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This is my ‘A’ race this year and my first Olympic Distance. The last few weeks since the Sprint Tri I haven’t been able to put in as much training as I’d like, however I think I’m prepared.

Today I’ve got the usual anxiousness. Mostly about the ancillaries rather than any of the stages, I’m always running through questions like; what time do I need to get up? should I wear my GPS for the whole event (no real reason to do it, but I like the pacing information out on the run)? Should I put bike shoes on in Transition or run barefoot with them to the mount line (Transition at Emberton is quite small and grassy – so I think I’ll run with the shoes on)?

I’m not really looking forward to the run as 10k is a ‘fast’ distance in my mind (unlike say the 13mi of a 70.3, which is more a ‘complete’ rather than ‘compete’ distance). Although I don’t have any trouble with the distance I do know how drained I can feel off the bike. All I can do is push on, I’d really like to go under 50 mins on the run, but I don’t know how likely that is going to be on race day.

I know everyone says, “just go out there and enjoy it”.. but on the other hand you do want to do yourself some justice in the race, and that means pushing and that means pain and that means not enjoying it.. until your done.

Anyway, until tomorrow..

Big Cow MK Tri 2010

I went ahead and booked Beverley Triathlon in August (15th). It’ll be cool to compete in the market town I used to school in, and hopefully I’ll get some family support since they’re all pretty local. It’s a pool sprint event and I seem to remember the pool there is pretty good, it’ll be interesting to see where the run route goes too.

I’m toying with entering Roade Sprint Tri again this year too. I’ll see how my July races go first as I’d prefer to focus on the longer course events.

Realising that actually booking a race is a useful motivator I’ve picked on two that feature open water swims.

First off I’ve got sprint race on 4th July,

Cowman Sprint – 750m swim, 20k cycle, 5k run.

Then later in the month its back to Emberton for the MK Tri on the 2th,

MK Tri 2010 – 1500m swim, 40k cycle, 10k run.

My priority before these races is to get some open water experience. I’ve neglecting the swimming recently preparing for the Duathlon so it’s time to head back to the pool. My wetsuit is on order so the plan is to meet up wit the Team MK people at Haversham or Brogborough and get from 0 to 1500 in the next couple of months.

I’m also tempted to book a place at the Beverley 2010 Sprint Tri – it’s a pretty market town I used to go to school in and near to my parents home… so a bit weird to run round it in some wet swimming trunks.

So far this year my work load seems to be a stumbling block to any significant training. To tackle something serious like 70.3 or full IM and need to be able to fully commit to training for it and that isn’t happening right now. Given that I’ve been re-assessing what’s realistic – especially given that I’ve only recently had a proper road bike and I’ve yet to even begin open water swimming.

The likelihood of any open water swim being possible until May is low given the cold water temps right now. I’ve decided to start off with a Duathlon at Silverstone race circuit. A 2.5mi Run, 10mi Ride then 2.5mi Run. Silverstone is relatively close to where I live and offers a chance to compete on the famous motor racing circuit.

Following on from there of I’ve got a list of a few more ‘possibles’,

June 6 – Big Cow Sprint 750/20/5
June 29 – Silverstone Duathlon 2.5/10/2.5 (2nd race in the series)
July 4 – Cowman 1.9/92/21 or Cowman Sprint 750/20/5
July 25 – MK Tri 1.5/40/10
August 12 – Silverstone Duathlon 2.5/10/2.5 (3rd race in series)
August 15 – Beverley Tri 400/20/5 (my old school town, close to my parents)

Some of these are open water. I’d like to do at least one this year.

I’ve never run a marathon. I’ve never ridden a proper race bike. I’ve certainly never swam more than a mile.. in open water at that.

What actually concerns me most about the above is the run. My knee begins to hurt if I run too far.. usually about 15 miles, but today – about 8 (not good). That and the swim. The ride doesn’t bother me.. unless it’s uphill I suppose.

There are therefore some technical aspects I would prefer to get sorted (and tested) prior to a full Iron Man. Luckily there is a local Half Iron Man (70.3) organised by Big Cow Events (a local organisation). My stage one plan is to enter and complete that as a test of progress. Their main event (Cowman 2010) takes place in July. My goal between now and then is to be ready for that. I’m hoping this will show if my target of a full Iron Man is realistic, as well as helping to increase my fitness and training commitment levels.

Primary Target 1 – Enter and complete Cowman 2010 on 4th July.

Depending on how training for this event goes I may end up either tackling shorter events first – such as an Olympic distance Triathlon to get a feel for the open water swim stages, or even a second 70.3 if things go really well.