Saturday 29th - Bike ride leaving back of EK shop at 9am. All abilities (& types of bikes) are very welcome. The short (no more than 15mins) run off the bike at the end is now a regular Saturday morning feature (albeit optional) so don’t forget your running shoes!!!
Sunday 30th - Long steady run. Meet at Hurlawcrook Road just before Golf course at 9am. It’s a longer run but with lots of short cuts (anything from 5 miles to 15 miles)!! If you are planning to run for more than an hour, don’t forget to bring extra water and fuel (e.g. gels, energy bars, etc…….)
Mandy
NB; C & G are apparentely to do a 3 hour medium pace bike ride on Sunday so we will see you on our bikes instead! Monday is now 2 hours Max effort on the bike followed by a 2 hour run after which we are to feel physically destroyed for the rest of the day. That's really something to look forward to!
C.
+Web+NEW.jpg)
Friday, 28 August 2009
Six weeks to go!
This week has seen a return to a full training week following the illness stricken write off that was last week.
The week started off on Sunday with the previously reported Peebles Duathlon which went pretty well. Nice to do a shorter race for a change.
Monday was a 5.5 hour bike straight onto a 1 hour run. Felt pretty good throughout & it was nice to do a long training session without the rain hammering down for a change. The only hitch was my front wheel bearing going so we had to bike from Eaglesham back to Ek for a wheel change then back out to Eaglesham again. A bit annoying but it's all miles.
Tuesday saw the start of a swim focus week - just under 3k in the morning. Wednesday pm was the Hamilton College session - about 2.5k. Thursday was a very soggy hill session up & down Market Hill which was more like a river than a road then after drying off we headed down to Esporta to get wet again with another swim session. A tough session with ALOT of people in the lanes but managed to survive it all & in the process we racked up our weekly swim total to nearly 8km in 3 days!
We have a bike - run session tonight then Saturday rest day before the next week starts with a long run on Sunday.
It's really starting to count down so quickly now & we have so much to sort out... Bike boxes, Genevieves new bike (which she still hasn't ridden!), race wheels, what are we going to wear to race in, still to do a sea swim, bike servicing & so much more....
Need to go and make some lists.........!!
The week started off on Sunday with the previously reported Peebles Duathlon which went pretty well. Nice to do a shorter race for a change.
Monday was a 5.5 hour bike straight onto a 1 hour run. Felt pretty good throughout & it was nice to do a long training session without the rain hammering down for a change. The only hitch was my front wheel bearing going so we had to bike from Eaglesham back to Ek for a wheel change then back out to Eaglesham again. A bit annoying but it's all miles.
Tuesday saw the start of a swim focus week - just under 3k in the morning. Wednesday pm was the Hamilton College session - about 2.5k. Thursday was a very soggy hill session up & down Market Hill which was more like a river than a road then after drying off we headed down to Esporta to get wet again with another swim session. A tough session with ALOT of people in the lanes but managed to survive it all & in the process we racked up our weekly swim total to nearly 8km in 3 days!
We have a bike - run session tonight then Saturday rest day before the next week starts with a long run on Sunday.
It's really starting to count down so quickly now & we have so much to sort out... Bike boxes, Genevieves new bike (which she still hasn't ridden!), race wheels, what are we going to wear to race in, still to do a sea swim, bike servicing & so much more....
Need to go and make some lists.........!!
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Swim
Great swim session last night.
It was nice to see the newbies back for more and some regulars from other sessions joining our Wednesday night swim.
We have a few pound extra from the swimming thanks to the high number of attendees. I want to propose that we buy some hand paddles for club use. I was thinking of a pair of small and a pair of large?!?!
Please leave a comment if you are happy with this or state any objections.
For anyone interested in joining our club the swim details are below.....
It was nice to see the newbies back for more and some regulars from other sessions joining our Wednesday night swim.
We have a few pound extra from the swimming thanks to the high number of attendees. I want to propose that we buy some hand paddles for club use. I was thinking of a pair of small and a pair of large?!?!
Please leave a comment if you are happy with this or state any objections.
For anyone interested in joining our club the swim details are below.....
- Swim Club - Hamilton College Session will run from 5.15pm to 6.45pm. The cost of the sessions are £3 for ATC members and £4 for non members. The cost will pay for the pool hire.The sessions will be coached as much as possible however, there may be the odd time that the coach can't make it and on these nights the coaches will give us a session to do.We have the pool from 5pm, so you can get there early if you like. You may not get in the pool any earlier than 5pm. The main doors get locked at 7pm so we must all be out of the building by 7pm. If you want a shower then get out the pool earlier. Please be outside the building by 7pm. We will do various sessions including work with hand paddles, fins, wetsuit practice and potentially video analysis. (If you do not want videoed you will be forewarned when this session is happening and you have the option to not attend on this night). There has been alot of interest in this session so please email me or leave a comment if you are interested in attending as we prioritise spaces for Club Members.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Peebles Duathlon 23rd August
Colin, Genevieve, Graeme, Mandy & Big Don were all in action on Sunday at the Peebles Duathlon (5k run, 20k bike, 5k run).
