Personal Beast

Abbey Dash 10Km

Rock up late.
Struggle to find a parking spot
Arrive at the start line with 2 minutes to go.
Absolutely rag yourself for the duration of the race so that your race face is on display and you look like the Witch of Harrogate.
Finish
Feel elated
Tell Mrs H that she doesn't have the monopoly on PB's
Feel humbled that you've only improved by 24 seconds but she's improved by over 180 seconds....... again
Celebrate anyway..... priceless

Feel like an athlete
You're back in the game

Ironman 70.3 World Championships

Saturday 14th November - Clearwater, Florida?
No, Satdi 14th, PB at the Park Run 5Km in the morning then shopping in Harrogate.

I could have been a contender
I could have been a someone
Caught up the rat race and feeling like a no-one
Picture in 220
The money and the girls
I could have been the Ironman 70.3 (Male 30-34) Champion of the World.

Maybe not

Best of luck to Debs and Dann Brook.

(Lyrics with a nod and a wink to Reverend and the Makers)

She's (run) a perfect 10 and (now) she wears a 12

It's all about Mrs H. She bit the bullet and decided to run a 10 miler. Not just any 10 miler. The Guy Fawkes 10 miler which I regard as harder than most half-marathons I have run. On completing the course in a more than respectable time (circa 90 mins) she declared "I loved it". Which can only mean she didn't run hard enough. My run wasn't so hot after covering the first 3 miles in 20 minutes, the wheels came off and I limped/walked home in 82 minutes.

Mrs H has been shedding the pounds and pounding the pavements. increasing her mileage and decreasing her waistline. I've been ........ I'm really not sure what I have been doing. I have been struggling with motivation and form. I've had some time away from training which is good for recovery but have struggled to get in gear and start to string some training sessions together.

My 10 mile track record is shameful
- Entered 4
- Started 3
- Finished 2
- Actually raced 0
My 10 miles "PB" is less than a minute quicker than my half-marathon PB.

Maybe it's time to vanquish the demons at the Snake Lane 10. Or maybe I should forget about it and focus on the extra 3.1 miles of the Brass Monkey half marathon. Mrs H is running that one too, let's hope it's a happy car drive home this time

A cracking time at Ilkley

After being cajoled by numerous team mates that the Ilkley Tri was to be a smackdown between Jonty (last years winner) and I. I finally realised that it was time to come out of post-Antwerp hibernation and bag a win.
What neither Jonty nor I had planed on was 3 faster people rocking up and spoiling the party. It didn't spoil the goading and banter between us though.

Race prep consisted of realising the week before race day that If I played nicely with the other children I stood a good chance so the equivalent of exam cramming was performed. A few sessions to remind the muscles what was expected and a trip over to Ilkley on the bike to suss out the bike/run course. I'd borrowed some clip on bars from JC as i thought my training bike was better suited to the course than my Tri/TT bike. Having already sworn that my cafe bike would never be pedalled in anger other than in disgust at a rude waitress or particularly bad coffee, using Tatiana was out of the question.

Race morning, get old faithful out of the garage and load into the...... wait a minute. Staring back at me was the mother of all cracks. An abyss in my downtube. I started to feel sick at the though of dropping downhill at 45mph the day before or doing it again on race day if I hadn't seen the crack before the race. So 'Little Albert" was returned to the garage and Tatiana (the cafe bike) came out to play. No hero bars. No problem, right?

Wrong, I'd have committed murder for them on the flat road past the Lido but you have to play the hand your dealt.

All told, fourth is a good result but i was hoping to get top 3 or even eclipse my third place at Stokesley Duathlon at the start of the year to confirm I'm now a triathlete as well as/instead of a duathlete.
(The new svelte) Mrs H pulled one out of the bag going 3 minutes quicker than she'd dare hoped and making mincemeat of the run course.

We celebrated with pasta and a Belgian beer (Affligem). Apparently there's too many points in an Indian Take-Away.

Oh well, that's it for Tri's....... until next year.

Gotta, getta new frame

Off the rails

All aboard for the Harrogate Stalybridge Express

Craig's 40th birthday warranted something special so we all piled in to the Coach & Horses in Harrogate then tried to emulate James May & (TV's) Oz Clarke's "Ales on Rails" trip from "Oz and James Drink to Britain"





Harrogate - Coach & Horses
Leeds - The Brewery Tap
Dewsbury - The West Riding Refreshment Rooms
Huddersfield - The Head of Steam
Stalybridge - Buffet Bar

So when's Ilkley Tri?

