Whats Going On At Coalfields

When I did my first triathlon, almost 4 years ago to the day, little did I know that I would have done an IM distance within 3 years and then taken on my biggest challenge to date of an Isoman triathlon the next year. Isoman's tagline is 'triathlon equalised' and this appealed to me, not because I am any great shakes at the three disciplines, but because I am not!

Before I get into the race, it was touch and go whether I'd even make the start line. Having a new baby in the house and Tri training is not the easiest juggling act! This heat wave is playing havoc with the little one and last night was awful. Not much sleep had by any! At 6:30 I made my way beating registration by 10mins after finally parking in the cow field! The swim looked calm but you could tell the current was pushing. The field had about 100 on list but I can only see 68 finishers at present. Came out 14th in the water. Apparently Gav was there shouting abuse but I was focused on my goal and had my ear plugs in! Sorry Gav. Transition was pretty smooth if not lightening fast and we were off on the bike. Two laps and it was sad to see some of the sprint racers struggling. A tough first Tri for several I'm sure. An encounter with a horse brought Windsor Tri events back to light and I lost my chase person for a few minutes. Kiln pit hill took no prisoners and again saw novices pushing their bikes. Sweeping roads along the A68 were much appreciated ! Second time round a pheasant tried to take me out! T2 came just at the right time as i was slightly under for drinks! Slipped into my cheetah pace (for cheetah read sloth). Plenty of ups and downs before we hit the path to the dam. 5km came and I felt good. 6-7 and I could start to feel the tiredness and each little ascent took its toll. The course wasn't out and back so at 7-8 the road really kicked up before finally bringing us back to the main road for a few more ups and downs. A sprint down the hill to the club house and over the line. Hardest event I've done but really happy. Ankle held up on the run and the cloud cover was most welcome even if the flys didn't get the message. I'm sure many of you would like the challenge of this course! Swim 27:50 Bike 1:24 Run 1:02 2hrs 58mins and 15 seconds. Good enough for a visor Garry Walker ?

It’s been a busy fortnight since the last post and the arrival of the new Raceskin Race kit, but last weekend it got its first outing near the south coast in the Leeds Castle Standard distance Triathlon.

As I sit and enjoy breakfast at the border viewpoint, looking over the countryside divide between the ancient civilisation settlements of Edinburgh in Bonnie Scotland and Newcastle in Northern England, once the sites of many a battle between the two kingdoms, I can’t help but take in the breathtaking views on a sunny day like today and reflect on the last couple of weeks leading up to the race last weekend.

A brief catch up on the eve, eve, eve of day number 1 So the questions I get asked the most when discussing he 10in10 are regarding training. Have I done enough, have I done any!? How has it gone. So here it is – honest answer. ‘I have not done as much as I should have’ Which for those who know me, know it is the story of my life. I never train properly – I am so much more of a rock up and do it kind of girl. And although I have trained more for the 10in10 than I have for usual marathons, in my mind it isn’t anywhere near as much as it should have been. But hey ho, nothing I can do about it now! I have to trust in what little I have done, and hope that I stay injury free. I have never been a fast runner and like to get my monies worth from events! So I take my time and enjoy them. All I can say is that it’s a good job I like my own company, and also apologise to Aly who will be the last out everyday until the last runner comes in – I am sorry Aly, you’ll get back for tea I promise!

As race day approached talk of the marathon turned to talk of the weather with record highs predicted for race day. A stark contrast to my training during the coldest and wettest winter in a few years.

With the cancellation of last weekends duathlons at Clumber Park near Nottingham and Sun City in Sunderland due to unseasonable weather conditions, I had the oportunity to regain some of my fitness lost due to rest days leading up to a heavy weekend that had been planned, 2 races in 2 days was not my usual kind of weekend, however due to the date clashes, this was to proove unavoidable this season. SunCity duathlon was just a B race but would allow me to register points on the board for the North East Regional Grand Prix. Alas this was eventually not to be, however some solid training session on the turbo and the treadmil had left me feeling good again, watching the figures rise on Training Peaks was also to prove great motivation...

On Saturday I found myself on the start line of a marathon at 17:30 – a very random start time indeed. It was quite strange having to wait around all day to get going, but much easier getting lunch down me than the usual breakfast battle. I was at Kielder reservoir and about to tackle the Trail Outlaw’s Kielder Dark Skies ‘run’ (note not ‘Marathon’ Crammy!)...