The weather forecast was not the best but as myself & Genevieve awoke in Peebles on Sunday morning it was better than expected - obviously grey & windy as always but no rain. Yet.
We stayed with Kenny & Kirsty on Saturday night only half a mile from the start line, so a relaxing start to the day with no travelling pressures.
We freewheeled down to the start an hour before, set up the transition & went for a warm up run taking in one loop of the flattish 5k course.
Quite a small field this year - maybe due to the rubbish weather forecast & also the hike up in the entry fee which seemed a bit steep for a small event like this.
The whistle blew & off we went. This being my first session in 10 days, the plan was to ease into it & test my strength. This plan lasted about 3 seconds as I excitably shot off on the lead group feeling fairly comfortable. Really enjoyed the 2 loop run coming into T1 in just over 18 mins in about 8th place. A quick transition then across the grass round a tight corner & very ungracefully up the slippery steep climb to the bridge & the bike mount line.
The minute I was on the bike I felt pretty rubbish & very out of practice. Ok on the flat but no power on the climbs & by the half way turning point I had been taken by 4 guys. Rubbish. The ride back in felt better but hard to stay down on the tri bars on the climbs as I usually can & I was caught by 4 more guys. I was very pleased when the Peebles sign came into view & came out of my bike shoes early knowing that there was a final climb over the bridge followed by a sharp stop then the steep descent & corner into T2.
Due to a quick transition again I started onto the run & could see all the guys who had taken me on the bike strung out in front of me. I settled into the run straight away (no problem these days - lots of brick sessions!) & bided my time. By the end of the first lap I had taken all of them & opened up a satisfactory gap. With no one else in sight ahead I just cruised it home comfortably finishing in 1.14.12 & 7th place overall.
Next home was Genevieve, also on her return from illness finishing in 1.25.55 & 3rd senior female.
The'whippet' Graeme Allan finished in 1.32.22 & continues to slice chunks off his times.
Mandy & Don completed the whole event virtually hand in hand until the final lap of the 5k when Don ran past transition complaining of extreme hunger. The support team got a gel to him & he was off! Don finished in 1.48.07 & Mandy in 1.49.59.
A nice friendly little event this one - highly recommended to newcomers to Dualthlons.
Results
Photos
We recovered quickly & Monday saw the two of us up & out early for a 5 1/2 long bike then straight into a 1 hour run which was also not too much of a problem considering. Very tired afterwards though & couldn't wait to get to bed.
A really good swim this morning - 800m w/up then a pyramid session (100, 200, 300, 400, 300, 200, 100) & 300 w/down. A tad short of 3km but I have not swum a session for ages so that is allowed! Well done to Doreen this morning - really doing well in the pool. Consistency = Improvement!!!
The weather forecast was not the best but as myself & Genevieve awoke in Peebles on Sunday morning it was better than expected - obviously grey & windy as always but no rain. Yet.
We stayed with Kenny & Kirsty on Saturday night only half a mile from the start line, so a relaxing start to the day with no travelling pressures.
We freewheeled down to the start an hour before, set up the transition & went for a warm up run taking in one loop of the flattish 5k course.
Quite a small field this year - maybe due to the rubbish weather forecast & also the hike up in the entry fee which seemed a bit steep for a small event like this.
The whistle blew & off we went. This being my first session in 10 days, the plan was to ease into it & test my strength. This plan lasted about 3 seconds as I excitably shot off on the lead group feeling fairly comfortable. Really enjoyed the 2 loop run coming into T1 in just over 18 mins in about 8th place. A quick transition then across the grass round a tight corner & very ungracefully up the slippery steep climb to the bridge & the bike mount line.
The minute I was on the bike I felt pretty rubbish & very out of practice. Ok on the flat but no power on the climbs & by the half way turning point I had been taken by 4 guys. Rubbish. The ride back in felt better but hard to stay down on the tri bars on the climbs as I usually can & I was caught by 4 more guys. I was very pleased when the Peebles sign came into view & came out of my bike shoes early knowing that there was a final climb over the bridge followed by a sharp stop then the steep descent & corner into T2.
Due to a quick transition again I started onto the run & could see all the guys who had taken me on the bike strung out in front of me. I settled into the run straight away (no problem these days - lots of brick sessions!) & bided my time. By the end of the first lap I had taken all of them & opened up a satisfactory gap. With no one else in sight ahead I just cruised it home comfortably finishing in 1.14.12 & 7th place overall.
Next home was Genevieve, also on her return from illness finishing in 1.25.55 & 3rd senior female.
The'whippet' Graeme Allan finished in 1.32.22 & continues to slice chunks off his times.
