doituntildone

[doituntildone]

Sunday long ride to the #flitchway and back with a second creaky @cannondalebikes, still creaking even after new headset bearings and bb bearings. Looks like I won't be racing cannondale much longer if this shit keeps up. #cannondalebikes #xtrilife #smart121 #creaking #bikeproblemssuck

[doituntildone]

Long run at sun down. Essex has some lovely routes that come alive at sunset. #run #runner #altrarunning #tritraining #harlow

[doituntildone]

Was a nice ride out this afternoon - getting back in the saddle after a terrible week following The Avenger Tri. Stomach aches mid race - 2 days of vomiting and a swollen knee has had me taking time to recover. Felt good to be back out - even if my tyres stuck to the Tarmac at points 😱 Think I'm starting to influence CJ. Well need to get him kitted out! #tritraining #feltia #roadride #smart121

[doituntildone]

A great day out riding. Some rubbish luck stopped me racing but at least I got out for a long mtb exploring Essex... until my tyre went flat and my CO2 only part inflated the new tube. Think it's time this bike went tubeless. #xtrilife #uktrichat #onzatires #mtb #cannondale #essexmtb #mtbessex

[doituntildone]

A great day out riding. Some rubbish luck stopped me racing but at least I got out for a long mtb exploring Essex... until my tyre went flat and my CO2 only part inflated the new tube. Think it's time this bike went tubeless. #xtrilife #uktrichat #onzatires #mtb #cannondale #essexmtb #mtbessex

[doituntildone]

The beast is ready for this weekend thanks to #paddockcycles. A great service, fast and efficient. #crosstriathlete #uktrichat #smart121 #xtri #xtrilife #xterralife #cannondale #onzatires (at Paddock Cycles)

[doituntildone]

Getting the run done along the beautiful sunset #riverstort and trying out my new tri shorts courtesy of the coach @smart121.marc. Very nice @kalas_sportswear! #smart121 #tritraining #runharlow #uktrichat (at Harlow, Essex)

[doituntildone]

Bricking it –The BigCow Formula 5 duathlon

With the sun splitting trees, bike loaded and kit packed, it was off for another (short) road trip to the paradise of Milton Keynes.

Big Cow have a reputation for hosting outstanding events with great finisher bling and organization.  The formula 5 duathlon certainly lived up to the Big Cow reputation; Great bling, awesome organization and suitable challenge.

The format of this race is slightly mad as it contains five duathlon stages, Run 1, Cycle 1, Run 2, Cycle 2, Run 3; a glorified brick session if you will. The organizer lists two distances: super-sprint and Sprint, neither very long but both highly intensive.

The super sprint includes three x 1 mile run and two x 5 mile cycles. The sprint including three x 1.75 mile runs and two x 10 mile loops. Each of the run laps out around the tear drop lakes and each of the bike laps taking in 1 mile circuits of  the National Bowl. The format is novel and interesting giving a great opportunity for brick training under race conditions with the bonus of a finishers medal and shirt.

I intended to race this as a glorified brick session aiming for the top ten finishers as a broad target, On the day I decided to aim for the top five. A smaller field and a good feeling got me inspired to go harder.

The start times staggered with the shorter race going first and the second going after midday. It was hot and dry giving perfect racing conditions.

The run was fast and clear on spacious paths. I managed to get off to a decent start climbing from 9th at the start line to 5th into transition.

On the cycle things got a little to complicated. The ten laps are on a short mile course which was described as being more like 9 miles. This made it hard to measure the laps accurately without actually counting.  This lead to me completing 11 laps rather than 10 on my first bike leg.

I realized this not long after shooting past transition. I swallowed my error and kicked myself to work harder on the run and bike legs. I pushed good times in the second run leg, taking many places back and upon mounting my bike again I worked tenaciously to  claw back the top ten.

The final run saw me going harder than the others pushing to finish in higher position and break into the top ten.  I crossed the line disappointed and feeling id lost out. What I was surprised to learn is that the harder work paid off, I had broken the top ten coming 9th with a convincing time, despite the extra lap.

If any lessons are to be learned from this, away from the usual triathlon lessons, it is to always have a means of counting laps, never rely on just gray matter. Tape tabs, elastic bands or lap rituals (I know someone who eats a Harribo on the bike after every lap in xc racing.) Whatever you do, make sure you practice it before you race.

[doituntildone]

Love my little man. #fatherandson

[doituntildone]

Flying around the loop. The punisher looks fast. #duathlon #smart121 #feltia14 #formula5 #big owevents

[doituntildone]

The punisher ready and awaiting tomorrow @bigcowevents formula5 Duathlon. Weather looks good for a lovely race. #feltia14 #duathlon #readytorace #smart121

[doituntildone]

CJ very confused by the #ongarsteamrailway on a beautiful day with Emilia. #daysoutwithkids #spring

[doituntildone]

The sexy #feltia and I smashing out the lanes around Harlow. It was a great morning mashing up some efforts with some aero time. Some great, quiet and fast routes out there. #essexriding #aerobikes #bikeporn

[doituntildone]

@everyoneactive grange paddocks. I was in you! The new @wattbike pro is amazing! A fault fixed quick, now that has me impressed, customers service at its best. Now you just need a second pro to make the duo a trio meaning no one has to wait for awesome training! 😁 (at Everyone Active - Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre)

[doituntildone]

124 days! #targumures #crosstriathlete #fame

[doituntildone]

What a great centre for fitness! Not enough places like this! Thanks @crossfittelic for the use of the Watt bike. Was motivating seeing everyone working hard in the session! #workhardraceharder #crosstriathlete #nopainnopoint #pushittothelimit #smart121 (at CrossFit Telic - Hartlepool)

[doituntildone]

So where did you run this afternoon? Oh just around #allianzarena as they set up for tomorrow. #tracktime #crosstriathlete #smart121 (at Allianz Park)