Well, where do I start. It’s officially been over 2 years since my last triathlon season. In 2019 i entered and raced in the Snowdonia Slateman, Windsor Triathlon and my nemesis distance of the Ironman 70.3 in Sweden. I came out of that season with high hopes for 2020! As some of you may know, i either like to travel for my races to see some new places, or i like to do things with a twist, whether that’s JOGLE in 7 days or adventure races (some cool ideas for 2022 but we will cover that another time). I first found the The Roc Tri almost 2 years ago and entered in February 2020, obviously that was before a young boy ate some bat soup, but again lets not open that can of worms today. I’ll get onto The Roc Tri in a little bit around the logistics of this race and what makes it unique and different, for now let me tell you about the last 2 years, ill stick to fitness as if i tell you about everything ill be in this cafe longer than ill be racing tomorrow! So, lets head back to February 2020 and when i bought my place at The Roc spring.
When COVID hit, i don’t think anyone really knew what we were in for and what it mean’t for the closure and cancellation of so much throughout the year. I know for a fact that when it first came about i thought it would be long gone by end of the summer, but hey ho, what did i know. Not naming names but some people i know thought it would pass in 2 months. Like many many people i live alone and thought sod that for the next few weeks, so i ended up back with the parentals. 36 (at the time), single and back living with mummy and daddy! Lol what a catch! All jokes a side, my parents are pretty cool and i get on with them like mates, especially when I’m kicking their arse at crib or Rutherford house bowl’s championship!
Anyway moving on, my first bit of lockdown fitness was the 14 day burpee challenge. Inspired by Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien i took this on. It was 1 minute of burpee’s day 1, building up by a minute each day with a final day of 14 minutes worth of burpee’s. I managed to do 1027 burpee’s across the 105 minutes, and i can safely say i haven’t done more than a handful since! It was revolting!
After a summer of some running and the odd run i found myself needing another challenge come autumn. I set myself a target of completing 10,000 reps of exercises within the month of November. I was super happy with this one as i could feel myself getting fitter and fitter as the days and weeks passed.
Oh have i forgot to mention that in the time leading up to the 10,000 rep challenge The Roc Tri and also an entrance to Blenheim Palace triathlon were both cancelled for the year and deferred entry to 2021.
Goodbye 2020, a year i think we all want to forget!
Hello 2021, is there light at the end of the tunnel…
I started off the year with what i called Januathlonary. Amongst a few friends that i have know over the years we decided to do 4 duathlons across the month of January (hence the name). Each week the distance would increase with some set elevation goals to be hit along the way. It was a great kick stater to the year and got rid of any exercise holiday season food!
Also in 2020 (i know i said we would forget it), i bought a Watt Bike. I wanted an indoor trainer for the winter as no one really wants to be heading outside in the late dark evenings when it’s cold and miserable. Plus Camilla doesn’t do wet rides anyway. However after some deliberating between Peloton and Watt Bike i settled for the latter and ordered it. 18 weeks delivery! Jheeez! It came over the Christmas period so i got it set up and started to tackle some miles. Also managed to use the bike for some of the duathlon legs, especially when the weather was grim! I think this has given me the much necessary mileage in my legs that’s needed to set me up for the next couple of races.
Yet more delay…
The Roc Tri and Blenheim were mean’t to be in May and June respectively but again, more COVID lockdown rules mean’t they got pushed back to September. I now have 2 in 2 weeks, these triathlons are coming like busses!
Swimming training started up again for me in July time. I still haven’t been in a pool in over 2 years, actually last time i went in a pool was prior to Sweden 70.3, so like May 2019. I started back up at The Quays, a lake that is walking distance from my parents and now only a 5 minute drive from where i live. Ive managed to rack up a fair amount of sessions, not many weeds in the lake so i tend not to panic as much, that’s a bonus.
Barbados warm weather training…it’s what i called it anyway. Not many people get to call a 12 day trip to Barbados warm weather training. I can’t really call it that either, however the trainers and goggles made it out there. Managed to nearly 30km in running and swam every day! Ok, so some of the swims were interrupted by a little plod next to our resident turtle Terry. I know, hard life hey! I got back from Barbados only a week or so ago and quickly turned my attention to The Roc Tri.
I think I’ve done pretty good with my prep for this race, learning so much over the years on what works well for me in the build up. However like anyone interested in their hobby, you want to progress and improve. This last week i have researched more on tapering and what i should be doing to put myself into a good position for tomorrow. My training status on my Garmin is currently telling me my fitness is up and load down, i am fully recovered and body battery is looking good also.
Fail to prepare, be prepared to fail
As well as my tapering and how much stress i am putting on my body i have taken a look into my pre race nutrition. The Roc Tri nicely set up some online race briefing videos and support from some tri coaches / nutritionalists. Calculating how many carbs you need per kg of body weight the day before a race etc. Now i am not going to follow it by the letter of the law, but i will be carb loading a lot better today than i have in the past. I have also increased my liquid intake over the last few days to make sure i am raring to go tomorrow morning. It did feel weird in the supermarket yesterday looking at carbs per gram in pasta and bagels!
Sitting in this cafe now writing this the nerves are settled. However i have to go register and try to sleep tonight. I can’t take my mind off it all day, it’s the suspense that makes it worse. I haven’t had the best experiences in the past with races, whether it’s not getting to the run in UK Ironman 70.3, burning up in the Alpes or generally not being prepped enough. I just want to finish tomorrow.
So let me tell you a little bit more about the race itself.
- 1.5km Sea Swim
- 50km Bike to Snowdon
- 12km Run up and down Snowdon
- 50km Bike back to Abersoch
- 1km Beach Run
That’s what makes this race unique! The fact that it has 4 transitions and 5 individual legs of the race make it a daunting race. I am aiming to try and finish the race, yet we all know there will be a time in my head that i want to cross the line before. The swim length would typically take me 28 minutes or so, yet never swam in the sea before after a beach start. So going to aim for about 40 minutes for that one, followed by a few minutes in transition. Decided to go with my new shoes tomorrow so will need to lace up at every transition, will cost me some minutes but something that i will prefer in the long run. Both bike legs in theory should take me around 1 hour 45 minutes, not sure how the second leg will feel after downhill running for 6km and the strain on the thighs. Might have to just grind that out, especially as it will be the penultimate leg. The run…this compromises of a 4km run to a checkpoint, i HAVE to be there before midday in order for them to let me take on the summit. It’s then a 2km run up to the summit of Snowdon and a 6km run back down. The final leg is a 1km run up and down the beach, by this time i think my legs will feel like jelly for sure! Then it’ll be time to find a pub or restaurant and have a few drinks to celebrate (i hope).
Now it’s time to head back to the Air BnB and have some lunch, you guessed it, bagels and pasta! Then ill head over to the race finish line to watch a few competitors finish up before i register for tomorrow.
If you wish to follow my progress for the 7 hours or so tomorrow then head to www.theroc.com and select the Sunday tracker.
Wish me luck, over and out!
I Just Felt Like Cycling 