Crowie Camp

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Location:Dubai

Hot, hot, hot and more hot.

Ghantoot Dirt Route:

Wow, what a couple of days. Getting back the sand pit has been great. It's been great to see everyone on the tri team and it's been great to get into some proper training again. My programme for this month is pretty steady and mostly I'm on easy stuff, getting used to the heat again and the humidity. Friday we did a time trial, as a whole group 3 lots of 13kms. I averaged 43kmph throughout, which at this stage of my off season I was happy with. Swimming wise I'm back in the pool hitting out 1.20min per 100m at easy pace and a steady 1km time trial. My running has been fun and to be honest I'm just taking it all a tad steady simply due to the heat etc. This evening I ran with the team on the Ghantoot dirt run 9km off road, then 4.7km at any pace wise you like. My splits are below, kms 1 to 9 were with the team nice and steady, kms 9 to 13 were as you like:

1 00:05:34
2 00:05:45
3 00:05:51
4 00:06:15
5 00:06:40
6 00:06:21
7 00:06:20
8 00:06:22
9 00:05:55
10 00:04:34
11 00:04:37
12 00:04:34
13 00:04:27

Back to work on Monday, still it's been a great summer and Sarah and I have loved every minute. Thanks to everyone who has made it possible from the tri team, friends back home in the UK and lastly, most importantly our families. Especially Jack the dog, we miss you boy and love you forever.

Be safe as always,

Ed

Back in the sand pit.

Yesterday, Sarah and I arrived back in Dubai after a great summer traveling around and seeing family and friends. We spent so much time with Jack, it was great and we loved every minute. The flight was an overnighter, it was good on the whole, but you never really feel great after 12 odd hours of traveling and we didn't get much sleep on the plane. All our bags (and the bike!) arrived fine, even though we had loads more stuff than we flew back to the UK with. So much so, that we had to pay £90 extra for the extra luggage in London, whoops! One of the best things about being back in Dubai is the weather I mean the weather on the way to Heathrow was awful rain, rain, we won't be seeing that for another 4months!

This morning, while I was still knackered, I met up with some of the guys from the team and rode for 100km with Wolfies Friday ride and then we ran for an easy 4km afterwards. It was great to see them all, but I struggled in the heat and I could tell that I'd been in Europe for the summer. Still I'm sure that its not going to take too long to get up scratch.



The picture above is Clint and Janey's tortoise. Clint is one of the guys I train with and his on the team. He recently raced in the Philippines Ironman 70.3, where he won his age group. The guy did super good, well done Clint, top marks and he certainly would have beaten this wee tortoise.

I'm looking forward to the coming month, I'm back on training plan and I know it'll include some gym sessions (which I was going to do extra) and a possibility of looking for a big hit out in the Dubai marathon in January - a sub 3hour crack pre-IMSA. I'm also really looking at my diet with Sarah. We are both looking kill some weight and lean down hugely before for Xmas in prep for the big sessions in the new year and IMSA. We both feel that if we both do it, it'll make it easier for for us rather than trying to lean down individually, which is always going to be difficult.

Right talking of food I'm to have some tea.

Be safe,

Ed

Just a quick picture of the bike for you.

Bike porn! :-)

Glass of red wine anyone?

It almost been 5 days since the summer challenge 100miler and I Sarah and I have been up north to see friends and we had a great time, but I have to admit that I'm ready to go home now back to the sandpit and back to training. I've had a fair bit of wine, red wine which has been beautiful, as I missed it back home and I've really enjoyed having a couple of glasses from time to time.

A number of the team have raced throughout the summer and it's been great to hear how they got on from London tri to Swanage tri, tri2aspire has raced throughout the UK. I'd like to wish good luck to my good friend Clint and training partner, who is racing this weekend in the Philippines Ironman 70.3, good luck mate. We'll keep our finger crossed you qualify.

Good luck mate.

I'm ready to get back into some real training now, none of this unstructured stuff. I'm looking forward to getting back on programme, some sun, smooth roads and going for runs where people don't give you advice on running like Forest Gump.


The worst thing about this mind, is that once again we say bye to Jack. He's been with us for pretty much all the summer and I think to honest that this is the last time that we have him with us like this. We've been all over the UK and I just don't think it's fair on him, just as he thinks he's with us again we bugger off back to the desert, poor lad. So I think, however much it hurts, from now on he'll just stay with my Mum and Dad when we come back. We can just make a huge fuss of him there instead.

Love you Jack x

Ed

Day 6 - Challenge 100, done.

I started with these legs, so I'll finish with 'em too.

When I started this challenge I started it for one reason. When I first started running properly about 5 five years ago I used read these crazy articles a out Paula Radcliffe running 100miles a week in training etc. I thought 'Jesus, how the hell does she do that?'

Well, a load of Ironman races down the line and a whole load of training, I still never could really imagine what it was like to run that far in training in a week. So I decided that as it was my off season, I could give this a real crack. Go back 6 days and I was standing on the drive of 34 Enfield Avenue, New Waltham, Grimsby ready to get started. If I'm honest with you, it was hard mentally and physically, my legs are now shot for a day or two and I'm I'm looking forward to some down time this week with Sarah and Jack, as we're popping up to Northumberland to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary.

