What now then?

I've decided that I won't be updating my blog; this is the last post. In all fairness it was dull as **** anyway (certainly compared to the NZ blog)!

And in all honesty, I don't actually want to update it anymore - I've got better things to occupy my time with.

I won't be doing much training over the coming weeks either, so North Barrule is out of the question too. I feel I'm not fit enough to break the record and in fairness I don't even want to try.

There are a number of personal things I'm putting ahead of training, so for the near (and perhaps distant) future I'll be doing sport just to put a smile on my face, not to fulfill some all-consuming obsession!

-AC

More Pictures

Teammates Russell Collister (foreground) and Andy Bell (background), slugging it out on the bike in the 30+ degrees heat. The support from the Manx contingent in the crowd was phenomenal.

Jacqui pushing hard on the tough bike course.

Niall leading the way in the early stages of the race.

And on to the run (my favoured discipline) and it's a case of spot the white-boy who's been avoiding the sun all week! Note the look of pain on my face and the dirty patch on my right hip where I met the tarmac with some force on the first lap of the run.


-AC

IG Pics

A few minutes (or hours?) before going into the ancient stadium for the opening ceremony.

The swim stadium featuring a 25 metre (+6") swimming pool that had to be cleared of algae before the swimming could start!

Pre race nerves showing in the transition area before the big race. Pictured here (left to right): Andy Bell (on my right shoulder), Me (center), Gav Quayle, Juan (bending over in foreground), Graham (with his back to camera) and the youngest member of the squad, Niall Shimmin doing his best Pop-Eye impression!

The start of the 3-million-mile swim. I'm the one at the back of the pack wondering what the hell hit me. In foreground Cat Dryden is bending over checking out the 26 deg celius water, and Eve O'Hare has her back to camera proudly displaying the Three-Legs-of-Man in the process. I think that's Jacqui on Eve's left shoulder.

-AC

Glory?

I finished 11th in a time of 2:12 hrs. A full 11 minutes behind the leader. No individual medal (not even close), narrowly missed out on a team bronze. So basically I failed what I set out to do.

But glorious it was! Despite the worst swim of my life and a drastic start to the bike leg, I managed to slowly claw my way up the field from near last to 11th with a decent-enough run in incredibly hot conditions.

The reason why I didn't quit when it was all going wrong? Because supporters were there lining the course cheering as loud as they could; they believed, they made me believe. It was magic crossing that line with the Manx flag around my shoulders. Magic.

It was glorious!

And now? I'm glad it's over, time to play for a bit!

-AC

Feeling hot, hot, hot...

Been in Rhodes since the early hours of Saturday morning, following a trip from Hell to get here. We were greeted off the plane at 0730 by temperatures of 29 degrees; miles hotter than the hottest summer's day in IOM.

The opening ceremony was on Sat night and unfortunately it went on until Sunday morning. With travelling through the previous night I pretty much got no sleep and felt pretty bad. It's now day 4 and I've got a full-on cold. Ironic really, given how hot it is here.

The heat makes running a nightmare. Swim and bike aren't too bad because the water is fairly cool and the wind on the bike helps to wick sweat away. Just that run...

I'm here now and there ain't no point worrying about it, just got to get on with it and go as fast as I can. Hopefully I'll be fast enough.

Apart from that Rhodes is very nice, if you want a holiday spot with guaranteed sun and heat then this really is the place for you. The town of Rhodes itself has got an old medieval centre too with surrounding walls which is worth a look. It's just a shame I hate sun bathing eh?

-AC

Limousin Training

Well, I'm back from France. Picture below shows me training for the heat in Rhodes (wearing a number of layers) on the one warm day (out of 6) that we got in France. The rest of the time the weather was cold and damp which wasn't great from an acclimatisation point of view.

That said however, I got some decent, hard training done, though this may have been offset by the number of croissants and baguettes I consumed!

Got today to get everything packed for Rhodes because I'm off tomorrow. If I can I'll spot a cyber-cafe and update whilst the Games is going on.

