops out to Westminster, through the Limehouse tunnel, on completely closed roads!
Overall it's a particularly flat course - and that means fast. Even for a very recreational triathlete like myself, I can manage a fairly impressive-sounding finish time of 2:20 which always feels good. And lets face it - fast, flat-out races can provide just that extra bit of adrenaline.
The swim leg usually provokes the biggest reaction when talking to others about this race - 'eugh, you swim in the Thames??' to which I respond with a positive 'yes - apparently it's up to EU bathing standards' which is usually met with some surprise. In all honesty I don't know what that really means, other than I've swum in this particular part of the Thames seven years in a row and never felt any ill effects (I'd estimate I've probably drunk at least 1 litre during that time!). How does it taste? Warm and slightly Briny.
So how did it go this year? Well - I guess (2hrs 20mins, and 54th in my age-group). I was over a minute faster than last year overall, although my swim leg (my weakest discipline by some margin) was poor - over 29 mins. My wave start was at 8am, and the swim heads out in an easterly direction, right into the rising sun. I never remember this being much of a problem before, but this year It really seemed to impede my navigation (well that's my excuse anyway - it didn't seem to bother those who finished in 22 mins!)
Given that I'd focused on cycling over the past 6 months or so, I expected that to be my strongest discipline, however it turns out I was a few seconds slower than last year (this has obviously justified a large expenditure on a Tri-specific bike sometime in the next 12 months - in my mind anyway). I guess the run provided the biggest surprise - I was worried that the complete lack of run training over the past months (knee problems) would be telling in my run time, but quite the opposite. I completed the 9.4k run in 38:50 - which for me - is considerably faster than I ran last year!
So I'm already thinking about the 2010 event, and it's early enough in the year that I can ponder over some completely unrealistic goals for next year - like turning that 54th place age-group finish into first place. All I need is that incredibly expensive Triathlon bike...
Epilogue 2009
After a definite gap, I'm starting this blog up again, for no other reason than a desire to keep a journal about some of the things I've done, and to (hopefully) keep me focused on some of the things I'm planning on doing over the next 12 months.
So it's currently the end of August, and here in the UK you'd be forgiven for thinking the Autumn was already here, with and with the nights already drawing in, I'm trying not to think too much about winter training sessions on the bike - having to reluctantly drag myself out into the darkness, wearing long tights, several layers and making sure I'm lit up like a damn Christmas tree.
Okay, so I still have a little while before the winter sets in. Only a few weeks ago I completed this years Etape du Tour basking (or dying) in temperatures of up to 40 degrees C on the slopes of the legendary Mt Ventoux. This was the most epic climb I've ever done on a bike, and definitely the toughest - as the many heat exhaustion casualties strewn along the 22km climb would testify.
Whilst on the subject of the Etape - I have to talk it up a little (in case anyone happens to be reading this, perhaps wondering if they should enter). This years stage from Montélimar to Bedouin was, by far, the most exciting, most epic and the most scenic, bike event I've ever been fortunate enough to take part in.
Riding 170km on closed roads, racing 9000+ other riders, through stunning French scenery is something well worth experiencing if you're in anyway enthusiastic about bike racing. If the stage is right (it's different every year), and the weather good - it's truly an awesome experience.
So where do I go from here? Well, a week spent in France, doing some superb rides made a hell of difference to my fitness (along with some weight-loss due to the entree-sized portions served by the hotel). After a tough year in terms of work-load and persistent knee injuries, I'd got to that point in the year where, I guess, my fitness is at it's peak - which is a great feeling, although something I've never been able to hold on to for long. Historically, as soon as the 'big event' or 'A-race' of the year is finished, I loose motivation all too easily and before I know it weeks have elapsed since my last training session.
This pattern is something I'm more than just keen to break over the coming autumn and winter months - I have to break it if I want to push myself out of this plateau I seem to have occupied over the past couple of years.
So the over the coming weeks, I'll be trying to decide on next year's target events (at this stage, Ironman France or the Alpe d'Huez Triathlon are favourites) along with attempting a first for me: A structured approach to training!