Today was hard going, this morning was 20km very slow at just over 5min/km pace and, then this evening I finished off with just under 5min/km pace, so all in all I'm over the moon with the week and how it's gone. There are a couple of things which have come from doing this challenge, Firstly, me 'BIG' toe, which I've had real trouble with over the last two years has been fine, no worries at all, which is great. Secondly, I always find how amazing all these challenges/race I do are mostly in the head. Most of the people I have raced against are way faster/fitter than me, but I do believe that I'm mentally stronger than most, why? I don't know, but it seems to be the case.

Over the the six days a couple of this things happened, what with Mr Shuffle passing onto the machine heaven and several visits to peoples houses on road trips that were organised prechallenge, but there was one thing that I kept on thinking about during each of my runs. That was my old pal Jonathan Peel, who passed away 2 years ago whilst on a run in Wiltshire, leaving his young family. The guy was one of the best you could meet, he was happy, always with a 'Chrissie Wellington' smile and he never had anything bad to say about anyone, also he was a huge geek with the biggest heart ever. There a are so many people out there who miss him everyday and for that very reason this challenge is dedicated to him.

Jonathan Peel RIP


Just finished!

Be safe as always,

Ed

Day 5 - 15km up hill, 21km after dark, only 35km to go.

No music, with only my thoughts to run with me, today was always going to be hard, however the first run of the day was up the only hill in Beverley, Yorks all 7.5km out and then 7.5km back (which was down hill). This was hard and I have to admit that my legs are now starting to to give me some cheek for the abuse they have received over the last 5 days. The new total is 125km done in 5 days, I've only 35km to reach the total of 160km and finish the goal of running 100miles in 6 days with a rest day (Monday).

My second run of the day was done after dark and running down the seafront, I got some lovely comments like 'run forest!' and 'c'on legs eleven!' all very original and thanks. My left achilles is extremely sore and I am using my skins to sleep in tonight and I've popped the anti-flams, hoping I've not done something silly, but the session this morning up the hill was hard, so I'm keeping everything crossed. I originally only went out to run 15km, but I thought I'd try to bag the planned 21km, as I really wanted set on task. I have to admit it took all my mental strength to do so, but I'm really happy I did as it will make tomorrow a lot easier hopefully!


I'm looking forward to a couple of these once I've done this challenge.

Right I'm off to sleep, because I'm knackered, this time tomorrow I would have done this silly challenge, only 35km to go!

Here's to a steady 35km tomorrow.

Ed

Day 4 - it's only 15km, but I'm not really that interested and the Shuffle is dead, RIP Mr Shuffle.

Cleethorpes Seafront - I run along here loads.

This one was only 15km, but I really couldn't be bothered. The whole idea seemed to be a pain in the arse and I really just wanted to relax, as we had been traveling a fair bit, it was raining hard, my Ipod had broke and we were also popping up to Sarah Sister-in-law in Beverley that evening, however I ground out 15km all sub 5min, got home, showered, jumped in the car and drove off for a lovely evening in Yorkie land.

RIP Mr Ipod Shuffle,

Ed

:-)

Day 3 - How straight can I go?!!! 30km in the bag, 75km done 85km to go.

The run out - flat!


The run back - as flat!

These session were quite hard, we were staying at my MUm and Dad's and then we moved onto my sisters for the evening, so I was running in areas I really didn't know. I normally enjoy doing this as you get to see different things, but as you can see from photos there really wasn't that much to see, as the roads were so straight and the countryside was as flat as pancake! The first run I did was 16km out to a river and then I ran ran later in the day for 14km to make up the 30km I wanted to high for the total. On this run I was averaging 4.07min/km and the last km I did a in 3.25min.

My body is holding up well, especially my right foot, which I've had problems in the past so fingers crossed it stays that way!

Run safe.

Ed

Day 2 - only 15km done, another 115km to go.

Oh this was a crap run, trust me, I really didn't enjoy it at all, I started early and I'd had a rubbish nights sleep, after waking up feeling hungary. I had a quick breakie and rushed straight out, as Sarah and I were traveling down to see my Mum and Dad. After about 6km I was bloody struggling, my foot was hurting and I was bonking big style. I just couldn't believe it, after running well the day before I was really thinking I was going to have to walk for a bit, eh? No chance!

You've got to be joking! I slowed my pace down, took stock and just carried on. This sort of thing can happen in a race, so you've got to be prepared and the only way to prepare is to do it in training. So, that's it for today no more running. I'm resting my foot too, as it's a little sore too, as are my legs, but they'll be fine. My shuffle also decided to play me up a bit. I've got another one off ebay coming, so hopefully that should with me before we travel back to Duabai.

So tomorrow, in order to keep to the plan for the week I've got 12km and a 15km run to do for things and then in the evening. We're staying with my sister Emma tomorrow, so it'll be nice to catch up with her and her family.

Be safe, as always.

