Racing for Team GB: the ups and downs of training.

In my last update, I shared some insights into my journey of venturing into the world of triathlons and the races that have fuelled my passion for the sport. This journey continues as I get further immersed into my training in preparation for my upcoming race with Team GB in June, which ZigZag is supporting and sponsoring me to achieve.

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The foundation of any successful race lies in the meticulous preparation, which I've come to realise encompasses three distinct phases: the base phase, the build phase, and the peak phase, each demanding its own unique focus and dedication. And let's not forget taper phase, a period of welcomed respite before the big day arrives!

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As I transitioned into the build phase of my training, I encountered a moment that served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of this sport. A routine Sunday ride with my club took an unexpected turn when my back wheel slipped on some oil in the road coming down a hill on a bend. My club mates told me afterwards the sound the fall made was quite horrific and were surprised when I got up. I was very fortunate, as I ended up on the other side of the road and luckily there were no cars coming. I suffered some road rash on my left arm, hip and thigh but apart from that I seemed okay. However, as the adrenaline wore off, my wrist started to ache. I had been knocked off my bike some years ago by a car which resulted in a broken wrist, and I recognised that same ache. To cut a long story short, I took the most direct route home, managed to get an appointment at our local minor injuries unit and following an x-ray was advised nothing was broken, just very badly bruised. It was a stark reminder how easily my race dreams could be over (or worse!).

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Undeterred by this momentary hiccup, I've remained steadfast in my commitment to building my fitness in preparation for the upcoming race. The build phase has seen me pushing the boundaries of my endurance, embracing the challenge of increased volume and intensity. I can feel myself getting stronger, but I must admit, it takes longer to recover at my age, so lots of stretching needed. My mornings are starting to get earlier as the volume and intensity increases with earlier nights needed for recovery!

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Talking of age, I hit a milestone since my last update. I turned 50 in March (as did my wife in January) so we had a fantastic joint party with our friends. We made it a fancy dress party for a bit of fun; I won’t share the picture of me as a Viking this time… however, age is just a number. I prefer to go off my "fitness age" that my trusty Garmin watch calculates I am!

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To further my training, I recently embarked on a triathlon training camp in the picturesque setting of San Remo—a welcome reprieve from the hideous winter months back home. Against the breath-taking backdrop of sun-drenched landscapes, I immersed myself in a week of rigorous cycling, with some swimming and running thrown in for good measure. Much of the riding was climbing up mountains and we covered around 500k in the week. It’s quite something coming down the other side of the mountain and hitting 40mph on the downhills! A very tiring week which I needed a couple of days to recover from, but a huge boost to the training.

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As I navigate the demands of the build phase, I've come to appreciate the delicate balance between dedication and pragmatism. With early mornings and meticulous planning becoming the norm, I'm fortunate to have the support of a workplace that embraces flexibility and understanding, allowing me to pursue my passion without compromise.

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As I continue to chart my course towards the big day, I'm reminded of the invaluable lessons learned along the way—the resilience forged in the face of adversity, the unwavering commitment to progress, and the profound sense of fulfilment that accompanies every stride forward. With each passing day, I draw closer to the start line, I try to remember that much of the enjoyment is in the journey itself.

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Next update will be during the Peak phase so I might be grumpy as I’ll be extremely tired due to the increased volume, early mornings and tired limbs! It’ll all be worth it!!