Back in the swing of things

January 2nd every year is my day back into training. 

This year i had to start back abit more hard core than normally, as i stupidly on a late night out in december and a few too many alcoholic beverages, i signed up to an early season 70.3 event (Geelong).

So instead of taking my time with a few weeks of easy 20 minutes sessions, i have jumped in the deep end with some 6hrs a day sessions, (it's been the hardest January on record).

Their will be no taper and another race where i have my fingers crossed and hope my legs come good on the day.

Checking in after the race...

Also new website to come...

cheers Paul

Ambrose on Twitter

Hey guys happy new year!

I just started a "twitter" account. Now i can be up to date with 'what' and 'now' i am doing next.

To follow myself and my endeavours just sign on and follow twitter name: ambroselive

Start 2010 with a bang

Paul

Worlds/ Arizona / Done!

Very, very lazy with blogging and post's but in my defence i've had a full on travel schedule the past months.

Now i have no excuses i'm finished for 2009 !. What a welcome relief for 2009.

If you don't no already, i just capped off season 09 with a 5th place in the ITU long course World Champs and another 5th place in IM Arizona.

I would like to write more on the subject for Ironman Arizona.

As if you don't no already i have some deep mental scares on that race, it was my 1st debut ironman the previous year in 2008, i finished but had a terrible day as most of you fellow ironman athletes may also have been through the same pain of completely "bonking".

This year i had my own personal demons to overcome, in so many ways i had unfinished business with this race particular, i had to battle my own mental obstacles over this alluring event if i want to ever be successful over the Ironman distance.

I did so! finally, placing myself nicely with the leaders in the swim, being extra careful on the bike, and running a sub 3hr marathon, (a perfect day to put those IM demons to rest).

Now i know i keep saying i will regularly update my blog, but this time i will! 2010 is going to be a big year, new ideas/ new racers and i have a new laptop to keep ya posted.

Time for RnR.

Signing off for 2009 and looking forward to what's to come in 2010

Best wishes Ambrose

Back in Oz

Ok. I'm Back in Oz again.
I've come back from the states after racing 3 weekends in a row. In and out this time, no time for hanging out this time around.
I've come back to race the ITU Long course worlds, which will be in Perth Australia this year. A great chance to spend more time with friends and family and racing on home soil. (Even though i will be racing for Great Britain).
I'm excited to see how things go, this race alternates its distances every 2nd year, last year was the long version 4km/130km/ 30km but this year will be shorter but faster 3km /80km /20km., which i believe will be more similar to racing a short course race, (all out).
Being back these past few days in Sydney has not been quite what I've expected, after the scorching hot days in L.A the past month, I've come back to quite a cold week of weather back in Sydney. And me being me, their was no time to muck around, i got back in training after a 14hr flight and jet lag, with the whole cocktail of issues rushing back into training, I've stupidly court the flu, which i hope to get over real soon.
Drinking tea and resting
Paul

L.A

Ok well in in L.A now. going to crack out a few solid racers whilst i'm over here.
I realise theirs been a neglect of blogging on my behalf, and frankly theirs too much too tell and not much time to write about it, so i'll just skip to the present.
I just raced Malibu olympic tri where i had a solid performance against these short course fast guys which i was pleased with.
Then i continued the following week with Cancun 70.3, which had to be one of my hardest days i've ever raced in. It was ridiculous how hot it was race day in Cancun, it was roughly like 40 degrees Celsius and 100% humidity to give you any type of indicator.
Previous to these racers i was able to train back in Sydney for a few weeks in between my European season and now my present U.S one.
It was great to get home earlier this year, as i normally wait out going home and training abroad through the summer U.S/ Europe seasons are concluded.
This is the place i can get re-focused and always good to catch up with family and friends which its hard to stay in contact with, during the vigorous travels as a pro triathlete.
I'll try and keep you posted as best i can.
cheers Paul

Road trip 09

Ok well after Iron Austria it was time for some serious Rest and recovery.
Which for me usually means 'party time', as i have a habit of not being able to sit still and just relax and enjoy my free time.
So i decided to go visit my old home town of Roth, which also had the big Ironman triathlon on too that weekend, so it was great timing to pack up my things to start the begining on which became a 3 week road trip.
Down in Roth during the week, i bunked up with the crew from majic foods, which i shared a carivan with them for the 4 days during the festival.
To say the least their was not much time for RnR as i got court up with the awsome vibe of the Quelle triathlon vestival, (which meant way too many late night with no sleep). It was refreshing to be on the opposite side of the race course.
I had alot of fun catching up with the guys and girls racing the Ironman and hanging out with the staff behind the scenes of the race.
It was quite an inspirational day for myself, which i have sometime doubts of why i am in this sport, to watch these guys/girls have an epic day of racing.

more to come
Paul

Ironman Austria

Ok my training for Ironman Austria was going ok, but just 'ok' not great or bad i was happy that i was fit and had a good pre season base under my belt.
After Challenge Kraichgau, i teamed up with Chris McComarck and we did some last minute 'cram' training weeks together as we were both worried that we had not trained enough miles as we had such a full race schedule.
This may have not been the best idea, as in one of the 'cram' training runs i pulled up with a swallon shin.
This problem did affect my training abit as i has to do a forced earlier taper for my running.
Klagenfurt- i decided to drive from my homestay in Limburg to Ironman Austria, which was a pretty drive, but a long boring drive when you do this solo.
Come race day i was really excited to race, as the stories of Klagenfurt being one of the most beautiful Ironman in the world held up to my expectations.
(I thought if i am going to suffer in a race that goes for over 8hrs, i want to at least enjoy the scenery.)
I was lucky enough to come first out of the water during the race.... as the bike leg went on, i was too scared to take any chances on the bike, as i am new to this type of racing so i sat with the first group all of the bike leg, doing turns but did not want to ride solo as i wasn't sure how to pace myself.
Though i now regret not 'having a go' on the bike as i still fell apart on the marathon at around 15km. I was able to run the whole way which i was happy with, but i think my lack of long runs in training realy showed during the marathon.
This is all a learning curve for myself, as i can take alot of knowledge from this.
I was still happy i could place a strong time and place, with my total lack of experience over this distance.
Slowing putting the pieces togther for the enduring event which is an Ironman.

Sore any ready for some RnR
Paul