Ed

Day 1, 2 lots of 15km

Today I've ran 15km twice, once this afternoon and then this evening. Both times I've felt pretty good, although the first set I had a difficult patch around the 10km marker for reason, maybe because I was being a girl. The first set I averaged 5:03min/km pace and then second set was 4:36min/km, so at a steady rate throughout both runs to be honest. So it's 30km down and another 130km to go this week. I love a good challenge and this is just what I needed to get back into the training and running swing of things.

Run hard,

Ed

Challenge Summer 2010 - Running a hundred miles in 7 days!

It's been a couple of weeks since Challenge Roth and I've decided after getting back into to all I'd decided to set myself a challenge, to run 100miles in a week (7 days, if you don't know what a week is). Oh yea, and I don't just want to plod this out, I'll keep up at at 12/14kmph or faster.

I'll update the blog each day, as I go a long, but it's just a bit of fun to keep me training till I go back on programme again from coach pain.

Run hard (well at least for this week).

Ed

Time off, food, drink and then back to running.

I've a couple of weeks of training and it was lust, but I have to admit that I did miss it. What I didn't miss was the daily grind of needing to do something, either run, bike or swim. I do however, feel that I put on weight and I know that it was under the coaches orders, but I just wasn't too happy with it, to be fair. So pretty early on I got back into my running and I have to say I've really enjoyed it.

A couple of days ago I popped across to the Planet X head offices in Sheffield to have a look around the showroom and to take my rear wheel into have my Powertap fitted. It was a funny trip to be honest, it was all a bit odd there (some of the people), however on my second trip there the day after to pick the wheel up they were completely different towards to me.

The showroom is quite cool, with all their bikes on display. I've spotted a road bike I'd like to get my hands on, so lets see what the new season will bring. If this is what PX is like I'd love to see one of the big European companies are like like Look or maybe what Trek is like, the mind spins it really does.

I'm really looking forward to the new season of training. Sarah and I are going to try a new diet to lose some weight ready for the new season, so It will be interesting to see how that works. I'm enjoying life back in the UK at the mo, but then when we gat back to Dubai is when the real work start again, so I'd like to enjoy this time for now. I'm running loads at the mo, about 150km a week and I'm really enjoying it, hopefully this will help me once I get back to structured training.

Right I'm off to bed, I've got Sarah's foster brother, Jamie and Becky's wedding tomorrow and I'm looking forward to a couple of cheeky ones with all the family ;-)

Train safely as always,

Ed

There it is Sub 10 done and Ironman South Africa next April entered.

Going Sub 10 wasn’t on the plan three years ago when I started this journey. All I wanted to do was to finish one, now 36 months later in 5 races I’m now a sub 10hour Ironman athlete at Challenge Roth on 18th July 2010.

I was fit for the ace, as I’d trained for Ironman China in March hoping to get a Kona slot, but due to the heat, humidity and not really being good enough. I was really spent, more than I realised, physically and mentally. If I’m really honest with myself I struggled massively after China and I didn’t really realise just how much until yesterday morning, when I reflected on the race on Sunday when writing this. I’ve been going through the motions in training for the past couple of months and out of the three disciplines I’ve only really enjoyed my swimming. Probably, because I escaped the heat of Dubai, so, because of this I didn’t fully feel as fit as I was going into China, but I was in good shape.
Mostly, going into the race on Sunday all I really wanted to do was to enjoy it, but and it’s a big, but I truly wouldn’t have been happy if I hadn’t of gone Sub 10.

Everything seems to go really well in the lead up to race. Sarah and I had met Chrissie Wellington and all the team members from Tri2aspire, but then two days before the event at the practice swim I was bitten by something behind my knee - ouch. It was angry, very angry and I couldn’t see any muscle definition around my knee for about 24hours. I was worried, as I was struggling to straighten my knee and run on it, this could be a problem.
The Swim 1.02
Fortunately, through the use of a number of medicines the knee calmed down and by 6.20 I was in the water in the canal ready for the off, ready for Challenge Roth. Despite the fact that there were only 200 guys in my waves start it was the roughest Ironman swim I have ever done. If I got hit, got swam over or I swam over someone else once it happen three or four times. The swim down to the turn around point felt pretty quick, but it seemed to take forever to come back and for the most of it, the swim was pretty uneventful. As I headed out toward the exit I checked my watch and to be honest I was a little disappointed. I’ve been swimming great in training and open water events back home, but whether I didn’t push myself hard effort, got lost or just picked the wrong legs to draft off for a bit, I was 5minutes off target of 57minutes, disappointing really.

T1 – No problems, but just how hard are CEP socks to get on!

