Respect

Respect has to be earned. Respect is not something automatically received.

Almost three weeks ago the culmination of almost a year's training came to fruition for 28 triathlon club mates when they took to the start of the Challenge Roth triathlon in Germany.

I know a good number of them and have watched their training throughout the year as they've toiled for hour after hour, week after week to simply get to the starting line. Now let me say that I wasn't involved in ANY of the training in any way shape or form but chatting to colleagues and seeing various social media and online discussions I was well aware of the effort, commitment and sacrifices being made for this training.

Long cycles. Long runs. Recovery swims (which would be longer than a 'normal' training session). All par for the course. All the norm.

Disk wheel. Tubs. Clinchers. Gels. Nutrition plan. Walk-run strategy. The lingo, discussions and debates were all brought to a new level...(just don't ask how much anyone's bike cost!)

On the day followed the progress of as many of the guys and girls as possible as often as possible throughout the day online through their swim (3.8km), cycle (180km) and run (42.2km). Any time lags between time splits had my mind racing about what might have happened. The chat across Twitter and FB amongst us homebird Piranhas frenetic but also great to see. At least I wasn't the only one wondering about the splits. Willing everyone across the line. All 28 completed the race which was a fantastic feat in itself.

That no-one was fully happy with their times (seriously Will?) also goes to show the thorough preparation and subsequent expectation everyone had put on their shoulders.

After hearing various war stories and reading the raw emotion of the race reports to date - all inspiring - it is very clear everyone's heart and soul was poured into preparing for and equally, completing the race / event on the day.

I have a much better understanding of what is needed to complete an Ironman race. My admiration for those who have completed has increased.

Respect earned by each and every one of you. Total and utter respect.

Feeling the blues

I’m staring at my screen and I’m feeling blue.  Having had a two week sabbatical from training, I threw myself back into the mix over the weekend.  Swimming on Saturday and cycling on Sunday – more about that anon – but today, a doctor’s appointment has led to an enforced two-week swim and run abstention.  I’m not a happy bunny!

Having had the two weeks off, I intended approaching training gingerly and not go too hard from the off. Yea right!  In the pool it was arm drill after arm drill after arm drill.  The energy was sapped out of me at an alarming rate! Or maybe I was just doing them incorrectly! Either way, half way through our session I had to slow things down – for a few minutes at least to get some of my breath back.  But the post-training buzz had me in a good mood and delighted to be back in the pool. 

The Saturday couch recovery session, of course, never happened.

For Sunday morning’s club cycle one of the guys (Gav Duffy) set a daunting challenge to ascend and descend Howth Head (from the cemetery) ten times.  Yes, you didn’t mis-read that. 10 times. Why you ask? Well apparently April 1^st is known as the Sufferlandrian Day of Suffering. Lucky us!

The challenge was open to those at all levels, so as part of the beginners group, the challenge was set slightly lower with the aim to reach at least three ascents, and if possible four.

The climb in total was a mere 4.8kms.  A climb I have done on a good number of occasions, but never at this level. Now while that distance does not seem like much, it is a deceptive climb that offers small bouts of respite before challenging you again and again with another incline.  And as the sun’s heat increased during the ride out to Sutton, the intensity of the challenge increased.

The group started together. Beginners, intermediate and advanced all as one. That didn’t last long!  The group was quickly strung out. Each to their own; each to face the hill each time in almost total isolation.  Pick a target in front of you and keep pedalling. And don’t get lapped. Too often.

“That wasn’t too bad,” I thought after reaching the summit for the first time, “ten doesn’t seem so unattainable.”  Ah, the thoughts of the innocent. The beginners group agreed to re-group after three laps.  Everyone was still in good shape.  “Let’s go for two more,” it was suggested. That seemed attainable. Just.

The fourth time up quickly became tougher than the previous three put together.  And number five just plain hurt.  All the while being lapped for at least the second time by the advanced crew. There is a lot to learn yet.

Unless I’d been offered a large sum of money I would have been able to face the climb for even another 50 metres. Howth had beaten me. This time.

Needless to say Sunday’s recovery was much more couch based, but with an increased sense of achievement. Roll on Tuesday morning swimming.

That is until this morning.  A meeting with a dermatologist, the removal of a mole (on the bottom of my foot), three stitches later and I was put on, as they stay in US sports, the disabled list. Despite my best efforts to assure the nurse that I’d look after myself, she was having none of it. 

No swimming or running until the stitches are removed. No training for two weeks. Now that plan sucks! Just back into training and I now have to forego another eight training sessions. 

While that might be a welcome break during the season, now is not that time for me. Sure is it any wonder I’m feeling blue!