Time ladies and gentlemen please

....... There is a corner of a foreign field that will be forever England.

Well now there's a shelf of my fridge that will be forever Belgium.

During our recent trip away, Mrs H and I managed to consume the following.

Achel

Affligem

Bruges Blonde

Brugge Tripple

Brugse Zot

De Koninck

Duval

Hoegaarden

Hoegaarden Rose (Raspberry)

Jupiler

Karmeliet

Kasteel

La Chouffe

Leffe (Bruin & Blonde)

Maes

Mort Subite

Palm

Primus

Rodenbach

Ros (Blonde & Bruin)

Verdette (Blonde, Wit)

Westmalle (Doubble & Tripple)

In addition to these we also did a beer tour calling in at the Duval Brewery in Moortgat (home to Duval and Verdette amongst others) and the Bosteels Brewery (home to Kwak, Karmelite and Deus).

Whilst the beer is strong, it's a matter of pacing yourself. perhaps one or two on an evening. Don't rush these things, just savour.
Whilst we did have a few "nights" the only hangover I had was a post-race hangover.

So what's next?

Well there's plenty in the fridge.

Post-Race Wash Up

I am sat drinking a fantastic Belgian beer updating my blog. It's a Kasteel for those in the know.
Mrs H had me limping around a few breweries yesterday

Pre-Race
Arrived at the campsite, checked out the course and then provided mechanical support for Jonny C. The emotional support would come later. Hubs sorted and tyres stuck it was time to check out the scenic bike course. Scenic for those with a love of docks. I'd be concentrating too much to take in the scenery anyway.

We then met up with the NYP Crazy Gang. Mrs H and I were made to feel like part of the gang. Well Mrs H was, I was just an associate member. Beers were drunk and food was eaten. I'll describe it as food but we were calling it allsorts when Mrs H and I both woke up on the Satdi with dodgy tummies. Satdi was race day for Mrs H. Time for her to show the locals her race face. The sun shone, we cheered and Mrs H came a creditable 14th........ once the tri-bars had been removed. This was a draft legal race. The ex-bike racer in Mr H was somewhat envious. Time then to set Mrs H's bike "Betty Ribble" up for Debs to borrow for the 70.3. Debs already has a bike but now some thieving Frenchman has it after lifting off the roof of the car at the Tour de France the week before.

Race Day
I wake up at 5am and the rain is lashing it down on the roof of the tent. I manage to sneak some more Z's but it's still raining when I do get up to eat. Antwerp is under very grey clouds, low clouds and the rain is bouncing off the roads. I packed my kit and rode down to the Swim start and T1. Its cold too, many people have chosen to put their wetsuit on to ride to the start. That would have been a good idea cos now I’m shaking (I don't do insulation. I didn't do it very well when I was 4Kg heavier). Putting my wetsuit on is tricky as now I'm soaked and the suit is getting a soaking as I try put it on. Rack and line up. It's the countdown. The "Williams mantra" is recited in my head and perhaps out-loud. "This is why we do it; this is what it has all been about". The rain keeps falling and I’m now smiling. I've lost count of the number of races and training sessions I’ve done in the rain. I'm British, it rains. This is Belgium, it rains. Get over it and keep moving on. The rain and wind should have been expected. They actually made my day. The wind was nothing to be scared of and would only slow down the weaker bikers (usually the better runners).

Swim
The hooter sounds and the human soup begins. It's a bun fight but I know I’m making good progress. I climb out of the water in a time that I am truly proud of and wish to thank everyone who helps me with my swimming.

Bike
Into T1 - time for a shave? Perhaps, I was in there a long time but it's cold, raining and windy. A gillet is required as too are the gels. Then it's time to play to my strengths. 6 people passed me on the bike. A rarity but there are some gifted athletes here so why be surprised. Stick to the game plan. Check the heart rate, check the Watts, check the time, have some Powerbar gels/bars. Keep going...

