julianladd

2013 was one marked by my first ironman – in Bolton, such an awesome experience. SO, how do I top that? Well, Marathon des Sables by any chance!? For anyone who may not have come across this, then check it out here: http://www.marathondessables.co.uk/, or take a look at James Cracknell’s experience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0Qak8e4vYA . Three months to go, and Jan’s training peaks at the Winter Tanners, a 30 mile (or 20 m option) through the Surrey countryside http://www.ldwa.org.uk/Surrey/W/2316/winter-tanners.html%20. This will be an ‘interesting’ experience, the furthest I would have run since Abingdon marathon http://www.abingdonmarathon.org.uk/, for anyone wishing a fast marathon course, then this is the one, so keep your eyes open for entries opening for 2014. I’ll keep you up to date with the training and equipment, but if anyone has ideas for clothing and rucksack, then ideas / recommendations gratefully received!

2013 started off as I mean to continue….Knacker Cracker! See here for a feel of the event. Definitely one for the 2014 calendar if you haven’t experienced this before. http://www.trionium.com/knackercracker

Results were impressive. 61 mins for the 5.5 mile course, placed 44th out of 239 finishers. Now for 2013’s challenge- first step is the UK’s 70.3 Iron Man at Wimbleball. The challenge commences!

So, I have opted for an easy 2012 (NOT)…after not getting a place in the London Marathon…why not enter the London triathlon in Sept ’12? Why not indeed…..so, I now find myslef having opted for the Olympic plus distance – 1.5km swim, 90km bike, topped with a 10km run. Hmmmm, wouldn’t be so bad, but I haven’t swum or biked seriously for ages…ever!? I come from a running backgroud, having completed more events – from 10km through to marathon (and ultras) – than I care to remember. So, there’s the challenge! I’ve now just bought myself a Cevelo bike (and all the trimmings), and had my first swim ‘lesson’ at Center Parcs last Thurs…’good technique’, and yet I swam a total of about 6 (widths!), and drank more pool water than I care to remember.

But, I feel inspired – inspired by 2012, and what all those elite athletes are currently dreaming about – to be top of their game. So, I have 1 x Human Race duathlon under my belt – now, that was a baptism of fire – 10km run / 18km bike / 5 km run – my legs have been suffering ever since! http://www.humanrace.co.uk/asics-iceman-2011

My current events I’ve entered look like this:

Jan – New Year’s Day – Knacker Cracker 10km, up and down Box Hill numerous times! http://www.trionium.com/knackercracker/

Jan – Human Race Wildman duathlon http://www.humanrace.co.uk/events/duathlon/wildman-2012

Feb – G3 – up and down St Martas hill – spot the theme!? http://www.allabouttriathlons.co.uk/events_g3-run.html

Feb – F3 events http://www.f3events.co.uk/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=55&Itemid=13

That’s the first couple of months of 2012, should keep me busy and something to focus on. I still have some kit to work out, and not least some serious training and learning, that’ll be the subject of my next few blogs, and how I’ve sought to navigate the choppy waters of triathlon training!

I assume Beckham has had some public speaking sessions, he’s far more eloquant than he was all those years ago when he appeared on the football stage…..and why Jessica Ennis didn’t win I really don’t know. There again, her year will come in 2012!

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