A few weeks back I went over to Morocco to race in the African ITU championships and came away with 4th and my first time for the Commonwealth Games. Was strange racing an olympic distance draft legal race. I knew I wouldn’t have the run speed but put in a solid swim and bike. At the end of the day I am trianing for long course racing and I don’t think I embarassed myself too much. I went in to the race with some pain in my hip but came away from the weekend free of pain so very pleased with how the weekend went.

Two weekends ago it was the run Jersey half marathon and after deciding to enter late I had no expectations for a good result. The course was awesome and I ended up running a pretty solid 1h11.24 which as most of you will know is pretty solid for me. My run has certainly improved from where it was a few years ago so very pleased with that.

This weekend just gone was the Windsor triathlon. One of the big triathlons in the UK and it was a british super series race this year. I again came away with 4th in a pretty strong field. Also got my second qualifying time for commonwealth games so thats my spot now secured and the stress of trying to qualify has gone and I can really focus now on the job in hand. Was really good to be away with the guys from Jersey and great to see Tom Perchard get his first qualifying time.

Its three weeks now until Frankfurt and very much counting down the days to race. Will be good to see Jodie and Dave again.

Well done to all the team racing over the weekend. Solid results as ever. Well done coach.

Dan

So going in to the race training had gone really well for me. Mathias and myself had put in some great miles in Lanzarote and then I carried it on when I get back to Jersey. My run was coming along nicely and finally started to really enjoy running. I was in contact with one of my old school teachers who is now based in Phuket and we were working on a bit of sport pschology which really helped me out. I was so chilled the night before the race I dindn’t even wake up for the toilet. If you ask Chelsea thats un heard of for me!

So my plan was to swim well ride well and run well. Pretty simple plan isn’t it. But what could go wrong with that in Thailand………….if some of you have heard about the race then you know that many things can.

Feeling relaxed

The swim for me was pretty average, I came out of the water with people I would normally come out with but the lead group swam really quick. The water temp was 31c and for it was horrible. I managed to forget my speed suit and Just couldn’t hold on to the lead pack. Next year I will be doing laps in a jacuzzi as prep. The bike for my group was great, felt in control the whole way. Even when we were told to go the wrong way. Last year people were told to go the wrong was as well so as its my job to know the course we knew as a group we were going correct and that was proved by the km markers.

Running in to second lap of the swim

As we came in to t2 we were cycling past the females that were on the run course. Suddenly I wasn’t sure what had happened, had we gone wrong or had everyone else gone wrong?!!? On to the run my plan was to run hard but walk all the water stops to make sure I got in enough fluids as possible. It seemed to work and I felt great. At the 15k turnaround point Skippy and Dave were both close and at 19k decided it was time to push on, was still feeling okay despite the heat. At 25k I really started to struggle and panic set in but all was good I made it to the finish line with a solid run time for me. On the results I was 4th but after adding extra time after the original penalty was given I was moved in to 3rd place which was a great pay day for me.

Very happy with the result, now back home and going to start building towards Frankfurt.

Was great to be racing with the team again, well done to all them. Thanks to all the team sponsors for getting me through the race and was great to meet the Singha team. Cheers for supporting us before during and after the race.

Dan

So the race wasn’t the result I wanted or the result I thought I could produce but It wasn’t all a disaster and after a lot of reflection I think I should be positive. In the weeks running up to the race training had been great and felt improvements had been made in all three disciplines so I was excited to race. The swim went well, it actually felt pretty relaxed. Was comfortable in my new wetsuit and for the first time felt like I could swim like a swimmer again. After leading the group out the water I set out in to transition as fast as I could and was comfortably on my bike before the pace could get going. For some reason after about 20k the group simply just rode away from me. It was frustrating, I couldn’t respond. My heart rate wasn’t through the roof and my legs were not burning. I felt relaxed but they just gradually got away from me. Tried my hardest to bridge the gap and after a few people caught and went past me I again couldn’t respond. Felt Like I was stuck in third gear and thats all my body wanted to give. It was a long ride for me that day, my mind was wanting to just pack it in. With the group up the road and with me seemingly out of the money, it felt like it was game over. I kept going and got to transition and to find I was in 11th. I wasn’t sure how far they were in front of me but after last years race I knew that at any point someone could drop out. I started well on the run and actually felt great. After about 4 k I finally got to a point where I could see someone in front of me on one of the switch back loops. It was Paul Amey. He is a great runner but I looked at him and looked at myself as we were running alongside each other but he was about two minutes ahead thinking he isn’t getting away. Lets keep this up and you could have a great run or could be fooling yourself and have a shocker! Towards the end of the first lap I was catching Phil and Fraser so was starting to feel positive. Fraser eventually stopped for a bit and it let me pass him. I was in to the money and top 10. Still catching Phil so kept fighting. Unfortunately I ran out of road and couldn’t pass him but was happy with my run.

