Hello, I am back (for those who know who I am!).
For new readers, I am a 30 years young English Ironman (long distance triathlete) who trains and works at The Cycle hub in Dubai, trying to make it to the next level.
It has now been a couple of months since my trip to Kona (home of the Ironman World Championship), which I still have mixed emotions about.
I love that place, but hate certain things that happened. That’s racing though – I learn from it, build again, come back stronger and fight even harder.
For those who didn’t see my story ‘The Long Road to Kona’ please follow the link to catch up. It will explain what commitment and dedication it takes to do what I do.
My post-race blog from the Ironman Worlds is here if you didn’t read it before.
Since the race I have taken some much-needed time out. I had a few days chilling on the beautiful island of Kona, then did a little sightseeing in San Francisco and ate maybe too much in classic American diners!
I came back to Dubai to incredible and overwhelming responses from friends, customers at The Cycle Hub and the awesome members of TriDubai. And even though I didn’t perform exactly the way I wanted, they made me realise what I had achieved.
I needed to take some time out, which I found hard to do from a sport I love, especially as the triathlon season has started in Dubai. I needed to rest but the competitor in me wanted to race.
But I made sure I chilled out a little more. I even had some nights out and ate more of the foods I wouldn’t normally. As a result, I put on some weight as there was no need to hold race fitness.
Taking time out doesn’t mean being totally inactive. I just mixed it up a little more by playing different sports and doing things with less structure, for example swimming, biking and running totally on feel – all back to basics.
Time off is great for the body and mind but one thing it definitely helps me realise is why I do the sport – it’s because I enjoy the training and healthy living that comes with it.
Some people don’t understand how I can commit so much to what I do, but trust me it makes you feel so good.
I don’t expect people to go to those extremes, but if you don’t do any sort of exercise in your life, start to structure it in and make the time to do it. You will reap the benefits in all aspects of your life – that is a promise.
The plan for me is now to set up for the next event now that the Middle East season is in full swing.
There are so many events going on in and around the area that we are spoilt for choice. Most of the races are posted on www.premieronline.com.
I have started to pin point a few races to set up my season. With the amazing experience I had in Bahrain racing last year it seems a shame not to go back.
For me this is a race to enjoy and not put any stress on – just see how it goes.
Don’t get me wrong I am still going there to race, but it isn’t an “A” race as it is still quite soon after Kona. With not much structured build up let’s see how it goes.
I plan to update this blog as often as possible with different subjects that will have a link to triathlon and Ironman, including training, nutrition and racing. But we may deviate a little and include some suggested subjects that will mix it up. Variation is the spice of life, right?
If anyone has any ideas or thoughts that they would like to discuss please feel free to let us know.