The Bike 5.11
I set out on the bike and all the talk before hand had been how fast the course was, but when we drove it on the Thursday afternoon. I remember telling Sarah that I thought it (and the hills) was a little harder than people gave it credit. Equally, there were parts where you could get really battered by the wind. The first lap seemed to take ages and I really felt like I was behind the time I wanted. There were parts of the course that I simply loved the three hairpin descent turns, the Solarberg Hill and some of the descents, where the fastest I got to was 77kph! At this stage I have to mention the Solarberg Hill, if this is what it’s like on the Tour de France, oh my god! I have never and I think never will experience anything like that in a race every again (unless I do Roth again). It is like nothing I have ever seen, heard or raced through, simply incredible, there were, however were parts on the course where (the back end with the wind) I could have just got off my bike, found the recovery vehicle and gone home. I did really find it hard to get into it during the first lap, that was until I started the second lap then I seemed to liven up and I started to enjoy it more. At this stage my front mech, started to play up and wouldn’t change back up to the big ring, so I just stayed in it instead and struggled my way up the hills hoping it wouldn’t damage me too much on the run. I wasn’t eating much to be honest I just didn’t fancy it, throughout the bike I had 4litres of High 5, 500ml of water, 600ml of Ensure (meal replacement drink) and a couple of sips of High 5 Gel. Even through this was the case I still felt fine and I knew I would have to shift onto coke and water straight away in the run. The enjoyment I was feeling on the second may also have come from the fact that there where a lot more people on the course. The first lap was more like racing in Ironman China, there was hardly anyone, but then on the second lap there was also the relay guys, who were mainly bikers, so I knew they would be strong. I rode for the last 80kms with two strong German riders, every so often each of us would that the lead legally. It was a great help to tell truth and I never really quite realised how much help it would be, we didn’t chat at all until the last 10km, where each of us would encourage each other when each of us took the front. I headed into T2 way, way, way too fast with one of the guys, he stopped safely, giving his bike to the helper, whereas almost flew over the handle bars, with one foot clipped into the peddles. The butch German lady grabbed me by the shoulders and stopped me from going over the handlebars! I then ran off into T2.

T2 – No problems here.

The Run 3.35
I started out well and felt good. It really helped having my GPS and my watch telling me my pace and my overall time. The run was quite flat, but there were parts that tested you, grassy parts and some small hills, which just broke your rhythm. On my way out to the first turn around I saw some of the male and female pros heading towards the second turn around. The aid stations were great loads of different foods, but all I really wanted coke and water. In typical fashion as I started the run I was careful not to spill it down my face and on my hands (I hate sticky), so I did tend to walk while I downed the coke and water. Then I’d grab a sponge and wipe my face etc. It was hot, but not that bad to be honest, it felt comfortable, but there was a lot of people suffering, because of it. My pace was going up and down a tad, but this was only due to the areas I was walking in the aid stations, when I was running my pace was pretty much same. The run out through the forest was a pain and at this stage I felt I wasn’t going go sub 10. I wasn’t really in a happy place and I wanted to walk for a bit. I asked myself one question, how much do you really want to go Sub10? So that was that, I wanted it, I really wanted it, for a number of personal reasons alone beyond just the performance factor. I decided that I was just going to cane it and run the aid stations too. So out the window went the idea of not spilling coke down my face! Every aid station I went through there I was chucking coke down my face, in my eyes, ears, just everywhere. I keep my pace up and moved into the town area, where there was a small climb, which I started to cramp on in the calves. I was worrying, I was only 2km from the finish with about 10minutes to get in to go Sub10. I knew it was going to be tight. My quads were also very sore from the bike, hitting the big ring on the climbs, so things were looking a little desperate. I put my head down, gritted my teeth and simply ran through the pain. After 2km I found myself on the finishing carpet, with the crowd cheering. I crossed the finish line and my legs had had enough, all I wanted to do was lay down and rest, so that’s what I did (after I’d stopped the watch). I laid there for a couple of minutes, got up, grabbed a couple of beers, I sat down and chatted to a nice French guy for a while. Then it started to sink in, I’d done it, I’d gone under 10hours for an Ironman – 9.57.12. I couldn’t believe it, I’d done it!

Afterwards
After a massage, food, etc I had to find Sarah. To be honest most of the way round the race I kept saying to myself that if I when Sub10 that would be it for a while and that I’d take some time out from long distance triathlon, however, by the time I’d met Sarah I’d already decided to enter Ironman South Africa (which I’ve now done only 4 days after).

What did I think of the event?
If you ever do one long distance race, this has to be the one. I do not think there is anything like in the world. The Challenge motto is ‘We Are Triathlon’ and the ‘Challenge Family’. That is what they are about, family. Felix (the race director) not only looks after the athletes, but possibly more importantly they look after the families who in turn look after the athletes. Without the families, the athletes wouldn’t be there to race. The Challenge series seem to understand this and in turn everyone there at Roth felt included and had a great time, something the WTC could learn a lot from, maybe?

Photos to follow as we're staying with friends in the south of England at the mo. Looking forward to getting out running again very very soon, watch this space.

Be safe,

Ed and Sarah

Roth 9:57:12 - 9hour something Ironman Athlete, Ed Hawkins

Thats it, I'll update the blog later with a full race report, but for now I'm a 9hour something Ironman! Get in!

Roth - Race Day

Here it is race day, it's 4am I'm able to go the door to jump in the car to make my way to Rothsee the start of Roth 2010. Breakfast is down I've managed one toilet stop hopefully another before the start. Then all go from then on.

Wish us luck! I'll update later on after I've finished.