So to take a good swim and a run away from a race is good. How often have I been able to say I ran well….not many! Its now time to see if I can swim bike and run well at some point this season!

Time to get back to training and plan the next race!

Cheers!

Since my last race I have also been studying hard and have now qualified as a sports massage therapist, something to keep me busy whilst on camps and something to use for the future.

Its our rest day today out here in Lanzarote and things have been going well. Training has been really solid, winds have been strong and the sun has been out.

Now I want to introduce you to a friend of Mathias and mine. Its called the Nespresso machine.

Now George believes Nespresso is a “hero”………We would agree. Our machine has got us through some solid training and got us ready for key sets. Its nice to chill outside the apartment next to the pool sipping on a nice coffee.

The machine is small enough to carry in hand luggage and Nespresso capsules can be purchased online so when you are away for long training camps it becomes athletes best friend.

Its nearly the end of January people are heading to races and the season is starting to get in to full swing. Good luck to everyone at team TBB this season and to all the team followers. My first race will be Abu Dhabi this season so see you around if you are racing.

Best go make myself a coffee, hard rest day ahead.

Dan

Its my first season stepping up to these distances so the goal of the season was to learn, learn and learn some more. It has been a fun, stress free year and hopefully I have learnt something!

The weather leading up to the race was pretty awful and the day before was just terrible. Somehow we were lucky enough to be greeted with cool temperatures and hardly any wind until later on in to the race. With over 600 entrants and lots of relay teams it was the biggest race so far in the history of the event. Having a home crowd was exciting and the support around the course was fantastic.

The course itself is a one lap loop that winds its way through some of Jerseys green lanes which if you don’t know have a 15mph speed limit. With plenty of the famous Jersey cows out on the course it makes for a lovely scenic run. If you are looking for a super fast course this isn’t the one for you, with quite a few hills and turns its not fast but if you are looking for a course that’s challenging with a great crowds then you should enter now for next year. With the added bonus of it being a short flight from the UK you can make a weekend of it and come and enjoy some of the rich history, amazing seafood restaurants and Island life that Jersey has to offer.

So this year the race attracted a number of good runners with the likes of Tomas Abyu racing, it was always going to be a challenge to get on the podium. The prize money is a key factor and with £2000 up for 1^st place, it will be quite some time before a Jersey runner wins the event.

The race started quite slowly for the first 1k before one of the Polish visitors decided to up the speed. I let them go, knowing Brett would lay in to me if I popped at half way. I worked well with a guy aiming for a 2h45 and London marathon qualifying time. We could see one of the guys up front but just couldn’t quite chase him down. I went through half way in 1h17.0 and felt pretty good but at about 26k we turned in to a head wind on one of the more open parts of the course and it really affected my rhythm. Once we got back on to the old rail way walk it was a down hill run in to St Aubins bay which again had a horrible head wind for about the last 4 miles. At some points the gusts were so strong I was running at a funny angle. Tomas and the group were quite some way in front of me by then and he finished in a time of 2h24 smashing the previous course record of just under 2h30. I finished in 2h40.15. I was pleased, but also disappointed not to hit under the 40 mark. If I hadn’t stopped for a toilet break then I think that 2h39 was mine. Now, I just need to run that after a 180k bike!!!

I was first Jersey Bean, as we are known, across the finish line and finished 5^th overall so I was quite pleased with that and won a lovely crystal decanter for being first Channel Islander and a Crystal fruit bowl for being first Jersey boy so all in all a bargain and Christmas presents all sorted. I think that might also be the fastest time for our small Island of runners so a little proud moment for me as a triathlete.

I raced Embrun Ironman which was a tough tough day, safe to say I didn’t quite make it to the end. The conditions and course got the better of me but think I can say that lessons have been learnt from it. Most of you know what happened during the race so I wont bother telling you all again. To be honest would be nice to forget that one.