Out into the sticks at last. Through some small villages. No time for the flashbacks to training through the very same villages 15 years ago when I first came to Holland to learn how to race bikes. Then heading back into Antwerp. I've been constantly passing people but now on the home leg the streets are empty. I catch a glimpse of other riders occasionally and realise I am now at the sharp end.

Run
Helmet off, run shoes on. Grab my race hat and kiss the saddle of my bike. "Thanks for not letting me down". Running out of T2 I made the usual deal with my body "90 minutes, that's all I ask of you". I'm out on the streets of Antwerp and I'm running fast. My legs are turning over nicely and I'm passing people again. The dodgy guts are holding up and I'm actually smiling. For the moment, I'm bullet-proof but I don't know how long this will last. I take one gel per laps and hope my body will accept and not reject it. Thankfully the "small friend in the back of my shorts" is a false-alarm. I know I'm on a good pace and everything has fallen into place. The last laps sees an increase in pace and I start to run out of tokens for the meter. I know I can hold this to the finish though. Into the Grote Makt for the finish, Mrs H hands me a Union Flag and I cross the line. Fall over and have the usual shall I vomit debate.

The results were listed very quickly. third in my age group? Must be a typo or mistake. I'll have to attend the Qualification meeting to see how I've done. Perhaps some World Championship Clearwater qualification slots may role down far enough for me to find out my placing.

Presentation
In the Grote Markt, grab a glass of wine and go find out the scores on the doors. Debs (of Betty Ribble fame/frame) is there with Simon, her chief bike washer and bottle carrier. Not many slots available in that age group but they roll down a few names and suddenly Debs is heading towards the front of the room saying "I'm Deborah..." and Simon is heading to the cash point.
Onto the men’s slots....... I was wrong, there was no mistake. I was third in my age-group and a Clearwater slot was mine if I wanted it. "Yes" I cheered, followed by a very subdued "No".
I may not be going but I know someone who is. Best of luck Debs but I think you might want to get your own bike this time.

Post race - a few beers and another Italian. Did I make the right decision to let my slot go? I'll never know but I'm not sure my new "sponsor" would permit me the time off and Clearwater was never part of the plan. I'm sure whoever got the first roll down slot would thank me for it.

Plan in head was - Go to Antwerp. Go as hard as you can, make no mistakes and you will leave a good account of yourself.

Job done.
Pic's to follow. Sorry

I am half an ironman

Third in my age group
Time of 04:18
58th Overall
Qualified for Clearwater 70.3 World Championships but did not accept my slot

Happy...... but very sore

I have never......

Inspired by Nirvana's track "You know you're right"

Kurt says "Things have never been so swell, I have never felt so well"

Mr H says

• I have never been this thin - 3-4Kg lighter than last year. Mrs H is nagging me to put on weight.
• I have never ridden so fast in a 25m TT - PB now 57:02 plus that 30:00 at Pool
• I have never run so fast - Steelman run leg equates to a half marathon PB
• I have never swam this well - Still the weak link but I'm no longer timed on a calendar
• I have never placed so high (in a Tri) - 6th at the Cleveland Steelman
• I have never been this powerful - Watts up for all time trials

I have never been so ready

Destination Antwerp - Mrs H has got her guide book ready.

Time, where does it go?

Lanza
Our holiday now a distant memory

Bizarre Pool Triangle
It's all about time. After setting myself the target of beating 30 minutes at the local weekly time trial I am gutted to announce a new PB of 00:30:00. Laugh? I nearly cried. I nearly threw up too but I'll spare you the details. I did say weekly but it takes a 2 week break then fails to fit with my training plan until post-Antwerp. Maybe something's just aren't meant to be.

Cleveland Steelman Tri
Welcome to Middle distance triathlon (1.9Km Swim, 90km Bike, 22Km run) the Steelman was to be my first outing at the distance and a journey into the unknown. How fast was too fast? How slow was too slow?
The swim isn't long enough to get "found out" but the bike and run are more than twice the length of standard/Olympic distance. the sun shone, the correct nutrition was gobbled and the speed was high. I told people I'd be happy with a sub-04:45 which really meant I'd like to go sub-04:30 on a good day. I was quite chuffed with my 04:23, good enough for 6th place. Perhaps I've found my niche.
This bodes very well for Antwerp Ironman 70.3

