An interesting weekend in Snowdonia. Huw and Dan headed down to mine on Friday night, where, after a review of the route and a quick meal, we got some sleep. We woke early, at half 4, and after dumping my car at the finish car park, headed to Pen Y Pass for the start. We reached Snowdon's summit, and the clock started ticking there. The first couple of peaks were attained without too much fuss - Crib Goch was looking fantastic in the sunlight and shadows. The descent of Crib Goch was steep, but we made it. After grabbing a quick coke in Nant Peris at the base of mountain number four, we started up.
Dan, who has less experience of mountains than me or Huw, began to find this really hard work (it was a fairly steep slog). We made the top before nightfall, with the cloud rolling in, then headed off to mountain number 5. I handled the navigation, which was damn tricky as visibility was about 10 metres. Progress was very slow, but we nonetheless made it to peaks five and six in due course. By then though, the slow pace had taken its toll, and the total lack of visibility was making it dangerous. We decided (correctly in my opinion), that discretion was the better part of valour on this occasion, and decided to get some shut-eye on the mountain side before heading down the mountain and back to the car on Sunday morning. The night was cold without sleeping bags, but we all had proper cold weather clothing and survival bags, so got some disjointed sleep (albeit on an uncomfortable sleeping surface - a rock). At the time of abandoment of the challenge, we were still looking at a sub 20 time, so I was disappointed, but I'll be back.
To cap it all, my hot water wasn't working when I got back, so I had to make do with a cold shower - not the most pleased I've ever been. On the plus side, because the hike was cut short (about 17 miles in total), my legs aren't very weary, and I'm ready for a good week of training.
Dave out
28/09/09
Monday, 28 September 2009
Friday, 25 September 2009
You know it's a good session when...
...you nearly throw up whilst you're swimming. Which is exactly what happened to me last night. I hadn't swam over 1500m since 2nd September (just before I departed for Oz), so the 3000m club session in the fastest lane was always going to be tough. It never occured to me not to finish (in fact, I posted some OK times - 2:44 average for 200m for example), but boy did it hurt. Still, nice to know I can grit my teeth and just go for it even if the endurance isn't quite there. After all, that's probably what I'll have to do this weekend at some point.
I was looking over Leicester Tri Club's forum yesterday. Someone had mentioned that they'd like a cheap as chips triathlon where they don't have to pay for any extra stuff like the goodie bags and t-shirts. Now, I agreed with the goodie bag comment (they're usually full of cr*p), but I really wouldn't want to go without my T-Shirts. You can have too many some people might say - but I've reached 42 and haven't got tired yet. I'll be able to get them out when I'm 90, and brag about how I was once very fit. Likelihood is, no one will believe me, but nevertheless, I like my T-Shirts!
25/09/09
I was looking over Leicester Tri Club's forum yesterday. Someone had mentioned that they'd like a cheap as chips triathlon where they don't have to pay for any extra stuff like the goodie bags and t-shirts. Now, I agreed with the goodie bag comment (they're usually full of cr*p), but I really wouldn't want to go without my T-Shirts. You can have too many some people might say - but I've reached 42 and haven't got tired yet. I'll be able to get them out when I'm 90, and brag about how I was once very fit. Likelihood is, no one will believe me, but nevertheless, I like my T-Shirts!
25/09/09
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Feeling Strong
Morning,
It’s been a good few days training. I’m still in my prep phase, just doing small sessions, but I’m going fast in them and wanting more by the end – exactly how it should be. The plan is, by the time by first full training week comes around on 5th October, I should be chomping at the bit!
I’ve noticed that my swim speed over 100m sets has actually gone down, though my times over longer distances (750, 400, 200 etc) has been consistently improving. I tend to view this as a good thing – it means my stroke is adapting to longer distance, which is of course what you need for triathlon. No use burning 100m in a super fast time just to blow up straight after.
