Australia, summer & Ironman

At the airport, about to embark on my US summer and race season ahead.
Before i do so, i thought i would update what's been happening in my Australian summer and recap on a epic day at Ironman Australia.
Since January my new years resolution was to take my next Ironman distance seriously, i've been a bit obnoxious with my last Ironman distance events, taking for granter the distance and preparations needed to perform well at the event.
I decided early that Ironman Australia would be the next Ironman that i would do, for 2 reasons. One it's been one of the most iconic races growing up in Australia for the past 20years and i could experience the race & prep with some of my closest friends and training partners.
Leading into the race, Sydney has been throwing a usually wet summer at us, but instead of doing what i usually do (complain and whinge) i just felt i inner calm, knowing what i got to do.
And i did it, from start to finish as i planned i went for it, i think watching the Australian swim trails i tried to channel "James Magnussen" (100m world record holder) and funny enough Port Macquarie local.
I got a nice lead and continued to push on the bike, but i felt really relaxed at the same time, was a great experience soaking in the crowed and seeing my mates cheering and racing at the same time.

Lastly the run was feeling good for the most part, till i managed to get the worse blisters i've ever felt about half way through the run. I was in so much pain as every foot stroke was landing right on the sweet spot of the blisters. And cheesy enough i had that old fashion saying in my mind "pain is temporary, regret is forever", that in the back of my head, i ignored the pain and enjoyed such a satisfying win.         

Abu Dhabi

I am starting enjoy this time of the year, getting over the proverbial hump of being out of shape and getting into a good rhythm/ routine in training. I am finally getting fit again, knocking out key sessions and recovering well.

After a good 4 weeks in Sydney, i have met up with my team (Tri Abu Dhabi) with some welcome new additions to the team this year.

The camp has been great so far, the weather has been ideal with perfect hot sunny days and for this time of year not as windy as it has been in the past.

The team and i are based in a hotel in Al Ain another emirate in the UAE about 2hrs inland from Abu dhabi, the hotel has a 33m swimming pool and a dried up river bed for great soft running adjacent.

The team trains in Al Ain as to Abu Dhabi as the roads are much quieter here for bike riding and has a more convenient variety of training options.

I will be here for a total of 2 weeks before i head back to Sydney to finish my final training for the Abu Dhabi international triathlon.

A New Year

Ok, so it's been awhile since my last blog and instead of reminiscing on what i've missed in racing/training and what not i thought i would just go on from the present and let you know where im at.

2012 has just begun, which means back too training. I have just come out of my typical end of year break enjoying the month off in december, i really enjoy this time of the year unwinding and getting caught up with the "silly season".

I make a effort every December to take the entire month off to enjoy myself catching up with friends and family and trying to take my mind away from triathlon as it can get overwhelming racing/ training all year.

Due to the time off this month is always the most painful for me, my body clock is all out of wak and my fitness rivals a contestant on the biggest looser.

Starting back into training I always think of one of my favorite movies (Rocky I) where "Rocky" the out of shape bum (boxer) tries to get fit when he excepts the challenge from the heavy weight champ of the world (Apolo Creed). I love to relate different blocks of training to some of my favorite movies.

With that said, this out of shape bum, needs to get fit. Who's knows i might have a race with the champion of the world soon....