Cheers Ed

Roth - Day 3

I've been bitten by a nasty little create at the river yesterday swimming - ouch. It's just behind my knee and it's really painful! Why oh why? Just before the race too, so I'm now stuffing tables down my mouth hoping to bring the bite down a little. There was also a huge thunderstorm last night, I mean the biggest I have ever seen in my adult life. The lighting was awesome, as was the sound of the thunder. There were some really odd Germans outside our room at 3am getting all excited about the storm they were shouting, hitting themselves etc all very odd to be honest.

Today is the last day before the race this time tomorrow I'll be on the bike, so this morning I'm just going to bike for 15mins and then run for 15mins just to keep the legs going ready for the morning. Then this afternoon we've got the race meeting and the checkin of our blue run bags, our bikes and helmets. Then its a last check to make sure I've got everything else for the day then it's already for the morning.

Take care,

Ed and Sarah

Roth - Day 1 & 2

Well the weather is lust...in the 30s and we've all been doing bits and bobs here and there, like popping to the bike shop. Above is the shop sign in the local bike - classic I love it!
This morning we swam and bit of the course and then biked for an hour or so, then we drove the bike course. It seems pretty good to be honest there are some lumps here and there but nothing too bad, so fingers crossed I should be looking at around 5.10 maybe a bit more. The swim is nice to, the water is cool, but not too cold in the canal, I felt good during the swim practice this morning and it should be pretty easy naving it as it's just straight up and straight down. The one thing I would I would say about this race through is it is huge here and we having even got to the weekend yet. There is so much going one I have never seen anything like it. Anyone who comes here and races, then they go away to do an M dot race is going to be so disappointed, I have never seen seen a town get behind a race this before, it's brilliant.

5 in-a-row, a new frame, a new apartment and now Roth

Hi everyone, well it's been a while since I posted on my blog and loads of things have happened I've been sooo busy. Firstly I finished off winning all the UAE sprint racing at the Golden Tulip Hotel including a super sprint event. We also had a training camp after one of the event which was super hard due to heat - 44C if not hotter!

My new frame turned up for the last race, I decided to call it panda again in memory of my first TT bike, which I loved. Hopefully this one will be as fast.

I like it in white super sexy and at the mo the only one out of the UK!

We also moved into a new apartment, so I'm nearer all the places I train which is going to make life so much easier for me. However at the mo we have flown to the UK and then on to Germany as I am racing in Challenge Roth, which is an an Ironman distance race. Look who I bumped into yesterday when we arrive and got lost, so I asked a local for some directions!!!

Chrissie was super nice, I wished her good luck for Sunday and she did the same.

So here we are in Germany, Roth getting ready for the race on Sunday, all the team are here too. We all when for something to eat last evening and on the way home I took out 165kph in the car on the Autoban OMG! I'll post some more photos later, as we are going for a swim at the swim venue and then for a little ride on the course.

later, be safe.

Ed

Sorry my bad!

My bad I've not posted on here for ages - sorry! I will in the next week I promise! Here's a photo taken for 220 magazine in the UK, you like?

A wins a win and the tallest building in the world

A week on and I thought I would let you all know how I got on last week (sorry I know I should have posted earlier, but I've been super busy). Last weeks race when well all thinks considered, a late night before, Ironman China still in my legs etc. The swim was great, by far and a away the best swim I've done. I got the water in 3rd place overall behind Roy Nasr and one other athlete. The bike was hard going as I really found it difficult to push the big gears and therefore I struggled to get distance over Roy and in fact I feel he rode way better than me, both of us coming into T2 together, however he wasn't running and therefore I left transition and I moved into first place. I ran the run in a controlled manner just doing enough to come home 45 seconds over second place.

I was happy to get another win, two out of two sounds good and from that win I should be able get some more interest from sponsors etc. However, I'm not fully happy with my overall race as I struggled in parts I've never struggled ie the bike, but I'm not going to moan too much I've got to put it all in perspective and enjoy it.



This week we also when up the Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building....it was amazing, truly amazing. Right, I've got to keep the training going as in two weeks today I've third and final round of the championships, not long now.

Train safe as always,

Ed

Back to training and the 2nd round of the UAE Sprint Championship

We've been back from China for about 3 and a bit weeks now. I'm back in training, enjoying the new programme from the coach with some long runs, 25kmsish, some long rides, with brisk runs, 125kmsish and some hard swim sessions, loving the band.

My body is still struggling in some ways, I've still been getting some nose bleeds, I've an infection in my nose (or a reaction to the dust out here in the desert), my skin is poor (a spotty back) and I've also had another flare up of my cyst again. Ironman really takes it out you especially when you race hard. Every time I race I forget just how much you damage you body, no wonder the pros only race twice or three times a year, some of them only race Kona if they're good enough to.

The training I'm doing is enjoyable, but I have to admit that its been difficult to get back into it when I'm on my own. Challenge Roth (Ironman distance) next in July with the Tour De France to watch, but next Friday is the second round of the UAE Sprint Triathlon Championships. I'm looking forward to racing hard and to see how I've recovered. There's a lot of guys out here who are just about to hit their peak of the season for the Spring Ironman races throughout the world, so it's going to be a hard one. It's a non wetsuit race too, so that always puts a little spice into the race. It'll be fun.

Sarah's Mum and Dad come out on Thursday, so we are looking forward to showing them the sites of Dubai plus it's great to be on holiday as always.