Am looking forward to the challenge of the Welsh 3000s at the weekend too. I haven’t been in the mountains as much as I would have liked over the past few months (save for an excursion up the 3500ft Mount Warning in Oz!), and am looking forward to getting a solid 30 mile hike under my belt with some mates. Critics might point out it doesn’t really sit well with my prep phase, but as the new season is a long way away, I intend to do a few things that I want to do before getting right back into the swing of full on training. Besides, doing an endurance challenge over the fifteen highest mountains in Wales can hardly be bad for my fitness.
23/09/09
It’s been a good few days training. I’m still in my prep phase, just doing small sessions, but I’m going fast in them and wanting more by the end – exactly how it should be. The plan is, by the time by first full training week comes around on 5th October, I should be chomping at the bit!
I’ve noticed that my swim speed over 100m sets has actually gone down, though my times over longer distances (750, 400, 200 etc) has been consistently improving. I tend to view this as a good thing – it means my stroke is adapting to longer distance, which is of course what you need for triathlon. No use burning 100m in a super fast time just to blow up straight after.
Am looking forward to the challenge of the Welsh 3000s at the weekend too. I haven’t been in the mountains as much as I would have liked over the past few months (save for an excursion up the 3500ft Mount Warning in Oz!), and am looking forward to getting a solid 30 mile hike under my belt with some mates. Critics might point out it doesn’t really sit well with my prep phase, but as the new season is a long way away, I intend to do a few things that I want to do before getting right back into the swing of full on training. Besides, doing an endurance challenge over the fifteen highest mountains in Wales can hardly be bad for my fitness.
23/09/09
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Great North Run
Good performances from two of the lads I'm doing the Welsh 3000ers with next weekend in the Great North Run - 1 Hour 54 minutes from Dan Case and 1 Hour 31 minutes from Huw Fryer. Great effort guys!
20/09/09
20/09/09
Saturday, 19 September 2009
New Season
Just back from the World Championships in Australia. A great holiday, and a good race. I competed in the 17-24 sprint category, and came 13th out of 39 starters. Overall position was 132nd out of 538 (top quarter!). Obviously, the competition was a lot stronger than an event back home, as everyone has to qualify (and therefore be a top notch racer) to even stand on the start line. I carded 01:05:54, and was proud to take home my world championship medal. Hopefully it’s the stepping stone to greater things - that's certainly the plan. The Gold Coast was a fantastic place for a world championship, and a holiday. Great training facilities (plenty of 50m pools), and some awesome attractions (sea world, the 3500ft Mount Warning and Brisbane to name but a few) nearby. I’d definitely go back.
After taking a few days off cardio exercise completely, I've began my prep phase for the 2010 season. I'll be doing a few weeks of half distances, and won't begin full training until October 5th. This should leave me chomping at the bit and really raring to go.
So, the first cardio session of the new season officially took place this morning. It was a 20km ride in the Charnwood Hills north of Leicester. The course has three pretty serious hills in it, so isn't one for setting personals. Nonetheless, I timed in with 35:47, which was decent enough.
A little pool session followed - 1000m with a 750m TT as main set. Went far too hard - it’s the beginning of the season for Christ’s sake! But still, was hard to be irritated at myself for not keeping a cap on my effort as I actually posted a PB - 10:39 (5:39 at the 400m split).
A solid start.
19/09/2009
After taking a few days off cardio exercise completely, I've began my prep phase for the 2010 season. I'll be doing a few weeks of half distances, and won't begin full training until October 5th. This should leave me chomping at the bit and really raring to go.
So, the first cardio session of the new season officially took place this morning. It was a 20km ride in the Charnwood Hills north of Leicester. The course has three pretty serious hills in it, so isn't one for setting personals. Nonetheless, I timed in with 35:47, which was decent enough.
A little pool session followed - 1000m with a 750m TT as main set. Went far too hard - it’s the beginning of the season for Christ’s sake! But still, was hard to be irritated at myself for not keeping a cap on my effort as I actually posted a PB - 10:39 (5:39 at the 400m split).
A solid start.
19/09/2009
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