New Sponsor
Mr H is please to announce his new sponsor. New sponsorship involves public appearances at their offices Monday to Friday typically between the hours of 09:00 & 17:30. As with my previous sponsor their name will remain a mystery on this site though. I'd still like to thank Aviva for the new wetsuit, disc wheel, watch........ and fitted kitchen (pending) and the new tent which will get it's first real outing in Antwerp.
The bad news: it's a longer ride in to work (100Km round trip)
The good news: It's got a far better canteen. Edible food and everything

Ripon Tri
Having gone from Steelman to spectatorman it was good to see Mrs H set a new PB and beat the 3 hour barrier for an Olympic Distance tri. This also provided the opportunity to meet some of the NYP Crazy Gang. Destination Antwerp. Mrs H, I is proud of you.

Bring on berg-less Belgium

Credit Crunch Pro

It's been a busy month or two but I'm not sure I've actually done anything.

Rode the Etape du Dales - A long day out.
1 week in Lanzarote - holiday/training
Accepted a new job
Got made redundant
Bought a shiny carbon disc wheel........ thank you aviva
Looked at new kitchens........ thank you aviva
Had 4 weeks garden leave........ thank you aviva
Left the garden well alone........ thank Mrs H

It's been chaos!

I intended to live the pro lifestyle. Pro-athlete, not streetwalker!
More training than you can shake a stick at, plus plenty of rest to accommodate the increase in training. In reality I don't believe many pro-athletes get their partners dinner ready for them, teak-oil the garden furniture or wash/wax the cars. Even so, It's been nice to have some down time. This has actually left me looking forward to my new job. Perhaps this wouldn’t be the case if it was simply returning to the old job. Who's to say?

The big push is on for the Cleveland Steelman. This will be my first run out at "middle" or "70.3" distance. After a 2 hour bike and 90 minute run last Monday I do feel ready for the challenge. Then its fine tuning for Antwerp in August.

Gotta go, it's a rest day but the shower isn't going to replace its own silicone sealant and the car isn't going to wash itself now is it?

The future's Bright......

The future's Jonty. Well that might not be true but congratulations anyway to the new club sprint distance champion, Jonty Bright. Best of luck to Jonty and anyone else Mrs H and I know who are running the London Marathon this weekend.

Skipton Tri, my first tri of the year and a chance to see if all of the work I have done on my swim has actually paid off. The changing man has been swimming twice a week. Had lessons and focused on improvement of his weakest area. The result was a 06:30 400m swim. By no means lightening fast but far better than the 07:45 I was posting 18 months ago.

So 75 seconds may not sound a lot but it does leapfrog me over many other triathletes when it comes to the final scores on the doors. The bike was satisfactory and an 00:18:38 5Km run was good too. I wasn't sure how well I was running after recovering from further issues with the "glass feet" (this time I over-extended my big-toe joint) and the course including a bit of off-road. Not sufficiently off-road enough to induce a bit of my off-road mincing though.

Best of all, the sun shone.

Then it was time to recover. Back home to do a few chores, watch the Amstel Gold Race and make use of the new blender. Banana, malted choc powder, ground coffee, honey and milk.

Forgoodnessshakes make a big deal of their drinks but if you're "drinking from home", these appeal to the Yorkshireman in me. I read too that beer is a good recovery drink but doesn't help with re-hydration. I decided to over-look this particular pitfall and have a couple anyway.

Plus our Sundi guests couldn't make it round for tea and buns, so there were even more for us.

Recovery never tasted so good.

What goes a Rhonde.....

It was ABD's 40th last year so to celebrate this landmark event, I suggested a trip to see the Rhonde Van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders) suggesting that we ride most of the course the day before. De Rhonde is often referred to as the "World Championships of Belgium". This is one of the monuments of cycle racing with so much history attached. It really is part of the Belgian culture.

Belgium, a country very much maligned and misunderstood. It's an honest country, it doesn't try to be anything it isn't. You can drink a different beer everyday for a year. What's not to like?

Friday
Time to check in at our B&B, The Riverside Guesthouse. Then head to Oudenaarde to the Rhonde Van Vlaanderen Centrum. A museum dedicated to this one day cycle race. At the centre we got to meet "Fast" Freddie Maertens who now works as a curator at the museum and Mr Milani of Milani Bicycles. After following the story of Edvig Van Hooydoncks 1989 victory at De Rhonde, it was time for lunch.
Time to head over to Ninove to pic up the registration pack for Satdi.
A hearty meal at the guesthouse then to bed. The Riverside B&B was excellent. Very cyclist friendly and also a great location for seeing De Rhone or any of the "Flanders week" races. Nothing was too much trouble, Jan and Harriet were excellent hosts.
Tomorrow, we ride.

