Racing not blogging!

Well it looks like we've all been a bit slack in keeping the blog up to date so here's a few thoughts from the beginner end of the spectrum on Year 2 of tri for me and the exploits of the Green Army -ND tri not Plymouth Argyle!

Where to start..........so much has happened...... so a selection: The Green Army have been blasting their way through Hayle, Swanage, Bedford and Plymouth Olympic races; the Bude Sprint and of course the Gold Coast Aquathon. Muzzer continued his marathon challenge at the Swiss Alps and club members dropped into the Barnstaple Race for Life, St Ives, Helston, Burnham on Sea Tri's, as well as the Two Moors Sportif and Dartmoor Classic on the bike. Special mention must go to those who toughed their way through the Half Ironman at Wimbleball (espcially Damo in raising lots of money for charity) and to Bidemark for completing the Ironman UK in Bolton. At all these events club members have taken honours (too many to mention) or achieved personal goals but a read of the results section on the website shows how competitive many people are and how successful at getting through races if that is their own goal.

We've also had a couple cracking training session in Bude at the sea pool and in the surf which went from flat calm at the first one to some quite challenging swell at the second, we also did either a run or cycle afterwards these were great fun, very sociable and great to be out enjoying our environment.

I should really mention the women's section of the club where Maria, SallyP, Peggy, Suz, Helen, Rosie and Fi have all taken honours in multiple races and given the blokes a run for their money in terms of club honours and profile. However, as ever a key point about the club remains that for those of us who don't trouble the scorer the support is just as fulsome and the Green Army supporters are there rain or shine (seemingly mostly rain!) cheering us all on and taking photos to record all our efforts.

There is still alot of racing to come through August and into September/October with another club outing at Dorney to look forward to.

As for me I completed Bude and was quicker by 6minutes so very happy with that, took part in the Woolacombe long swim, that really was an experience in some challenging conditions surf wise and weather wise and having had some holiday just completed the Hayle sprint. This was my race where I felt "best" last year so really looked forward to it again this year. I think the holiday and lack of racing told and I was slightly slower this year but with quicker bike and run so I reckon if I get myself organised I can continue to improve inch by inch. This certainly taught the value of racing regularly and about being "race fit" and race ready - didn't quite feel like my head was around it this time whereas last year I really focused on this race. So as ever its a real learning curve.

So its back to work for me now which oddly may mean a clearer focus on training......I'm hoping to get to the Great North Swim but this may depend on the latest family addition - a Labrador puppy named Beth - its a bit if a trek to Winderemere, it may have to be next year! But I'm really looking forward to the Dorney relay and the chance for a team green outing - lets hope the weather is similar to last year - that has probably jinxed it!

Hopefully no frogs in the tent at Dorney :)