Mandy & Don completed the whole event virtually hand in hand until the final lap of the 5k when Don ran past transition complaining of extreme hunger. The support team got a gel to him & he was off! Don finished in 1.48.07 & Mandy in 1.49.59.
A nice friendly little event this one - highly recommended to newcomers to Dualthlons.
Results
Photos
We recovered quickly & Monday saw the two of us up & out early for a 5 1/2 long bike then straight into a 1 hour run which was also not too much of a problem considering. Very tired afterwards though & couldn't wait to get to bed.
A really good swim this morning - 800m w/up then a pyramid session (100, 200, 300, 400, 300, 200, 100) & 300 w/down. A tad short of 3km but I have not swum a session for ages so that is allowed! Well done to Doreen this morning - really doing well in the pool. Consistency = Improvement!!!
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Weekend Training 22nd/23rd August
Saturday 22nd - Bike ride leaving back of EK shop at 9am. All abilities (& types of bikes) are very welcome. The short (no more than 15mins) run off the bike at the end is now a regular Saturday morning feature (albeit optional) so don’t forget your running shoes!!!
Sunday 23rd - Long steady run. Meet at Hurlawcrook Road just before Golf course at 9am. It’s a longer run but with lots of short cuts (anything from 5 miles to 15 miles)!! If you are planning to run for more than an hour, don’t forget to bring extra water and fuel (e.g. gels, energy bars, etc…….)
Mandy
Ps. Good luck to all those doing the Peebles Duathlon on Sunday
Sunday 23rd - Long steady run. Meet at Hurlawcrook Road just before Golf course at 9am. It’s a longer run but with lots of short cuts (anything from 5 miles to 15 miles)!! If you are planning to run for more than an hour, don’t forget to bring extra water and fuel (e.g. gels, energy bars, etc…….)
Mandy
Ps. Good luck to all those doing the Peebles Duathlon on Sunday
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
TTC 09
Me again.....can everyone who is coming on the Trossachs Training camp please submit your most recent Chatelherault times so we can put you in suitable packs.
I know on the sheet you put 5k/10k times however some people are running better and some worse (due to injuries) from 5 months ago when you signed up for the camp!!
Many thanks, Genevieve
email me
I know on the sheet you put 5k/10k times however some people are running better and some worse (due to injuries) from 5 months ago when you signed up for the camp!!
Many thanks, Genevieve
email me
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
It's Back!! Nike + Sportband 2 for 2009
The Nike+ SportBand records your distance, pace, time and calories burned while you run, and saves a week’s worth of workouts for your review. When you’re done, connect the removable Nike+ SportBand Link to your computer to go to nikeplus.com, where you can track your runs, set goals, challenge others, and much more. By the way, it’s also a watch (& it's only £40.00!)
This is a great little tool that was launched to the world last year and was then promptly un-launched following a few teething problems. This Sportband 2 is the new improved more durable version. It basically has an impact sensor foot pod (this sits inside the sole of the shoe if you have Nike + shoes, or see the Nike + Shoe Pouch if you don't to attach it through the laces) that transmits to the wrist unit letting you see all you stats.
It is obviously a long way off the technology of a Garmin or a Polar but at £40 it comes in at a fraction of the price.
C.
Better out than in?
So that was a fairly disastrous week for Operation Ironman. We had entered Aberfeldy Half Ironman on the Saturday - our last big event before Barcelona in 7 weeks. It had already gone wrong earlier when we found out one of us couldn't do it and had to work instead, so we decided Genevieve would do it. The plan was to pretty much train through as normal - we had a good start to the week with a 2.20 run on the Sunday, a 5.20 bike & 1/2 hour run on Monday & a hard gym & swim session on Tuesday. It all started to go pear shaped on Tuesday at 4.00am when I woke up to the sounds of Genevieve being sick in the bathroom. This was the start of a very nasty virus that completely wiped her out & kept her flat on the mattress all Wednesday & Thursday. This meant that it was now me who was to do Aberfeldy whilst Genevieve covered the shops (when she should really have still been in bed).
I travelled up to Aberfeldy on Friday afternoon, checked into my B&B/Retirement home, registered for the event & got my head round the double transition areas (alot of thinking required for that one) & attacked the pasta party. All good.
I headed back to the B&B/Crematorium for an early night feeling fairly relaxed & organised for the early start.
I first started to worry when I woke up at 3.00am ready to heave & sweating profusely. I thought at first that this might be nerves but it carried on for the rest of the night. I fell asleep eventually & woke up 3 mins later when the alarm went off feeling horrendous. Tried to press on & eat my 'continental breakfast' (cornflakes) under the watchful eye of an old man who claimed to own the bungalow who must have wondered how anyone could sweat so much whilst eating cereal.
I drove to Aberfeldy pretty much knowing that it wasn't going to happen for me - spoke to a couple of guys & phoned Genevieve & the general consensus was - go home. So I did. Rubbish decision & the longest most uncomfortable car journey I have ever done, rolling round in the drivers seat moaning & sweating some more. Including entries, hotels, petrol etc it probably cost us about £240 to enter an event that neither of us did!