Canne wait.

-AC

Au revoir!

Just a quick note to say that I'm going off the radar to the rural seat of France, the Limousin region. Hopefully I'll get some decent training done and get some nice rest in too. Will post again next Thurs.

-AC

Turbo!

Turbo training during Sunday's tri-session. T'was very hot.

Bike is set up now but I'm not feeling too good; thick green gunk coming out of me! So training not going too well at the moment. Better to get it out of the way now then have it in two weeks time.

-AC

Review of week 31 (04-06 to 10-06)

Periodisation: Build 2

Weekly aims were:

1. Complete Sunday's triathlon in under 2:08hrs. It's tricky to set a time limit on this because it depends on the weather (esp. the wind strength) but anywhere around the 2:00-2:15 will be a very decent workout.
2. Get bike set up with new aero-equipment before end of week (otherwise I won't be doing Sunday's session!
3. Sit on a hedge in the sun and watch a TT race drinking water and eating salad with my mates (whilst they drink beer and eat cake, hotdogs, and other lovely stuff!)

Didn't get aim 2 done because my stuff didn't arrive. Didn't stop me doing the triathlon session on Sunday - just used turbo trainer next to lake (good for heat training if anything!). Was pleased with the sess: posted a quick 22.14 for the swim (in perfect conditions) then cycled 57min on turbo then a 10.8k run in just under 40mins. Good workout.

As for 3, achieved that and loved it!

Physiological stats

Average Weight (kg) in morning: Sod this, not doing it anymore, suffice to say: "Who ate all the pies?!"

Average Heart Rate (bpm) in morning: Stayed about the same as last week

No worries here!

Preview of week 32: 11-06 to 17-06

Periodisation: Build 2

Putting more emphasis on the transition between bike and run this week to get used to it mentally and physically.

Weekly aims:

1. Research heat acclimatisation.
2. Complete 3 bike-run sessions.
3. Complete park run around 21:00-22:00
4. Get bike fitted with aero kit (it's all arrived now)

-AC

Pink Band update

I have just got back from an Island Games Team get-together where with a little help from my friends (our team Dr Frank Vaughan was a legend!) I sold a load of pink bands. Just totalled it up and so far I've raised well over £280 which is awesome!

Hopefully I'll be able to get to the £500 mark by the end of the Games.

Thank you so much to everyone who has gave cash to this worthwhile cause.

-AC

Bugger!

After coming up with the bike course for Sunday's Olympic-distance session, I'm not actually going to be able to ride it! My bike won't be ready so I'll be on the turbo trainer by the side of the lake instead!

-AC

TT

A few pics taken on our lovely sunny bike-mad Island!

Darren, Phil and Mikey trying to be trees, apparently.

Some mad buggers tanking it around the TT course on a sidecar. Phil summed it up nicely when he said, " to be a sidecar passenger you need two things: small brains and big nuts!" Estimated speed around 120-140mph.

And some more mad b******* - the famous Purple Helmets renowned for their mad-cap biking antics, performing on Douglas Promenade. Wed night. Great fun.

-AC

Solid week

Review of week 30 (28-05 to 03-06)

Periodisation: Build 2

Weekly aims were:

1. Swim Mooragh in under 23 mins. Faster than last week. Hopefully this will be part of a Swim-Bike-Run brick sequence on Sat morning.
2. Complete run speed session on Thurs.
3. Get rough idea about what's best to eat!
   

Didn't manage aim 1 - posted a 23:21 in the lake on Sat's session. Considerably slower than hoped. The choppy water didn't help though and it slowed everyone up I think. I'll crack it this week I hope. Got a great run speed session done on Thursday along Ramsey's north beach at low tide on the sand banks: seven 80-second efforts with the final effort lasting 3 mins (was gasping for breath at the end!). In terms of food I'm trying to limit the amount saturated fat in diet e.g. eating cottage cheese (instead of cheddar), and drinking low fat milk etc. I still get to scoff a bacon butty at the weekend though! All in all a pleasing week.