I'll let you all know how I get on Friday.

Happy Easter and train safe.

Ed and Sarah

Ironman China, IV dips, medi tents and home

It's almost been two weeks since Ironman China, we've been home for just about a week and a half. The journey home was a little difficult to say the least, what with extremely sore feet, post race stiffness and the staff of China Southern airlines being a complete pain in the rear (I will never fly with them again, it almost cost us 380 sterling just to get the bike home!). We arrived home at 3.30am, only to be in work at 7am that morning, oh well international Ironman racing was never going to be easy.

The race itself is a funny one really, weather conditions on race day, which were due to be hot and humid. However, on our arrival it was very and windy, not what we was expecting! The hotel was nice, but I was shocked to see how the local people lived. A couple days before race day I headed out on one of my prerace sessions, only to be met with a dead cow on the side of the road with loads of rats feeding of it, now I understand that this happens in all walks of life but this was situated in the garden/paddy field of a family how were working in it, a different world, trust me.

The other side of the coin meant that I had the pleasure of visiting the hotel spa a couple of times for a rub down. It was a slightly different experience that I've had before what with paper pants etc.

The swim course was in a river, it was 4 laps with age grouper setting off 5 at a time with a 5 second interval. It became quite physical, but mostly due to training with tri2aspire on Saturdays I felt I was ready for it. However, I was kicked in the face, pushed under the water and punched by accident a number of times by the other athletes.

I was slightly disappointed with my swim time 1.03, which was down by 7 minutes to what would have been happy with. Into T1 I went where I changed into my gear. Due to the weather improving 40C and with a humidity 84%, completely different to the weather leading up to the weekend, I had to make sure I was suncreamed up and fully hydrated for the bike.

Heading out onto the bike and it was always going to be windy, as the Island Hainan, as there was a strong sea breeze coming in (I even saw one athlete being blown off his bike!). The bike section flew by, as it is the part I most enjoy normally and we also rode through some really cool old Chinese towns and villages, where all the locals where outside supporting us as we rode by. The locals would shout out go fast in the local tougue. I did started to feel the heat toward the end of the bike section and in the back of my mind I really was not looking forward to run, which was going to really hard due to the increased humidity and the heat.

After 5.10 on the bike (which I was over the moon about, beating Justin Granger) I entered T2. Throughout the whole of the bike I had been drinking well, but eating aswell as I'd like, maybe I need to look into this. I really struggle to get solid food down when racing, maybe in the future I need to switch to just gels and maybe ones without a taste as they just get so sweet. I knew heading out onto the run that I was well hydrated, therefore I should be able to put in a good time on the marathon run leg.

However, the temperature was so hot and it was so humid that I really started to struggled, as did many of my fellow athletes, some of whom I saw sitting on the side of the road after pulling out of the race. I started out at 4.30mins/km, but after 2 km I was blowing big style, my heart rate was at 92%! So because of this I pulled it back to 5min/km then 5.30min/km and from then on I kept it at that. However I did also decided to walk the aid stations and then continue for a minute afterwards, just to lower my heart rate which was way too high. The heat got worst as did the race continued. I did not want anymore carbo drink, so instead I switched to flat Coke (beautiful. There was no support on the run course, apart from a stretch in the city and, so because of this in was really easy after 30 odd kms to find it a lot harder than you really were. It was a real mental battle to keep yourself going one foot step at a time to finish the race.

After 10 hours 29 minutes, I finished, I don't remember too much of it, because as soon as I crossed the I collapsed and ended up on a IV dip in the medi tent. After 45 minutes I was back on my feet able to get all belongings etc and celebrate finishing what is meant to be one of the hardest Ironman courses in the world. While I was disappointed with my time (as I wanted to go 45 minutes faster ) I can be happy in the fact that I beat at least 3 full time pros and that I was first home in the British team. Even though I have now raced a number of Ironman throughout the world, it was extremely hard and the most physically demanding and mentally taxing race I have ever done in my life due to the heat and the humidity.

In my bid to qualify for Hawaii I fell short by 10 minutes and, therefore I will not be going this year, which is a huge shame and I was very disappointed. Every cloud has a silver lining and, although I missed out on qualifying for Hawaii, I have two weeks off training then it’s all go for the Challenge Roth in Germany this Summer and hopefully a 9.40 time, which I am very much looking forward to. It also means that next year I can try my hand again at getting to Hawaii, somewhere else in the world, Ironman South Africa has a nice ring to it..........

Take the “IM” from IronMan and it turns the impossible into the possible.

Off to China to chase a dream.......

It's the evening before we leave to go to China and I'm really struggling to come to terms with just how quickie it's rolled about. It feels only a couple of weeks ago Sarah and I appeared here in the desert, met up with Jason down at JBR and I sat on the front of the pack at Ghantoot blowing out of my arse just to stay there in my first session with the team. Here it is in 24 hours we'll be just about to land in China hopefully bike et all!

It seems even more unbelievable that just 5 years ago I was only just considering about doing a triathlon let alone trying to get my then fat arse to Kona, via Ironman China - unbelievable. Fingers crossed all goes well, fingers crossed no hiccups, fingers crossed we get that slot to the world champs.