So whilst Genevieve battled on in the shops over the weekend I was laid out at home for 3 days thinking my whole world was caving in. I'll spare the details but we both lost almost a stone in weight in 3 days. Unpleasant.
So back at work today feeling a bit odd & weak & thinking now that even Peebles Duathlon is a non-starter on Sunday - we are going to need a big weight increase & a huge energy burst to think about doing that one.
I travelled up to Aberfeldy on Friday afternoon, checked into my B&B/Retirement home, registered for the event & got my head round the double transition areas (alot of thinking required for that one) & attacked the pasta party. All good.
I headed back to the B&B/Crematorium for an early night feeling fairly relaxed & organised for the early start.
I first started to worry when I woke up at 3.00am ready to heave & sweating profusely. I thought at first that this might be nerves but it carried on for the rest of the night. I fell asleep eventually & woke up 3 mins later when the alarm went off feeling horrendous. Tried to press on & eat my 'continental breakfast' (cornflakes) under the watchful eye of an old man who claimed to own the bungalow who must have wondered how anyone could sweat so much whilst eating cereal.
I drove to Aberfeldy pretty much knowing that it wasn't going to happen for me - spoke to a couple of guys & phoned Genevieve & the general consensus was - go home. So I did. Rubbish decision & the longest most uncomfortable car journey I have ever done, rolling round in the drivers seat moaning & sweating some more. Including entries, hotels, petrol etc it probably cost us about £240 to enter an event that neither of us did!
So whilst Genevieve battled on in the shops over the weekend I was laid out at home for 3 days thinking my whole world was caving in. I'll spare the details but we both lost almost a stone in weight in 3 days. Unpleasant.
So back at work today feeling a bit odd & weak & thinking now that even Peebles Duathlon is a non-starter on Sunday - we are going to need a big weight increase & a huge energy burst to think about doing that one.
Friday, 14 August 2009
Weekend Training 15th/16th August
Saturday 15th - Bike ride leaving back of EK shop at 9am. All abilities (& types of bikes) are very welcome. Well done to Vicky last week who joined us on her mountain bike and did extremely well considering she had never done more than 10 miles before!!!! The short (no more than 15mins) run off the bike at the end is now a regular Saturday morning feature (albeit optional) so don’t forget your running shoes!!!
Sunday 16th - Long steady run. Meet at Hurlawcrook Road just before Golf course at 9am. It’s a longer run but with lots of short cuts (anything from 5 miles to 15 miles)!! If you are planning to run for more than an hour, don’t forget to bring extra water and fuel (e.g. gels, energy bars, etc…….)
Mandy
Ps. Good luck to Colin on Saturday at the Aberfeldy Half Ironman
Sunday 16th - Long steady run. Meet at Hurlawcrook Road just before Golf course at 9am. It’s a longer run but with lots of short cuts (anything from 5 miles to 15 miles)!! If you are planning to run for more than an hour, don’t forget to bring extra water and fuel (e.g. gels, energy bars, etc…….)
Mandy
Ps. Good luck to Colin on Saturday at the Aberfeldy Half Ironman
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Kelso Sprint Tri - Race Report
James & Frank were down in the Borders last sunday for the Kelso Sprint Triathlon. Here is James account of the event including details of his bowel movements & an alarming game of Bike Dominoes ......
A pleasant drive down to the Borders was followed by an orderly registration and systematic set-up.
Having had a substantial bowl of porridge at 6 am I was confident that my 'routine' would have been completed by the beginning of the race! Oh no ..... with five minutes to go before my swim heat was off my bowels to decided to work!
This is not something that I would ordinarily put in a race report, but it did mean I missed the start of my heat! Arriving seconds after the start I was asked to wait until the next minute was up and then I was off! 'Phew', I thought as I got underway, only to realise I had not started my stop-watch.
With three in the lane it was a decent swim and feeling more energetic than previously I decided to go for a nice steady pace throughout! A previous puff on my brown inhaler helped to keep my airways reasonably clear and I swam a 14.44 for the 750m. A personal best!
Off to T1 and as I've yet to master getting into shoes that are attached to the pedals I decided to velcro the shoes to the handlebars and run the 70-80m in bare feet and put them on at the transition line. It seemed to work although my T1 time at 2.06 was still just over a minute slower than the quickest.
The bike route was fun! A hill that went on and on! I managed to pass four and was caught by one. The circuit was 23.1km and coming in at 46.05 was certainly a marked improvement and a personal best again!
However, T2 was a disaster! Imagine this .... leaning momentarily on my bike, as I wiggled my toes into a running shoe, the bike fell sideways and knocked the next bike over which knocked ..... and so on! This you had to see! The marshall was shouting "Leave them, I'll pick them up" So 2.16 later I emerged from T2, the slowest changeover of the day!