Satdi
Up at an ungodly hour to head over to Ninove for the start of our ride. We decided to make a brisk start to try and get away from some of the slower riders so as not to get held up on some of the climbs. There were 19000 entrants in the days ride plus many others who hadn't registered but wanted to ride some/all of the course. The official estimate was that there were circa 27000 riders out on the course.

The climbs are often known as bergs. There are 16 classified climbs, mostly cobbled plus other climbs not classified. This was going to be a real wear and tear day out on the bike. Only 140 Km to go.

The first climb was the Molenberg. This was the first cobbled climb of the day and acted as the hors d'ouvre for the rest of the day. Cobbles, the dish of the day. Molenberg, Patterberg, Koppenberg. When I asked Mrs H what her favourite berg was, she said "Battenburg".

Climbing up to the church on the top of the Muur was almost a religious experience in itself. There were many many people lining the climb to cheer you on but this would be nothing compared to tomorrows congregation. One more climb to go then back into Ninove for a celebratory beer, chips and mayo plus a sausage. A sausage? after 140km, 16 bergs, cobbles and other unclassified climbs, What's the wurst that can happen?

We even got to see a bike shop called "AR-SE Sports" and another called "Willy Sport", great sense of humour the Belgians.

A meal in Ghent that evening was enough to convince us that Ghent required another visit, or maybe we were just trying to justify a return trip.

Sunday
It's race day, the day of the "Belgian World Championships". Belgium is closed, everyone is watching on the road or on TV. Traffic is chaos, parking in Brugge is a challenge. This is the third time I've seen de Rhonde but I've never made it to the start until today. Brugge is rammed. The central squares have been taken over with the infrastructure to support the race. We get sucked into the excitement and atmosphere until we remember that we can't return home without gifts for our better halves. It's Easter next weekend and Belgium is famous for chocolate. Job Done.
The race starts, as too does ours. We're racing to the Oude Kwaremont. The third climb of the day. The Kwaremont is often said to be where the race really starts. Midway up the climb is a cobbled square with BBQ's, Bars and a large screen. This will enable us to see most of the race without having to break Belgian traffic laws getting to other parts of the course. The climbs is littered with the yellow flag of Flanders featuring a large black fire-salamander. People have squeezed into small areas of grass banking to watch the riders almost float past them over the cobbled surface. The cars coming flying past too producing a wake of dust and exhaust fumes. All that time waiting for the race and it's all done in a matter of 2 minutes. All the anticipation and excitement for 2 minutes of race is still time well spent. The atmosphere builds during the wait and then we walk into the square to watch the rest of the race unfold on the roads we rode yesterday.

Stijn doe's it again. A Brit was in the mix for a while. The sun shone. Life is good.

Race over? No, the race to the ferry had only just begun.

Go forth to Stokesley

Or maybe just go to Stokesley and come 4th. [UPDATE - 3rd]

First race of the season and my plan was to have good run out and see what happens. Mrs H and I were so unprepared for this race that I between us we added elastic laces to Mrs H's shoes in the car park 35mins before the race was du to start.

My plan really was:

1. Hang on in the first run. How fast can I run whilst still expecting to bike & run
   
2. Monster the bike to provide some good power data as a benchmark for the start of the season
3. Hold the run together

So my plan was pretty much the usual but his time the expectations were very low. I've got plenty of base mileage in on the bike but not a great deal of intense work. I have also had a knee niggle and not run as much as I had planned over the last two weeks. This race was simply an opportunity to see what the form was like/see how much work needs to be done.

Run1: Seemed to be going ok. I was in the mix with some good athletes.
Transition 1: Like a knife through butter. I entered T1 in 11th place and exited T1 in 7th place. I had the fastest T1 of the day.
Bike: Having sneaked out in front of a few of the runners it was time to see if they could cope wit the windy conditions. I pulled away over the 2 laps and caught/dropped 3 athletes
Run2: Caught by 1 athlete.

