As per the other thread a pretty poor year overall but didn’t have high hopes for it. Achieved the sub 20, 4 minutes off the half target and miles away from the 70.3 but neither race turned out as fast as I’d hoped.
Didn’t get into Tokyo but that was largely out of my control.
I did manage the two capitals and a couple of other places in the UK & Europe so that was a bonus.
Work, haha, some improvement in the last few months and will see how next year goes.
But, on a more positive note it feels like I’m in slightly better shape going into 2025, might have got to the bottom of the recurring hamstring problem if not completely cleared it.
A very weird year for me this year. I’d not started well, not doing much in the first 3 months, hence the post above. But i just never got going.
The Roadford tri i delayed from their July version to the September version as i wasn’t fit enough. Just didn’t find any real focus or consistency at all this year. Every time I managed to put in 2/3 weeks together, then something would come along whether that was a niggle, illness, work, family etc. So I just never felt like this year got off the ground. And i’m finishing it in the worst way possibly as well.
That said, i’m not going to be all doom and gloom. I’m healthy. I’m happy. My family are as well. I like my job. And the stuff i’m dealing with at the mo, is very ‘1st world’ problems. As a mate said to me recently - you can’t be ‘on’ all the time. So, whilst i’m veering into worst fitness ever territory; i’m kind of ok with that. As long as I don’t let it get away from me. I’m hoping my lifestyle, hobbies, friendship group and internal motivation will stop that from happening.
I did however go on a bit of a solo adventure back in July. Planned a route based on where i could get a train to. Ended up being 70 odd kms, 75% of which was totally new trails and routes. That reminded me that a) I can still pull stuff out the bag when I need to b) I still have the mental resolve to do these things solo and c) littel unplanned adventures are ace, doesn’t always need to be about races and times.
Roadford 70.3 happened. Treated it like a long training day. Actually did better than expected and enjoyed a nice no pressure, low key race. Wasn’t as fun being unfit, but I readjusted my expectations and enjoyed myself. Gave me a bit of a boost for the big race of the year.
NC110 - based on conventional wisdom, it was a really stupid decision to even line up at the start line with the training that I had managed. But i’m learning that i’m not overly conventional when it comes to endurance sport. So i started. Again with no lofty expectations of time or position. Just see what happens.
Absolutely blew those expectations away. Couldn’t believe how well I did. Couldn’t believe how well it went. I won’t go into detail, but was super chuffed. I hit 40 this year, and whilst my motivation isn’t as high as it used to be - or at least my priorities have had to take a reshuffle - that’s ok. The grit and determination is still there. The body isn’t as young, but the mind is just as tough.
May even be a negative as it just reinforced the belief that I can do stuff when it counts, without a big build up!
So I’m happy still overall. No idea what next year will bring. If this house move ever happens, like @Poet , i’d imagine that will take a lot of my free time - mentally, physically and literally time itself. I’d like to still do somethign next year. Even if it’s a smash and grab weekend with mates up to Y Bannau or something.
TLDR: weird year. Started unfit. Finished unfit. Weird bit in the middle.
Well I think there about 3 people in my AG, so that doesn’t count!
I wasn’t quite worst shape ever in Sept, but I am getting close now i’d guess.
But you’re right. And it’s that perspective i’m trying to maintain. I feel absolutely rubbish at the moment. But probably more capable than 50% of the population straight out the door today, type thing.
We only see/ focus on/ hear about and in some cases envy the very fittest people in society.
How many could actually do an Ironman ?
Even in 17 hours ?
Or a 2 hour hyrox ( which is the “unofficial “ cut off)
We are hard on ourselves at times it seems, I guess it’s natural to compare now to our best shape, or fit the oldies the best shape we can remember ?!?
Some of us are lucky and are genetically better at endurance sport - it does allow us to be a little unconventional and still get good results. There is also the small matter of many years base building - your peak fitness many not be where it was, but the base is still there
Plenty of time yet, I didn’t even start again until I was 42 years old after a 16 year sabatical from exercise