The run was a hard 6km with an awkward section of steps to transcend levels. My legs got going after about 4km and I started to run well! Once again I passed four and was caught by one. A run time of 27.37 was achieved.
An overall time of 1.32.47 was a pro-rata PB given the increased bike and run distances.
The organisation was fine and an event to be recommended.
Finally, a big well done to Frank for an excellent swim time .... he can tell you about that!
Well done both James & Frank.
A pleasant drive down to the Borders was followed by an orderly registration and systematic set-up.
Having had a substantial bowl of porridge at 6 am I was confident that my 'routine' would have been completed by the beginning of the race! Oh no ..... with five minutes to go before my swim heat was off my bowels to decided to work!
This is not something that I would ordinarily put in a race report, but it did mean I missed the start of my heat! Arriving seconds after the start I was asked to wait until the next minute was up and then I was off! 'Phew', I thought as I got underway, only to realise I had not started my stop-watch.
With three in the lane it was a decent swim and feeling more energetic than previously I decided to go for a nice steady pace throughout! A previous puff on my brown inhaler helped to keep my airways reasonably clear and I swam a 14.44 for the 750m. A personal best!
Off to T1 and as I've yet to master getting into shoes that are attached to the pedals I decided to velcro the shoes to the handlebars and run the 70-80m in bare feet and put them on at the transition line. It seemed to work although my T1 time at 2.06 was still just over a minute slower than the quickest.
The bike route was fun! A hill that went on and on! I managed to pass four and was caught by one. The circuit was 23.1km and coming in at 46.05 was certainly a marked improvement and a personal best again!
However, T2 was a disaster! Imagine this .... leaning momentarily on my bike, as I wiggled my toes into a running shoe, the bike fell sideways and knocked the next bike over which knocked ..... and so on! This you had to see! The marshall was shouting "Leave them, I'll pick them up" So 2.16 later I emerged from T2, the slowest changeover of the day!
The run was a hard 6km with an awkward section of steps to transcend levels. My legs got going after about 4km and I started to run well! Once again I passed four and was caught by one. A run time of 27.37 was achieved.
An overall time of 1.32.47 was a pro-rata PB given the increased bike and run distances.
The organisation was fine and an event to be recommended.
Finally, a big well done to Frank for an excellent swim time .... he can tell you about that!
Well done both James & Frank.
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Swim Sessions
Everybody - you will be delighted to know our coached (more often then not) sessions will resume next Wednesday 18th August
Hamilton College Session will run from 5.15pm to 6.45pm. The cost of the sessions are £3 for ATC members and £4 for non members. The cost will pay for the pool hire.
The sessions will be coached as much as possible however, there may be the odd time that the coach can't make it and on these nights the coaches will give us a session to do.
We have the pool from 5pm, so you can get there early if you like. You may not get in the pool any earlier than 5pm. The main doors get locked at 7pm so, we must all be out of the building by 7pm. If you want a shower then get out the pool earlier. Please be outside the building by 7pm.
We will do various sessions including work with hand paddles, fins, wetsuit practice and potentially video analysis. (If you do not want videoed you will be forewarned when this session is happening and you have the option to not attend on this night)
There has been alot of interest in this session so please email me or leave a comment if you are attending.
Leave a comment if you are coming or email me so we have an idea of numbers
Hamilton College Session will run from 5.15pm to 6.45pm. The cost of the sessions are £3 for ATC members and £4 for non members. The cost will pay for the pool hire.
The sessions will be coached as much as possible however, there may be the odd time that the coach can't make it and on these nights the coaches will give us a session to do.
We have the pool from 5pm, so you can get there early if you like. You may not get in the pool any earlier than 5pm. The main doors get locked at 7pm so, we must all be out of the building by 7pm. If you want a shower then get out the pool earlier. Please be outside the building by 7pm.
We will do various sessions including work with hand paddles, fins, wetsuit practice and potentially video analysis. (If you do not want videoed you will be forewarned when this session is happening and you have the option to not attend on this night)
There has been alot of interest in this session so please email me or leave a comment if you are attending.
Leave a comment if you are coming or email me so we have an idea of numbers
A wee tri
There are 2 Triathlons on at Esporta Hamilton this Sunday.
There are approx 35 people taking part and Shona has said the more the merrier , not everyone is a member a few guys from Fusion etc will be taking part.
There is a Super Sprint of 400m pool swim, 12k cycle on the hiller parts of Strathclyde Park (to the roundabout near M&D's and back twice), then a 3k run on the flat Palace grounds run circuit (2 laps of the large loop). The Sprint is the same course just a bit longer. Both are Good courses with testing cycles and an easer run at the end.
If anyone is interested then it is registration at 8am with the Super Sprint starting at 8:30. The cost is £15 per person.
Can you call me or email me if you are interested. We've to submit names before hand.
I'm doing Aberfeldy so I'll not be there.