I'm going to try to update the page while we are in 'hotel' so watch this space and come along for the ride..........

Cheers all,

Ed

Goodbye Cyst, Hello China!

The last week has been a little worrying to be honest. Just before the Golden Tulip Triathlon last week I seemed to have what looked like a spot appear on the right eye brow, this grew and grew and grew, until it looked like something out of Star Wars (I'm sure it was just all my brain power trying to get out!). It turned out to be a cyst - not good, trust me it was very painful. So I popped to docs to get some help and advice, as it was starting to swell around my eyes and nose (I looked like something out of Avatar). I was starting to get really worried reference to the flight out to China and racing too as I also had a headache with it. After some pills and a small op from the doctor i.e. cutting a hole and squeezing all the crap out (cottage cheese) it felt so much better straight away and I have been able to get some sessions in this week while tapering. I think it just came about due to being run down after all the training and then going into taper I just relaxed and ended up with a second head!
We fly out this coming Tuesday and I picked up the visas yesterday – exciting! I just really struggle to believe that we are on our way to China and that we really going. It seemed such a pipe dream a year ago, when we were still living in Somerset, everything seemed so far away. I always wanted to go to places like China as a kid, but I never really thought it would happen. Now all I've got to do is race as hard as I can and qualify for Kona (fingers crossed). I am feeling the pressure a bit a lot of people have really put their faith in me, giving me time off work etc, we have spent a lot of money and Sarah and I have made a lot sacrifices in order to give me this chance, it's a massive opportunity that I do not want to let go by the way side.

I'll try to update the blog while we are in China in the lead up to the event, as I'm taking my laptop and hopefully we will have wifi in the hotel room.

This weekend all I've got left to do is a small ride with group and a steady 'fun' sea swim on Saturday, before coffee and a farewell to the team. Then that's it really, just finish work on the Monday evening and make our way to the airport.

Lastly, good luck to Marc this weekend at Ironman New Zealand, Taipo. Marc and I have done the lion’s share of all our training together and it's his first Ironman race. We'll be thinking of you mate this Saturday and keeping close taps on how you're getting on, you'll do amazingly well I know.

Train safe, race hard.

Ed

Golden Tulip Tri and only two weeks to go.......

There is only two weeks until we race in Ironman China and only a week Tuesday till we fly out to China. Man, we are sooooo excited, not only to be racing an Ironman again, but to travel the see China, well some of it, not long now!

Yesterday, I race out near Abu Dhabi, Ghantoot in the Golden Tulip Sprint Triathlon. There were quite a few guys racing, including a couple of ones from the area who have been here for a while. The distances were a 600m swim, 26km bike and then a 6km run.

The race went well and it was a mass deep water start. I pretty much missed my draft in the swim, so I was on my own for most of it and I came out of the swim in 7th place overall, about a minute down, co I knew my work was set out. My T1 was fast, even through I was wearing a wetsuit.

Out on to the road on the bike and I was quickly hitting over 50kmph and I hit out at 58km! I quickly saw the guys in front and I knew what I had to do to hit the front. However I also knew that the guys coming up from behind were quick, so I really had to push the pace. As I was flying out on the bike I knew that the way back was going to be hard as! Er it was! 35kmph on the way back, ouch, but if it was bad for me it was going to be bad for everyone else!

I hit the turn around in first place and really put the hammer down to get a good lead off the bike, as I knew the guys coming through were strong runners. After the second lap I flew into T2, threw the trainers on and I was quickly out on the run course. After a loads of encouragement from all the team and the guys watching (esp coach and Sarah) I hit the pace hard for the first 2km, but I struggle a little at the turn around aid station. Seeing the other guys chasing me after the turn around I knew I had push the pace so I really kicked it hard and made my way towards the finish.

I crossed the line in first place. The team also scored first female, 2nd female, third female, 4th male and first vet male. It was pretty awesome to be honest, a great day at the office!

Right thats it from me, the next time I blog we'll almost be really to travel to China!

Train safe and well done to the team Tri2aspire!

Ed

3 weeks till China and the unofficial UAE Championships

Not long now and I have to report it's been a great 3 weeks of training since I last reported. Some the sessions I've been hitting have just been building my confidence further and further. Last week I hit 95kms on the bike in 2hours 30mins and then kicked out 20kms on 4.30mins per km. I was loving in the heat of the day. From next Sunday I will be on official tamper mode, which I'm not too sure how I feel about it. Another journey will be coming to an end, but then another door will open for me.

The foot is still sore, but I got some new trainers last weeks and that has made a world of difference. However, I must report that I didn't that part in RAK Half marathon last weekend. I just really didn't want to risk the foot for China, so I hit a big bike session instead.

This coming weekend is the unofficial UAE Sprint Triathlon Championship at the Golden Tulip Hotel near Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi. It's a 600m swim, 26km bike and to finish a 6km run - I'm looking for about 1 hour 7mins(ish). This should be good fun, but some reason I don't now if it's because I want to do well for the team, my coach, for Sarah, for myself, but I am feeling nervous and I know if I swim well and I'm looked after by the team during it, then ride strong (as I know I can) and then run well (which I have been), I should do well and I'll be happy if I'm top 5 age grouper. I'm told Faris Al Sultan is racing with his team Abu Dhabi, so it'll be interesting to see how strong those guys are.

