Finally picked my first triathlon!!!

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I was looking at the darlington sprint triathlon as it’s local, and gives me something to train towards.  All looked wel, even though was only 3 weeks away, until I realised I don’t finish work the night before until 7.30am when the briefing starts which would just make it a bit ridiculous.
Looking for another slightly later event, I can train more for, book the time off work, I came across the Weardale Triathlon (400m open air pool swim – 22km bike – 5km run)

Which gives me just under 9weeks to train, a little bit more realistic. So I started my training this week,  going to start with just a base week do a bit of everything see where I’m at and go from their with an 8 week plan to improve and hopefully have a good time losing my triathlon virginity.

From the top of my head I’m probably looking at about 2 hours: 20mins swim,
1hour 10mins bike, 30mins run. This is me rounding everything up(hopefully!) but to be honest as it’s my first one I’m just aiming to enjoy myself and finish the line in one piece.

The race clashes with the St Teresa’s Cycle which certainly isn’t ideal but as the cycle lasts all day my aim is to get their after the triathlon and at least put a few laps in to mark the end of the cycle training challenge as sadly the Triathlon is my main goal for this year so takes priority.

All I need to do know is find some money for the entrance fee, and hopefully be able to get myself a tri suit and clipless pedals for the bike in time for the race.

 

<—Justgjving website once updated—>

Runtastic Review

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(Apologies for any errors posted using my mobile, will also update with pictures when return from holiday)

Phone: Blackberry Torch 9800

Runtastic is a fitness log that using the GPS capabilities of your phone displays statistics such as current speed, distance, average speed, calories burnt etc. After the activity which can range from running, smovey walking (whatever that may be), rock climbing, hand biking and yoga to name a few you can leave a comment on the conditions of the activity and how you felt.

From what I can see from my use of the application, the distance and speed is generally accurate and the gps signal is great, takes around a minute once you’re outside your house to get a signal then its ready to go.

If you scroll to the side of the standard speedo type display you can see your route mapped out on a road map so when you get lost you can backtrack your steps, this is also available if you go to the activity log, so if you can’t remember what route you did on tuesday 25th March you can go back and check.

One slight negative of the application is although the mapping of the route looks right the elevation gained and lossed are different, when running a circuit starting and finishing at my front door I can’t see how this is correct, logically.

Another slight glitch which I imagine mainly effects people in the UK is that when you set the measuring unit in the settings to imperial (miles) it also changes the temperature to Fahrenheit which for people in the UK is a bit of a problem as for speed/distance we use miles but temperature we use Celsius.

The upload and share features of the application I can not comment on as I do not use these features.

I have recently been looking at garmin gps watches but can’t justify the extra cost for what this application does for free. Even for the heart rate training I could get the paid version of the app for £5.99 a lot cheaper then a few £100′s for a gps sports watch.

I highly recommend this product who is contemplating buying a gps sports watch as it will do most the same features for free. An idea application for anyone who likes to keep a log of their training whether it be for fitness or training for your first marathon.

Runtastic Website

St Teresa’s Silver Cycle

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(Apologies for any errors posted using my mobile, will also update with pictures when return from holiday)

Had a day off work on sunday, oyeah. Admittedly it was only because I had given someone else my shift so could enter the St Teresas Silver Cycle to celebrate 25 years of the hospice. What a great day!

Early morning start(for a day off) around 06:45 in order to get up and all sorted, get the bikes loaded onto the back of the car, thankfully got insurance sorted the 20mile+ ride to the circuit would have tired me before even started. Got to Croft Race circuit, registered and got my race number, 70.

After a quick McDonalds breakfast in the car and it was time for the 6hours of cycling to begin. In true style I ended up setting off around 15-20 seconds after everyone else after putting my bike pump back on my bike when I had finished pumping up my mates tyres.

It was great to see so many people turn up for a worthy cause which I had not seen any advertisement for it was only through pure chance I saw it in Darlingtons up and coming events about a week before the event. Many people where going around with pink shirts on with a picture of someone they had known that had passed away, rest in peace, one guy was cycling away with his son/daughter pulled in tow in a trailer which I thought was wonderful.

Everyone put in loads of effort and finished the number of laps they had set out to do, well done everyone who took part, they then stayed behind to cheer everyone else on.

I managed to persuade a friend to come along and join me, the goal was to cycle for the full 6 hours continuous. This went to plan, only stopping to refuel roughly every hour and a half and then straight back on the track, “off for another refuel lads?”.

14:55 came pretty fast, we were the only people still going around, we were on roughly 58miles, 2miles off the target. The St Johns ambulance volunteers had gone home so we had to stop without hitting our target, was a real shame. Until a guy from the hospice agreed to stay behind to let us do our last lap, very kind.

Another lap done and that was us finished, target met. We were thanked and congratulated by the hospice which is always a nice feeling.

After a quick photo of us barely able to stand; it was only when you stopped you realised how tired your muscles where, we were offered some free water, bananas and eat natural bars that had not been used so far which was greatly appreciated.

I will certainly be entering the event next year and subsequent years after hopefully with more notice so can raise some more money.