There are approx 35 people taking part and Shona has said the more the merrier , not everyone is a member a few guys from Fusion etc will be taking part.
There is a Super Sprint of 400m pool swim, 12k cycle on the hiller parts of Strathclyde Park (to the roundabout near M&D's and back twice), then a 3k run on the flat Palace grounds run circuit (2 laps of the large loop). The Sprint is the same course just a bit longer. Both are Good courses with testing cycles and an easer run at the end.
If anyone is interested then it is registration at 8am with the Super Sprint starting at 8:30. The cost is £15 per person.
Can you call me or email me if you are interested. We've to submit names before hand.
I'm doing Aberfeldy so I'll not be there.
Sunday, 9 August 2009
TTC 09
The menu has arrived!!
Can I ask that you email me your menu selection no later than Monday 27th August. Obviously I need to know your requirements for Friday night and Saturday night.
Lunch will be a buffet as per last year.
Please let me know if you have any special dietary requirements.Click here to view or print the menu
Also available on the menu is Macaroni Cheese and Chips, Penne Pasta with a Tomato Sauce and/or Wild Mushroom Risotto (from the Main Menu both with Chips if required).
Can I ask that you email me your menu selection no later than Monday 27th August. Obviously I need to know your requirements for Friday night and Saturday night.
Lunch will be a buffet as per last year.
Please let me know if you have any special dietary requirements.Click here to view or print the menu
Also available on the menu is Macaroni Cheese and Chips, Penne Pasta with a Tomato Sauce and/or Wild Mushroom Risotto (from the Main Menu both with Chips if required).
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Challenge Barcelona Ironman
As someone who gets heart palputations when setting up for a sprint Tri I felt a little nervous when I first opened up the race info (link below) for our big Barcelona race in 8 weeks.
What I should really be impressed by is the organisation of the event which seems to have covered virtually everything. I am really looking forward to the event & some time away (we are actually counting this as a holiday!) & am very glad that we have an entourage coming with us - hopefully to keep me calm & stop my head from exploding!
There have been some recent changes to the course following some problems thrown up in the Half Ironman earlier in the year but they all seem like good improvements - the swim is now 1 lap not 2 with 9 swim heats to reduce congestion. The bike is now more laps but a different route to reduce congestion & drafting problems. The run course is, again, more loops which eliminates a killer climb at the finish & also brings the athletes through the spectators more which will be nice. I personally quite like loopy courses as it makes it easier mentally to tick the distance off in my head.
http://www.challenge-barcelona.com/race_info/infotria_en.doc
Big training week next week!
What I should really be impressed by is the organisation of the event which seems to have covered virtually everything. I am really looking forward to the event & some time away (we are actually counting this as a holiday!) & am very glad that we have an entourage coming with us - hopefully to keep me calm & stop my head from exploding!
There have been some recent changes to the course following some problems thrown up in the Half Ironman earlier in the year but they all seem like good improvements - the swim is now 1 lap not 2 with 9 swim heats to reduce congestion. The bike is now more laps but a different route to reduce congestion & drafting problems. The run course is, again, more loops which eliminates a killer climb at the finish & also brings the athletes through the spectators more which will be nice. I personally quite like loopy courses as it makes it easier mentally to tick the distance off in my head.
http://www.challenge-barcelona.com/race_info/infotria_en.doc
Big training week next week!
Friday, 7 August 2009
Weekend Training
Saturday 8th - Bike ride leaving back of EK shop at 9am. All abilities (& types of bikes) are very welcome. Another great turn out last week and again 2 packs to match abilities and choice of distance/effort (although at one point pack 2 was just me on my lonesome as I ground to a halt in the head wind along the A77 cycle path (so much for this draughting malarkey)!!!! The “speedy” Pack 1 kindly waited for me to regroup at the at the junction for the Eaglesham Moor – no slackers this time though as we climbed to 999ft at the highest point on the moor – couldn’t quite get that last foot!!!!) Same as last week, there’s the option of a short (no more than 15mins) run off the bike at the end to help get the legs used to that bike to run transition – so don’t forget your running shoes (& legs)!!
Sunday 9th - Long steady run. Meet at Hurlawcrook Road just before Golf course at 9am (back to normal time). Again everyone welcome, it’s a longer run but with lots of short cuts (anything from 5 miles to 12 miles)!! Forecast is to be warm so don’t forget to bring water and extra fuel (eg. Gels, energy bars etc…….no, I don’t work for ATHelite, honest!!!)
Mandy.
Ps; Good luck to James & Frank who are both doing Kelso this Sunday.
C.
Sunday 9th - Long steady run. Meet at Hurlawcrook Road just before Golf course at 9am (back to normal time). Again everyone welcome, it’s a longer run but with lots of short cuts (anything from 5 miles to 12 miles)!! Forecast is to be warm so don’t forget to bring water and extra fuel (eg. Gels, energy bars etc…….no, I don’t work for ATHelite, honest!!!)
