Spring time is here!

OK - a little bit of spring is here. The weather here has been great for a few days and having less layers to train in is great. I have to say winter training and all its necessary recovery has been going really well. That is until this week when I got a cold - boo hoo! I first noticed in the pool on Tuesday going from freestyle to backstroke and felt like I was in a washing machine and later on not running in a straight line. Quite clearly my Eustachian tubes were blocked affecting my balance. So unfortunately a few days of rest have followed and listening to my body. I should have raced this weekend but have decided it's better to be healthy and have a great race next weekend instead. So instead of energy drinks, it's cups of hot lemon and plenty of rest.

Vic :)

Review of 2011

As I write this overview of 2011 I feel very thankful. This time last year I could barely walk, nevermind run and was probably a real pain the in ass to be around (there's nothing like an injured athlete!).  So much has progressed over the year from those incredibly painful physio sessions twice a week (thanks Richard @ Sportmed), to being able to run for 5 minutes on a treadmill, to completing my first duathlon in March and eventaully being able to run pain free July time. It's been a long journey and I thank my family, my friends and my sponsors for their ongoing support. 2011 was a journey and as 2012 starts I'm fitter, stronger and healthier. May it be a good year for us all.

So, in summary, 2011:

January and February
No racing, just 2-3 times a week for 5 minutes on the treadmill and lots of swimming and cycling.
March
Dambuster duathlon 2nd in age group by 10 seconds, not bad considering going into the race I hadn't run more than 5 miles! Qualification for European and World duathlon champs.
1st place local 25 mile TT
April
European duathlon champs, Limerick. Closely beaten in 4th place by 1 second - gutted! Pleased to have the 3rd fastest bike split overall the female competitors.
May and June
Out to the USA again to compete with the best in the US. Had a top 15 spot in Texas and 12th at the notorious Escape from Alcatraz (I love that race, it's so damn tough). Got swept by the tide and took ages to swim back to shore - not good but on the upside, my bike time was nearly 4 minutes quicker than the previous year.
Back home to do the wonderful Liverpool 5150 triathlon, still struggling with my feet but enjoyed the race and got 7th elite female.
July
Ripon triathlon 5th overall and fastest vet - apparently got a 2 minute penalty - still not sure how that occured. My first race pain free - yippee!
August and September
Training and preparation for the World duathlon champs, national and World masters individual pursuit champs. Unfortunately, just when you think things are looking up, I got sick, real sick with gastroenteritis while out in Thailand training for the Laguna Phuket triathlon in November (I didn't go in the end but it's still a race I'd love to do one day for many reasons).  Recovering from that back in the UK I managed to get back to some fitness only to come down with the 'flu 10 days before the Worlds. Looking back, my immune system had obviously had a severe kicking in the previous few weeks and although I thought I'd recovered, I wasn't even close to competing at a top level. I spent four days either in bed or dragging myself to a sofa with a temperature of 102F. I still thought I would be ok for racing the following weekend. Well, I got on a plane and travelled to Spain and I took part, but didn't/couldn't race. Hindsight suggests not going and cancelling the rest of the year!
October
Recovering and a little light training for the next three weeks I took part in the World masters track cycling champs. For ten weeks I'd followed a training plan from the City of Edinburgh Racing Club, the aim to get me onto the podium. In reality, this didn't happen and I got 6th but I had great 'fun' training for a new skill and will be continuing in 2012.
November
After a complete rest from training, it was time to start all over again with plans and goals for 2012. Time for some Friday night track league action at the Manchester velodrome and a real introduction of what to expect in 2012.
December
Time for some training camps in Lanzarote, a favourite place to train. Also, a little last minute race to spice up training, the Lanzarote 10.55k, a quarter of the marathon distance also held on a very windy Sunday. For a change my trusty stead was left at home and I was accompanied by my trainers and a wetsuit.

