Well the good news is that will defer my entry until next year and swap it to Reading, so at least it’s local, if I decide to do it next year.
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Yeah we will cry off if the weather is crap, as over 100 miles on the mtb in the rain doesn’t appeal.
Which event is it on the IoW mate? (despite living in Winchester, I’ve never been there)
Exactly, not a lot of cover along the route either!
Isle of Wight Challenge, full route is around 100km I think - there’s a few entry options, self funded one seems steep at nearly £200 but no idea what these normally go for or what’s included? Is it worth it for the UTMB points?
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Cheers, I’ll check it out. I will probably stick with the RttS and some South West events but we’ll see.
- sub 5 at 113 (70.3 PB is 5:14), and sub 11 at IM Copenhagen (IM PB is 12:01)…
- Be much more structured and targeted with my training
- Not slack off the swimming until Spring…
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Good to “see” a pirate here. You’re still a pirate right… good luck in your training and getting back in shape for your upcoming races.
once a pirate, always a pirate! 
I’ve been having a goold old think about what to do for this year. Further to my last post i think i’m going to slow down on the ultra trail and only enter events that i really want to do/train for. I’ve got years and years left in me to go long, so it’s got me thinking about my short course PBs. I’m not getting any younger (though i do have friends that are still PBing in their 50s, and that’s not from a late start, they just seem to be getting better!), and my speeed will start to trickle away soon if it hasn’t already. Weirdly my two favourite distances to race so far have been 3km and 100km! Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense!
So. I think i’m going to try one last (?) season on the road. I don’t think i have the desire to do a marathon at this point, it’s just too much of a commitment as i’ll only be happy with something like 2.40-2.44. But i think i can prepare pretty well for a 5k, 10k, half assault this year without having to go too crazy. I think i can still plan this around enjoying my off road, longer stuff, the hills etc. But combine that with a couple of sessions a week - 1 speed and 1 tempo. I’ve always shied away from tempo as i hate it, but i think that will be the key to unlocking a little more of my 10k and 21.1k potential.
I’m not fully committed yet, but this is my current thinking.
If i do go for it my goals will be:
- 5km - 16.30
- 10km - 34.45
- half - 74.59
The more i think and type, the more i fancy this as my focus for the year. It’s also a lot easier logistically i.e. i can race in the morning and be back by lunchtime rather than having to go away for 2 days which will make my wife very happy! haha
…but we’ll see. I’m tstill keen on having a crack at Exmouth sprint in Sept as well if that fits. Just need to borrow a bike that actually works! haha
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You’re thinking is not dissimilar to mine but your times are way faster. However, as a mid 50 slogger, I’m finding it very hard to live at both ends of the spectrum. Training long and training fast is bloody hard.
I’ve pretty much decided to try and hit the road goals early season (20 miler, 10 km and marathon all done by mid April) then switch to trail/ultra. I doubt my mileage will change much but that ‘must go faster’ when training on the road eats away at your brain after a while.
There’s only so much of that in a year i can deal with. 
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Just re-read through. Like @gingerbongo I’m struggling to really know what I want. Few ‘goals’ for the season, but none of them are really dreams, when compared to:
Get a job in Australia and make the move
^ Save enough money for this to be possible ^
Back up: Spend that money having a memorable experience travelling NZ/Australia for few months.
Strengthen relationships with family/friends through becoming an uncle, and a few of closest friends weddings this year.
Continuing to develop at work. I enjoy my career, I’m lucky that it’s more to me than just a way to make money. Currently still at the very beginning of it, and next few years will be key to which area I want to specialise and train in.
Enjoy some triathlon/fitness based challenges along the way.
January and I’m training hard but still don’t 100% know what this means. The obvious is try qualify and race Taupo 70.3WC given I’m going to be in NZ at the same time. It’d be a chance to race abroad, experience something huge, and at what is a very well spoken about race. It’s the reason I entered Staffs and the IM corporate wagon rather than the smaller local events I was more drawn to. Everything on paper seems perfect for Taupo. But there’s something stopping me feel 100% committed; I’m scared of the unknown, particularly around bike logistics and selfish cost of time and money that could be spent on other things. The odd thing is my partner is fully supportive of all this, but I still feel guilty.
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Main Goal:
IM Kona 10:xx
A few supporting goals which should get me thereabouts, subkject to race execution and conditions on the day:
10k run: 38:xx
Marathon: Sub 3:15 (Boston, lincs)
10TT: sub 20:30
100TT: sub 3:50
Let the games begin…
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Therapy session done, writing that - ^This is probably key^. Especially combined with we’re off to discuss booking flights to NZ later this afternoon, and I’m feeling tired from training and enjoying my first day off work in 2020.
So back on thread:
Swim 2hrs/week training, and hold 1:15 in open water
Run sub 17/36/1:20
Develop basic bike management - knowledge of maintenance, handling skills, equipment choices, how to ride smoothly and pace.
“Smash it”
Oh - and I’ve always wanted to do a cross lake swim. Ideally across Lake Windermere. 20km swim might not be possible if I train seriously for triathlon, but maybe Coniston/Ulverston.
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TBH mate, saving up and getting a job is completely irrelevant if you don’t have a visa. It’s incredibly hard now. Jobs on the CSOL or SOL list are only attracting EOI invitees with 75-80pts in most cases.
If you’re under 31 and no kids, then the WHV can be a good way to spend a year in Oz but you will be coming home. A lot of the old pathways to a 189 visa (perm res) are rapidly closing or getting very very hard. The old 457 is gone and its equivalent is even stricter on making it anything other than temporary.
PM me if you want any help.
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Some great plans Chris, with your swim and run I’d be expecting you towards the pointy end at Taupo.
Logistics could be a faff if you are there for a while, I dare say Nirvana would transfer your bike but it will probably be £800 ish 
Unless there’s any bike hire companies, they’ll probably be in St George next year.
Jeff
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shhhhh… 
Thanks - already remembering that early mornings to train in the winter aren’t the easiest!
Do a Dr Ranj!
End up hating medicine, get placed in paediatrics, then become a cool TV star 
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And you’ve already got your CBBC name! Dr Swim!
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Do your siblings know of this plan? Or are you sabotaging their contraceptives and sticking viagra in their drinks when you pop round?
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Absolutely go for Taupo! You may never get an opportunity like this again. If you don’t qualify, at least you went for it, and there will be no regret/what if? when you’re in NZ. Seems to me like you have a fighting chance; clearly you have. Do it. Your partner is fully supportive and you will both have an amazing time.
The logistics are scary. I have only ever swim-raced abroad – rocked up with a swimsuit and goggles. But there is a wealth of experience and knowledge here, and elsewhere.
Lake Windermere isn’t going anywhere.
Did you book the flights?
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Get some next% and knock a few more minutes off those times!
They are good targets and within reach for you. I think you could also get a trail run in a week as well, wife permitting. Maybe your long run, definitely helped me last year, bit of length strength on the ascents and an increased cadence on the descents.
You just need to get rid of the plague first, and maybe do a parkrun to see where you are?
Jeff