Mandy.
Ps; Good luck to James & Frank who are both doing Kelso this Sunday.
C.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Ironman Training - Status Report
A couple of people have actually asked to see our current training schedule - must be so they can have a right good laugh at us.
Our training plan came to us a bit late from Pauline this week, excusable given that she has just done Lake Placid Ironman, finishing as 5th Female Pro & once again has qualified for the Kona, Hawaii World Champs. Go Pauline!!
Our training this week consists of the following stupidity......
Sun 2nd..........2hr 15 Long Run (1st hr easy, 2nd hr moderate. Last 15min 90 cadence)
Mon 3rd..........5 hr Bike (increased effort from hour 3 to 4), 20 min run off the bike.
Tues 4th.........Am; Gym then Swim (1500 w/up, 3 x 400, 300 w/dn = 3k)
.............................Pm; Bike 1 hr easy (didn't do this - had to go & buy a kitchen!)
Weds 5th........Open Water Swim 1200m into 41 min run (21 mins out 20 mins back negative split)
Thurs 6th........Am; Bike 1hr (20 min w/up 6 x 4 min efforts, 2 min recovery)
..............................Pm; Run 1 hr hills
Fri 7th............Am; Gym & Swim (1hr 30 3.5k+)
.............................Pm; Bike - easy
Sat 8th............Rest
Total 16 hrs
So far this week I think we are feeling physically pretty good. I personally found the long Sunday run fairly easy & felt fresh on the long bike the next day. A good session last night at the Loch & a good run despite the hills. Hit the bike efforts feeling physically fresh this morning at 7.30am but just very tired from lack of sleep. We have been so busy during the day in the shops & we are also trying to sort the house so we can actually move into it before Christmas. Unfortunately this has ended up with us shopping at 10pm for the last 2 nights after training. I need to be home & in bed much earlier than this!!
Ps. Genevieves new Tri Bike arrived yesterday so keep your eyes peeled for that one!
C.
Our training plan came to us a bit late from Pauline this week, excusable given that she has just done Lake Placid Ironman, finishing as 5th Female Pro & once again has qualified for the Kona, Hawaii World Champs. Go Pauline!!
Our training this week consists of the following stupidity......
Sun 2nd..........2hr 15 Long Run (1st hr easy, 2nd hr moderate. Last 15min 90 cadence)
Mon 3rd..........5 hr Bike (increased effort from hour 3 to 4), 20 min run off the bike.
Tues 4th.........Am; Gym then Swim (1500 w/up, 3 x 400, 300 w/dn = 3k)
.............................Pm; Bike 1 hr easy (didn't do this - had to go & buy a kitchen!)
Weds 5th........Open Water Swim 1200m into 41 min run (21 mins out 20 mins back negative split)
Thurs 6th........Am; Bike 1hr (20 min w/up 6 x 4 min efforts, 2 min recovery)
..............................Pm; Run 1 hr hills
Fri 7th............Am; Gym & Swim (1hr 30 3.5k+)
.............................Pm; Bike - easy
Sat 8th............Rest
Total 16 hrs
So far this week I think we are feeling physically pretty good. I personally found the long Sunday run fairly easy & felt fresh on the long bike the next day. A good session last night at the Loch & a good run despite the hills. Hit the bike efforts feeling physically fresh this morning at 7.30am but just very tired from lack of sleep. We have been so busy during the day in the shops & we are also trying to sort the house so we can actually move into it before Christmas. Unfortunately this has ended up with us shopping at 10pm for the last 2 nights after training. I need to be home & in bed much earlier than this!!
Ps. Genevieves new Tri Bike arrived yesterday so keep your eyes peeled for that one!
C.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Durty Triathlon Race Report
Our Wee Dawn took on this Off Road Triathlon down at St Marys Loch on Sunday - here is her account of the day......
Durty Tri – 750m swim, 15k mtb, 5k run.
The morning of the race day arrived and I felt fine. No major nerves, no butterflies in the stomach, I’d used them all up I think during the week just thinking about Saturday. Amazingly as I sat on the sofa eating porridge watching Coronation Street on demand at 630am on Saturday morning I felt pretty dam good.
As I drove down I was thinking did I oversleep and miss summer? The event had been moved earlier to have better chance of the sun shining. HA! Nae chance. The rain lashed off the windscreen. I began to question my sanity and the thought of the mtb course played on my mind. I’d been warned it was technical and with the rain it was bound to be very slippery. I hoped for no tree roots…..
