This blog will act like a training diary for myself and an opportunity for people to keep up to date with my training as I undertake a triathlon training program for the first time; this winter.
So, I have never taken part in a triathlon but started swimming last August 2010 as cross training for my running whilst injured. I did actually get accepted on to the first British Triathlon Tri Gold testing weekend in August 2009 but this was a very late application, no preparation what so ever and I never thought I would get selected due to not having a county swimming level background. However I did, and so attended the testing weekend at Loughborough, where I was living with my boyfriend anyway, so thought I had nothing to lose.
So I had not swam since I was about 11, never riden a bike and only just started back running after five years off with injuries. Not the best preparation for an intensive testing program of swimming, cycling and running including of which I also had a National Cup Final to attend on the Saturday afternnon for Sale Harriers, which I won the 1500m in 4.19. I then had to come back and the following day do a 400m swim time trial, two hours of cycling including a chain gang for the first time, then I was first up for a a VO2 max. I don't think they liked me leaving to go and race so maybe they were testing me? I didn't get selected based on my running ability in the V02 max test. I must say that I wasn't a fan of triathlon after that weekend and the following few days ran a 4.14.23 1500m PB at trafford. I was pleased with this considering the grueling Tri Gold testing and after such little training.
I was looking forward to a good winter training as I new I could run a lot faster.
Unfortunately in November 2009 I was recommended to change from my Asics to Newtons running shoes. Within 2 weeks I had pain in my left foot. A stress response wasn't diagnosed until January 2010. In the meantime I had been off and on running. With the diagnosis I was advised 9 weeks complete rest, no exercises, nothing. I felt myself getting weaker and when I started to run again my foot was still sore. This foot pain then lasted another 12 months until it got to a point where the pain was managable to run on. Throughout this time I was becoming more and more disheartened. I accept simple straight forward injuries but mine seem to mystify all physios and so never get treated and I have to sit it out feeling helpless and hopeless.
So for extra motivation, a different focus and to take the stress and pressure off me I joined Manchester Triathlon club in August 2010.
I new my 400m time from the Tri Gold testing was 7.10. Shockingly bad I now realise but at the time that was,me with no swim training. So this meant I was in the second fastest lane at Manchester Triathlon club out of four lanes. I didn't have a clue about technique so most of the sessions for the first few months I tried to learn as I went. I enjoy swimming socially but training I didn't seem to like. I was missing running and was doubting whether swimming would get/keep me fit. On the other hand I had to remind myself that I was there to take my mind off all the running I was missing and see it as a new challenge and enjoy it!
I did a 400m test after three months of swimming three times a week and recorded 5.50. Quite a big improvement but I was still feeling like I didn't have a clue what I was doing in the water.
On boxing day 2010 me and my boyfriend, Dane, went to Stellenbosch, South Africa, for a training holiday. I had been the year before with my training group from Loughborough and loved it so wanted to take Dane.
We went on our own but our friends Lisa Dobriskey and Ricky Soos were there training so that was great! I concentrated on swimming and started to ride my bike and even a few 15min runs.
My swimming improved and my cycling was getting better but still I had the niggley pain in my foot. Back to the Physio and still no solution so I couldn't progress my running.
I entered a couple if the British Triathlon Super Series 2011 events in the hope that I could manage to get round a 10km run but I had to withdraw as I was still stuck on 15 min slow runs with pain :(
I am now still on 20 min runs but have been doing a lot of calf strengthening this time so fingers crossed that will work!
I started my easy six week base training program last week with the aim of getting back on the bike, back to swimming (I had to take four weeks off with a back strain) and hopefully my body will have adapted back into running in preparation of starting some interval training in November.
This winter I fully intend to train as a triathlete and enter the British Triathlon Super Series next summer and also see how well I run on the track off a cross training program. I feel aiming to compete in triathlon will give my swim and bike training more purpose and as I will never be able to run as much as I like to compete with the best girls in Britain this triathlon training may be the way to go!
I don't know how well the triathlon races will go....I may never do another 1500m race again if it goes really well... but at the moment I want to still compete at 1500m next year as well as training as for triathlon races.
Many have told me that I can't do both. I have to choose. But I know that when I am running I don't do much training anyway....maybe 30 miles a week if I am lucky but I managed to run 4.14 off as little as 20 miles a week. So add the swim and bike training on top then I may be able to do both? Plus the Super Series races start at the end of May and finish end of July / mid August and I think, are two Sprint distance: 5k run, one super Sprint: 2.5k run and two are only 10k runs.
A 1500m training program through the winter is similar to a 5k/10k runner so if I can get the work done this winter I should be ready for triathlon and add the specific 1500m training, which usually only starts in May anyway. It would be interesting to know what anyone thinks as I accept I maybe being a little naive?
Anyway here goes!
What a first blog! A lot of info and probably not all interesting but at least you are in the picture and I will now keep updating on my progression with the triathlon training and life in general.
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