All in all I was very pleased. My second run was only 1 minute slower than my first and my bike wattage was only 10-15 Watts down on what I'd expect to hit in a time trial mid-season.

Good to race, good to feel the burn. Always good to feel alive. This is why we do it. I just didn't realise I'd been missing it.

So that's it for Duathlons in 2009. Seems strange as this is usually the time of year when I am flying. Usually it's Duathlon season and I'm desperate to qualify for a major championship. Maybe I need to change the title of this blog.

I'm (going to be) a Triathlete, not a Duathlete. Honest!









Then it was time to treat mum to lunch. Happy mothers day.

[UPDATE] The results now say I cam third. I'm not sure what the hell has happened as the guy originally listed as 2nd ran 25mins for the opening 5Km. I guess he was new to all of this and only did one lap of the bike course instead of two. From 4th to 3rd is better than last years 1st to 2nd.

Let battle commence. No, let breakfast commence

Twas the Clumber Classic Duathlon. A race that has been home to both disappointment in 2007 and rejoice in 2008. Clumber is usually my first race of the season and often my first key race of the season.

After a long season last year I am only just coming around to the idea of racing. Training has started and the "A Race" is Antwerp 70.3 in August. This is conveniently some way off, as I like to remind myself. However, having looked at the results and photos from my normal season opener I can't help but feel I have missed out on something. All this despite not being ready mentally to run a sub 39 minute 10Km then bike 40Km in circa 1:04 then see what's left for the final 5Km run. I looked at the results trying to work out where I might have finished........ on last years form. This year things are different. I'm still in a build phase and not busting a gut yet. I've scratched my duathlon itch, I aim to be a triathlete.

On Saturday when the plenty of my Du buddies were giving it full gas I was out for a 75 minute steady run. Whilst they were feeling alive, I was missing the burn.

I suppose my day will come....... In 2 weeks at the Stokesley Duathlon. Now just a chance to see what form I have and build on it. However, it's the first time in the hurt box for a long while. Not sure I remember how to run or bike fast anymore.

Life gets in the way but it's not all bad news

Knee niggle, working away for a few days, Harrogate Beer Festival. Panic not, it's a recovery week. It's all in the timing.

Sore knee after running but a few days rest should sort that out
Go to Manchester and catch up with your best man
Go to Norwich and Bristol (work related) Business Trip + Colleagues = (Curry + Beer)
Go to the Harrogate Beer Festival 2 nights on the trot and drink some beer then go for a curry. Only after Thursdays Turbo and Fridays swim session...... motivation by reward.

So I'm now at the end of my first 4 week block of training (the classic 3 week build and 1 week recovery). As you can see, I've milked the recovery but my "A race" isn't until August.

Antwerp 70.3 - Entered

(Re)Liability Trials

It's that time of year when you see what you've got. It's no longer the hand you've been dealt but the hand you've dealt yourself. Have you done enough training, how well do you think your going? It's not too late to fix things but you don't know the form until you've studied it. If you don't know it's broke, you don't know it needs fixing.... I think you get the picture.

Reliability Trials are organised rides, not races. For many, the testosterone kicks in and they start racing for pride. In reality, if your not wearing a number you're not racing. Keep it in perspective. Ron's Reliable five is a series of five merry jaunts around Yorkshire. Not strictly true, it's more of a thrash than a jaunt. Five different clubs organise a ride each over successive weekends. You rock up, register try and ride round in a group and then limp home. There is another way.... do the above but a bit slower. It's all about getting round and getting a good workout. No coffee stop either!

Week 1: Seacroft Wheelchairs - 80Km (plus 20Km ride to/from)
Starts at Sherburn. Nice, I know where that is. If only I knew where exactly the start was. Set off on your own then and try hammer along until they catch you/you catch them. The Yorkshireman in me loves the fact that I saved the £1.50 registration fee and managed trim a couple off miles off the start (helps if you know the whole route and not just 90% of it). Not sure if i'm in front or behind I stop to read a text and then get caught by the first group at the bottom of the big hill. Hammer yourself in a small group for the next 20 miles. Run out of tokens for the meter with 4 miles to go. Turn around and ride back to the in-laws. 105Km in 03:30. Job done.