Physiological stats

Average Weight (kg) in morning: 73.9 (down 0.1)

Average Heart Rate (bpm) in morning: 46 (down 0.4)

No worries here.

Preview of week 31: 04-06 to 10-06

Periodisation: Build 2

Again, there will be more race-specific sessions (on Sunday we're doing an Olympic-distance session). I've also just bought a new turbo trainer for my bike so I'll be looking at sessions I can do on that.

Weekly aims:

1. Complete Sunday's triathlon in under 2:08hrs. It's tricky to set a time limit on this because it depends on the weather (esp. the wind strength) but anywhere around the 2:00-2:15 will be a very decent workout.
2. Get bike set up with new aero-equipment before end of week (otherwise I won't be doing Sunday's session!)
3. Sit on a hedge in the sun and watch a TT race drinking water and eating salad with my mates (whilst they drink beer and eat cake, hotdogs, and other lovely stuff!)

32 days to go until Rhodes Triathlon!

-AC

Bike course (RUN ADDED)

Here's the map again with run course for Sunday's session added. Only proposed at the moment so any feedback let me know.

As mentioned in an earlier post, instead of going to Shropshire Tri on 10th June, I'm planning on doing an Olmypic distance training session.

Here's the 40km bike course. My apologies for the school-boy graphics but I don't have the time to muck around with a fancy-pants paint program!

Bike Route:

Start in transition at north of Mooragh Park Lake. Head out to Bride on A10. Turn right at Bride Church to Point of Ayre on A16. There will be a turn in the road, it's just after the 90 degree left hand corner after Cranstal, where a lay-by (with stone walling) at the road side appears. Head back to Bride same way. Go right at Church and follow A10 all the way to Ballaugh Cronk. Left at the Cronk back towards Ramsey on A13. When you reach Richmond Road turn left. Turn left when you reach Andreas Road (A9) then right back on to A10 towards the Grand Island Hotel. Turn right just before Grand Island and head back to transition at Mooragh. This should be 40km!!

Run Route:

Head out toward Bride on same course as bike. Turn left when you get to Ballacorey road. The road ahead will split into two - take the right fork (stay on Ballacorey). When you get to Ramsey-Andreas road (A9), turn left back towards Ramsey. Turn left at Bride Road junction and head toward Grand Island. Turn right down onto to prom and through to Finish which will be on the prom in line with the boat ramp opposite the junction that leads to the Mooragh Park car Park.

Any thoughts on the above, email me manxtriboy@hotmail.com

-AC

Another good week

Review of week 29 (21-05 to 27-05)

Periodisation: Build 1

Weekly aims were:

1. Complete a quality track session (run) on Thursday - will affect Park Run on Friday: will be slower or miss altogether depending on how legs feel.
2. Complete first open water swim in Mooragh Park lake in under 23 minutes.
3. Park Run in 21-23 mins - not expecting any records this week!
4. Look at increasing stroke rate on Sat swim session.

Due to inclement weather decided to replace the track session on Thurs with a fartlek session instead. A smart move I feel. First Mooragh swim was 23:06 and Park Run 21:09 - close enough for swim and well inside aim for run. Good. As for 4, I did look at stroke rate but I'm not convinced I'm going to get much quicker! Aimed for 9 hours training, got 9 hours done.

Physiological stats

Average Weight (kg) in morning: 74.0 (same)

Average Heart Rate (bpm) in morning: 46.4 (up 1.2bpm)

Glad weight didn't go up by another Kg otherwise I'd definitely be worried. HR in morning has been pretty similar to last week. No worries there.

Preview of week 30: 28-05 to 03-06

Periodisation: Build 2

Build 2 essentially means that I'll be incorporating more race-specific workouts than in build 1. However, because I enjoy doing lower intensity base work, this won't be neglected either.

Weekly aims:

1. Swim Mooragh in under 23 mins. Faster than last week. Hopefully this will be part of a Swim-Bike-Run brick sequence on Sat morning.
2. Complete run speed session on Thurs.
3. Get rough idea about what's best to eat!

