My beautiful 2011 Ceepo Mamba is now for sale
Ultegra SL Components
Less than 1500km
Only reason I sell this is because I get another one – best road bike I have ever had
£1900
My beautiful 2011 Ceepo Mamba is now for sale
The dates have now been set for the TriLiving Triathlon Training Camps 2012.
Long Distance Training Camp
- 1st to 11th March 2012
- Club La Santa – Lanzarote
- Full Information click here
Volcano Triathlon Training Camp
- 19th April to 30th April 2012
- Club La Santa – Lanzarote
- Full Information Click here
This year is set to be the best yet.
To see a copy of the programme click here: Final Programme
It has been a great couple of weeks for me out in Lanzarote with 3 different camps, a massive thanks to all who attended from Phoenix Tri Club, Ful on Tri Club and then all on the Long Distance Camp.
But now the count down is really on for the BIG ONE - Volcano Camp 2011
Now I would like to say that I enjoyed it – but to be honest I didn’t – that was just hard! But this was never really about the race as I always knew it was going to be hard, this is the hardest IM in the world and I think finishing it was one of the toughest for me ever. But this was about the journey, about coming back after 15 years to what is the ultimate triathlon in the world, to saver and cherish the experiences and memories. This truly has been an unforgettable time it has lived up to and surpassed everything I could of hoped for.
As far as the race went! the swim was manic, I was on the start line and treading water for 25mins to try to make sure I could get a good start, which I did but it was still pretty scary with the shear volume of people. I got out in 1hr exactly, bit slower than I had hoped for but ok – then onto the bike which I found fairly straight forward and time passed relatively quickly. As I was towards the front of the age group field it was fairly well spread out and so riding at a constant pace was ok and no real packs formed. It was hot and very windy up and back to the turn at Hawi but in general the bike felt well in control and no real issues. But then the run!!!! I know about 1 mile that it was going to be tough as i just had no run legs, and then it is a very long way to go knowing this. Every mile ticked down painfully (and I mean painfully) slowly, I had to resort to walk through aid stations and just think of the finish which did eventually come. Really I had no idea what time I did and Did not see the clock I just needed the line – if I had been asked to guess my run time I would have said over 4 hr – so i was very surprised that it was still 3.40 (it felt so much slower). I knew my prep for this race had not been ideal and I was not as fit as for Lanzarote but I did what I could, I left nothing out there and I did some serious soul searching.
For all you out there (and I know there are many) who dream of doing Hawaii, do keep that dream, but when you come remember that this more than just a race – it is the experience of a lifetime one to saver and cherish.
To all the people who have made this possible for me, for all the messages and kind words, for the support and belief, thank you so much. Non of this would have been possible without you.
I will write one more blog today just to finish things off.
It really is funny that when you embark on such a journey as doing an Ironman it alwasy seems a long way away – but then all of a sudden it arrives! I can not belive that I will be taking part in Hawaii IM in less than 12 hours. 15 years after the last time I did it. Am I ready? NO! Are you ever ready? NO! But I am incredibly excited and I must admit fairly nervous. Why am I nervous? not really sure, but I guess I know it is going to be a incredibly hard day, yes I want to race well but I also do want to enjoy it, there is so much that can go wrong and you really do have to hope the Hawaiian gods look down kindly on us! I real I have so many people to thank for helping make it all possible, I do not want to let anyone down. But as i would say to all the athletes I coach – just do your best! that is what I will be doing.
Along with my race I am also very excited to see what happens at the front of the race with the pros – I really belive Julie is going to shock and scare a few people. It really has been awesome spending time with her in her lead up to the race. I also think Rasmus Henning is going to supprise a few! I do need to support the Danes.
Time to sleep – not sure how thats going to go! Need to be up at 4am.
Oh my god the race is really getting close now – but just to keep the nerves in order and a check on reality it was the day of the Underpants Run!! Not really sure how this came into being but it has become quite massive now!
I would like to say how embarrassing is that, but actually it was not! Although I do try to think how I would of felt when I was 10 years old if I was made top run down a street with my 45 year old dad wearing underpants!! Sorry kids.
After this excitement it really was time for some relaxation as today was suppose to be my rest day and I had just run 2km! So we headed off to spot Dolphins at Kealakekua Bay- this is the place that Captain Cook was killed by the Hawaiians back in the 17th Century – seemingly as along with all the gifts they also brought syphilis, measles and other diseases that the Hawaiians had no natural immunity to.
Needless to say the dolphins were hiding so did not get to see any
In the evening it was the pre race briefing / dinner which is always quite amazing that they can cater so so any so smoothly. A bit long but as always quite entertaining.
This day (Wednesday) really just seemed to disappear!! Not really sure how that happened but not to much to report really. We did are usual early morning swim on the course with Dorte and the boys – this involved stopping for Coffee at a boat that is moored about 300 of shore – they were serving Cookies too. It is so funny as this is the stuff that just makes it all so special and a bit bizarre! I also had a 1 hr easy spin stopping off at the airport “again” to try to sort out some sort of compensation for the forks that United Airlines managed to destroy. Then in the evening it was to Bubba Gump Restaurant for some shrimps – Run Forest Run.
Think it really is time to start the count down to race day!! 5 days to go and the place is really getting packed. There is an intensity that is kind of scary but at the same time exciting. I have a bit of easy training today but some other key things going on.
IRONKIDS Race – how awesome is that. Both Oliver and Oscar get to race in Hawaii and are handed there finisher medals by Paula Newby Fraser and Michellie Jones – they have no idea who these people are!
Boys ready to race
The swim – all a bit hectic, just like the real thing!
After the finish with Mette
Then straight after the race it was the Parade of Nations, kids loved it as they collected a massive load of candy and actually was really good fun and incredibly well supported.