I placed all my gear at transition. Most will have seen my fear of the open water. It would be a fair coment from most to say that I’d probably be requiring canoe assistance half way round, however the swim was fantastic! I stayed away from the so called “washing machine” and swam alongside it instead. By a few hundred metres some had resorted to doing breastoke as I manged to crusie by I felt amazing! Cool, calm and collected. All those open water sessions (weeds included had paid off) I was prob in the first 20 out of the water from 115. I’ve no idea what my actual time was since after the swim was transition. I then struggled out of my wetsuit which was refusing to let go of my right ankle, which would have looked hilarious for the spectators then Q the clothes – buff for ears under the helmet, gloves, t-shirt, jacket, waterproof socks (??) bike shoes oh and a mountain biker never be without – camalbak rucksac with every tool that might be required for every eventuality. I can’t help it. J You could have boiled the kettle in the time it took me to get changed. Am sure I lost half a dozen places on the swim time due to my wardrobe change. Ho Hum.
Mtb course. A climb from the start. A long climb. The first few miles were easily rideable although slowly over Landover track. Then the harder steeper sections with major mud. I love mud. I love riding through the dirt. So this was great fun. A number of people were already off their bikes and pushing but I kept on – riding behind someone that was off their bike and pushing and going the same pace is a little disheartening! Soon I was off too and the little army of ants could be seen pushing and slogging all the way up the hill. About 10-15mins had gone by and I was still slogging my guts out pushing. Just before I got too frustrated the welcome descent. Marvelous. Lots of mud, lots of comedy falls – amazingly I stayed upright. This was a proper cross country mtb route, did I mention mud? Superb fun, into the final water crossing and back into transition again. Quick change into trail shoes and off again for the run.
The run was an out and back along the loch side. By this time I was slowing up but still smilingJ. Passing people on their way back home who were all saying well done with big smiles, I even did a high five with my mate Steve as he passed in the opposite direction… it was a friendly event. I just had to remember to keep placing one foot in front of the other and trying not to slow down. I finished in 1hr 43mins. 5th Senior Female from 26. However for next years event I am going to train harder by possibly carrying my bike to work.
I want to say thanks to ATHelite, and all those that babysat me in the Black Loch (and still do with the reeds!!!) I would NEVER have done an open water tri event if it were not for you guys and I would not have enjoyed my swim so immensely. Thanks! J
Durty Tri – 750m swim, 15k mtb, 5k run.
The morning of the race day arrived and I felt fine. No major nerves, no butterflies in the stomach, I’d used them all up I think during the week just thinking about Saturday. Amazingly as I sat on the sofa eating porridge watching Coronation Street on demand at 630am on Saturday morning I felt pretty dam good.
As I drove down I was thinking did I oversleep and miss summer? The event had been moved earlier to have better chance of the sun shining. HA! Nae chance. The rain lashed off the windscreen. I began to question my sanity and the thought of the mtb course played on my mind. I’d been warned it was technical and with the rain it was bound to be very slippery. I hoped for no tree roots…..
I placed all my gear at transition. Most will have seen my fear of the open water. It would be a fair coment from most to say that I’d probably be requiring canoe assistance half way round, however the swim was fantastic! I stayed away from the so called “washing machine” and swam alongside it instead. By a few hundred metres some had resorted to doing breastoke as I manged to crusie by I felt amazing! Cool, calm and collected. All those open water sessions (weeds included had paid off) I was prob in the first 20 out of the water from 115. I’ve no idea what my actual time was since after the swim was transition. I then struggled out of my wetsuit which was refusing to let go of my right ankle, which would have looked hilarious for the spectators then Q the clothes – buff for ears under the helmet, gloves, t-shirt, jacket, waterproof socks (??) bike shoes oh and a mountain biker never be without – camalbak rucksac with every tool that might be required for every eventuality. I can’t help it. J You could have boiled the kettle in the time it took me to get changed. Am sure I lost half a dozen places on the swim time due to my wardrobe change. Ho Hum.
Mtb course. A climb from the start. A long climb. The first few miles were easily rideable although slowly over Landover track. Then the harder steeper sections with major mud. I love mud. I love riding through the dirt. So this was great fun. A number of people were already off their bikes and pushing but I kept on – riding behind someone that was off their bike and pushing and going the same pace is a little disheartening! Soon I was off too and the little army of ants could be seen pushing and slogging all the way up the hill. About 10-15mins had gone by and I was still slogging my guts out pushing. Just before I got too frustrated the welcome descent. Marvelous. Lots of mud, lots of comedy falls – amazingly I stayed upright. This was a proper cross country mtb route, did I mention mud? Superb fun, into the final water crossing and back into transition again. Quick change into trail shoes and off again for the run.
The run was an out and back along the loch side. By this time I was slowing up but still smilingJ. Passing people on their way back home who were all saying well done with big smiles, I even did a high five with my mate Steve as he passed in the opposite direction… it was a friendly event. I just had to remember to keep placing one foot in front of the other and trying not to slow down. I finished in 1hr 43mins. 5th Senior Female from 26. However for next years event I am going to train harder by possibly carrying my bike to work.
I want to say thanks to ATHelite, and all those that babysat me in the Black Loch (and still do with the reeds!!!) I would NEVER have done an open water tri event if it were not for you guys and I would not have enjoyed my swim so immensely. Thanks! J
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)