Thanks to everyone who helped to make the day happen.

St Teresa’s Darlington Hospice

You can still make donations for this event, in need of a few more donations to reach the fundraising target. All donations are greatly appreciated.

Donate via JustGiving Here

What were your first impression of your local triathlon club? Heres mine.

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Sunday 18th September, one cold morning but it was time to get the cycling gear on get the bike out of the shed and get riding to meet up with the local triathlon group (Darlington Tri Group) for a baptism of fire on the bike, the bike ride was to be my first proper ride on my bike, other than the ride home.

Three miles later I arrived at the meeting point for the ride, over anticipated how long it would take me to get their but it gave me plenty of time to catch my breath and watch a few cars turn up with the bikes on the back followed by a few cyclists.

The awkward moment when you’re the new person of the group and everyone else knows everyone else and is chatting away. I sat to the side on a picnic bench and watched everyone arrive waiting for a time to walk over introduce myself and everyone be like “who’s this guy?” It didn’t take long for one of the members to come over and he introduced himself and introduce me to everyone else which was great broke the ice a little.

08:00 Time to ache/start.

Off we set, a lot of them in the matching club gear, looked ace. By pure coincidence I had worn my black & green top, which matched the club colours which helped me feel a bit more the part, which is always nice. The first thing that was apparent was the massive difference that drafting had on the effort you had to put in, I placed myself at the back to try not to hold anyone up and so if needed to I could just slow down rather than catch someone’s wheel, we were riding 2-a-breast and the drafting effect made it possible to be motoring along at about 15mph without masses of effort. Bonus.

About 2/3 miles into the ride the guy I was riding alongside got a blowout; his wheel had nipped his tube. Everyone agreed we would all press on as he and another member were happy to catch up once repaired. We didn’t lose any pace along the ride and to be honest when they caught up it was much to my astonishment, true reflection of how fit these guys really are. For the remainder of the group ride I rode behind a couple, had discussions about gear selection and how to build up a base level of cycling fitness, cycle and then cycle some more.

Outward journey complete! The cycle ended at Penny’s Cafe in Barnard Castle, a really nice little cafe that was cyclist friendly even had a room upstairs for large groups of cyclists so we could all stay together but at the same time not disturb the other customers. Tea and teacakes where paid for by a generous member of the club. Thanks. With everyone sat around drinking tea and coffee it gave a bit more opportunity for people to talk and find out a little bit about what motivated people and got people into triathlon training and to what sort of level people where competing at.

Just before setting off again there was mention of “going for a run when we get back,” pure crazy, I doubted if I would be able to walk for a week when I got back after the ride, never mind go out for a run!

The last sort of 2/3miles the pace started getting to my legs and I lagged behind the main group a little, I was joined by one of the club members who stayed next to me keeping me going and getting me to the finish line. I was offered a gel to give me a bit of energy but I was in fear of taking my hands of the handlebars, so had to reluctantly refuse. The finish line approached and I was met by applause and encouragement from the rest of the triathlon group which was great as I pushed out every last ounce of energy to finish the ride.

What a mistake. I still had the couple of mile ride to get home, it had to have been the slowest couple of miles I have ever ridden, I felt like just stopping at every traffic light whether it was green, amber or red. Luckily I live on a street with a CO-OP at the end of it where I got some jelly babies, orange juice and some chocolate to treat myself which I swiftly destroyed before falling asleep for an early night, around 4pm…

All in all an absolutely great group, very inspirational and I will be very proud to be a part of them when I am at a level where I can be competing and proudly do it under their group name.

The bike is in need of some adjustment such as getting the seat adjusted and handlebars adjusted to make my position more effective and comfortable which was kindly offered by one of the group members when we both have time to meet up.

The Ironman seems so far away at the minute but at the same time I can see it coming with plenty of hard work and a push in the right direction occasionally I KNOW I’ll get there.

http://www.darlingtontri.com/

Lack of Posts….

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Sorry readers, I have been super busy with going back to college on a night and still working full time so in all my spare time I am trying to squeeze in my training, and thats a struggle.
Got a few posts that I just need to proof read then I will be making them live for you all to read.

Loads of events coming up soon so hoping to get back on top of everything.

Middlesbrough PCT 3km Fun Run

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Well there has to be a first time for everything and today(4th September 2011) was my first organised run, Middlesbrough PCT 3km Fun Run.
Been doing a fair bit of training lately, as always wish I could have done more but at the end of the day I’m not a pro athlete and I have other commitments. Luckily had 9 days on holiday ending on the Tuesday before the race so had time for some last minute training.

Got up nice and early got myself ready after a long sleepless night. As got within 2/3 miles of the event car parks they where nicely sign posted, parked up and proceeded following what looked like fellow runners, hoping they where heading for the athletes village also. Luckily they were.

When got there the organised warm up was just beginning, I must confess rather then busting my best Saturday night groovy moves, I did my own little stretching and warm up routine.

Before I knew it it was time to whip the T-shirt off and get running. Started fairly far back but managed to make some headway and get my own little space by running in the nettles to get past some of the slower runners. Much to my surprise and poor planning on my part, the race was on grass with the occasional wood chippings which I assumed had been used to fill in dips in the grass, and path for a stretch around a football field.