-AC

Life on the ocean wave!

Just so you know I don't spend my whole life training, here's a couple of pics from the maiden voyage of my cousin Barry's boat along with her scurvy-ridden crew members! Any suggestions for the name of the sea-worthy vessel? I'm going for "Corny Hunt"!

Me, Paul (younger Bro') and cousin Baz.

Paul, Dad and Baz on the waves!

-AC

Life after Rhodes

Just confirmed: my entry has been accepted for Bala (in North Wales) standard-distance (Olympic distance) triathlon on 16th September. This is a great race; last year Manx Tri Club won the Men's race so this year we have to go back and defend it with pride!

The race is also a World Championship qualifier for the 2008 Vancouver event next year. Perhaps that can be my next target?

-AC

Who wants a laugh?

Check this out then:

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/isle?articleid=2893463

Just click on the vid!

Park run last night, not as quick as last time, but still quick (21:03). First open water swim was hard due to the constrictive nature of the wetsuit making my shoulders extra sore! Just 6 seconds (23:06) outside my goal so quite pleased with that. Can only get quicker I hope.

-AC

Andy's Pink Band Appeal

“Life”, “Live Life” and “Hope”

In May 2005 my cousin Aalish Patterson was tragically killed in a road traffic accident. When a young life is taken away in such circumstances it leaves you wondering ‘what if?’

When Aalish died, the world lost her potential. This made me question what I was doing to fulfil my own – knowing that life can be taken away in the blink of an eye.

Representing the Isle of Man at the Island Games in July this year became my goal, my way of celebrating life. With only a matter of weeks left until the competition, I am selling these pink bands for £1 each to raise money for Project 21.

Project 21 was set up to raise money for a new headquarters and social centre to be built in the Isle of Man for children with learning difficulties. All money raised in Aalish’s memory has been donated to Project 21.

Support

By supporting this worthwhile cause, you’ll be helping children with disabilities on the Island fulfil their potential in the world by giving them Hope and Life.

Celebrate life! Wear your pink band with pride.

-AC

Successful week

Review of week 28 (14-05 to 20-05)

Periodisation: Recovery Race-Prep week

Weekly aims were:

1. Win Peel Triathlon (have to aim high!)
2. Get plenty of sleep and start eating right again.
3. Practice transition routine twice before sunday.
4. 8-10 hours (reduced from 15/16)

Really chuffed with the result in Peel yesterday, glad to have achieved my primary aim. I'm confident that I got more sleep over the course of the week than in previous weeks, as for eating right I made a few mistakes involving cereal and flap-jack overdosing! I'm looking into diversifying my diet with emphasis on more protein. As for hours trained, I managed between 6 and 7 so just fell short. Overall, a good end to a transistory week.

Physiological stats

Average Weight (kg) in morning: 74.0 (up 1kg!)

Average Heart Rate (bpm) in morning: 45.2 (down 1.5bpm)

HR is down slightly, perhaps due to sleeping better. With regard to weight going up 1kg means I've put on 2.2kg in 4 weeks. This could be cause for concern if I put on the same amount over the next four weeks but at the moment I'm not concerned because it is likely this is lean muscle mass (I frickin' hope so anyway!).

Preview of week 29: 21-05 to 27-05

Periodisation: Build 1

I'm planning another easy(ish) week to accommodate for recovery from Peel race: I'm looking to stay off the bike for a few days because of a niggle in my right hamstring which has been slow to recover. In terms of swim and run, I think I should be able to managed a couple of mod-high intensity sessions. I'll be playing it by ear I suppose.

Weekly aims:

1. Complete a quality track session (run) on Thursday - will affect Park Run on Friday: will be slower or miss altogether depending on how legs feel.
2. Complete first open water swim in Mooragh Park lake in under 23 minutes.
3. Park Run in 21-23 mins - not expecting any records this week!
4. Look at increasing stroke rate on Sat swim session.

-AC