Moved back to Jersey a few weeks ago now and after a week of being home I raced my local Olympic distance race. It went well, was on my own for the whole race but going from Ironman racing to Olympic distance was crazy weird. Over so quickly. The bike course in Jersey is tough but if you have spent three months in Switzerland going up and down mountains it certainly makes you stronger and you can feel the difference for sure. Happy with a sub hour ride followed by a 32.39 run. Course record and nearly 4 minutes quicker than last year. So all in all a good day out.

Two weekends ago I raced or should I say I took part in a charity event. A local company called Mourant Ozzanes planned a charity swim with one team from Guernesy swimming as a relay towards Jersey and another team heading in the opposite direction. All to raise money for the islands Stroke Associations. The team consisted of 6 swimmers, all ranging swimming abilities. Was a perfect day, beautiful weather and both teams completed it. The Jersey to Guernsey team broke a record as no one has ever swam between the islands due to its pretty epic tidal currents. Maybe something for Team TBB to do one day and raise some money for charity. Perhaps in a slightly more tropical climate?!

last weekend was Ironman Wales. Again it was just part of bigger picture and taking away some lessons for it so I just went for it. Knowing it was a tough course might have not been such a good idea but I am certain that it will make me stronger and wiser for the future. The swim was good, I figured that the course would break everyone up so If I could get in a good position on the swim and then wait for the big bikers to come past. So after the first buoy I found myself out in the front and just kept going. I love sea swimming and there was a little swell so make it a little tougher for the weaker swimmers. Harry Wiltshire sat on and sprinted past me in the last 100m, not cool but hope he spends the swim prime well.

I was out on the front of the bike for the first 30k, Harry couldn’t come past and when Little Georg came flying past I quickly jumped on and we worked together until the Frenchman came past and again the pace upped. I could see little Georg was suffering and jumped in front of him about 20k from the end of the first bike lap. Georg and Harry dropped away quickly and I kept the Frenchie insight until we hit Tenby and then heading back out in to a head wind he dropped me. Went through a bit of a bad patch and lost some time but not any places.

As I was heading out on to the run two guys came in with me and one of them started hard out on to the run. I stayed with him but the pace was too hard so I just held back a bit. Again I went through a bad patch but my last lap was good. Unfortunately the guy that had overtaken me in to third place was just a little too far for me to catch. I think it was a solid result after a long season.

Going to race Lanzarote 70.3 and stay with my friends at Tri sports Lanzarote and then call it a season. Already itching to get started for next year.

Dan

So the weekend was a good weekend in the end, got my first podium and an Ironman win. The win was unexpected so a massive bonus but I was always hoping to get on the podium.

I went in to this race wanting to prove to Brett I could compete and with the sad news about my former coach Jack I really had a reason to race and dedicate the win to him.

The swim was perfect, sat in and enjoyed the ride. Cant say I enjoyed the little scrap I had with Amanda Stevens (don’t worry I didn’t get chicked)! Going through T1 I really felt in control, much smoother than last weekends shambles of a transition.

The start of the bike was fast, well I felt it was but its a bit of an uphill drag until you get on to the three lap loop but I was pushing it hard. Wanted to get away from Cryil knowing he was a strong runner. Fraser joined me as we started the first big climb. He tried to drop me but I wasn’t going to let him get away, hell no and worked very hard to catch him. Without saying it, it became clear that we would benefit working together. On the last lap with about 5 k to go my legs decided that they didn’t want to play anymore and I quickly lost 55 seconds going in to T2. As I ran in to get my bike Fraser was off. The guy asked if there was anything he could do for me, not sure he expected my reply to be “can you run for me” and so an awkward chuckle came out from me and a silence from him.

After a few k’s legs were warming up but then after a few more k’s and on to a hilly section on the run they started to go again. I remembered Scotty saying last weekend he felt similar and grabbed a few gels so I did the same and they seemed to work for me. On the way down in to the town square I could see I was gradually pulling him back. Nice and steadily. When I caught him my parents happened to be at that point and shouted my name so had to push on. Wasn’t quite sure what to do, you see on videos people saying well done when they over take but it was only 12k in to the run. Didn’t want to be a fool and say that then pop 10k later so I just kept my head down and pushed on. Coming back down with 2 laps of 3.5 to go I could see I had a cushion. With the news of Cyril being disqualified and Petr Vabrousek quite some way back my nerves could relax and little and I just ran my race.