Week 2: Harrogate Nova - 80Km
Extra time in bed this week but maybe a bit too much. Missed the start and saved £1.50 but tagged onto the group as I bumped into them at Pannal roundabout. Some 2through and off" was done...... it was like old times. I felt like a roadie again until I got found out at Fountains Abbey. From then on, it was driving a small group to meet Mrs H at the HQ for a brew and a natter with my better half. Mrs H had done 45miles on her own on a cold windy day. Respect, these are the sort of rides that will make the White Rose Challenge just that little bit easier. Tough mentally but good to know you can do it.
Now it's Duval time as I type this in the living room. Loving the new wireless.
97Km in 03:27. Very steady ride out and back with Mrs H but what the hell, life is good.

Week 3: Airedale Olympic - 80Km........ Or not
Meet at the bottom of a bloody big hill. Oh Shit! On a very cold (-2 degrees when I left the house) icy morning. Snow has brought chaos to the UK. Change of plan then. 3:30 with the possibility of lying in the road after being brought down by someone else? No thanks, I'll go out for a ride with a friend. 4 hours please. 4 hours on fixed wheel.
4:15 later and I'm tucking into lunch. Safe in the knowledge I stayed upright....... watching the snow fall again. This weeks plan had me down for circa 13 hours. Still managed more than 10:30 despite the snow. Time for a banana bread beer and the ironing. Rock and roll!

Week 4: Otley - 100Km........ 130 actually
Ride out to Otley, arrive on time and finally put my hand in my pocket to pay. Rode this one with ABD and opted for a slightly slower pace than before. The weather was kind and after a small mechanical at the turn for ABD, we turned for home. Signed back in at Otley so finally officially completed one of these events. Then home over the tops. Back home for the Local meat and cheese Mrs H and I bought in Pately Bridge on our Valentines day out.
A chance to ride with David Stone and Alistair Brownlee (after his running put mine in context at yesterdays HPTT)

Week 5: Yorkshire Road Club- 100Km........ 130 by the time I got home
I'm bored of writing about these now

Reliable? You betcha!

Freezing the balls...

Time for the annual trip to the Brass Monkey Half-Marathon in York. Despite missing last years event due to a cold I still wasn't really prepared for this years event either.

I've not done too much running of late and my run speed is well down on what it was. I have been trying to adopt a different run style which so far has permitted me to run for 60 minutes without any issues but has hampered my speed. I have persevered with this for four months now and have finally decided that it will not provide me with the run speed I require for this year.

I decided to adopt the Maitre Jacques approach to pre-race preparation (without the chemicals). So after seafood and wine and a beer and a late night, I decided to skip the wife and daughter threesome (you couldn't make this up). Jacques was legendary for all this although some suggest that it was more PR propaganda than fact.

Anyway, I lined up dehydrated and ready to go. The warm up consisted of sitting in the car putting my gloves on. It wasn't that cold, in fact it turned out nice again as George Formby would say. As you can tell, my heart wasn't really in it. This was simply a training run with a number on.

I was due to run With Jonny C (of Singpore and Reindeer fame). The plan was to get round in 01:28 although anything under 01:30 would have been deemed acceptable. So we did, as planned and ran a very even pace for the first 11 miles before "dropping the bomb" with 2 miles to go.

01:26 = Job done. 3 minutes short of a PB but it was good to get a long run in and the post race high on the way home was worth those 86 minutes.

No need to panic, the key race of the year isn't until August but it's time to get my arse in to gear a bit more now. Still time to miss sessions but maybe get a little more focus.

Oh no he isn't.....

Well it is Panto season.

After receiving my trophy it appears I didn't win after all. I am not "First Duathelete". I am in fact second. Hopefully the engraver can spell this time.

"As sometimes happens, there's been a correction which means that you finished 2nd, not 1st, in the 2008 Duathlon Competition. The winner was actually Chris Nicoll of Derby. I had failed to connect his best triathlon score to his duathlons; he beat you by some forty points. I do apologise for this, and I suggest that you keep the trophy I sent, but have the engraved plate changed so that your trophy shows 2nd instead of 1st. I'll send another trophy to Chris, and have the placings on Tri247 amended.
If it will be of any encouragement to you I can tell you that Chris's wife Sally is expecting to have a baby in about three weeks' time, so he may not be quite so lively in 2009!"

I did say it was a bit like British sports car production. Reliability is over-rated