So that was 2015 …(triathlon stuff)
So 2015 is almost done. And what a year it was. I always write a brief sum-up of the year just gone around this time, and I split it into work related, and sports related. This is the sporty one, so it’ll be all about my running, biking and swimming, and doing other sporty stuff I love. If you know me, you’ll know what I’m on about. If you don’t, then maybe read on anyway!
On the first day of 2015 I knew I faced my second ironman race, the mighty Outlaw. That was in July, so I had a good few months to train and enjoy some practice races. It turned out to be a really good year. I didn’t race quite so much, but the events I did were fantastic, and I was quite pleased with how I did in all of them. Of course, having a shiny new bike made it all the more enjoyable. And a red bike, too! It’s scientifically proven that they’re fastest…
In April I rode the Herio Sportive, an 80 mile bike ride around Monmouthshire. The route was lovely, and very tough, incorporating a bit of city riding (not so nice), then a hilly central portion, and finishing with a few miles on the flat. Great fun, and perfect training for an ironman.
In May I raced the first of two half-ironman races of the year (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run), the Immortal. I finished in just over 6 hours, which I was quite pleased with considering the course was ‘gently undulating’, both on the bike and run. No terrible hills, but it was a tough day at the office.
June saw my second half-ironman, the Cotswolds 113, and I smashed it, finishing in 5:12. Really chuffed with that, as it was a great practice race for the Outlaw, which is also a very flat course. I learned a bit about my nutrition (eat more on the bike), and I honestly think if the bike route hadn’t been so busy and congested in places, I could have broken 5 hours. One for next year, maybe!
July was the big one, the Outlaw … 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a marathon. My race report is here, so click through and read all about it. Suffice to say I was really chuffed with my time of 12:23. But I also reckon I could go under 12 hours on this course, so perhaps that’s 2017’s race…
Because next September it’s the legendary Ironman Wales for me. So 2016 is all focussed on that one big day in nine months time. I’ve got to start loving the hills again!
I also raced the Llangorse Triathlon this year, a beautiful but very, very tough course, made even tougher by having to hang around for 3 hours at the start for the mist to clear! And I ran the Bath Hilly Half marathon too, a lovely muddy off-road race that I’ve done before.
This year has been a good training year. I’ve run 600 miles, biked 2235, and swum 86 miles. I’ll have to up that next year to get ready for the waves and hills of Wales, and I already have some races booked in, including Cirencester Off-Road Duathlon, the Bath Half-marathon, May the 4th Be With You off-road marathon, Titan Half Ironman, and Velothon Wales. There’ll be a couple more races sneaked on there too, perhaps including the Cotswolds 113 to see if I can break that 5 hour mark!
Here’s hoping you have a great Christmas and New Year.
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