So much to do so little time.

Things have been busy over the last 2 weeks and as a result I have done little training, and little blog writing! I have been busy at work and I am also aware that I need to spend more time with my lovely family as I tend to get wrapped up in other things. So I now plan to have a few days off completely and then hopefully come back refreshed and re-motivated. My recent goal of sub 5:30 for the new Forest Middle Distance Tri is now out of the window and I shall target either a sub 5:45 or a sub 6hour time depending upon how training goes for the next 4 weeks. My endurance should be OK from all the etape training but I have lost running speed and have not entered the water for 4 weeks. As they say in the office: “It will be fine”!

Japan

I had a quick visit to Japan last week, out on Monday and back Friday. It turns out that the “Fitness Corner” at the hotel was exactly that. A couple of pieces of CV kit and a view over Tokyo. Not ideal for spending much time training.




I managed a 90 minute “ride” on the gym bike the day I arrived but it was so boring (even with the view) I couldn’t face any more than that. As it turned out the trip was packed busy with full days and late nights and I didn’t manage to wake up early on any of the days I was there so I didn’t get any other sessions in. Sessions of the fitness kind that is, I did end up having several food and drink sessions with clients and business partners which were great fun! Sake, Sushi, Sashimi, Shabu Shabu and Sapporo are so much nicer in situ. Do all Japanese food and drinks begin with “S”? Ah no – the Kobe Beef Carpaccio was great.

Back on the MTB

On Sunday we participated in a TrailTrax (orienteering on a bike)event with my youngest son, Ben. He has been keen to do one of these for a while so we entered in the “Family Pair” category. The event involves mapping a route to try and collect as many points as possible by riding to marked locations. We overestimated how far we could travel in the 2 hour time limit and as a result made a poor route choice and gathered a much lower points total that we had hoped. We also had a mad dash over the last 2 miles to get back to base within the time limit which was fun, Ben was slipstreaming me on the road back for the last mile as we upped the pace. We got back with 2 minutes spare and finished a credible 2nd in the category and 5th overall (albeit amongst a small field). If we had picked our route better we would probably have amassed enough points to have won. Next time we will know better. There is another event planned soon so I think Ben will be keen to do that one as well. He seems to be as competitive as me – the poor soul.

Bike Position

I found a few photos from the London Triathlon and noticed that I look very upright on my bike. I have always felt quite comfortable
when on the Tri bars and that in itself has worried me. Seeing the photos has just emphasised my opinion. I hope to get out on a ride with some of the TriTalk folksin Surrey soon so I shall garner their (generally) wise opinions. If I am too upright then I guess I shall need to lower the handlebars, I have considered doing this already but I suspect that I need to saw off some of the stem which I am reluctant to do as it means no going back. I shall review this once I get feedback on my position. I may post a picture of my position on the TriTalk website for broad constructive feedback laced with acerbic ridicule which is very humorous for all concerned...

Holiday

We are off to Egypt next week and a chance to do some snorkelling. The hotel has a 50m pool so I shall finally get back in the water and do some proper sets. Looking forward to the whole holiday if not the flight on Monarch!