Firstly, sorry it’s been so long. The last few months have been a whirlwind to say the least; consisting of an epic journey at the World Championships in Kona, a new job and a big move to Dubai. I now work for a bike shop called “The Cycle Hub” (please like us on Facebook and check us out). In November I moved out here and life has been pretty crazy ever since!
Quick word on Kona (sorry Steve never got round to a full blog). It is truly a place of dreams and to compete there was incredible. It is something I definitely hope to repeat again one day. Race day was amazing and so close between all us OTCF (Off That Couch Fitness) boys. I have to say a massive well done to Steve to grab first place out of the three of us, especially with very little run training. It takes a very strong mind to push that hard when the going gets tough. If only I didn’t have to take a four minute penalty (drafting? whatever referee, it couldn’t be avoided when everyone was so tightly packed! Not bitter at all). How much closer it could have been. Thanks to all my support crew that came out to cheer me on and the support from back home, memories made to last a lifetime and to share it with you all makes it that little bit sweeter.
So with moving to Dubai, starting a new job, living a new life style and still riding the Kona wave, training took a back seat for a few months. I think for the first time in my life, I might of been keeping up with Stevie G’s drinking consumption but unfortunately not alongside his training schedule! This could only go on for so long as I know this is my time to come back fitter and stronger than ever.
So in January I started to get back into it, a new year and all that jazz. Now it’s starting to come back to me. I work long hours so trying to find the time to train properly is hard, but if you want to do it you make sacrifices and that’s what I have to do. Which usually means not going out with the boys from The Cycle Hub (the Best bike shop in Dubai!) so much. The facilities to train near where I live are top class. Aside from flat dessert and few hills close by, at least the wind makes it a challenge. The weather is fantastic at the moment and you can’t beat watching the Arabian sunrise day in day out.
So I entered my first tri of 2014 called Tri Yas which was held at the F1 track in Abu Dhabi. The swim was in the marina and the bike and run course on the track. I went in there with a relaxed mentality and just wanted to see what standard I was at. I surprised myself to be honest. With such little training done and not much of a fan of the Olympic distance, it went well.
Lessons learnt – don’t try to keep up with the quick swimmers, without putting the hours into pool training or you die half way around; which I did. Don’t be tempted to go at someone else’s pace on the bike, it’s your race. Practice transitions – don’t flap like me. Kick harder on the run even when it hurts!!
I came in 5th overall, and 2nd in my age category with a time of 2:00:40. I really wanted to break the 2 hour mark, especially when I realised I was so close, next time it’s on.
The remainder of the year consists of Abu Dhabi international Tri, 15th March. I am doing the short course (1.5 km swim, 100 km bike and 10km run), hopefully Outlaw and Malaysia Ironman in September. This will give me another shot at Kona which is something I will give everything to achieve.
Hope you are all training hard and 2014 is a good season for all. Wishing you a safe and injury free year.
I have done my 135km this morning, now where is that beach! He he.
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