As for China, Sarah and I are in the process of getting our Visas sorted this week, as we are on half term this week. I've also order some kit back in the UK to my mates house who I work and he's gone home of the hol, so hopefully he should get the new lens (I scratched my jawbone lens!), new tubs and other bits and bobs for China.

Right, thats it for now. I'll report in after the weekend to let you know how the race goes on Friday. Fingers crossed, it'll be odd going to race without Jack mind to keep Sarah company :-(

Train safe,

Ed

6 weeks and counting!

It's only 6 weeks till we make our war to China to race. I am really looking forward to traveling, but we've got bits and bobs to do before we leave, visas, a couple of 180km rides etc! It will fly by and soon the race will be upon us and I'll be stood on the start line - pooing my pants (again). I scored sponsorship with Blue Seventy again this year, once again I am soooo happy to work with this company they simply are the best and I'm so saying that as they are flowing me kit, they really do make the best product on the market for wetsuits etc.

Thanks to Blue Seventy, Guy and Naomi.

Up date on the foot injury - still quite poor but I am just trying to run through the pain to be honest. My plan for this month is not as hard or should I say intense as I thought it would be honest, but the sessions are more about quality. My coach is hoping to keep me fresh and ready for battle in China. An interesting note was that last week I eat a load of crap to you the truth - pizza hut. If I'm honest my training was crap too and I really struggled with motivation. To give you an example of this I struggled to put a ride together pushing an average of 34kmph, where I can normally hit 36/7kpmh! It just showed my how important the fuel that I put into my body is. Equally, things have been full on at work, what with inspections (which was ok) and sports days coming up, its all a little serious and while I'm not afraid of hard work (I do Ironman for goodness shake!), I equally like to work with a smile on my face and for the past couple weeks this hasn't been the case. It's just not me, I don't like it.

This weekend I've got a time trail of 100km bike and then a 10km run. Coach wants me to hit 40kmph (2hr 30mins) on the bike and then a 43min run*. I think I'll be more happy with a 2hr 45min bike and a sub 40min run.

We'll see, I'll keep you posted.

Right, I'm going to slope off to bed to catch soon shut eye. I promise I'll put some new photos up soon too

Train safe, as always.

Ed

*Update, yea I killed the session, 80kms in 1hour 57mins and 12km in 44mins - sweet!

Inspection time, training and the F.A. Cup

Right first of all, lets get it out the way, yes Arsenal have been dumped out of the cup for another year by Stoke, yes Stoke! I mean bloody 'ell! Do I not like that!

On a more pleasant note (yea, right!) Repton School Dubai, where I teach is being inspected at he moment, which is nice. It's ok really, apart from a few hiccups, just like a normal week of teaching then and I'm still getting the training in. I'm starting to feel like I'm peaking ready for China in 6 weeks time. I'm feeling strong on the bike, last Saturday after a (from me) crap swim, Ali, Roy, Clint and myself flew out to Johan's Junction and killed a quick 100kms. In parts we were pushing 40-45kmph. Then on the way back with the wind we knocked off 50kmph average, it was beautiful and I felt great. I did a BIG weekend of training, something like 14 hours in total.

Right, thats it for now. Good luck to the guys heading out for the camp this weekend at Al Ain I wish I was coming out with you for the big weekend, but some of us have to work, as I've touring cricket team coming to stay.

Train safe and take care,

Ed and Sarah :-)

Big Toe, 10kms and the sun again!

Well we've back in Dubai (home) for about three weeks and I'm really getting into the training. It's hard to motivate myself at times, but it's for a number of reasons, mainly my big right toe, which has been giving me some pain for a while. I decided to go to the doctors as last year it had been diagnosed as a Morton Neuroma and I was given a shot of pain relief.

However on my visit this time it turned out not to be case and I certainly would not be a shot. The doctor order a X-Rays and an MRI scan. It turns out that my big toe is not at all flexible in the joint and therefore I over load my poor other toes esp my second one, which has really started to hurt. I've been to see the man who is fitting me with orthics, but this will take time to get used to, but fingers crossed we are on our way to getting it sorted.

On a top note, Sarah and I did the Dubai 10km last Friday just gone gone. Sarah did really coming in just over the hour. I was so proud of her and we've put her medal by the TV in the apartment. I race well placing 28th overall, out of 6ooo, in 37.12, 3RD Brit over the line, but I do feel I could have gone faster if I had sarted at the front. I would have got with the runners group and then been pulled along with them. However, considering I have not been training for the 10km and going way longer it was a pleasing result, but then again I'm never happy.

It is great to be back in the sun. It just makes training so much easier and I've been able to get some top session in with Marc, who is doing Ironman New Zealand and Clint, who is gunning for a sub 10hour Ironman in Roth.

Right thats it from me, I promise to update this more often, it's one promise I'm going to keep from the New Year.

Train safe and take care, always.

Ed and Sarah