By about the 1km point I had passed all the people who had gone sprinting off and exhausted themselves, while I was just getting into my stride tagging behind people who where running at a similar pace to pace myself with. I seemed to be holding a good pace compared to my training runs, maybe helped by the adrenaline of being at an organised event and having other runners around me.

The last 400meters or so had to be the worse because you could see the start/finish line but I could also feel my legs urging me to slow the pace a touch. Two-hundred meters to go, and my desire to finish won my legs desire to slow down and I got a burst of energy and did a sprint finish, which caught the eye of the commentator and got a brief mention which certainly put a smile on my face.

Quick 5 minute stretch off and cool down and it was time to get my much anticipated goody bag. As I approached the goody bag stalls one of the women congratulated me on my finish and then offered me either a large or recommended xl t-shirt because of my shoulders, which I met with an embarrassed smile. Harribo eggs, medal, event t-shirt, pen, bbc tees radio bag and a free Northern Running Guide magazine which contained a 3 month planner much to my appreciation.

Back at the car and on the windscreen was a sheet of paper, thankfully it was not a parking ticket instead it was an application form for the Maltby 10km at the beginning of November, which sorted out my next event before I had even got home.

Home. Showered. Time to sit around in joggers & event t-shirt with pride while devising a 9 week training plan for the 10km.

What a day!

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Brookes Summon 2 Review

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£77, Up and Running

Now that I have had a good few running sessions in my new shoes I felt it was time to do a review of them, which I will come back to time to time to see how they are lasting against the test of time.

Comfort

I am a strong believer that any physical activity is 90% mental and only 10% down to your physical state, if you tell yourself your going to collapse before you get to the next lampost, you will. So to me comfort is one of the most important aspects of any physical activity as the less discomfort you experience the longer you will last/the faster you will go.

Until I receive a cheque in the post from Brookes UK I am not going to claim that these shoes cured my long standing hip/knee problems. Although I will happily say that these shoes reduced the discomfort I experienced, this enabling me to once again, get satisfaction out of my training and feel more positive towards my running, enabling me to run marginally quicker as I was able to push that little bit harder without the discomfort.

Style

Cant really complain about the style of the shoes at the end of the day the shoes are for running not for going out on the town so the style/colours is of little importance.

Overall

Overall the shoe is a good cushioned shoe, ideal for people who experience discomfort when striking the floor. Basic shoe with no fancy features that does exactly what it should. The shoe would also be good as a casual shoe because of its support and cushioning.

LockLaces – (sold seperately)
£6.50, Up and Running

When I bought the shoes I also decided to get some LockLaces mainly to get use to them ready for the triathlon but also because they look and feel the part. I am one of these people where my laces have to be the same length and same tightness in both feet so the LockLaces are ideal for this, you only tie them once and you have the same tightness everytime without having to play around refastening them, but you also have a bit of adjustment left to account for thicker socks etc.

Trip to Up & Running to get some new shoes.

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My old running shoes (NewBalance 1062) that I have had for quite some time, probably around 2 years are a little past their best so it was about time they were replaced. Part of me wanted to wait until could go back to Dalton Park and get some more NewBalance shoes, im a bit of a sucker for being loyal too brands I know. Up and running never seem to have had anything other than praise said about them when I have mentioned the need for some new shoes so I decided to put these rumours to the test.

Popped into the Darlington store today and all those rumours where right!

Mic the store manager was in and as soon as I asked for a hand and expressed that I was looking for some cushioned supportive shoes size 6.5uk(yeah I’ve got tiny feet) off he went into the back room, this is the point where the salesperson normally comes back out with the most expensive shoes that they could find that would empty your wallet and hard sell them to you with all these amazingly unrealistic statistics, “these shoes will make you run 30% faster”.

But not this time, back he came with some shoes, originally for some reason I thought they were Nike, tried them on and they were exactly what I was looking for nice and supportive plenty of cushioning to help reduce the strain on my knee and hopefully reduce repeat injury. Onto the treadmill I jumped to get a quick gait analysis to see if they suited me and so also I could give them a test ride. Not even the whole 4/5 minutes on the treadmill had passed before I was questioning why I had not got rid of the old shoes sooner.

If a £120 bill had been presented at this point I would have probably paid it in all honesty I was very impressed, putting shoes on and not getting instant blisters is a long missed sensation for me. After a bit of general chit chat about running history, my future plans triathlon next year, completing a Ironman etc the already pleasant pricetag on the shoes received a 5% discount as Mic deducted the student discount for me.

Saved money on the shoes so might as well spend it on something else right? Picked up some Lock Laces too and a Hilly Race Number Belt that I can wear around the house for the next year and get myself psyched up ready for my triathlon.

If you’re looking for excellent customer service and to meet an all round nice guy get yourself down to UP & RUNNING Darlington, im sure the same level of service can be expected from other UP & RUNNING stores nationwide.

Once I have taken the Brookes Summon 2′s out for a proper run I will write a more extensive review on them.