In at the deep end.

“What time do you think you’ll do?” asked the boss as I left on Friday evening.

“I’m aiming for 2 hours 40 to 45 minutes,” I replied.

“Best of luck,” he said as he left.

There. The bar has been set.

After a good 6 week’s training under my belt, I wanted to gauge my progress before the Club Championships at the Caroline Kearney triathlon (CK) in August. Not to compete, but more to not embarrass myself. So I entered the Lough Neagh Olympic triathlon.

The only thing about my target time though, is that having raced three Olympic races last year, my best time was only 3 hours 11 minutes. My training has been punctuated so far this year, so I wasn’t 100% sure quite how I was going to save at least 20 minutes.  Rough targets based on training, or lack of it, and previous races wasn’t giving much change out of three hours (estimates: 35 minute swim, 85 minute cycle, 45-48 minute run).

Arriving to Lough Neagh, the calm surface of the water surprised, almost unnerved me. I had never has such calm conditions.  The 130 entrants started together just after 10am, and quickly I got left behind. And despite many attempts, simply couldn’t get a draft off anyone. So approaching the end of the swim I wasn’t looking forward to seeing my time.  

A quick glance a the watch nearly floored me. 32 minutes. Happy days (only later did I learn that the course was actually more than 1650 metres, and that I was in the top 35% - no-one was more shocked than me!). Anything approaching my previous bike times, and my estimations might not be too far off.

Huffing and puffing out of T1, the two lap bike route started with a steady 8km incline, but I simply couldn’t find any rhythm. Stop. Start. Stop. Start. Then just after 7kms my bike clock went. A small pot-hole shot my front wheel sensor.  So there was no point in worrying any more about average speed or time, just get on with cycling.

This lack of worry in a sense took a weight of my shoulders, and I had to race to what I felt I could, and what I felt I was able for. 76 minutes.  I almost couldn’t believe the times. A highly un-rhythmical cycle should not have allowed that. (It was definitely nothing to write home about, but I wasn’t complaining!)

Leaving T2 on 1hour 52 minutes, my target was very much in hand, and at the better end of my target times. Like the bike, the run was a 2 lap course, out and back. The out, though was a 2.5kms steady climb that nearly took the legs from me. The first out took me almost 18 minutes. This wasn’t good. Targets moving. A long way. In the wrong direction. All but disappearing. But turning at 5kms at 28 minutes, while an abysmal time, provided a modicum of hope.

A ‘sprinted’ last 1km led to a significant second 5km, and the all important reverse split of 24 minutes. I crossed the line with a very satisfactory finishing time of 2:46:47.  While I only finished 76^th out of 130, and didn’t hit my target times, I cut almost 25 minutes off my personal best, and got another race under my belt.

I can approach the Caroline Kearney (CK) triathlon in two weeks time with much more confidence. And after that, only three weeks to go until Ironman 70.3 Ireland.

So in a couple of week’s time just before CK when the boss asks, “What time are you aiming for,” I will be answering: “two hours 35 to 40 minutes.”

The bar has now been raised.

Back in the zone. I think.

I am back in the zone. For now at least.

In the last two weeks I have managed five swims, have also struggled out on the bike twice and huffed and puffed for a thirty minute run.   Now nothing will be put down in the records for the distances covered but at least it's a start and it’s great to be back.  But fitting training in as a new Dad is going to take some getting used to.

After Fingal tri at the end of May, and the arrival of my gorgeous daughter, Eve, I had given myself June 'off' with the idea of getting back training in July, and no races booked in until the club championship race at Caroline Kearney in August.

I got back into training a bit sooner than expected at the end of June, but it was definitely a struggle. While I was getting more sleep than expected, the increased tempo of the mid-season swimming sessions took their toll. 

Having said that, the swimming sessions has been the easier part of training. The early mornings, when Alice and Eve are both asleep, provide the ideal time to sneak out to the pool.  The running and cycling conundrums have yet to be resolved.  Evenings of nappies, feeds and cuddles don’t allow much time for either. Not that I’m complaining.

So timing is of the essence.  The lunch time run is being explored.  Commuting to work on the bike and extended routes on the way home are being mapped out (but in this weather, seriously?).

So a few weeks back into training and I’m feeling much the better for it. So while I try to get training done before and during work, the next focus will be on races to up my fitness levels.  Time to up the ante, identify a few races between now and Caroline Kearney.

In the meantime I’m back in the zone. For now at least. Or until my daughter Eve lets me know otherwise.