It was an emotional but happy finish for me. Its all been a bit overwhelming the last few days.

Thanks to Brett and Alex for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.

Next year I think I would like to go back and race it all the way to the finish. This year for me was a hit out the week before Bolton and to try and help Mathias get the win. So the swim was conservative, quite choppy which i really like. Really makes the weaker swimmers struggle.

The bike was going perfect, felt great until on the final descent on the first lap I got dropped. Was chasing hard to catch up and hit a corner too fast trying to change down gears and my bike decided it didn’t want to stay between my legs. That was that. From then on I struggled on the bike. With probably 100k to go, my head was fighting my body.

I didn’t quit and got to transition feeling awful but said to myself lets just run and see if the pain goes away. After about 3k Sutto popped out and asked if I wanted to carry on and as I was still in the money I thought lets see how it goes. Surely enough I started to come good, over took the guy in 4th and felt like I was holding off Sergio Marques. After a rain shower I started to get cold and my hip started to seize up again, from then on it was time to stop and start to think about Bolton. It had been a good day up until then. Hard decision to make and when you know you were going to get pulled anyway its tough to carry on. I ran further than I was supposed to and perhaps if the crash hadn’t have happened things may have been different.

It was great having so much support out on the course. Seeing Scotty fly on the run course was awesome as well. Well done dude. Mathias and Bella were on the podium again so well done to them!

This weekend I get a chance to redeem myself and race for my old triathlon coach Jack Ralston. He is sick again and unfortunately has been told that he only has a few weeks to 6 months left so my prayers go out to his family and all my kiwi friends. Stay strong Jack.

I didn’t want to get carried away with the smile so quickly put my game face back on. This is because I know deep down there is still a lot of work to be done. Also would Brett make me race again this weekend…..I was still a little unsure!!

So it was a pretty long and rubbish drive over to Regensburg. After finishing my brick session last Thursday morning I set off on the 6.5 hour drive. My mate Leechy said I should set up the go pro for the drive but I think I would just scare you. I get so bored driving and try and entertain myself by singing what ever song comes on. I wont be afraid to admit i cannot sing to save my life.

Leading up to the race my mind was feeling pretty relaxed. It helps to know that the goal was to just cross the finish line no matter what. I bumped in to Sebastian at On Running in the expo and he gave me a pair of the new racers so after running in them two days out I decided to race in them. So glad I made that decision. From my results you guys know my running is not what you call great and I tend to suffer with muscle soreness around 15-20k. Not with the new racers, my legs do not hurt (at the moment)!

So the swim was good, we quickly got out in to a three man break away with the plan not to go to the front. God it made the swim feel long! We had a pretty big gap and after a pretty slow transition I was pretty much on my own. I couldn’t see Michael and Dirk was up ahead but going pretty hard. Managed to catch him after about 10k and stayed with him but decided to slow it down a bit, focus on my race and to make sure my nutrition was spot on. It worked, I got to transition quite a bit down on the other two but I wasn’t feeling broken unlike i did in Lanzarote.

Out on to the run and I was much more positive than Lanzarote. Even though I did not finish that race it gave me some positives to take away and put towards this one. The 4 lap course was great, loads of support and plenty of aid stations. After spending about 140k of the bike on my own it was nice to have a cyclist out with me on the run. Felt like I was actually racing finally and not just out for a training session. So after the second lap on the run I saw Sebastian and he said I was looking comfortable, I actually felt it and in my head was feeling pleased. I actually managed to take the first lap steady, wasn’t sure I would (i like to race)! Some where between seeing him and getting passed by a few guys my head went a little. Really started to struggle. Coke was needed and it was a little late. Three guys over took me on that 3rd lap. Little annoyed but hey ho. This race was to learn. So 4th lap and I remembered my sweets in the back of my race suit, should have seen the smile on my face. Like a   ……  …… in a candy store.

So I finished. In 6th. In 8h50. Positive things to take away for the next one. Looking forward to it now!!

Dan

Enjoyed yesterday in a strange sadistic way. Got the job done. Plenty to learn from and improve on for the next one.

Dan