Thanks for reading my blog. Hope you all have a great year in 2012.
Vic :)

1st race of the year

This was my first race of the year. A little lung warmer of a 5 mile trail run on the outskirts of Stockport. Recently my running has been getting stronger, which after the ongoing injury, has been fantastic news. I started mid pack and very quickly made my way to the front of the group of ladies, by the first muddy hill I was in second place. My recent hill/strength training had obviously worked and I recovered well. It was truly a mud fest and lots of puddles too. By mile two, I had taken the lead and was running well with a group of men. Unfortunately at mile four (ish!), disaster struck when I tripped over what I think was a rock hidden in the mud. I did the most fantastic face plant and skidded along the mud. Although I partially recovered, the following mile I felt terrible and my legs wouldn't work properly, probably because of the amount of mud I was covered in! I eventually finished 3rd overall lady, which I'm pleased about and I'm still smiling, so it looks like more trail runs for me. Thanks to Belle Vue Racers for a great event. Next time i'll remember to take my fell shoes and not use my ordinary road trainers, school girl error!!

Vic :)

Snow on the ground

It's a week until Christmas and there is snow on the ground. For those of us living in the northern hemisphere atypical of this time of year. It looks great until you try to get out and train in it as I found to my cost yesterday. There was sheet ice everywhere and impossible to run on, I knew I should have ordered my Yaktrax earlier. I slid down my road and very quickly decided I'd end up on the deck if I ventured further.  Good job my kitchen had doubled up as a gym for my turbo session earlier, a lot warmer and certainly safer!

Today the ice was still present so off I ran (very carefully) until I was by the canal and somewhat safer running conditions. It was an amazing day with cloudless blue skies and mini 'icebergs' jutting out of the canal. Don't you just love winter days like this. So thankful to be able to run again.

Vic x

Warm weather training

To get away from the cold and the damp of the UK I decided to return to Lanzarote for some warm winter training. As the plane soared above the damp, grey clouds of Cheshire, I was already looking forward to the coming week. For a change my trusty steed had been left at home and instead my run shoes and wetsuit accompanied me.
Arriving in Lanzarote I was greeted by a gentle 'breeze'! but at least the sun was shining. This time I was staying in Costa Teguise at the Sands Beach resort which was located on the beach front - very handy for the sea. Checking in I saw there was going to be a race on the Sunday (what better excuse for some harder training :) ). I entered the 10.55k (or quarter distance), deciding my running skills were not quite up to a marathon!
A great few days leading up to the 'training' race with a swim and a run every day. Then Saturday dawned and I awoke to the sound of rain beating against my window and the force of the wind driving it through - great! All day it rained intermittently but the wind increased and continued into the evening. Speaking to some of the other athletes who were there, the wind would certainly make for an 'interesting' day on Sunday with an undulating course. Sunday dawned, the wind had abated (slightly) to an average 23mph and it was a lovely running temperature. As the gun went, I quickly made my way to the front with a couple of the Spanish girls and managed to stay with them for the first 4k but at the turnaround point, I began to lose them and the gap increased. Continuing to push on, my lack of race fitness began to show and I lost a couple of places, possibly due to the strength of the wind along the beachfront and some strength lacking. Finishing hard I came 5th lady overall, which given how hard I had gone out, I was pleased with and a good training session. My recovery run later felt hard though, couldn't wait to get home for my massage session.
Back home Tuesday and it's snowing - maybe swop the trainers for ski's?
Vic :)

Revolution 34

Joined my team mate Nicola on the Maxgear stand, me on my rollers and her on the turbo. Had the opportunity to wear the amazing new WASP speedsuit. Had a great viewpoint of the night's racing and managed not to get knocked off my rollers by the passing crowds. Can't wait for the next round in January '12.
Compared to the warmth of the velodrome, my Sunday ride out was really cold. Welcome to winter training.
Vic x

Getting back into the swing of it

After the World Masters, I decided it was time for a couple of weeks R + R. After plenty of eating, drinking and just a little partying, it was time to start winter training. Time to set goals and target races for 2012. I also started to race the Regional Manchester Track League, not had so much fun in a long time. Really scary to start with and being a complete novice to racing on the track. Within a couple of weeks I had managed to get some points on the scoreboard, yippee!!!
Next goal now that the injury to my leg and feet has healed was to head back to the hills for my run strength. Might even dabble in some cross country races. Back in the pool my lats and triceps had completely disappeared, this will definitely be a work in progress.
Vic x